As we open our new show Would You Bet Against Us? which celebrates Aston Villa winning the European cup in 1982, Paul speaks to Dennis Mortimer, the captain of Villa at the time.

From his early days at infant school dribbling a tennis ball in the playground, through to training with Kirby boys under 15s, to the peak of his career in Aston Villa’s heyday, Dennis shares his career highlights and what it takes to be a European Champion.

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Read the full transcript of this episode here.

 

About Dennis Mortimer

Dennis Mortimer was born in Liverpool April 1952 and his professional football career spanned 721 league, Cup and European games. He was captain of the Aston Villa team which won the 1st Division Championship in 1981 and the European Cup in 1982.

Dennis' career began at Coventry City F.C. in 1967 with a 3 year apprenticeship. Dennis signed his first Professional contract in 1969 and transferred to Aston Villa in 1975 for £170.000, after which he transferred to Brighton and Hove Albion and then to Birmingham City. He was also loaned to Sheffield Utd in 1984/85.

After retiring from Professional football, Dennis had positions at the PFA and the FA.