Insight

Religious leaders with the restored memorial to William McGregor

Dignity help Aston Villa supporters to remember the founder of The Football League

On Tuesday 20 December 2011, Dignity funeral directors, E F Edwards of Erdington, Birmingham, helped supporters of Aston Villa to mark the centenary of the death of William McGregor, founder of The Football League and Chairman of their club during its formative years.

Dignity offered to cover the shortfall in funds raised by Villa supporters who were looking to restore McGregor’s grave at St Mary’s Church in Handsworth and E F Edwards funeral home provided a limousine and chauffer, Chris Harper, to transport high profile guests to the church and the VIP reception at Villa Park.

"As a long time Villa fan and season ticket holder I have a personal interest in helping give William McGregor the resting place he undoubtedly deserves," explained Dignity’s corporate services director, Richard Portman. "Due to the generosity of Villa’s supporters we have only had to make a small financial contribution to cover the shortfall but we were pleased to provide a Mercedes limousine and chauffeur to transport the religious leaders and dignitaries that were attending this special event."

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham and the Chairmen and Chief Executives of the 12 founding clubs of The Football League attended the Service of Commemoration. It was jointly conducted by Reverend Dr Kirsty Thorpe, leader of the United Reformed Church in the UK (McGregor was a devout member of the Congregational Church, now part of the URC), Reverend Leo Osborn, leader of the Methodist Church in the UK (in recognition of Aston Villa’s Methodist origin) and the Right Reverend Andrew Watson, Bishop of Aston. Also taking part was the Reverend Stuart Picken, minister of Ardoch Parish Church in Perthshire, where McGregor was baptised.

E F Edwards also provided a limousine for Lord Brian Mawhinney, President of The Football League, who paid tribute to his organisations founder as part of the service.

The Service concluded with a procession into the Churchyard led by the Bishop of Aston, who re-dedicated McGregor’s grave followed by a reception at Villa Park.