"Aston Villa Old Stars" in the Forest of Dean

[UK Redsox]

A pic and short article from our local paper about last Saturday's game.

Unfortunately I was working and didn't get there.

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Aston-Villa-footballers-remember-Fuller-family/story-16583565-detail/story.html

[UK Redsox]

Additional report from "The Forester"

TWO goals from David Norton saved Aston Villa’s blushes as they narrowly beat a Forest of Dean Motor Club XI 2-1 at Cinderford Rugby Club on Saturday.
Norton, who captained the Villa Old Stars side, said: “It’s been a fantastic day for us and the Forest boys gave us a real scare.
“Martyn Walby and Paul Willetts (organisers of the match) should be very proud of what they’ve achieved today as people don’t always get the credit they deserve.
“We’ve been made very welcome in the Forest of Dean and the rugby club is an excellent facility.
“We would certainly be happy to come back next year. Unfortunately we had a few people drop out this week, but I think we’ll have to bring a stronger side on today’s evidence.”

The Villa Old Stars have not been beaten this year and scored 66 goals in their previous eight matches.
Their side included Mark Kinsella, who won 48 caps for the Republic of Ireland, mostly in the centre of midfield alongside Roy Keane.
Gavin McCann won one England cap and played in the top flight for Bolton, Sunderland and Everton as well as Villa, while Pat Heard earned European Cup and European Super Cup winners’ medals with Villa in 1982.

Former Everton and Republic of Ireland international Gareth Farrelly and Darren Bradley, who played more than 250 times for West Brom, also turned out.
The Motor Club squad was bolstered by the presence of ex-Cheltenham Town players John Finnigan and Julian Alsop, alongside a scattering of local club players. Danny Trigg, Pete Crowell and Barry Holmes provided the rugby club crowd with a few home targets to cheer or jeer.
Coleford mechanic Adam Fowler, the Motor Club’s man of the match, scored a wonderful goal and had another disallowed in an energetic midfield display.
Just as impressive, however, were lads such as Tim Gunter, Nick Willetts, Shaun Baldwin and Nigel Jenkins, who had hardly kicked a football in anger until six weeks ago. They underwent special training sessions with Andy Reid and Dave Bird at Harrow Hill FC and developed so rapidly over five weeks that they were able to hold their own against former Villa first-teamers.

Match officials were Clive Wilkes (referee), Max Morgan and Geoff Tuffley. All proceeds from the match will go to local charities, including the Forest of Dean Children’s Opportunity Centre and the Heart of the Forest Community School.