45 years ago today

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Pele.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

[darren woolley]

Thanks for posting.

[Godfrey Brian]

First time I'd been unable to get into a game. The congestion outside was incredible. People were climbing over the wall on the Witton Lane side of the Holte and getting in via the toilet block. We gave up at half-time and went home. Since that night I get to games stupidly early!

[Nelson Lodge]

Along with my brother and brother-in-law got locked out that night. After failing to get on the Holte tried at the Witton End when the gates were shut when we were in the queue about 5 yards from them!

[DesBremner]

I have the program from this game
It was in my Dad's loft when we cleared it out
My Uncle was there even though it was the night his daughter was born
They did an announcement at half time over the PA congratulating him

[castlefields_villan]

Thanks for reminding us all of this unforgettable game - I was 14 years old at the time and after queuing for about an hour on the Trinity Road side of the Holte End, I realised I couldn't feel my feet on the floor.   Unbelievable atmosphere for a "friendly".

[144 Hard Boiled Eggs]

During the power cuts/miner's strikes - the club had to hire a generator for the floodlights. I remember getting in close to half time after queuing from by where the expressway is now. Great memories.

[Rudy65]

I bet Doug was gutted about having to payŁ5k for that generator

Thanks for posting

[four fornicholl]

Apparently I cried all night, mum and dad wouldnt take me and they wouldnt let me go on my own , I was 5.

[Confusious says]

My Uncle John Reece was shown on film he installed & operated the generator on hire from ellisons Tufnol where he was works engineer. The lights worked perfectly when tested in the afternoon but some member of staff at the Villa decided to put heating on & hot water during the game, which resulted in overload & only two banks of lights could go on. The game was Still a master stroke from Doug

[class-of-82]

still got the programme in my special villa box I was stood on the holte all I can remember was that as soon as chico got the ball he made a bee line for pele

[West Derby Villan]

The night I found the Light.

[Pat McMahon]

Apparently I cried all night, mum and dad wouldnt take me and they wouldnt let me go on my own , I was 5.

Brilliant!

[wittonwarrior]

54,000 crowd.  I think the biggest I ever witnessed would have been between West Ham boxing day, Birmingham the first derby back in Div 1 and Sunderland promotion game.

Seems to have been such a  special atmosphere the Santos game.