Former Aston Villa footballer Stan Crowther dies aged 78
Former Aston Villa footballer Stan Crowther has died at the age of 78.
Crowther was a hero of the 1957 FA Cup win and played for the claret and blues between 1956-58 and made 62 appearances, scoring four goals.
Bilston-born Crowther was also a unique figure in football – the only player allowed to turn out in the FA Cup after being cup tied with another club.
That was in 1958, when he joined Manchester United as an emergency signing in the wake of the Munich air disaster.
Crowther had been a third round loser with Villa at the hands of Stoke but nearly ended up a cup winner for the second year running with United.
The FA gave United special dispensation to play him in the cup and he helped their decimated team to Wembley, where they lost 2-0 in the final to Bolton.
The wideman also went onto play for Chelsea and later had short spells with Brighton & Hove Albion, Hednesford Town and Rugby Town.
An Aston Villa spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time."
