The Half-Time Storm in a Teacup
Former Aston Villa striker Dean Saunders has shared a remarkable story from his time at the club, involving manager Ron Atkinson and a flying cup of boiling tea. The incident occurred during a Premier League match against Oldham at Boundary Park in September 1993.
Villa were losing 1-0 at half-time to a goal from Gunnar Halle, and Atkinson was furious with his team's performance. In his frustration, Big Ron threw a cup of tea, which wasn't aimed at Saunders but ricocheted off the floor and drenched the Welsh striker.
"He chucked a cup of tea over me," Saunders recalled on the Claret & Blue podcast. "He tried to throw it on the floor, but it's gone all over me, boiling hot tea and I'm raging."
An Unusual Motivational Technique
Before the team returned for the second half, Atkinson showed signs of guilt, reportedly saying "some of you can sulk." Whatever the motivation, it worked spectacularly. Shortly after half-time, Saunders scored an equaliser with a header from Ray Houghton's cross.
The goal secured a 1-1 draw, but Atkinson's reaction was equally memorable. "Ron's on the pitch giving it the big one, trying to claim credit for the goal," Saunders explained. "That's how funny he was, he's trying to take credit for it because he's thrown a cup of tea over me."
The Ryder Cup Reconciliation
The drama continued beyond the match. The following day, Saunders and teammate Steve Staunton attended the 1993 Ryder Cup at the Belfry. While watching American golfer Corey Pavin practise, they spotted Atkinson approaching in flamboyant attire.
"Cowboy hat on, Hawaiian shirt, cream trousers, trademark tan, with Maggie, his wife," Saunders described. Atkinson then began singing "Deano, did I ever tell you you're my hero?" at the top of his voice.
When Saunders complained to Maggie Atkinson about the tea-throwing, she turned to her husband and said: "Hey you, have you been throwing tea over your players, you fat bastard? What you doing that for?"
Atkinson defended his actions to his wife, insisting "it was an accident Maggie, but it worked. I must say, it did work. He scored a good goal."
The season proved successful for Villa, who finished 10th in the Premier League and won the 1994 Coca Cola Cup with Saunders scoring twice in the 3-1 victory over Manchester United at Wembley.
