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RON SAUNDERS' future as manager of Aston Villa was placed in some doubt yesterday with a readjustment of his contract. Previously it had stated that he would always be entitled to three years' compensation on dismissal, now the club have invoked a clause under which Saunders’ contract will end three years from the receipt of an official letter this week.

Daily Mirror, Saturday, 6 February 1982

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"Without a shadow of doubt the amendment does that [weakens his position with Villa].

"I have always wanted spend the rest of my career with Villa but the odds appear to against that now.

"That is now in jeopardy for the odds appear to be stacked against me."

Ron Saunders.

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"This is in no way a vote no confidence. In fact I and rather surprised that it has been taken as that.

“As a businessman I do not like roll-over contracts going on for ever.

"With the present situation in football and taking into account the recession I do like to know what our liabilities are.

”Nothing was further from our thoughts [than a vote of no confidence]. He [Saunders] is very good manager and has done very well. [Appointed manager in the summer of 1974, Saunders took Villa up from the second Division and won the League Cup in his first season, qualified Villa for their first ever European campaigns, won the League Cup again and won the First Division championship last season.]

“We did say that, all things being equal, we would be quite willing to negotiate with him the at end of the three years.

“Obviously we think of these things and are reminded of them by the fans, but this not a vote of confidence.”

Ron Bendall.

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"We had more or less done the job in the first half and should have been two or three up."

Ron Saunders, Saturday, 6 February 1982

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"I suppose people will look at the result and think we were murdered.

"But we could have murdered them in the first half. In the end the chances went in for Villa United and not for us.”

Peter Withe, Saturday, 6 February 1982

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“Striker Gary Shaw is one of the players Villa could be forced to sell to raise the money which manager Ron Saunders needs to strengthen his ailing side.

“Villa are nearly £1 million in debt. They say their financial situation is not critical.”

Daily Mirror, Tuesday, 9 February 1982

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RON SAUNDERS, manager of English league champions Aston Villa, quote the club last night.

In a heated telephone argument with chairman Ron Bendall, Saunders terminated his contract saying:

“If I’m employed to run a football club, then I’m not going to be treated like an office boy.”

Wednesday, 10 February 1982

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"Many things have been adding up in recent months and this is the final push in the back.

"I have now made up my mind that I want to move on. Mr. Saunders' decision is a complete shock.

“I honestly thought the boss would have sorted out this problem. He has been tremendous, although we have had our disagreements in the past.

"I don't feel comfortable here any more.”

Tony Morley helps the situation, Wednesday, 10 February 1982.

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"I am going to spend the next four or five weeks contemplating my future.

“I don't know if I will stay in football. I'm just going to have a rest, see a few relations and friends and possibly take a holiday.

"I have a few friends in most sports.

“Who knows, I might even open a sports centre."

Ron Saunders.

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"As far as I am concerned there is no way the club is liable to pay compensation."

Chairman Ron Bendall.

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Triumphs cost money and a season's wage bill of £1,026,329 provided the millstone when Sanders sought his Board’s agreement to buy new players to strengthen his squad.

Wednesday, 10 February 1982.

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“We are in no hurry [to appoint a successor to Saunders].

“We have a very good squad of players who know what is expected of them and I trust they will continue to play with a professional approach.”

Chairman Ron Bendall.

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