1932 November 6th
Birth of Ron Saunders
Ron Saunders is born in Birkenhead and later establishes himself as a prolific centre-forward before pursuing a distinguished managerial career.
Football history · Individual timeline
Ron Saunders
41 historical football records.
1951
Everton League Career Begins
Saunders joins Everton's senior playing ranks and begins his professional career as a centre-forward.
1955
Gillingham Scoring Opportunity
Saunders moves to Gillingham and gains regular first-team football, laying the groundwork for his reputation as a goalscorer.
1956
Portsmouth Signs Saunders
Saunders signs for Portsmouth and becomes an important source of goals during his years on the south coast.
1958
Portsmouth Leading Striker
Saunders continues scoring for Portsmouth in the First Division and attracts interest from clubs seeking a reliable centre-forward.
1959
Watford Forward Appointment
Saunders joins Watford and adds experience to their attacking line during a transitional period in his playing career.
1960
Charlton Athletic Goalscoring Spell
Saunders joins Charlton Athletic and develops into one of the club's most productive post-war centre-forwards.
1961
Charlton Prolific Division Two Season
Saunders maintains an exceptional goalscoring rate for Charlton Athletic while playing in the Second Division.
1962
Saunders Adds Goals During Third Tier Rise
Saunders spearheads Portsmouth's attacking efforts during the season in which the club wins the Third Division championship.
1963
Southampton Secures Proven Striker
Saunders moves to Southampton and becomes the attacking focal point of a team seeking promotion to the First Division.
1964
Saunders' Prolific Portsmouth Scoring Record
Saunders establishes himself as a regular goalscorer at Fratton Park before continuing his professional career elsewhere.
1964
Southampton Second Division Scoring Lead
Saunders supplies a sustained run of goals for Southampton and reinforces his reputation as a specialist penalty-area finisher.
1966
Southampton Reaches First Division
Saunders helps Southampton earn promotion to the English top flight for the first time, contributing decisive goals during the campaign.
1967
Southampton First Division Adaptation
Saunders leads Southampton's attack in their first seasons in England's top division, bringing experience to a difficult step up.
1969
Oxford United Management Appointment
Saunders takes charge at Oxford United in the Second Division, beginning his rise through the Football League management ranks.
1971
Norwich City Recruitment
Norwich City appoint Saunders manager, seeking the promotion that had previously eluded the club.
1972
First Promotion to English Top Flight
Ron Saunders led Norwich City to the 1971-72 Second Division championship, taking the club into England's top flight for the first time.
1972
Norwich Wins Second Division Championship
Saunders guides Norwich City to the Second Division title and the club's first promotion to the English top flight.
1973 March 3rd
Norwich Reaches League Cup Final
Saunders takes Norwich to their first League Cup final, where Tottenham Hotspur win 1–0 at Wembley.
1974 March 2nd
Manchester City League Cup Runner-Up
Saunders manages Manchester City in the League Cup final against Wolves, who win 2–1 at Wembley.
1974 June 5th
Beginning of Saunders Era
Saunders begins a tenure that produces promotion, domestic cups and a league championship.
1974 June 5th
Managerial Appointment
Saunders is appointed manager and begins rebuilding Aston Villa.
1975
First European Qualification
League Cup success qualifies Aston Villa for European competition for the first time.
1975
Promotion to First Division
Villa finishes second in the Second Division and returns to the top flight.
1975
Villa Earns Promotion to Division One
Saunders secures promotion from the Second Division with Aston Villa, restoring top-flight football to Villa Park.
1975 March 1st
Second League Cup Victory
Saunders leads Villa to a 1-0 League Cup final victory over Norwich City.
1976
Villa Establishes Top-Flight Stability
Saunders consolidates Aston Villa's place in the First Division after promotion, building a side around athletic midfielders and quick forwards.
1977 April 13th
Villa Wins Second League Cup Under Saunders
Saunders leads Aston Villa to a second League Cup title after a drawn final and two replays against Everton.
1981
Aston Villa 1981 First Division Title - Ron Saunders
With Aston Villa crowned English First Division champions in 1981, Ron Saunders was part of the title-winning side as manager in the squad. The title followed a campaign in which the side built its success through sustained results and teamwork, with Ron Saunders contributing to that collective effort.
1981
First Division Championship
Saunders leads Villa to its first league championship for seventy-one years.
1981
Villa Wins First Title Since 1910
Saunders guides Aston Villa to the 1980–81 First Division championship, using a remarkably small core of players over the season.
1981 September
European Cup Debut
Villa begins its first European Cup campaign with a decisive victory over Valur.
1982
Saunders Leaves Villa Before European Glory
Saunders resigns as Aston Villa manager during the 1981–82 season, months before the side he built wins the European Cup.
1982
Takes Charge at St Andrews
Saunders took over as Birmingham City manager after leaving Aston Villa, crossing the city divide to begin a new spell in the dugout.
1982 February
Resignation from Aston Villa
Saunders resigns during Villa's European Cup campaign after a dispute with the board.
1983
Birmingham City Premier Division Fight
Saunders steers Birmingham City through a demanding top-flight campaign, applying the disciplined approach he had used across the city.
1984
Birmingham Returns to First Division Pursuit
Saunders oversees Birmingham's attempt to recover from relegation, rebuilding the playing staff for a promotion challenge.
1984
Second Division Promotion Campaign
Saunders oversaw Birmingham City’s 1984–85 promotion campaign, steering the team back towards top-flight football through a disciplined league programme.
1985
Birmingham City Promoted to Top Flight
Saunders takes Birmingham City back into the First Division after a successful 1984–85 Second Division campaign.
1986
West Bromwich Albion Appointment
Saunders takes charge at West Bromwich Albion following the end of his Birmingham City tenure.
1987
Saunders West Brom Managerial Departure
Saunders's spell as West Bromwich Albion manager comes to an end after the club struggles to establish momentum.