Eric Houghton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Eric Houghton (29 June 1910 - 1 May 1996), was an English footballer and manager.
Eric Houghton was born in Billingborough, Lincolnshire and educated at Donnington Grammar School. He signed for Aston Villa as a seventeen-year-old and played in the Villa side for two decades, scoring 170 goals in 392 games. (The total including war-time matches was over 200 goals.) He also won 7 caps for England. His formidable and powerful shot was regarded as the hardest shot of his era. Houghton converted 58 spot kicks and also scored direct from about 30 free-kicks.
He finished his playing career at Notts County.
He went on to become Aston Villa manager, winning the FA Cup in 1957, and after a spell managing Notts County, he returned to Villa as a director, the only person to do this at the club. He had 4 children. Often referred to as Mr Aston Villa in recognition of his long standing service and contribution to the club.
He also played seven first-class matches as a right-handed batsman and a right-arm bowler for Warwickshire County Cricket Club (1946-1947) and also minor counties cricket for Lincolnshire County Cricket Club. He also played club cricket for Sleaford, Aston Unity and Olton Cricket Clubs.
He died in Sutton Coldfield aged 85.
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[edit] External links
- Eric Houghton at Cricket Archive
- Eric Houghton at Cricinfo