Background
Eric Houghton was born in Billingborough, Lincolnshire and educated at Donington Grammar School.
cricketer association football player
Eric Houghton was born in Billingborough, Lincolnshire and educated at Donington Grammar School.
He signed for Aston Villa as a seventeen-year-old and played in the Villa side for two decades, scoring 170 goals in 392 games. His formidable and powerful shot was regarded as the hardest shot of his era. Houghton converted 58 spot kicks and also scored direct from about 30 free-kicks.
He finished his playing career at N ottinghamshire County.
He had 4 children. Often referred to as Mr Aston Villa in recognition of his long standing service and contribution to the club He also played seven first-class matches as a right-handed batsman and a right-arm bowler for Warwickshire County Cricket Club (1946–1947) and also minor counties cricket for Lincolnshire County Cricket Club.
He died in Sutton Coldfield on 1 May 1996, aged 85.