Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: castlefields_villan on December 15, 2016, 12:45:48 AM
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Possibly the most amazing match ever at Villa Park. One of those I was there nights. Over to you guys for your memories
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27 yrs ago. What a day.
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I presume the 5-1 thrashing of Liverpool on 15th December 1976. I actually missed the game! I saw every home game that season except that one. I had a works do that I couldn't avoid. I spoke to John Deehan about that night only last month. He said it was his favourite memory having scored the second and third goals. He thought he'd got his hat-trick in the second half but Clemence pushed his header onto the crossbar! A big pity Gary Newbon sent his Camera men to Derby for a boring 0-0 against Arsenal on Derek Hales debut!
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Wasn't it Trevor East's decision - he being a Derby fan?
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If only they'd scored another two and finished ninth. We could have a celebration dinner.
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Wasn't it Trevor East's decision - he being a Derby fan?
No, definitely Newbon's decision. He was quoted after saying he sent the cameras to Derby, then went to Villa Park himself and realised what a big mistake he'd made as that amazing first-half unfolded.
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Remarkable, unforgettable, and simply unbelievable at the time. Emlyn Hughes said Half-time was the ONLY time anyone connected with Liverpool ever saw the magnificent Bob Paisley ever lose his temper.
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An amazing night. A friend was on the Witton Lane behind the goal with the Liverpool fans (back then it was OK to mix in). At half time one of them got on his knees, his mate asked what he was doing to which he replied "praying for fog".
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My two abiding memories of this are half-time sitting on the Holte terracing I lit a fag and a lad sat beside and asked for one, we smoked the cigarettes silently, finished them looked at each other and he just said "fucking 'ell". I just nodded.
Then when I got home dancing on our Scouse-loving (but not Scouse) neighbour's front lawn and chanting uncomplimentary songs. My old man came out and dragged me in but not before said neighbour popped his head out the door and my dad joined in the piss-taking.
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I was on the Witton end that night, with a spouse mate unbelievable. In all the time I've followed the Villa this is my favourite game. To our younger supports all our goals were scored at the Witton end.
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Remarkable, unforgettable, and simply unbelievable at the time. Emlyn Hughes said Half-time was the ONLY time anyone connected with Liverpool ever saw the magnificent Bob Paisley ever lose his temper.
Second half Emlyn Hughes played as if his life depended on it - he was desperate we didn't score any more. I remember he was giving Phil Thompson stick for not trying. 2nd half when we were attacking the Holte was a bit of an anti climax. Keegan was absolutely crap.
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I was born in 1976 so missed this one. 3 - 1 semi against Tranmere for me. Obviously the result but the thing I most remember is the atmosphere. Songs were coming from all sides, not just the Holte.
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Wasn't it Trevor East's decision - he being a Derby fan?
No, definitely Newbon's decision. He was quoted after saying he sent the cameras to Derby, then went to Villa Park himself and realised what a big mistake he'd made as that amazing first-half unfolded.
Derek Hales debut for Derby against Arsenal. He had scored 72 goals in 128 games in the lower divisions for Charlton. The game was 0-0, Hales failed to impress and moved on after just 27 games.
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Thank you for lifting my spirits with memories of this game. It was 45 mins of fantasy football. I recall Emlyn Hughes running around as though he was demented.
Scoucers back in Liverpool were asking whether there was fog on the pitch?
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Remarkable, unforgettable, and simply unbelievable at the time. Emlyn Hughes said Half-time was the ONLY time anyone connected with Liverpool ever saw the magnificent Bob Paisley ever lose his temper.
Yeah, but that implies they were terrible rather than we were brilliant.
So you can dig up Hughes, tell him to feck off, and bury him again.
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I was 7 and we sat in the Witton Lane for a treat- me, my Dad, my Uncle and my Grandad - 3 generations at a night that will live with me forever.
I honestly can still remember hardly sitting down on those wooden seats in the first half.
Just an incredible night - villa park under the AV lights, spanking the best team in europe - amazing.
(I was due to do the 2nd night of the school nativity play that night - and I remember my Mom (RIP) and Dad having a bit of a row about me going the match instead - thank God my Dad won that night).
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It was a truly unbelievable night - even when (I think it was) Ray Kennedy pulled one back to make it 4-1 after about 35-40 minutes we immediately restored the four goal lead.
I remember we could have had a couple more in the second half as we attacked the Holte End - only a couple of good saves by Clemence and a couple of missed half chances stopped it being even more.
UTV
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Remarkable, unforgettable, and simply unbelievable at the time. Emlyn Hughes said Half-time was the ONLY time anyone connected with Liverpool ever saw the magnificent Bob Paisley ever lose his temper.
I remember reading a Liverpool player talking about Alan Kennedy having a howler. Own goal, losing his man, wayward passing etc.
At half-time Paisley stormed into the dressing room and allegedly bawled "they shot the wrong Kennedy"
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Never to be forgotten. My daughter was just four weeks old so, I was fortunate to get to that match. Memories for me were, standing down the Witton End watching the onslaught of goals one after the other. Phil Thompson constantly berating the referee after nearly every goal went in. Bob Paisley giving some sort of half-arsed reason for Liverpool losing but, to his credit he did say," that's to take nothing away from those Villa lads". Bastards sending the cameras to Derby.
I have never met Sir Denis Mortimer and I know a good few of you have so, the next time any of you bump into him please ask him on my behalf; did he actually hit the crossbar in the second half? This is at least the third time I have posted on a thread about this match and I've said the same thing each time. I'm convinced that he did and, six would have been just that so much better than five.
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I stood on the holte and it still remains one if my favourite matches...The scousers were shell shocked and thanks to the derby supporting twats on itv the goals can't be seen again.
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I remember it made the front page of the Daily Mirror - there was a picture with the strapline "Thrilla at the Villa"
(the Thrilla in Manila -Ali v Frazier was a year ealier).
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From the Birmingham Mail
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/great-games-aston-villa-5-181147
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Stood on the Holte with my mates, one of which was a Liverpool supporter, he disappeared at half time, similar to the disappearing act his team did in the first half. By the way that Liverpool team went on to win the League championship and their first European Cup that season.
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I've seen George best, charlton, pele, gentile, bettega, Rossi,cruyf at villa park but not one of them would of got in the villa team that night ahead of little gray deehan Cropley etc
The most amazing 45 minutes ever seen at villa park I have ever seen
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We went with a guy who didn't like football, it was his first professional game. At half time he went off to find his dad who was a football fan. It remains the only game he has ever attended despite us imploring him to come and stand with us again for luck.
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Remarkable, unforgettable, and simply unbelievable at the time. Emlyn Hughes said Half-time was the ONLY time anyone connected with Liverpool ever saw the magnificent Bob Paisley ever lose his temper.
I remember reading a Liverpool player talking about Alan Kennedy having a howler. Own goal, losing his man, wayward passing etc.
At half-time Paisley stormed into the dressing room and allegedly bawled "they shot the wrong Kennedy"
I had heard that story before, I know he wasn't Villa but what a man on so many levels, wasn't he at El-Alemain as well - led an uneventful life didn't he....
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Slightly off topic but I've just seen a page on my Facebook feed that showed a page from what I take to be a Liverpool publication of this match. It showed the Liverpool line up; and one name that jumped out at me was someone who I always thought of as dislikeable, and that was David Johnson (sp). My suspicions I found out were well founded.
One evening we had a guest speaker at our Referee's Association meeting, I think it may have been the late Neil Midgley I can't fully remember but, he told the story of a fellow referee of the time by the name of John Key from somewhere in Yorkshire, Barnsley maybe. Anyhow, this Johnson used to think it funny to aim the ball as hard as he could at any linesman who would be checking the nets prior to the kick-off and laugh his bollocks off if he hit him.
One Liverpool game John Key was refereeing and Johnson was on the bench. Liverpool happened to be losing and Johnson was sent on. He continually kept moaning down John Key's ear and after another decision that went against Liverpool, Johnson said to Key, "referee, you've been fucking this game up from the start". John Key then replied, "Aye lad, but at least I got on from't fucking start"! Wonderful putdown.
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Remarkable, unforgettable, and simply unbelievable at the time. Emlyn Hughes said Half-time was the ONLY time anyone connected with Liverpool ever saw the magnificent Bob Paisley ever lose his temper.
I remember reading a Liverpool player talking about Alan Kennedy having a howler. Own goal, losing his man, wayward passing etc.
At half-time Paisley stormed into the dressing room and allegedly bawled "they shot the wrong Kennedy"
It was Deehan 2 Gray 2 Little 1
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I was at the game and i was lucky to be at the Witton end where we scored all our goals Apart from the goals ,the other thing i remember clearly from that great night was the sight of Emlyn Hughes,Phil Thompson ,Alan Kennedy and Ray Clemence almost coming to blows amongst themselves as the goals rained in .Has to be the most memorable game i have seen and i have seen a few!
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I was at the game and i was lucky to be at the Witton end where we scored all our goals Apart from the goals ,the other thing i remember clearly from that great night was the sight of Emlyn Hughes,Phil Thompson ,Alan Kennedy and Ray Clemence almost coming to blows amongst themselves as the goals rained in .Has to be the most memorable game i have seen and i have seen a few!
Spot on Pooli - I was in the Holte End - but the sight of the stunned look on the players' faces that you mention was something 40 years has not diminished from my memory. I'll also never forget the standing ovation the team received at half time.
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[quote author=dave shelley link=topic=56847.msg3196160#msg3196160 date=1481816753
I have never met Sir Denis Mortimer and I know a good few of you have so, the next time any of you bump into him please ask him on my behalf; did he actually hit the crossbar in the second half? This is at least the third time I have posted on a thread about this match and I've said the same thing each time. I'm convinced that he did and, six would have been just that so much better than five.
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Can answer part of this Dave as my memory is that Clemence tipped one shot onto the top of the bar and it sort of rolled along before being cleared but can't confirm it was Sir Dennis I'm afraid
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Is it a definite that no footage exists :( ?
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[quote author=dave shelley link=topic=56847.msg3196160#msg3196160 date=1481816753
I have never met Sir Denis Mortimer and I know a good few of you have so, the next time any of you bump into him please ask him on my behalf; did he actually hit the crossbar in the second half? This is at least the third time I have posted on a thread about this match and I've said the same thing each time. I'm convinced that he did and, six would have been just that so much better than five.
Can answer part of this Dave as my memory is that Clemence tipped one shot onto the top of the bar and it sort of rolled along before being cleared but can't confirm it was Sir Dennis I'm afraid
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Thanks WW. I'm certain he did but, I'm getting old and this thing about him hitting the bar just won't go away.
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Four fornicholl
Full footage is in my head never to be erased
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I was 10, mad keen, didnt get to go, but sure i saw the goals somehow?
It was that poorly reported i didnt even know the score until I got to school.
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Never to be forgotten. My daughter was just four weeks old so, I was fortunate to get to that match. Memories for me were, standing down the Witton End watching the onslaught of goals one after the other. Phil Thompson constantly berating the referee after nearly every goal went in. Bob Paisley giving some sort of half-arsed reason for Liverpool losing but, to his credit he did say," that's to take nothing away from those Villa lads". Bastards sending the cameras to Derby.
I have never met Sir Denis Mortimer and I know a good few of you have so, the next time any of you bump into him please ask him on my behalf; did he actually hit the crossbar in the second half? This is at least the third time I have posted on a thread about this match and I've said the same thing each time. I'm convinced that he did and, six would have been just that so much better than five.
It could easily have been 7 or 8 and Liverpool could not not complained
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Is it a definite that no footage exists :( ?
I think someone posted on here a while back that they thought some grainy black and white images were knocking around. I, like others would love to see them if they do exist.
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I have a vague memory that the photos of the goals never featured in the programme either. The next game was 3 days later against Newcastle (2-1 win in a snow blizzard) and I think it was too soon for the publishers to include the Liverpool photos. By the time of our next home game the programme included photos of more recent games.
Most disappointing to a 14 year old who lived and breathed Villa.
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It was dull cold night and I was hiding high up in the Holte and barely recognised all the "fuss" going on at Witton End. All I remember is Liverpool kept kicking off every, what seemed like, 5 minutes ;)
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I posted some pictures a while ago in a tread that were taken by Terry.
Here's the link http://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=51522.60
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Is it a definite that no footage exists :( ?
I think someone posted on here a while back that they thought some grainy black and white images were knocking around. I, like others would love to see them if they do exist.
I'm pretty sure I've seen some old footage of this somewhere also.
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Is it a definite that no footage exists :( ?
I think someone posted on here a while back that they thought some grainy black and white images were knocking around. I, like others would love to see them if they do exist.
I'm pretty sure I've seen some old footage of this somewhere also.
There is definitely some old grainy footage somewhere. I asked Phil Mepham when he was at the club some 9/10 years ago to follow up on an article in the old Birmingham Post which quoted Andy Gray at the time saying "I've seen footage of the goals but it's grainy" Phil mentioned this to Andy Gray a while later but he couldn't remember where he'd seen it! Somewhat frustrating!
Another poster on here, Jembob I think, also mentioned that Sky had shown the footage (albeit grainy) of the goals on a Sky compilation programme more than 10 years ago, but this still hasn't been repeated as far as I know.
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Somebody must have taken something on their phone surely?
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Somebody must have taken something on their phone surely?
Captain Kirk maybe?
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Marty McFly?