Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on January 27, 2012, 12:24:48 PM
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OVER the years, many FA Cup ties have been swayed by a crowd getting involved and roaring their team to victory – cranking up the noise to drive the players on to find that vital inspiration.
Such support is often described by players and managers as “the extra man.” An unseen force that lifts the 11 blokes on the pitch to new levels.
This notional additional team-member, comprising thousands of voices, affects the whole team – a collective force which galvanises collectively. But its input can also be specific. To devastating effect. Especially when a sense of grievance is thrown into the mix.
That’s what happened when Aston Villa met Arsenal in the FA Cup in 1974. Gunners’ goalkeeper Bob Wilson made an enemy of Villa’s fans in the first game at Highbury and when the replay arrived at Villa Park, four days later, they were waiting for him.
Never mind the extra man, Wilson was effectively “extra man-marked.” And that was a huge factor in Villa, 11th in Division Two, knocking the First Division side out of the cup which they had recently lifted.
After a 1-1 draw at Highbury, Villa won the replay 2-0 in front of a crowd of 47,821, including very few from north London.
“The mountain of humanity known as the Holte End must be included in the scoreline,” reported the Mail. “There are times when a crowd can be very much part of a performance. This was one of them.”
The seeds of that momentous Villa Park night were sown in the 63rd minute of the first match at Highbury.
Vic Crowe’s men had travelled down to the capital in poor form, adrift of the Second Division promotion race after 11 league games without a win. In none of those games had they scored more than one goal.
Crowe badly needed new players but the board insisted he had to sell to buy, a strategy which had just begun with agreement to sell Trevor Hockey, a £40,000 signing from Norwich six months earlier, to Rotherham for just £25,000.
Villa’s only win in two months had been over little Chester in the cup third round, so their supporters travelled south more in hope than expectation.
But right from kick-off their expectations rose as their team put in a storming start which evoked memories of the memorable League Cup semi-final win over Manchester United three years earlier.
“For the armada of Villa supporters enjoying a day out in the soccer sun,” the Mail said, “the opening 11 minutes was akin to the display against Manchester United and culminated in Sammy Morgan’s goal when he nodded Ian Hamilton’s cross past Wilson.”
Villa still deservedly led 18 minutes into the second half when Morgan and Wilson were involved in the powder-keg moment. The striker chased the ball into the box and Wilson collected it then, somewhat belatedly, went down as if pole-axed.
“Wilson has the Leeds United habit of wanting to help referee the game,” observed the Mail, “and this was a factor in Morgan’s dismissal.
http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/01/26/fa-cup-flashback-aston-villa-beat-arsenal-in-1974-titanic-tussle-97319-30204275/
(http://www.avfc.co.uk/javaImages/11/f2/0,,10265~10416657,00.jpg)(http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/jan2012/3/4/sammy-morgan-left-celebrates-with-geoff-vowden-after-scoring-at-highbury-979666749.jpg)(http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/jan2012/2/3/arsenal-goalkeeper-bob-wilson-and-villa-striker-sammy-morgan-go-head-to-head-at-villa-park-138884976.jpg)(http://www.twtd.co.uk/news/102.jpg)
"SIX FOOT TWO, EYES ARE BLUE, SAMMY MORGANS'S AFTER YOU !"
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nice one Andy !
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Sammy made Bob Wilson look a complete idiot. From that moment on I never rated or liked Wilson. oh such memories
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Sammy was on fire that season, sadly not again. Great memories and wilson was truly hammered by the Holte End in the replay.
Omen perhaps for this weekend ?
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Is that Ray Kennedy in the top picture ( in the actual article that the link goes to) ?
He still alive? didn't he have parkinson's disease otr something?
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I've met Bob Wilson on a few occasions in the last few years, he's a bloody good bloke (Isn't he Dave?), has great stories and loves talking football.
All Villa fans of a certain era want to talk to him about is that cup match. He would love to meet up with Sammy Morgan again if it was possible.
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Interesting fact about this match
Villa won the toss and , against all custom, elected to kick towards the Holte first just so that the Holte crowd could have a go at Wilson and get him rattled.
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I've met Bob Wilson on a few occasions in the last few years, he's a bloody good bloke (Isn't he Dave?), has great stories and loves talking football.
All Villa fans of a certain era want to talk to him about is that cup match. He would love to meet up with Sammy Morgan again if it was possible.
Fair play to him then.
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I was at that match and will never forgive Bob Wilson for his blatant over acting in that incident, I believe the referee that day was the self-serving ego maniac Clive Thomas (younger posters ask your Dads/Grandads) IIRC the incident was at the clock end at Highbury where all the Villa faithful were gathered and Thomas gave that decision from somewhere between the half way line and the goal line, disgraceful. In the subsequent replay I'm convinced that Bob Wilson was terrified of both the Holte and Sammy Morgan.
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Might be getting my games mixed up here, but, didn't Sam put Wilson in the back of the net early in the replay?
Wilson went to pieces and I think we scored our first not long after.
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My memory of the day, travelling down from Villa Park by coach,cannot remember
if there was some sort of transport strike that day. The collision between Sammy
and Bob Wilson, once Bob realised he had possesion whlst still on the floor looked up
just raising his head to see if any one was looking and then proceeding to roll around in pain really putting it on, Sammy was booked by guess who? only Clive the book Thomas. The return leg when Clive came out he was subjected to a torrant of noise and abuse to which he never had before, also wilson was given the full treatment finally great to beat them. In thse days, say from Docherty to Crow the Villa faithfull always seemed to crank the noise up a few decibels especially when we went behind, "Fond memories"
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Might be getting my games mixed up here, but, didn't Sam put Wilson in the back of the net early in the replay?
Wilson went to pieces and I think we scored our first not long after.
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yes and yes.
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I was at that game. No apologies for again giving it over to Peter Morris' wonderful history of the Villa:
"There was never any doubt about the outcome of the Villa park replay - despite the prevailing power crisis. A fervid crowd of 47,821, hating every move Arsenal made, went into ecstasies as Morgan headed Villa ahead and exploded into a delirium of excitement when Evans, finding his shooting form at last, made it 2-0 in the second half."
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This was my first night game that I went to with my Dad and Grandad. I was 7, I still reckon he should have taken me against Santos a couple of years earlier though...I can still remember him leaving for that game and telling me it would be too busy.
An excuse which I roll out for my lads when I fancy a beer or two at night games myself, the circle of life eh.
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This was my first night game that I went to with my Dad and Grandad. I was 7, I still reckon he should have taken me against Santos a couple of years earlier though...I can still remember him leaving for that game and telling me it would be too busy.
An excuse which I roll out for my lads when I fancy a beer or two at night games myself, the circle of life eh.
You genuinely tell them it will be "too busy" these days?
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Sammy was on fire that season, sadly not again. Great memories and wilson was truly hammered by the Holte End in the replay.
Omen perhaps for this weekend ?
I was at Highbury that day and me and Dave Collett had a perfect view of the incident from the terraces Sammy Morgan never connected with Bob Wilson but by god he terrified him back at Villa Park!
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I was at both games aged about 13. At Highbury I went for a piss and Villa scored. Went for another piss and Morgan had been sent off by the time I got back. I managed to see all the good bits at the replay though, the most entertianing being Wilson visibly shitting himself every time Morgan went near him.
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Love these memories!
Being there at the time, and looking back on it now makes it feel like a brilliant bit of our history.
I'm amazed at the fantastic times at VP and beyond that we've had over the years that I've forgotten about until someone on here revives them for me.
Many thanks folks!
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I was in the Arsenal end for the first game (went with an Aresenal supporting friend). Had to stand there arms tightly folded and mouth clamped shut when Wilson performed his dying swan act.
One of those games where you went expecting nothing from us whatsoever and came away full of pride (and not a little anger).
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Both games were televised, but nothings ever turned up on any complilations or Youtube.
Does anyone know if the footage still exists?
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Gents, great to read a few first hand accounts of my dad Sammy's run ins with Mr Wilson. I have to say his memories pretty well match up with all of yours! We went to the replay the other week but unfortunately didn't bump into Mr Wilson. We took a walk to Highbury and this was the first time Sammy had been back since that eventful cup draw.
If any of you manage to locate any footage of this or any other matches from that era then please post as we don't have any of him in a villa shirt.
Needless to say he's proud to have been a Villa number 9, so much so that all the morgans were brought up with claret and blue blood. He's hugely proud and humbled that he's still remembered for such a memorable couple of nights!
UTV
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Gents, great to read a few first hand accounts of my dad Sammy's run ins with Mr Wilson. I have to say his memories pretty well match up with all of yours! We went to the replay the other week but unfortunately didn't bump into Mr Wilson. We took a walk to Highbury and this was the first time Sammy had been back since that eventful cup draw.
If any of you manage to locate any footage of this or any other matches from that era then please post as we don't have any of him in a villa shirt.
Needless to say he's proud to have been a Villa number 9, so much so that all the morgans were brought up with claret and blue blood. He's hugely proud and humbled that he's still remembered for such a memorable couple of nights!
UTV
Welcome to H&V, morgs_No8, and delighted to hear that you've been brought up in the claret & blue tradition! I was standing on the Witton End bank for the Villa Park replay - I was 15 at the time - and the atmosphere was electric that night, certainly in the top 10 of all matches I've been to at the Villa. We were certainly baying for revenge that night, and your father played his part in what was a great result. In our eight years in the 'wilderness' (1967-1975) we always seemed to reserve our best performances for when we played Division One teams in the Cups.
BTW, noting Sammy's current position as Academy Manager at Ipswich, a colleague/friend of mine whose son is involved with the academy has been very complimentary, in comparison to other academies.
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Both games were televised, but nothings ever turned up on any complilations or Youtube.
Does anyone know if the footage still exists?
If any of you manage to locate any footage of this or any other matches from that era then please post as we don't have any of him in a villa shirt.
The Highbury game was televised and shown on LWTs Big Match on 26/1/74, as confirmed by the link below.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/carousel/BigMatch.html
However, while it exists it doesnt seem to have been converted and put anywhere on the internet as yet.
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Both games were televised, but nothings ever turned up on any complilations or Youtube.
Does anyone know if the footage still exists?
If any of you manage to locate any footage of this or any other matches from that era then please post as we don't have any of him in a villa shirt.
The Highbury game was televised and shown on LWTs Big Match on 26/1/74, as confirmed by the link below.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/carousel/BigMatch.html
However, while it exists it doesnt seem to have been converted and put anywhere on the internet as yet.
that is a shame Andy, would love to see the game again.
UTV
The Doc
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Those games were played during the power crisis, and I seem to recall that the BBC cameras were at the replay, but highlights of the match were not shown that night (or were shown for maybe 5 minutes only), as television transmission shut down at about 10pm.
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Both games were televised, but nothings ever turned up on any complilations or Youtube.
Does anyone know if the footage still exists?
If any of you manage to locate any footage of this or any other matches from that era then please post as we don't have any of him in a villa shirt.
The Highbury game was televised and shown on LWTs Big Match on 26/1/74, as confirmed by the link below.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/carousel/BigMatch.html
However, while it exists it doesnt seem to have been converted and put anywhere on the internet as yet.
Let's hope the tapes weren't wiped. I'd love to see that footage again one day.
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Gents, great to read a few first hand accounts of my dad Sammy's run ins with Mr Wilson. I have to say his memories pretty well match up with all of yours! We went to the replay the other week but unfortunately didn't bump into Mr Wilson. We took a walk to Highbury and this was the first time Sammy had been back since that eventful cup draw.
If any of you manage to locate any footage of this or any other matches from that era then please post as we don't have any of him in a villa shirt.
Needless to say he's proud to have been a Villa number 9, so much so that all the morgans were brought up with claret and blue blood. He's hugely proud and humbled that he's still remembered for such a memorable couple of nights!
UTV
Gents, great to read a few first hand accounts of my dad Sammy's run ins with Mr Wilson. I have to say his memories pretty well match up with all of yours! We went to the replay the other week but unfortunately didn't bump into Mr Wilson. We took a walk to Highbury and this was the first time Sammy had been back since that eventful cup draw.
If any of you manage to locate any footage of this or any other matches from that era then please post as we don't have any of him in a villa shirt.
Needless to say he's proud to have been a Villa number 9, so much so that all the morgans were brought up with claret and blue blood. He's hugely proud and humbled that he's still remembered for such a memorable couple of nights!
UTV
Hi Morgs_No8.
If you go to the football DVD's Direct website you can buy a DVD of the full 90 minutes of Bristol Rovers v Aston Villa Sepember 14 1974.
We lost 2-0 but more significantly your Dad played up front with Bobby Campbell that day.
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Those games were played during the power crisis, and I seem to recall that the BBC cameras were at the replay, but highlights of the match were not shown that night (or were shown for maybe 5 minutes only), as television transmission shut down at about 10pm.
Ian, I think there were some highlights as I saw the goals (i think this was the only Alun Evans goal i ever saw) and i was definitely not at the game. IIRC Sammy Morgan and Bob Wilson shared a wee hug at the end of the game too, shown on the highlights.
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Guess what Bob Wilson's middle name is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Wilson_(footballer_born_1941)
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Guess what Bob Wilson's middle name is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Wilson_(footballer_born_1941)
It's not as bad as what I hoped it was ;-)
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My Dad was from Northern Ireland (good mates with Peter McParland) and had the pleasure of being on plane with Sammy to Belfast, said he was a gent. Remember the replay so much, was a great occassion and Bob Wilson was shitting himself all game
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Gents, great to read a few first hand accounts of my dad Sammy's run ins with Mr Wilson. I have to say his memories pretty well match up with all of yours! We went to the replay the other week but unfortunately didn't bump into Mr Wilson. We took a walk to Highbury and this was the first time Sammy had been back since that eventful cup draw.
If any of you manage to locate any footage of this or any other matches from that era then please post as we don't have any of him in a villa shirt.
Needless to say he's proud to have been a Villa number 9, so much so that all the morgans were brought up with claret and blue blood. He's hugely proud and humbled that he's still remembered for such a memorable couple of nights!
UTV
Hello Morgs. I was at both the Arsenal games referred to on here. The home leg remains a great memory for the sheer will of the crowd to get revenge over Bob Wilson. I can see him now at Highbury, peeping up from the floor to see if your Dad had been sent off. As soon as he saw it, he was up and prancing about. We gave him hell at Villa Park in the replay with the inevitable result.
I met your Dad after the Ipswich Youth Cup game a couple of years ago and reminded him of the incident.
Not many Villa players from so long ago still have their old chants sung when the beer is flowing before a match!
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This was my first night game that I went to with my Dad and Grandad. I was 7, I still reckon he should have taken me against Santos a couple of years earlier though...I can still remember him leaving for that game and telling me it would be too busy.
An excuse which I roll out for my lads when I fancy a beer or two at night games myself, the circle of life eh.
My first game as well
The sight of the floodlights and the smell of the ground will live with me forever
Also remember Sammy Morgan being on Grandstand the Saturday after and was shocked to see him wearing glasses - it wouldn't happen today