| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ronald Maurice Wylie[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1933-08-06)6 August 1933[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Glasgow,[1] Scotland | ||
| Date of death | 14 April 2020(2020-04-14) (aged 86) | ||
| Position(s) | Right half /Inside forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Clydesdale Juniors | |||
| 1948–1950 | Notts County | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1950–1958 | Notts County | 227 | (35) |
| 1958–1965 | Aston Villa | 196 | (16) |
| 1965–1970 | Birmingham City | 128 | (2) |
| Total | 551 | (53) | |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1981–1982 | Bulova | ||
| 1982–1984 | West Bromwich Albion | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Ronald Maurice Wylie (6 August 1933 – 14 April 2020) was a Scottishfootball player, coach andmanager. He played as aright half orinside forward forNotts County,Aston Villa andBirmingham City, making more than 550 appearances in theFootball League, and more than 700 in all competitions. As a manager, he took charge ofWest Bromwich Albion between 1982 and 1984.
An inside-forward, Wylie made his name at Notts County before transferring to Aston Villa in 1958. Wylie spent seven years at Aston Villa, establishing himself as the midfield schemer in the side, which won theSecond Division title andpromotion to theFirst Division in the1959–60 season and achievedLeague Cup success a year later. Highly regarded by the club's fans, he was not capped byScotland, likely due to the abundance of quality midfielders available at the time. In 1965, he transferred to Birmingham City. Considered past his best when he made the move, he went on to play nearly 150 games for the club, was appointed club captain, and retired in 1970 at the age of 37.[2]
On retirement as a player, Wylie joined the coaching staff at Aston Villa before moving toCoventry City, first as coach and later as assistant manager. He took an advisory post inCyprus before returning to England where he was appointed manager at West Bromwich Albion in 1982.[2] WithRon Atkinson being replaced byRonnie Allen, the club had sold players such asBryan Robson,Remi Moses andPeter Barnes, leading to a decline in the club's fortunes. The side began the1982–83 season well, winning 7 of the first 11 and were in contention for aUEFA Cup place for much of the season, but a late slump in form saw them finish 11th (the last time the club finished in the top half of the top flight until the2011-12 season).
The following season, West Brom's form was mediocre although the side were always several points clear of the relegation zone. Wylie left the manager's position in February and was replaced byJohnny Giles.
He returned to Aston Villa to take charge of thereserve team, later working as ascout before yet again rejoining Villa as community liaison officer,[2] a post which he held until retirement in 2002.[3]
Wylie's grandson,Alex Grove, playedrugby union forWorcester Warriors and theScotland national team. Though born in England, Grove qualified for Scotland through hisGlasgow-born grandfather.[4]
Wylie died on 14 April 2020 after a long illness.[5]
Aston Villa