Cheer up Aston Villa

[Dave Clark Five]

I stood on the Spion Kop in the 69-70 match. There was a rumble behind us and a bloke that I was with pushed me under the barrier as fists and boots came flying in. We played them in a testimonial at the start of the next season, I think, at Villa Park. The Villa stood to one side as the noses came in the Holte, then surrounded them and gave them a good kicking. That was the way it was then with everyone trying to 'take' away ends. You had a bit of thinking to do. Do I go with the mob or stay away? Either way, it was a decision that could send you home with a split lip. Am I on the right thread by the way?

[lennythekad]

I remember that pre season testimonial Jon. I think it was 71/2. I remember it all going off half way down the Holte on the right hand side, and several Blues getting a good hiding.
Re. memorable seasons, 71 - 77 were the best for me for memories, although that's not to say I didn't enjoy the early eighties!

[Bernie]

By the way I think the Spion Kop was the away end anyway then, the Tilton was still their end?

If memory serves, from my time in the '60's when my Bluenose mate and I alternated weekends between Villa Park & the Sty, the Spion Kop was a side stand, not one of the ends. You had to be careful where you chose to stand if it was raining, since you were likely to get a free power shower if you stood under one of the holes in the corrugated iron roof.

You're right, E I, the Kop was the side stand to the left of the Tilton. The state of the roof was also in a song "It's got air-conditioning we know that's the truth, 'cause we've been and we've seen the holes in the roof"

[Witton Warrior]

I went in the Tilton late 70's when I couldn't get a ticket for our end.
The Blues sussed me in seconds (they could smell the soap) and I legged it over to the right-hand side (was there a caged walkway for the Police?) and politely requested a transfer before I got my head kicked in. The officer tutted and then ushered me through. I was considered foolhardy and lucky by my peers.
Went in with the Wolves at Molineux as well and that was terrifying as I watched pockets of Villa get picked off. We won 1-0 as well (Withe?) and one of their players was seriously injured so the atmosphere was deadly.

[Bernie]

I went in the Tilton late 70's when I couldn't get a ticket for our end.
The Blues sussed me in seconds (they could smell the soap) and I legged it over to the right-hand side (was there a caged walkway for the Police?) and politely requested a transfer before I got my head kicked in. The officer tutted and then ushered me through. I was considered foolhardy and lucky by my peers.
Went in with the Wolves at Molineux as well and that was terrifying as I watched pockets of Villa get picked off. We won 1-0 as well (Withe?) and one of their players was seriously injured so the atmosphere was deadly.

Was that Peter Daniel, injured in a tackle with Tony Morley? Tony got severe grief from the Wolves fans the next few times we played them after that.