Leader of the council Ian Ward was one of several high-profile politicians to pay tribute to the late Sir Doug Ellis following the former Aston Villa Chairman's death last night .
Sir Doug, who was 94, was chairman of Aston Villa over two spells, firstly between 1968 and 1975, then from 1982 until 2006 when the club was sold to Randy Lerner.
He was nicknamed "Deadly Doug" by Jimmy Greaves for his numerous sackings of various managers at Villa Park.
Today tributes have been pouring in from across the political spectrum to the man many dubbed 'Mr Aston Villa', with leader of the council Ian Ward calling him a 'larger than life character'.
"Today's news is very sad and I would like to pass on my condolences to the Ellis family," Cllr Ward said.
"Doug Ellis was a larger than life character who for many years was Mr Aston Villa. He had a tremendous amount of passion for the club and for the city he made his home.
"Doug deservedly received a knighthood for his services to charity and continued to be a magnificent supporter of good causes in Birmingham right up to the end."
'He was a football man through and through'
Mayor Andy Street was also quick to pass on his condolences to Sir Doug's family, praising his charitable work as well as his dedication to the Villa.
“I'm deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Doug Ellis," he said.
"Sir Doug was clearly a football man through and through. He was a man who was not only the guardian of my football club but was also a great philanthropist with significant charitable interests which were recognised with the knighthood he received.
"He was particularly passionate about supporting the sports in disadvantaged areas and his generosity will benefit young people for years to come.”
Toward the latter years of his life Sir Doug was a big donor to his local Conservative group in Sutton Coldfield, donating a total of £200,000.
And Christopher Ives, Chairman of the Sutton Coldfield Conservative group, said that his shoes will prove difficult to fill in the future.
"Sir Doug was an incredibly well respected for all of his business and philanthropic efforts across the city over decades and decades," he said.
"He will be sorely missed by the membership of the association and the town in general, and his shoes as the honorary vice-chairman of the association will be very very difficult to fill."
