Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Villa Memories => Topic started by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on August 25, 2020, 09:24:54 AM

Title: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on August 25, 2020, 09:24:54 AM
Should have started this the other week.

August 15th 1970. Aston Villa are in place they have never been before in their history. We travel to Saltergate Chesterfield to play our first ever game down in the depths of division three. It's bright and sunny on the opening day of the season, a packed ground with 16,760 in the town of the twisted spire. The locals have turned up to watch the famous old club come to town but it's mostly claret and blue everywhere. Villa run out 3-2 winners with two goals from Rioch and one from McMahon.
The team that day is Dunn, Wright, Aitken, Godfrey, Curtis, Chatterley, McMahon, Rioch, Lochhead, Hamilton, Anderson.


(https://i.ibb.co/HN632tW/prog-vs-aston-15-8-1970-jpeg.jpg) (https://ibb.co/HN632tW)


August 19th 1970. We have to start in the 1st round of the League Cup and win under the lights at Villa Park 4-0 against 4th division Notts County. Attendance 17,843.


(https://i.ibb.co/C24J3dz/s-l400.jpg) (https://ibb.co/C24J3dz)


August 22nd at home to Plymouth. 29,503 turn up but we can only draw 1-1 with McMahon scoring for us. Andy Lochhead signed back in February makes his 13th appearance for us at centre forward, he hasn't scored a single goal yet.






Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on August 25, 2020, 11:27:12 AM
Quote
THERE are some places in football that, as a club, you don’t want to visit. One of those, for Aston Villa, was Division Three but that’s where they found themselves in 1970, for the first time after 82 years as a league club.

Villa had started the 1969/70 season as promotion favourites. Strongly-fancied to leave Division Two by the happy route they ended up taking the rotten road out after a disunited dressing-room under Tommy Docherty saw the team floundering. After Docherty was sacked in mid-season, Vic Crowe was unable to bail out the sinking ship.

Down they went – and waiting for them first up in the third tier was Chesterfield. And, in the cramped confines of Saltergate, Villa were afforded a rough, rumbustious welcome to Division Three.

It was rough even before kick-off as fighting broke out behind a goal and Crowe went on to the pitch to plead for calm. Order was restored just before kick-off. Just after it, Villa scored.

With 90 seconds on the clock, Chico Hamilton’s corner reached Paddy McMahon who drilled the ball home. An explosion of noise hit the open terracing of the historic old ground.

Chesterfield equalised in the 18th minute through David Pugh’s header but as the match deepened Bruce Rioch exerted his influence.

The midfielder was signed for £100,000 from Luton the previous summer to power a promotion push only to find himself ever-present in a slide to relegation, finishing leading scorer with a paltry six goals. Now he showed his class.

On 28 minutes Rioch curled a 25-yard free-kick beautifully round the wall into the net. He pulled the strings from that point on and, in the 28th minute of the second half, netted again from long range.

The Spireites kept fighting and reduced the deficit eight minutes from time through Kevin Randall. That sparked more fighting on the terraces and it was amid a volatile atmosphere that Villa hung on for a win that said much about their desire to escape Division Three at the first attempt (it was to take them two goes).

“There is a terrific team spirit at Villa Park now,” observed Rioch. “And to start off with a win away from home was great.”

The Mail, meanwhile, had high praise for the Scot. “Rioch, who left Luton for the whimsies and predictions of Tommy Docherty, has found maturity and self-respect under the quiet guidance of Vic Crowe,” the paper reported. “He ruled Chesterfield’s ground with a lethal poise that promises to inject pride into Villa’s opening Division Three season.”

It was just a shame about the crowd trouble which also marred the opening-day programme elsewhere.

“Three coachloads of skinheads, on their way from Lincoln, were sent back home by police who intercepted them eight miles from Cambridge,” revealed the Mail.

Earlier in the week, Albion fans had been warned that if they attended The Hawthorns in “bovver boots” were they would be “ordered to take them off and watch the match in their stockinged feet”.

Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: steamer on August 25, 2020, 12:31:18 PM
Those were the days
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Godfrey Brian on August 25, 2020, 04:51:36 PM
The novelty of a 3:15 Saturday kick-off to start our Div 3 days. The midweek Notts County game was played in torrential rain-I was on the Witton End !
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dave shelley on August 25, 2020, 06:29:38 PM
I was on holiday on the Norfolk Broads at the start of the first season in Division Three.  I had to find a phone box and ring home to find out the result of that League Cup game against Notts County as it was impossible to find out anywhere around where we were moored up.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on August 25, 2020, 10:56:54 PM
Paddy McMahon? -fuck me!!

Oh, and the goal he scored didn't come from a corner, so that's only two mistakes in the opening paragraphs.

Who wrote this crap -Southgate?
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: stubbsyandy on August 25, 2020, 11:25:17 PM
Pat Pat Pat Pat McMahon...
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on August 26, 2020, 08:16:01 AM
Paddy McMahon? -fuck me!!

Oh, and the goal he scored didn't come from a corner, so that's only two mistakes in the opening paragraphs.

Who wrote this crap -Southgate?

From the meaning evil site. So I didn't put the link as I normally would when quoting an article.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Pat McMahon on August 26, 2020, 09:06:29 PM
Paddy McMahon? -fuck me!!

Oh, and the goal he scored didn't come from a corner, so that's only two mistakes in the opening paragraphs.

Who wrote this crap -Southgate?

I wholeheartedly agree!
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on August 27, 2020, 10:23:04 PM
Yeah, but you have a conflict of interest! Is your real name Michael Vaughan?
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: PeterWithe on August 27, 2020, 10:50:52 PM
Three coachloads of skinheads were on route from Lincoln to Chesterfield via Cambridge?

Was Mark Thatcher driving?
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: JD on August 28, 2020, 08:10:22 AM
Three coachloads of skinheads were on route from Lincoln to Chesterfield via Cambridge?

Was Mark Thatcher driving?

They were that thick they were heading in  the wrong direction.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Godfrey Brian on August 28, 2020, 10:20:43 AM
The Plymouth game was our first appearence, that season, as the main match on Star Soccer. The other two main matches in which we featured were the League Cup Final and the 3-0 win v Swansea in April. I think that these were the days that the cameras were positioned on  a ramshackle gantry of scaffolding and planks on the lower Trinity. Two or three cameras only and Hugh Johns' voice providing an extensive introduction to the highlights over close ups of the players warming up. A brief match summary from Billy Wright  and that was it until the following Sunday.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dave shelley on August 28, 2020, 12:53:00 PM
I raced home from holiday on the Broads to get to that match.  As stated, it hammered rain and I got soaked down the Witton End.  On that holiday I purchased a khaki jungle hat and wore it to the game. I still have that hat and wear it when gardening.  I'm genuinely sad to say that it is now becoming a little frayed around the edges, a bit like myself.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on August 28, 2020, 11:33:58 PM
We murdered Plymouth in the first half. Five or six goals would have been a fair reflection of our superiority. By one of those bitter ironies a fluky deflection meant that the first scorer at Villa Park in a third division match was Charlie Aitken -with an own goal!
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on August 30, 2020, 07:18:06 AM
29th August 1970. Back on a track with another away win at The Vetch Field, Swansea. 2-1 with goals from Chico Hamilton and Pat McMahon in front of 15,535.

https://www.11v11.com/matches/swansea-city-v-aston-villa-29-august-1970-131976/
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on August 31, 2020, 06:43:08 AM
31st August 1970. Villa 0 Mansfield 1.  Attendance 30,862.

An unexpected home defeat brings us down with a bump. Lochhead has still failed to score.


(https://i.ibb.co/3cqj92t/Screenshot-2020-08-30-at-20-06-25.png) (https://ibb.co/3cqj92t)


https://www.stagsnet.net/vintage/reports/AstonVillaA_1971.html
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Godfrey Brian on August 31, 2020, 10:59:19 AM
I was only eleven but remember feeling devastated coming away from this game. I think that I'd been getting used to the novelty (in my lifetime) of Villa picking up points! I confidently believed that we would walk the league. This was a bank holiday night game and I was at the front of The Holte expecting a classy win. After their goal Villa worked hard but everything broke down- hugely frustrating.I think the Rioch injury took him out for months and was the start of his career long knee problems. 
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on August 31, 2020, 11:38:47 PM
That's right, but Pat McMahon was concussed in the first half, so Villa had to play with ten men after the break, which is when the scabs got their goal.

We played 'em four times in two seasons and only picked up one point. In one of those years they even got relegated!
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on September 05, 2020, 06:00:13 AM
5th September 1970. Villa 3 Doncaster 2. Attendance 23,632.

Andy Lochhead finally scores. Not one, but two goals.

https://www.11v11.com/matches/aston-villa-v-doncaster-rovers-05-september-1970-131993/




(https://i.ibb.co/sRYTdRY/s-l225.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sRYTdRY)



(https://i.ibb.co/2Wn42Wq/IMG-0119.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2Wn42Wq)

Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on September 05, 2020, 11:47:57 PM
His first was at the Witton End, the winner was a header that fizzed inside the post at the Holte End.

Pat McMahon was brave; having gone off with concussion against Mansfield, he threw himself at a fifty-fifty header with the 'keeper. Pat headed the ball into the net, while the 'keeper's fist -or the ring on his finger-cut Pat's cheek as he scored.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on September 09, 2020, 06:48:00 AM
9th September 1970. Villa 2 Burnley 0. League cup round two.

Pat McMahon and Lionel Martin. 3rd division beats 1st division in front of 28,340.


(https://i.ibb.co/3f2ZmG4/705738-23.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3f2ZmG4)

(https://i.ibb.co/jhf6XZN/705738-22.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jhf6XZN)


(https://i.ibb.co/vmHct9g/IMG-0117.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vmHct9g)



Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dave shelley on September 09, 2020, 09:13:39 AM
As I've posted before, I've seen many great goals down the Villa in my time; and that goal by Lionel Martin is amongst the finest of them.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Pat McMahon on September 10, 2020, 12:23:12 AM
His first was at the Witton End, the winner was a header that fizzed inside the post at the Holte End.

Pat McMahon was brave; having gone off with concussion against Mansfield, he threw himself at a fifty-fifty header with the 'keeper. Pat headed the ball into the net, while the 'keeper's fist -or the ring on his finger-cut Pat's cheek as he scored.

Play was stopped for a while for McMahon to be treated, and in those days that meant he was really hurt. I think that was the first time I really remember seeing a player covered in blood - I was only a nipper.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on September 10, 2020, 12:44:25 AM
Lionel Martin's  goal was superb. What a shame he couldn't harness his talent to have a good career.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Flamingo Lane on September 10, 2020, 03:26:17 PM
As I've posted before, I've seen many great goals down the Villa in my time; and that goal by Lionel Martin is amongst the finest of them.

Indeed it was, an 'I was there' moment.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on September 10, 2020, 11:41:41 PM
I was standing on the Holte. When he hit the ball, I thought, "What's he crossed it for? There's no-one in the middle!"

Then I realised he had chipped Tony Waiters (6ft. 3") from the corner of the box. Perfection!
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dave shelley on September 11, 2020, 09:26:34 AM
I was in my usual spot down the Witton and thought he'd spooned it, so much so that I had my hands in the air ready to catch it, next thing I knew I was looking at it in the bottom corner of the net.  Cue pandemonium.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on September 11, 2020, 01:18:44 PM

(https://i.ibb.co/x3bpn96/IMG-0120.jpg) (https://ibb.co/x3bpn96)


(https://i.ibb.co/2y6j8Hx/IMG-0116.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2y6j8Hx)

(https://i.ibb.co/zZyx7Qx/IMG-0114.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zZyx7Qx)

(https://i.ibb.co/XVMMqmc/IMG-0113.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XVMMqmc)

Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on September 11, 2020, 02:05:35 PM

(https://i.ibb.co/gFGyXzM/IMG-0123.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gFGyXzM)

(https://i.ibb.co/NyzCnv1/IMG-0122.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NyzCnv1)

(https://i.ibb.co/JKk6jyg/IMG-0121.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JKk6jyg)
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on September 12, 2020, 09:29:41 PM
12th September 1970. Barnsley 1 Villa 1. Attendance 13,644.
Dave Simmons scores for us in what will prove to be his final appearance before moving to Colchester in December.

Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: JD on September 12, 2020, 10:02:14 PM
Love this thread and your posts Andy.
Fascinating stuff.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on September 12, 2020, 11:24:25 PM
This was the game where John Dunn saved a second-half penalty, but it had to be retaken (Barnsley scored) because the ref wasn't ready!!
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: robleflaneur on September 13, 2020, 12:03:22 AM
My main recollection of the Barnsley game was the superb Barnsley Bitter in their social club at 1/11d a pint,(less than 10p  in new fangled currency).A great introduction to the wonders offered by beer.
The Mansfield game highlight for me was Stuart Boam and Lochhead  kicking lumps out of each other in front of the Witton Lane facing the Holte End.The ball was a mere 40/50 yards away.It would have made a great 'Spot the Ball ' competition .
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on September 13, 2020, 05:51:52 PM
This was the game where John Dunn saved a second-half penalty, but it had to be retaken (Barnsley scored) because the ref wasn't ready!!


(https://i.ibb.co/rwvKmVx/IMG-0124.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rwvKmVx)
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on September 13, 2020, 06:00:03 PM
Barnsley fans recall.

http://barnsleyfc.org.uk/search/37851494/?q=aston+villa+1970&o=date&c[node]=130

Quote
As me and my dad were queuing to get in, they were bringing bleeding fans on stretchers out. Then there was a running battle on the Ponty End for much of the match. Far more exciting than the football.

Unforgettable for a 10 year old. I thought Andy Lochhead (the only player I'd heard of) scored their goal, but I've just checked and he didn't
Quote
The first time I saw any hooliganism was during the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, September 1970. There were quite a number of Villa fans in the Ponty End and it suddenly all kicked off. From then on, it seemed to crop up, irrespective of the opposition.

Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: b23 on September 13, 2020, 07:50:29 PM
12th September 1970. Barnsley 1 Villa 1. Attendance 13,644.
Dave Simmons scores for us in what will prove to be his final appearance before moving to Colchester in December.



5 months later, playing for 4th Division Colchester, he helped to dump Dirty Leeds, out of the FA Cup.

 https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/day-minnows-colchester-shocked-revies-mighty-leeds-1990126
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on September 13, 2020, 08:00:04 PM
12th September 1970. Barnsley 1 Villa 1. Attendance 13,644.
Dave Simmons scores for us in what will prove to be his final appearance before moving to Colchester in December.



5 months later, playing for 4th Division Colchester, he helped to dump Dirty Leeds, out of the FA Cup.

 https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/day-minnows-colchester-shocked-revies-mighty-leeds-1990126



Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on September 18, 2020, 11:56:26 PM
19th September 1970. Villa 2 Preston 0. Attendance 26,139. Lochhead (2).


(https://i.ibb.co/VgqB5YL/IMG-0126.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VgqB5YL)


(https://i.ibb.co/9tzxJ0c/IMG-0127.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9tzxJ0c)


(https://i.ibb.co/qNQNZNX/Screenshot-2020-09-18-at-13-08-55.png) (https://ibb.co/qNQNZNX)


Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: danno on September 19, 2020, 12:07:13 AM
19th September 1970. Villa 2 Preston 0. Attendance 26,139. Lochhead (2).

(https://i.ibb.co/qNQNZNX/Screenshot-2020-09-18-at-13-08-55.png) (https://ibb.co/qNQNZNX)

Quote
By John Morrell
PRESTON NORTH END'S brief sojourn with
success came to an abrupt halt this afternoon
when they found little welcome from a crowd of
26,000 at Villa Park. Ex-Burnley leader Andy
Lochhead led their defence a dance in the first
half scoring twice.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Godfrey Brian on September 19, 2020, 10:00:43 AM
Really appreciating this thread Andy.  PNE were still a big club then and this was a very good win. One of my favourite Villa kits too. Also good to see the shot of the Trinity standing terrace. The absolute bonus for me though is that one of the blurry blobs behind the Holte End white exit wall has to be the twelve year old me! That was our spot! (p.s I'm still a blob these days but for entirely different reasons! 😀)
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Flamingo Lane on September 19, 2020, 11:50:41 AM
My spot on the Holte End was also behind the big white exit wall, though in the third division days I sat in the Trinity Road stand, close up to the Holte End.

Fantastic times, and I'm really enjoying this thread (I too have kept complete sets of the home programmes from our two seasons in the third, which ALITA is kindly using for us here).
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dave shelley on September 19, 2020, 01:01:20 PM
I was at that game and I'm pretty sure I still have that programme.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on September 20, 2020, 12:21:39 AM
For some reason -don't know why- I watched this one from the Witton Lane Stand. it was a good performance against a side that finished champions, as I recall, with two well-taken goals from Big Andy.

This game was my first sighting of Archie Gemmill, who was to join Derby shortly after.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on September 23, 2020, 07:33:24 AM
23rd September 1970. Villa 2 Gillingham 1. Hamilton, McMahon. Attendance 29,383


(https://i.ibb.co/ZG9v7QK/IMG-0130.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZG9v7QK)


(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/6c/d4/a2/6cd4a20a61da2cf310cb1720400a56d4--gillingham-villa-park.jpg)


(https://i.ibb.co/6NR2mgP/IMG-0129.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6NR2mgP)

(https://i.ibb.co/v3HH475/IMG-0128.jpg) (https://ibb.co/v3HH475)

upload pic (https://imgbb.com/)


Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: steamer on September 23, 2020, 08:59:39 PM
I will have to work out how to scan save and post , as I have so many , Argus, Mail, national press cuttings from this time
Along with complete sets of home programes from 69/70 up to about 84
All my away programes up to 78
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on September 25, 2020, 01:01:25 AM
The start of the Gills same was remarkable -we scored in the third and fourth minutes, the second a McMahon header from a rare Lochhead cross.

David Peach, who later played for Southampton at the top level got one back in the second half, but we held on.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on September 25, 2020, 01:06:35 PM

(https://i.ibb.co/ZWd3HvW/IMG-0134.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZWd3HvW)
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Pat McMahon on September 25, 2020, 10:32:38 PM
For some reason -don't know why- I watched this one from the Witton Lane Stand. it was a good performance against a side that finished champions, as I recall, with two well-taken goals from Big Andy.

This game was my first sighting of Archie Gemmill, who was to join Derby shortly after.

Your mention of Archie Gemmill reminded me that I was at this game. I don’t remember the goals but I do remember Archie Gemmill, mainly because my dad was impressing on me how good he was.

Few opposing players marked me back then but he and Ces Podd of Bradford were among the select few. And Mickey bloody Cave who scored the winner for Torquay against us.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on September 25, 2020, 11:25:56 PM
It was a cracking shot from Micky Cave, though, wasn't it, Pat. A game we should  have had sown up by the hour mark!
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on September 26, 2020, 12:33:49 AM
26th September 1970. Wrexham 2 Villa 3. Gibson, Hamilton(pen), Lochhead. Attendance 18,335


(https://i.ibb.co/J2yLGq9/s-l400.jpg) (https://ibb.co/J2yLGq9)


Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dave shelley on September 26, 2020, 08:47:01 AM
26th September 1970. Wrexham 2 Villa 3. Gibson, Hamilton(pen), Lochhead. Attendance 18,335


(https://i.ibb.co/J2yLGq9/s-l400.jpg) (https://ibb.co/J2yLGq9)




How well I remember that.  IIRC much was made of Chico's run-up to take the penalty, began somewhere near the half-way line if some were to be believed.  I do recall it seemed a long one though.  I still have that programme.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Pat McMahon on September 26, 2020, 01:01:24 PM
Was that the game where John Dunne saved a penalty twice?
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dave shelley on September 26, 2020, 01:04:04 PM
Was that the game where John Dunne saved a penalty twice?

Strangely enough I have no recollection of that Pat, I know we were much better than the scoreline suggests but we always found it difficult against Wrexham.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Flamingo Lane on September 26, 2020, 02:21:10 PM
Was that the game where John Dunne saved a penalty twice?

Strangely enough I have no recollection of that Pat, I know we were much better than the scoreline suggests but we always found it difficult against Wrexham.

Yes, this was the start of a number of games against them that were quite high scoring, including a League Cup second replay played at the Hawthorns, which was one of my favourite Villa memories.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on September 26, 2020, 07:43:53 PM
(https://i.ibb.co/J5Jkcz6/IMG-0135.jpg) (https://ibb.co/J5Jkcz6)
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Godfrey Brian on September 26, 2020, 10:23:22 PM
He didn't play a lot of games for us but I remember Dave Gibson as a classy player.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dave shelley on September 26, 2020, 10:27:32 PM
He was a very classy player, very skillful, the only problem was, his legs had gone by the time he got to us.  Sound familiar?
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Pat McMahon on September 26, 2020, 11:34:25 PM
He didn't play a lot of games for us but I remember Dave Gibson as a classy player.

My dad was a big fan but as a nipper I was more impressed by McMahon, Lochhead, Hamilton And Anderson.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on September 27, 2020, 12:25:44 AM
Wrexham always gave us a good contest; they were one of the half-a-dozen teams in the Third Division who wanted to play football.

The next season, we had a memorable three-game clash with them in the first round of the League Cup, that we won 4-3 (after being 3-2 down) near the end at The Hawthorns!
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: GXVilla on September 28, 2020, 01:12:28 PM
Seems crazy to think that Wrexham and Bristol Rovers were amongst our rivals 50 years ago! Had some great trips to Wrexham with thousands of Villa fans crossing the border into Wales. Remember a weird little stand that looked like it would collapse at any moment. Wrexham had a big centre half called Eddie May and he and Andy Lochead used to kick lumps out of each other! No quarter asked for or given. Fantastic to watch but they'd both be sent off after 5 minutes these days.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on September 29, 2020, 12:05:22 AM
Eddie May was huge, wasn't he? 6ft. 3", as I recall, but with the barrelist of barrel chests. Still, Andy was always good at looking after himself.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on September 30, 2020, 09:52:51 AM
30th September 1970. Villa 1 Bristol Rovers 1  Lochhead  Attendance 32,082

From that days programme. One of the Rovers players had caught the eye.


(https://i.ibb.co/YywK2N9/IMG-0136.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YywK2N9)
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on September 30, 2020, 11:54:13 PM
He 'caught the eye' even more in the second half when he blasted home the equaliser, the first of his many goals at B6.

Villa's goal before the break was a thing of beauty, a superb log cross from the left foot of Davie Gibson, glanced perfectly into the net by your namesake!
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Godfrey Brian on October 10, 2020, 12:31:12 PM
10th October 1970 Rochdale 1 Villa 1 Attendance 7364. Following two disappointing October draws (Brighton 0-0 league and Northampton 1-1 league cup) we headed to Rochdale for our first ever fixture against them. The crowd was almost double their normal attendance. Andy Lochhead scored early but we ended with another point. Bruce Rioch was to be out for a lengthy spell having had his cartilage removed this week
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on October 10, 2020, 11:52:22 PM
Yes, the injuries were starting to pile up, Brian.

Didn't Neil Rioch feature in this game?
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Godfrey Brian on October 11, 2020, 08:30:43 AM
Yes Dave, it was one of his few starts for us.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: steamer on October 11, 2020, 05:17:58 PM
The Northampton game was midweek
I started a new school at the end of that week, my satchel was a villa bag.
I was greeted by a Villa fan who had been there, he went on to be the best man at my wedding and life long friend.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on October 12, 2020, 11:06:59 PM
Good story!
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Villa Lew on November 21, 2020, 09:06:05 AM
Whilst our participation in the League Cup had continued 4 days previously with a well earned draw at Bristol Rovers, it came to an abrupt end in the FA Cup, with a first round 3-1 defeat at Torquay. Ex Villa man Dick Edwards scored one of their goals.

From a Villa point, it was most remembered for Charlie Aitken scoring his one and only goal in the competition for the club. It was also Lew Chatterley's last game for us.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on November 21, 2020, 07:00:35 PM
Yes, we were very poor at Torquay.

In fairness, the players had put a real shift in at Bristol on a mud-pitch in driving rain -the ball was sticking at times- so some of them might have been tired. No complaints about the result.

Charlie's goal was partly the result of Dick Edward's elbow apparently being more concerned with Andy Lochhead's face that the left-wing cross!
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on November 21, 2020, 08:46:02 PM
Don't remember much of the game. I just recall sitting in the coach afterwards thinking it's a long journey home.
I think Tommy Mitchinson was also at Torquay at this time.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Villa Lew on November 21, 2020, 09:06:14 PM
Yes he played for them from 69-71


Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on November 22, 2020, 11:20:38 PM
Charlie's goal was his first for years.

Under Vic Crowe and Ron Wylie, he was used more at attacking free-kicks and corners. Charlie was quite tall for a full-back and he eventually became like our version of Chris Lawler at Liverpool, a  bloke who would get a few goals every season.

The goal at Torquay was his only one that season, but he scored quite a few in the last years of his Villa career.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Godfrey Brian on December 12, 2020, 10:04:16 AM
 12 December 1970. No game today, it was FA Cup round 2 day and the Torquay result meant we had the day off! It did however give us extra preparation time for the following Wednesday's League Cup Semi-final first leg at Old Trafford. Meantime, up in Greater Manchester, United lost at home to Manchester City 1-4. A Franny Lee hatrick   seeing off a side in decline in an ill tempered game. A poor George Best tackle broke Glynn Pardoe's leg but only resulted in a hotly contested booking. Law got injured also, was subbed and became a doubt for Wednesday night.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: steamer on December 17, 2020, 06:33:44 AM
And that night will never be forgotten along with the second Leg at VP
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Flamingo Lane on December 23, 2020, 10:56:21 AM
So today it's exactly 50 years to the day since we beat Manchester United 2-1 in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final, to make it through to the final.  23 December 1970 was truly one of the great nights in our history.  I was 10, and the most specific memory of the night that I have is of after the game, and of running along the concourse under the Trinity Road stand with arms aloft, and Dad (bless him) following on.

I'm actually feeling quite emotional today.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on December 23, 2020, 02:40:27 PM
The greatest night ever at Villa Park.





(https://i2-prod.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article4728229.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/Pat-McMahon-scoring-Aston-Villas-second-goal-against-Manchester-United-during-the-League-Cup-second-leg-semi-final.jpg)
(https://i2-prod.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article4728228.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/Doug-Ellis-seen-here-with-members-of-Aston-Villa-celebrating-in-the-dressing-room-at-Villa-Park-after-their-two-one.jpg)
(https://i2-prod.birminghammail.co.uk/incoming/article4728230.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/Aston-Villa-celebrating-in-the-dressing-room-at-Villa-Park-after-their-two-one-victory-over-Manchester-United-in-the.jpg)
(https://c8.alamy.com/comp/er6be3/aston-villa-fans-celebrate-after-their-teams-two-one-victory-over-er6be3.jpg)

(https://i.ibb.co/FxHJyQM/Aston-Villa-s-Andy-Lockhead-no-9-beats-Manchester-United-s-Ian-Ure-in-the-air-to-make-the-score-1-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FxHJyQM)


(https://i.ibb.co/CnDD7VQ/andy-lochhead-scores-for-aston-villa-at-villa-park-during-the-second-ER66-TG.jpg) (https://ibb.co/CnDD7VQ)


(https://i.ibb.co/9rfvxN9/14200.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9rfvxN9)





Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on December 23, 2020, 05:29:06 PM
Brilliant post! Some great images.

I have a framed shot of Pat McMahon's winner at home.

A memory that will last forever...
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: GXVilla on December 23, 2020, 06:38:31 PM
What a night! if I was allowed to relive just one game in nearly 55 years of attending Villa Park, this would be the one.
Never known an atmosphere like it, before or since. Nearly 30k in the Holte alone that night and it rocked. To a 10 year old who was just used to us losing and getting relegated, seeing us beat the Utd of Best, Law and Charlton was magical, topped off with my favourite player Pat McMahon getting the winner.

Charlton, Grandad, that's what we all think of you!! Appropriate at the time but very sad to see him suffering from dementia now.

The night I completely and utterly fell in love with the Villa and the Holte End.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Godfrey Brian on December 23, 2020, 06:50:22 PM
Love those two dressing room photos. The first captures early seventies football perfectly- paper cups, John Dunn celebrating with a bottle of Skol lager and a ciggie, Doug controlling the champers and great to see Fred Turnbull -someone who gave his all for the team. Nice to see Pat Matthews in the other Shot too.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: olaftab on December 23, 2020, 07:00:07 PM
Oh what a night...late December back in
Myself and my mate made a beeline straight for the ground after school finished. No idea of time but we had no other intention and no idea that Turnstiles are open or not. It took us about  30 minutes to walk from Nechells Elliott Street to the ground. We had tickets in the Trinity Road Enclosure. Waited an hour and half before they opened up at around 5.30. After going through the turnstiles made our way to the front and stood right behind the benches. It's funny how as a kid you just stand and wait no worries about time or wanting to eat, drink or go to the loo.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Villa Lew on December 23, 2020, 07:13:24 PM
It doesn't get better than that, remember it as if it were yesterday.

Dunn, Bradley, Aitken, Godfrey, Turnbull, Tiler, McMahon, Gibson, Lochhead, Hamilton and Anderson all heroes that night. The attendance was given as 62,500, but I expect it was more than that. It has to be the greatest ever night at VP.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on December 23, 2020, 07:28:42 PM
Brilliant post! Some great images.

I have a framed shot of Pat McMahon's winner at home.

A memory that will last forever...

I think that McMahon picture is one of the best Villa photos ever. I may be wrong but it could be John Fitzpatrick (who passed away the other day) who he beats in the air. The Trinity stand at it's very best, the Lion is almost lighting up and he must have jumped a few seconds later from the noise that broke out. The terraced enclosure is absolutely rammed and you can almost picture those at the very back 4 or 5 deep as the terrace levels out craning their necks to see.
There are also the two weirdly shaped shadows of forward and defender almost in combat on the ground itself as they are suspended in mid air a second before the ball hits the net.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Pat McMahon on December 23, 2020, 08:58:33 PM
Thanks for posting.

My first big game at Villa Park and my first time up the Holte - I was agog the whole evening like a young lad out of a comic.

My dad had been off work for 6 months after falling off a ladder on a building site and he kept his promise to get tickets and put me on his shoulders for the game but sometime late on he did say to me that if it went to extra time we’d have to leave as he was in agony. Luckily Pat McMahon came up with the winner. I remember his mate driving us back to the working men’s club he ran in Chase Terrace and I was able to stay up and watch the highlights since it was school holidays. A truly amazing night for an 8 year old and probably the Xmas highlight that year.

Those 11 men were absolute legends in any reckoning of our history. Does anybody have the team from that nigh - looks like Rich and Tyler were in civvies in the above photo.

And I love Wolstenholme simply referring to us as the Villa, like a true connoisseur would do.

Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: frankmosswasmyuncle on December 23, 2020, 09:13:59 PM
My best time ever at Villa Park!!!

We were magical that night.
To a 16 year old who had just broken up for Christmas and been to Old Trafford the week before this was simply HEAVEN!
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Pat McMahon on December 23, 2020, 09:19:05 PM
What was the away game like Frank? I know we had a good following there but was it a backs to the wall game?
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dave shelley on December 23, 2020, 10:01:23 PM
What was the away game like Frank? I know we had a good following there but was it a backs to the wall game?

No.  We held our own for all of that match, they thought they would steamroller us but they got a fucking rude awakening as they well and truly found out in the second leg.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Villa Lew on December 23, 2020, 10:49:53 PM
Thanks for posting.

My first big game at Villa Park and my first time up the Holte - I was agog the whole evening like a young lad out of a comic.

My dad had been off work for 6 months after falling off a ladder on a building site and he kept his promise to get tickets and put me on his shoulders for the game but sometime late on he did say to me that if it went to extra time we’d have to leave as he was in agony. Luckily Pat McMahon came up with the winner. I remember his mate driving us back to the working men’s club he ran in Chase Terrace and I was able to stay up and watch the highlights since it was school holidays. A truly amazing night for an 8 year old and probably the Xmas highlight that year.

Those 11 men were absolute legends in any reckoning of our history. Does anybody have the team from that nigh - looks like Rich and Tyler were in civvies in the above photo.

And I love Wolstenholme simply referring to us as the Villa, like a true connoisseur would do.

I've posted the team above Pat
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Dick Edwards on December 29, 2020, 08:02:50 AM
A young Jimmy Rimmer in goal for United before he went on to bigger and better things ten years later.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Clarence Blue on February 19, 2021, 04:56:14 PM
Please see...

https://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=61887.msg3915013#msg3915013


I got an important detail wrong  :-[ 50 years plays tricks on the memory. Andy L scored the winner v Bournemouth....not the equaliser (that was Vowden).
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Clarence Blue on February 19, 2021, 05:52:57 PM
About the Man U semi final away match in 1969...
'What was the away game like Frank? I know we had a good following there but was it a backs to the wall game?'

There'd been strikes and power cuts in the weeks leading up the match and I think they'd been rescheduled for a week later than planned. It started with queuing outside Villa Park for tickets from 6am on a cold December Sunday morning, No. 11 from Bearwood, tickets for both legs on sale simultaneously. By the time we joined the queue it was about 6 deep, from the Trinity Road where the McGregor statue is now, all the way around the back of the Holte Hotel, and half way down Witton Lane. We got our tickets about 10am, by which time the queue had extended past Witton Square, up Witton Road, then Nelson Road and back into Trinity Road, almost 360 degrees wide sweep around the stadium. Take a look on Streetmap  :o   https://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=408466&y=290692&z=0&sv=B6+7BU&st=2&pc=B6+7BU

Match day came, an interesting day out for four 14 year olds, including yours truly, who bunked off from their Black Country school, with parents' permission in my case. Earlyish train from New St to Piccadilly. The only incident en route was that one friend was just sliding a small window open, to let a bit of fresh air in, when a patrolling copper took exception and belted him around the earrole. Charming! Anyway we arrived about 1.30pm for a 7.30KO!

We'd nominated our friend, who'd moved down from Stoke, to do the speaking, if anyone asked us anything, as he sounded more northern than us. Man U were notorious for trouble in those days. Hadn't walked more than 100 yards from the rail station before a bloke asked us if we 'had a light' and then 'where are you going lads?'. No sooner had our Potteries mate replied than he attacked us, so we scattered and ran, luckily faster than him. Afterwards we just got a bit of food and kept a low profile the rest of the afternoon, as we skulked around the city centre, trying to look 'normal' and not lost.

After that we were split into two x 2s and didn't see the others until next day. Got to the ground OK and into the open end, opposite the Stretford. Lots of fans of both teams in that end, no segregation, fairly good natured banter during the match. Massive and noisy following for Villa of course. They expected to drub us, a team from 2 tiers below. Charlton and Stiles played but were fairly quiet as I recall. George Best was on decent form and did several of his mazy dribbling runs.  It seemed that each time he did, it was matched by Hamilton for us, Chico having one of the best games I saw in his years at Villa, MotM that night.

Andy Lochhead poked the first goal in from close range, at our end, sending us Villa lot into unbelieving ecstasy. Lots of crowd sways and pushes followed. Kidd was their stand out player that night and he scored a deserved equaliser with a cracking long range shot. Overall though, we weren't under that much pressure until the last 10 minutes, gave as good as we got and the draw was well deserved.

Afterwards outside the stadium the Man U neanderthals were out for trouble big time. Me and my mate Ossie sat silent and petrified in a carriage packed full of hooligans on the local train back to Piccadilly. At one stop, they spotted an unfortunate Villa fan on the platform and several jumped off to give him a hiding. Anyway we made it unscathed back to Piccadilly, jumped on one of the ancient football specials they had back then, and it ROCKED all the way back to New Street. 

Set things up nicely for the return...that's another story.  ;D

(https://i.ibb.co/K2BhGfw/Lochhead-at-Old-T.jpg) (https://ibb.co/K2BhGfw)


Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Godfrey Brian on April 24, 2021, 10:05:41 PM
24th and 26th April 1971. PNE 0-0 and Mansfield (lost )  0-2. Two away games and three points dropped confirmed what had been likely for sometime- we were to spend another season in Division three. Disappointing but ahead of us lay one of the most enjoyable seasons to be a Villa fan. But first two final home games and the chance to finish the season with a couple of victories - what could possibly go wrong?
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on April 25, 2021, 12:31:56 AM
Went to the Preston game, which had a good attendance. Though it finished 0-0, it was a good game, with us slightly on top, on a rainy day. This was one of the few games after the cup final where we actually played quite well -there was a drop-off after Wembley.

This was probably because Preston were a decent team who tried to play football; struggling sides who hoofed the ball and 'got stuck in' often left us bemused that season, as the playing record shows.
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: Godfrey Brian on May 02, 2021, 10:55:31 AM
1st May 1971 Villa 3 Wrexham 4 a low attendance of just over 17000. Entertaining end of season stuff. Two big memories for me- my first villa hero Brian Godfrey scored his last goals for us.Also I was standing at the back of the Holte and after one of the goals I looked left and right and everyone had moved forward leaving me, for a short moment as 'the back of The Holte'! Trivial but I impressed a lot of people at school that week (I thought! :) ). 
Title: Re: 50 years ago
Post by: dcdavecollett on May 02, 2021, 10:58:49 PM
Went to this game.

Brian Godfrey hadn't scored before this match; Vic & Ron played him a bit further forward in midfield and Brian used his shooting-boots to good effect.

Eddie May was centre-half for Wrexham -he was built like a sh*thouse, and was totally unbeatable in the air if a good cross came in.
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