I recently had the privilege of interviewing the incredible actor Mark Williams, who had been given the fantastic job of narrating the BT documentary Super Villans, which chronicled the most incredible two years in our history.
I watched it before talking to Mark, and I can tell you it’s absolutely incredible and very emotional. Anyway, here’s our conversation; I hope you enjoy it.
BT Sport will premiere Super Villans, the latest documentary from the award-winning BT Sport Films series, on 18 May at 10.30pm on BT Sport 1.
The film is narrated by actor and well-known Villa fan, Mark Williams and tells the unlikely story of how Aston Villa rose to become European champions, paying tribute to the extraordinary achievements of Ron Saunders, Tony Barton and the Villa team that defied every expectation.
With contributions from members of Villa’s Championship-winning side including Dennis Mortimer, Gary Shaw, Allan Evans, Tony Morley and Nigel Spink, the documentary uncovers one of the most remarkable journeys ever witnessed in English football, forty years on from the greatest night in the club’s illustrious history.
So let’s start at the beginning, how did you become a Villa fan?
” My dad was a Baggies fan actually, my Uncle Jimmy was a Villa shareholder and I used to go round his house and see him off to the match, to be honest, if your team can annoy you then you know you are a fan”
Mark Williams
I’ve watched the documentary and it’s fantastic, how did you get involved in it?
“It is very good isn’t it, like most things I do I was asked to do it. It was great to be involved. you can’t imagine in the modern times’ players pushing the trophy around the airport on a luggage trolley. but it was their trophy they won it, nowadays it is a corporate thing almost”
Mark Williams
Was there anything you discovered while making the film that you weren’t aware of before?
“Yeah, Tony Morley’s house burning down, and Ron’s reaction to that, the great mystery to me was how did Ron know there was a jumble sale going on“
“Ron Saunders was a bit of a hero to me, he was a sharp dresser and had a gold Mercedes. If Ron hadn’t gone then we would have created a dynasty as Fergie did at Manchester United. Villa lost a lot when he went and would have been a completely different club going forward. Rons therory“
Mark Williams
Ron said in the documentary that a monkey could have taken over his Villa team and carried on winning, I thought that was harsh on Tony Barton, do you agree?
“Yes, I do actually, incredibly harsh. the great thing about what Tony Barton did was he didn’t have an ego like other managers and he didn’t mess with the team and the way they played“
Mark Williams
Did anything else stand out watching it back?
“Yes, the quality of the interviews with Gary Newbon etc, they didn’t pull any punches with their questions, that’s something that’s lost in the modern game as they are too scared to lose the chance to ask a question if they upset anyone“
“And Bobby Robson is told on camera that Ron has been sacked and he didn’t have a clue, that was an amazing bit of television“
Mark Williams
I found the documentary very emotional to watch, what emotions did you feel?
“Yes very much so, I also forgot how good Gary Shaw was, every goal he scored I shouted go on son at the TV!! Also, the bravery of Withe as well“
Mark Williams
I felt so much for Jimmy Rimmer, he seams to carry the fact he went off very heavily on his shoulders?
“He did, but he did get on the pitch in the final, nowadays that would be seen as ok they wouldn’t worry about it. He felt like he let them down, but to him, it was all about the feeling of one for all and all for one I suppose“
Mark Williams
How did you see the games back then?
“Would you believe I didn’t have a TV, and you didn’t have portable devices? I’m sure I was on stage the night we won the European Cup. It’s a problem in my industry“
Mark Williams
Who was your favourite player from that era?
“I didn’t have one really, they all were so magnificent”
Mark Williams
Thanks for this chance to speak to you Mark
“UP THE VILLA“
Mark Williams
AUTHOR | JUSTIN HAWTHORNE
SUPER VILLANS | TONY MORLEY
SUPER VILLANS | Tony Morley (utvpodcast.co.uk)
NIGEL SPINK
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2 Responses
Great Interview with mark
Thanks for reading Keith. UTV
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