Former Aston Villa player and Christian in sport, Mike Tindall passed away in August at the age of 79. Here, his friend and Aston Villa fan, John Flanner remembers his life.

When watching Mike Tindall play for Aston Villa in the early 1960s, little did I realise that many years later we would share the same Christian faith and become good friends.

For the older ones among us, Mike was an elegant, silky-skilled wing half, or an occasional inside forward. He was what was then called one of “Mercer’s minors” so called because the then manager of Aston Villa, Joe Mercer, introduced five or six players straight from the youth team and reserves. Mike was one of those players and even though I went blind in 1966, in my mind’s eye I can still see Mike making a tackle or one of his many inch-perfect passes out to the right or left wing.

I was so excited when I heard that Mike and his wife Thora had become Christians and I had the joy of meeting them at Christians in Sport prayer meetings in Birmingham. Mike was clearly on fire for God and so passionate about preaching the good news of Jesus and his saving love.

I once invited Mike to speak at a church home group with about 15 people present and he preached with great fervour, marching up and down the room, stirring us all up to return to our first love and to live passionately day by day for Jesus.

Mike and Thora had a very effective ministry into Africa where they had the joy of seeing many people come to Christ and receive physical healing.

Now we remember Thora and the family in our prayers, as we say “Thanks Mike for the football memories and the joyous faith you have imparted to so many. Well done good and faithful servant.”