Jake Findlay

John Williamson Findlay Date of Birth: Jul 13, 1954

Aston Villa manager Tommy Docherty fought off a shoal of clubs to sign goalkeeper Jake as a 15 year old but although he starred in the Villans 1972 Youth Cup triumph he found it difficult to displace Jim Cumbes and Jimmy Rimmer.

It took a lot of pestering by Luton manager David Pleat though, to get Villa to release Jake to replace Milija Aleksic in 1979 but once he came to Kenilworth Road he became a terrace favourite and starred as the Hatters won promotion to Division One in 1982. A badly broken thumb then effectively ended his Luton career as by the time he was fit the Town had signed Les Sealey and after a brief spell at Swindon he hung up his gloves.

Jake now runs a driving school in Sutton Coldfield.