Aston Villa is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former player Jake Findlay, who has died at the age of 70.
The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Jake’s family and friends at this difficult time.
Born John Williamson Findlay in Blairgowrie, Scotland, in July 1954, Jake joined Villa’s youth ranks in 1968 and was a member of the team which won the FA Youth Cup for the first time four years later.
He made his first-team debut at home to Sunderland in April 1974, although he was restricted to a total of just 18 senior appearances over the next three-and-a-half years as he was competing with Jimmy Cumbes, then John Burridge and then Jimmy Rimmer.
He did, however, have the distinction of playing in the first European match at Villa Park, the second leg of a UEFA Cup tie against Royal Antwerp in 1975.
Findlay also had a six-match run in place of the injured Burridge in 1976 – including our famous 5-1 home victory over defending champions Liverpool. His final game for Villa was as a late substitute for Rimmer in the club’s 2-0 UEFA Cup home win against Gornik Zabrze in October 1977.
He subsequently joined Luton Town, helping the Hatters to promotion to the top flight in 1981-82. Findlay made a total of 187 league and cup appearances for the Kenilworth Road club but suffered a fractured thumb in 1983. By the time he recovered, Luton had signed Les Sealey.
After hanging up his gloves, Findlay set up a driving school in Streetly.
Rest in Peace, Jake.
