Roy Aitken
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Sime Aitken | ||
| Date of birth | 24 November 1958 | ||
| Place of birth | Irvine, Scotland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1973–1976 | Celtic Boys Club | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1976–1990 | Celtic | 483 | (40) |
| 1990–1991 | Newcastle United | 54 | (1) |
| 1991–1992 | St Mirren | 34 | (1) |
| 1992–1995 | Aberdeen | 29 | (2) |
| Total | 600 | (44) | |
| National team | |||
| 1980–1991 | Scotland | 57 | (1) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1995–1997 | Aberdeen | ||
| 2006 | Aston Villa (caretaker manager) | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Robert Sime "Roy" Aitken (born 24 November 1958)[1] is a former footballer who went on to become a coach with clubs including Leeds United and Aston Villa. His position as a player was defence.
Born in Irvine, Ayrshire,[1] he grew up in Ardrossan. He signed for Celtic as a youngster.
[edit] Playing career
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This section requires expansion. |
At Celtic, he was nicknamed 'The Bear' by the supporters due to his large frame and commanding presence. He later went on to play for Newcastle United, St. Mirren and Aberdeen.
He won 57 caps for the Scotland national football team, scoring once.
[edit] Management and coaching career
After his playing career, he had a short spell in management with Scottish Premier League team Aberdeen, and won the Scottish League Cup in 1995 before turning his attention to coaching.
After obtaining his UEFA Pro Licence at the Scottish Football Association's Largs training centre,[2] Aitken went on to become a coach with Leeds United before rejoining former Leeds coach David O'Leary at Aston Villa.[3]
On 20 July 2006, he was named caretaker manager of Aston Villa after O'Leary's departure the previous evening.[4] Aitken managed Villa to three pre-season victories before being replaced by Martin O'Neill.[5]
In January 2007, he was appointed as one of Alex McLeish's assistants with the Scotland national football team. On 28 November 2007, he followed McLeish, newly appointed as manager of Birmingham City, to the club as first-team coach alongside Andy Watson.[6]
In July 2010, Aitken left Birmingham City to join O'Leary in Dubai with Al-Ahli.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Roy Aitken - A Squad". Scottish Football Association. http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_player_profile.cfm?page=464&playerID=287&squadID=1. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
- ^ Winter, Henry (29 November 2007). "England could learn from Scottish system". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/scotland/2327013/England-could-learn-from-Scottish-system.html. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
- ^ "Aitken ready to lead Villa until whenever". ESPNsoccernet. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374411&cc=5739. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
- ^ "Aitken at helm after O'Leary exit". BBC Sport. 21 July 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/5197898.stm. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
- ^ Tattum, Colin (17 April 2008). "Roy Aitken: I want to win Aston Villa derby for Birmingham City". Birmingham Mail. http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2008/04/17/roy-aitken-i-want-to-win-aston-villa-derby-for-birmingham-city-97319-20777305/. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
- ^ "Birmingham unveil McLeish as boss". BBC Sport. 28 November 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/7115728.stm. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "Roy Aitken quits Birmingham City for Al Ahli". BBC Sport. 7 July 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/8797781.stm. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Danny McGrain |
Celtic F.C. captain 1987–1989 |
Succeeded by Paul McStay |
| Preceded by Andy Thorn |
Newcastle United F.C. Captain 1990–1991 |
Succeeded by Kevin Scott |
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- 1958 births
- Living people
- People from Irvine, North Ayrshire
- Scottish footballers
- Scotland international footballers
- Association football midfielders
- Celtic F.C. players
- Newcastle United F.C. players
- St. Mirren F.C. players
- Aberdeen F.C. players
- Scottish Football League players
- The Football League players
- 1986 FIFA World Cup players
- 1990 FIFA World Cup players
- Scottish football managers
- Aberdeen F.C. managers
- Aston Villa F.C. managers
- Birmingham City F.C. non-playing staff
- UEFA Pro Licence holders
- People educated at St Andrews Academy
