Ron Saunders

As a player, he was an old-fashioned, hard-shooting centre forward who scored 246 goals in 16 years for Everton, Tonbridge Angels, Gillingham, Portsmouth, Watford and Charlton Athletic. Saunders was leading goalscorer for six consecutive seasons at Portsmouth and his goals were a key factor in helping Pompey win the Third Division title in 1962. He remains their third highest goalscorer. He retired from full-time playing in 1967, when with Charlton.

Early career

Saunders became player-manager at non-league Yeovil Town.

Norwich City

As a manager, Saunders first tasted success at Norwich City, guiding them to the Second Division title in 1972, which saw them promoted to the First Division for the first time in their history. Saunders steered Norwich City to survival in their first season in the top flight. They also reached the League Cup final, losing 1–0 to Tottenham Hotspur. He resigned as Norwich manager on 17 November 1973 following a boardroom row after a 3–1 home defeat to Everton.

Manchester City

Five days later, Saunders accepted an offer to take over at Manchester City. For the second season running Saunders managed a team to the Football League Cup final, but once again he lost, this time to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Despite their cup success, City's league form was shaky, and Saunders was dismissed three weeks before the end of the season. He did not stay out of work for long however, and the following month joined Second Division side Aston Villa as manager.

Aston Villa

Saunders guided Villa to promotion to the First Division (as runners-up in the Second Division) in his first season as manager, also winning two League Cup titles, in 1975 and 1977. He became the first manager to take three clubs to the League Cup final in three successive years. In 1980–81, he guided Villa to their first First Division title for 71 years. He resigned from Villa on 9 February 1982. At the…

Player

England U18

FIFA Youth Tournament: 1948 Portsmouth

Third Division: 1961–62

Manager

Norwich City

Second Division: 1971–72 Aston Villa

First Division: 1980–81 FA Charity Shield: 1981 (shared) Football League Cup: 1974–75, 1976–77