Members News: Sky Blues 70s Star Hits 71 Today! ‘Happy Birthday’, Dennis!!
Dennis with Tommy Hutchison at last Saturday’s LD 2023
Dennis in the Sky Blue
Happy Birthday for Today to CCFPA member and former Sky Blue attacking midfielder Dennis Mortimer (b. 5th April 1952). Dennis is celebrating his big 71st today!!
Liverpudlian Dennis began as an apprentice at Highfield Road in 1967 and turned professional in September 1969 making his full debut in a 1-1 home draw against Liverpool in the F.A.Cup in January 1970.
Dennis Mortimer at LD22 (MY)
Before moving to Villa Park in December 1975 for £175k Dennis had made 221 first team appearances in all competitions and netted twelve times for the Sky Blues. He was also part of the Sky Blue sole venture into European competition (Fairs Cup 1970-71).
At our midland rivals Dennis captained the Villa to a 1982 European Cup Final 1–0 victory against Bayern Munich (who had knocked CCFC out of the UEFA Cup in their own small European adventure in 1971.
A kneeling Sky Blue Dennis back in the day
When he left the Villa in 1985 (having had a loan spell with Sheffield United) Dennis spent time with both Brighton and Birmingham City (1986) before ending his career in non league football at Kettering Town and Redditch United (where he became player-manager) in 1988.
Dennis then gained coaching and administrative experience with both West Bromwich Albion and the Professional Footballers Association (PFA). He is a pretty regular attender at the Association’s Legends Days and Golf Days and we were really pleased to see him at Legends Day 2023 last Saturday.
We reported on this site a few years ago how Dennis was involved in promoting and operating the national Dementia Cafe project in Birmingham (to see more click on the image below)
Dennis ended up with three England ‘B’ Caps; six England Under 23 Caps (all with City); a European Cup Winners medal 1982; a League Champions medal 1980-81; and a League Cup Winners medal 1977 (all with Villa).
Have a great day today Dennis and we hope to see you at the CBS Arena again next season or at the upcoming Golf Day in June!
