TWITTER IS OFTEN perceived as a toxic environment where bullying, abuse and ill-informed opinions are rife, but occasionally it can also provide an insight into the best elements of people’s personalities and this was true in the case of Ugo Ehiogu.
His last tweet was fitting. “Gave a homeless girl £10 last night in Dalston,” he wrote last March. “She didn’t ask or beg.Random impulsive act from me. Not gona lie. Felt good.”
Ehiogu was not only a talented footballer but a decent human being by all accounts.
In the wake of his death, former Aston Villa teammate Stan Collymore paid tribute to the late defender:
“I joined Villa straight after the 96/97 season ended and immediately went with the gaffer, Brian Little to San Francisco to meet up with my new team mates on a post season 2 game tour against LA Galaxy and San Jose.
“He was already great friends with Bozza and Dwight Yorke but wasn’t as loud as them or me, just cooler than cool at the back with a big smile but always up for fun and a laugh.”
Ehiogu started his career as a trainee with West Brom, who were in the old Second Division at the time, having progressed from the prestigious underage team Senrab FC, who also count Sol Campbell, Ray Walkins, Jermain Defoe and Sol Campbell among their famous alumnae.
After turning professional in 1989, he made two appearances for the Baggies before signing for Ron Atkinson’s Aston Villa side for £40,000 in August 1991 at the age of just 18.
Aston Villa’s Ugo Ehiogu being mobbed by fans in 1994.
Source: PA Wire/PA Images
It was to prove an astute piece of business, as the London-born star would go on to make over 300 appearances in nine years with Villa and ultimately come to be regarded as a club legend.
He gradually displaced Shaun Teale as the club’s main centre-back alongside Irish footballing legend Paul McGrath — a man whom Ehiogu later included in his all-time Villa XI, adding: “Despite all these problems, he’s never let anyone down on the pitch!”
McGrath in turn today tweeted: “Devestated for Ugo, a great friend. Heart goes out to his family and friends. RIP #villahero.”
Ehiogu made four appearances, including two while still a teenager, in the inaugural 1992-93 Premier League campaign, as Villa fell just short when pitted against Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in the title race.
He made 17 appearances the following season and by the 1994-95 campaign, Ehiogu had established himself as a regular in the Villa side, featuring in 39 of their 42 league games that season.