Player #99 for Aston Villa, Patrick William Groves, known as Willie Groves played as a midfielder for the club in a position then known as a wing half.

Willie represented Villa 26 times in the 1893-94 season scoring 3 goals.

Willie was born in Leith, Scotland on 9th November 1869 and made his debut as a 23 year old on 30th September 1893.

Villa had signed Willie from West Bromwich Albion for £100 and he went on to help Villa secure the League title in 1893-94.

When Willie signed for Villa in 1893 he became the first player to be transferred for over £100 however that fee was not one agreed between the clubs involved. Rather the fee came about retrospectively with the FA instructing Villa to make the the payment to West Brom as they suspected Villa of tapping up Groves over the transfer.

Contract issues were to feature again with Willie leaving the club in November 1894 as further money issues arose.

Indeed money issues had followed Willie around since his debut with Hibs when he was accused of illegally taking payment as an amateur player.

Willie’ final game for Villa came on 14th April 1894 after which Groves retired from football temporarily before re-joining Hibs in 1895.

Willie had played under the George Ramsay led Management Committee.

Willie passed away from a sudden illness in Edinburgh on 13th February 1908 aged just 38.