Comments on: Blues Legend Gil Merrick

By: Alan Hughes

Alan Hughes — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:36:59 +0000

Gil was a great goalkeeper who had no need tp pull off flashy saves as he was always in the right place. His positioning was unbelievable and there were no histrionics with Gil and he played in the days when centre forwards took no prisoners. I’ll always remember the penalty save against Stan Lynn, a Villa player
then but later to be great servant of Blues. Stan reckoned Gil just happened to be in the way and the ball hit him but that was Gil, always in the right place. Stan had a rocket of a shot and scored no end of goals even playing the full back role.

I’ve seen many a comment today from people who say Gil was their hero, he was mine as well. There can’t be too many goalkeepers who get called that by so many people.

By: Blues News Digest : Joys & Sorrows

Blues News Digest : Joys & Sorrows — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:00:06 +0000

[...] The news today is dominated by the sad passing of Gil Merrick. Our own tribute can be found here [...]

By: Evo47

Evo47 — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:47:05 +0000

Gil Merrick was part of my boyhood and and the great memories I have of steam train journeys to Bordesley from Spring Road Station, watching Blues with my mates at the Tilton End. He always seemed a giant of a man and definitely deserves his place on Birmingham’s Walk of Fame.

By: Bored

Bored — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:48:23 +0000

Not being harsh but why would he have an ego? This was the 70′s!!

By: Kaje

Kaje — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:31:18 +0000

The loss of Gil has brought me very near to tears as I link him very strongly with my grandad, Wal Milner, who passed away two years ago but whom I still think about as much as ever. Having regularly attended Birmingham matches in the 50′s, Gil Merrick stood out to be his favourite player and I can remember hearing the name from an early age. My grandad had a very deep respect for Gil, and that has transferred to me. At my age, I’ve obviously never seen him play – but I feel I have through my grandad sharing his experiences with me.

I was, however, lucky enough to meet him. I remember going to a Birmingham City game as a VIP thanks to a .com competition win and he was one of the players floating around the corporate rooms. He was an absolute gent, a fantastic guy to talk to and yes – his hands are absolutely huge! I have his autograph somewhere, I think I may well dig it out and have it framed!

He’s clearly much loved and respected by all associated with Birmingham City, from having a stand named after him, being inducted into the Legends XI and being presented with a star on Birmingham’s Walk of Fame. I hope that love and respect continues to be present for a long time, and as new generations of fans enter St. Andrews, we can pass on our first, second and third hand accounts as to how great this man was.

Gil Merrick – RIP.