Aston Villa boss Dean Smith's father Ron dies after contracting coronavirus

Villa manager Dean Smith’s father has died aged 79 after contracting coronavirus, the club has announced.

Ron Smith was a lifelong Villa supporter who worked as a steward in the Trinity Road Stand during the 1980s, passing on his love for the club to his two sons, Dean and Dave.

He had recently been living in a care home after being diagnosed with dementia six years ago.

In a statement, Villa revealed he had contracted coronavirus four weeks ago and died after a short spell in hospital, with his family at his side.

It continued: “The thoughts of everyone at the football club are currently with Dean and his family at this most distressing of times and would kindly ask for the family’s privacy to be respected.”

In addition to being a regular at home games, Ron was present in Rotterdam when Villa beat Bayern Munich to win the European Cup in 1982.

He was also a familiar face at Walsall, where Dean began his career as a player and then took his first steps in management following a spell as academy boss.

A Saddlers statement said: “The thoughts of everyone at Walsall FC are with Dean and his family at this sad time.

“Ron was a popular figure at our club during Dean’s time with us as a player, academy manager and first-team manager. Rest In Peace, Ron.”