 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ronald Saunders | ||
| Date of birth | 6 November 1932 | ||
| Place of birth | Birkenhead, Cheshire, England | ||
| Date of death | 7 December 2019 (aged 87) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1951–1955 | Everton | 3 | (0) |
| 1955–1957 | Tonbridge Angels | 53 | (39) |
| 1957–1958 | Gillingham | 49 | (20) |
| 1958–1964 | Portsmouth | 236 | (145) |
| 1964–1965 | Watford | 39 | (18) |
| 1965–1967 | Charlton Athletic | 65 | (24) |
| Total | 445 | (246) | |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1967–1969 | Yeovil Town | ||
| 1969 | Oxford United | ||
| 1969–1973 | Norwich City | ||
| 1973–1974 | Manchester City | ||
| 1974–1982 | Aston Villa | ||
| 1982–1986 | Birmingham City | ||
| 1986–1987 | West Bromwich Albion | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Ronald Saunders (6 November 1932 – 7 December 2019) was an English football player and manager. He played for Everton, Tonbridge Angels, Gillingham, Portsmouth, Watford and Charlton Athletic during a 16-year playing career, before moving into management. He managed seven clubs in 20 years, and he was the first manager to have taken charge of Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion, the three rival clubs based in and around the city of Birmingham.
Saunders also managed Yeovil Town, Oxford United, Norwich City and Manchester City. He was involved in football for 36 consecutive years; he left his final managerial role, at West Bromwich Albion, at the age of 54.