Ron Saunders

Ron Saunders
Personal information
Full name	Ronald Saunders
Date of birth	6 November 1932
Place of birth	Birkenhead, Cheshire, England
Date of death	7 December 2019 (aged 87)
Position(s)	Forward
Senior career*
Years	Team
1951–1955	Everton
1955–1957	Tonbridge Angels
1957–1958	Gillingham
1958–1964	Portsmouth
1964–1965	Watford
1965–1967	Charlton Athletic
Total
Managerial career
1967–1969	Yeovil Town
1969	Oxford United
1969–1973	Norwich City
1973–1974	Manchester City
1974–1982	Aston Villa
1982–1986	Birmingham City
1986–1987	West Bromwich Albion
	*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Ronald Saunders (6 November 1932 – 7 December 2019) was an English football player and manager. He played for Everton, Tonbridge Angels, Gillingham, Portsmouth, Watford and Charlton Athletic during a 16-year playing career, before moving into management. He managed seven clubs in 20 years, and he was the first manager to have taken charge of Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion, the three rival clubs based in and around the city of Birmingham.

Saunders also managed Yeovil Town, Oxford United, Norwich City and Manchester City. He was involved in football for 36 consecutive years; he left his final managerial role, at West Bromwich Albion, at the age of 54.