Eric Houghton

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Eric Houghton
Houghton in 1932
Personal information
Full name William Eric Houghton
Date of birth (1910-06-29)29 June 1910
Place of birth Billingborough, Lincolnshire, England
Date of death 1 May 1996(1996-05-01) (aged 85)
Place of death Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England[1]
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Position(s)
Winger
Youth career
Billingborough
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1927–1946 Aston Villa 361 (160)
1946–1949 Notts County 55 (10)
Total 416 (170)
International career
1930–1932 England 7 (5)
Managerial career
1949–1953 Notts County
1953–1958 Aston Villa
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

William Eric Houghton (29 June 1910 – 1 May 1996) was an English footballer and manager.

Eric Houghton was born in

Donington Grammar School
.

Houghton signed for

caps for England. His formidable and powerful shot was regarded as the hardest shot of his era.[1]
Houghton converted 58 spot kicks and also scored direct from about 30 free-kicks. He is often referred to as 'Mr Aston Villa' in recognition of his long standing service and contribution to the club.

Houghton scored 30 goals in the 1930–31 season, in which Villa scored 128 league goals, a First Division record.[4]

Houghton finished his playing career at Notts County.

After managing Notts County, he went on to become Aston Villa manager, guiding Villa to a record seventh

Aston Villa Hall of Fame. This was voted for by fans and the inaugural induction saw 12 former players, managers and directors named.[5] Eric Houghton was chosen.[6]

He also played seven first-class matches as 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.

His brother, Roy Houghton, and cousin, Reg Goodacre, were also footballers. His son Neil chaired Warwickshire County Cricket Club (2003–2011) and his great-nephew Chris Woods was a successful international footballer.[7][8]

He died in Sutton Coldfield on 1 May 1996, aged 85.

References

  1. ^ a b Ponting, Ivan (3 May 1996). "Obituary: Eric Houghton". The Independent. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  2. ^ "Villa have talent to succeed". Sunday Dispatch Football Guide. London. 23 August 1936. p. vi – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Set Piece Legend". Aston Villa Football Club. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  4. ISBN 178100823X
    .
  5. ^ "Aston Villa Hall of Fame". Aston Villa F.C. Archived from the original on 15 October 2007.
  6. ^ "Sport: Popular Petrov to be added to Iconic Villa Hall of Fame". Aston Villa F.C. 10 May 2013. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  7. ^ Wilkinson, Chris. "Roy Houghton". uptheposh.com. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  8. ^ "Warwickshire announce new committee appointments" (Press release). Warwickshire CCC. 13 February 2003. Retrieved 27 March 2018 – via ESPN Cricinfo.

External links

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