Ipswich (1975)

[castlefields_villan]

With the team at Ipswich this weekend, my mind has gone back to my first of 6 visits there in February 1975 for a 5th Round FA Cup game.

I was an excited 17 year old, excited in that we were well and truly completing our return to the big time (with a League Cup Final to look forward  as well) and a game against a top 6 First Division side.

As anyone there will remember, Bobby McDonald and Alun Evans (with a goal that seemed to take forever to bobble off the crossbar) put us 2-0 up but they came back to score 3 goals in the last twenty minutes or so to put us out.

Not all doom and gloom though, we were well on our way to achieving the main goal of promotion back to the old  first division.

Memories anyone ?

[lennythekad]

Remember them singing "I, I-R-A, Ipswich republican army", and the Villa fans trying to smash the gates down on the concourse, to get at the Ipswich fans. Think we took three specials that day, and most of the Villa fans were in the ground about 1.30 iirc. Have vague recollections of that being the first airing of "get yer tits out for the lads", as a fit bird walked in front of us, round the pitch.

[steamer]

Remember it well
with the Pub bombings etched in every ones mind, it was not the cleverest of chants.
then again they are from Ipswich.

[class-of-82]

Remember it well went on the special from new street went mental when the I r a chant went up loads of lads on top of the fence trying to get at them. Total small time club found out few months later It stood for Ipswich republican army that they nicked off Leeds who sung y r a Yorkshire republican army.
Never liked em

[Flamingo Lane]

The way we were playing in those last few months of the season, I've always thought that we would have gone on to win FA Cup that season, had we been able to hang on to the lead against Ipswich.

[West Derby Villan]

Patchy memories, went on the special which seemed to take forever (longer on the way back).I seem to remember we "shared" their end. Met me mate and he was wearing a white butchers coat with a Villa Lion on the back.

[castlefields_villan]

Patchy memories, went on the special which seemed to take forever (longer on the way back).I seem to remember we "shared" their end. Met me mate and he was wearing a white butchers coat with a Villa Lion on the back.

Yes, we shared "their end" - the North Bank - as I remember.  Didn't the Villa supporters have something like a "Light Switch" chant ?

I next went there in February 1977, and I seem to remember that was when the Ispwich Robson Army chant or whatever it was started - as mentioned earlier - very sensitive times for midlanders and they should've realised it would incite trouble.

[wittonwarrior]

Funny how it took us a few years to win there.  I remember the 5 Ken McNaught song started there - think we won the game 2-0 and the first airing  of we're going to win the league.

I always thought Ipswich were small time and their fans  would look to pick an odd away out.  One year in the North Stand  to give it, its correct name (thats the new end  now at Portman Road) loads  had their laces taken out of their DM's. 

Ipwich and Norwich were never my favourite aways.

[castlefields_villan]

Of the six times I went, I first saw us win 2-0 in September 1978, is that the game you're referring to WW ?

My 6 visits there were W2 L4

1974-75 (FAC5) L 2-3
1976-77  Div 1  L 0-1
1977-78    "       L 0-2
1978-79    "       W 2-0
1981-82    "       L 0-3
1982-83    "       W 2-1

Funny how I've remembered all that without even having to think about it and yet I struggle to remember how we got on in games last season !

You're right WW - small town club.

[Meanwood Villa]

Of the six times I went, I first saw us win 2-0 in September 1978, is that the game you're referring to WW ?

My 6 visits there were W2 L4

1974-75 (FAC5) L 2-3
1976-77  Div 1  L 0-1
1977-78    "       L 0-2
1978-79    "       W 2-0
1981-82    "       L 0-3
1982-83    "       W 2-1

Funny how I've remembered all that without even having to think about it and yet I struggle to remember how we got on in games last season !

You're right WW - small town club.

If it's last season go for a defeat and you're almost certain to be right.

[wittonwarrior]

Of the six times I went, I first saw us win 2-0 in September 1978, is that the game you're referring to WW ?

My 6 visits there were W2 L4

1974-75 (FAC5) L 2-3
1976-77  Div 1  L 0-1
1977-78    "       L 0-2
1978-79    "       W 2-0
1981-82    "       L 0-3
1982-83    "       W 2-1

Funny how I've remembered all that without even having to think about it and yet I struggle to remember how we got on in games last season !

You're right WW - small town club.

the 2-0 is definitely my best memory of that inbred town.  A lot of the problems Ipswich fans have experienced appears to be their own fault, both as a club  and as supporters - their daft IRA song - whilst I actually they sung  this in complete ignorance of whom was visiting and not realising how it would offend, they actually thought of themselves as some sort of big hooligan firm.  They came unstuck once or twice namely Milwall in the cup when they actually tried to take the Cold Blow Lane - we were away at Old Trafford that day. 

Funny how we never seem to sing our really old songs these days.  (5 Ken McNaughts, When your smiling, Come down to Villa Park and my eyes have seen the glory).

And whilst we are about it - it was their own daft fault for not winning the league in 81 - I remain convinced we were the better team, there chance was blown the season before when they sold their two Dutchmen.

[castlefields_villan]

Of the six times I went, I first saw us win 2-0 in September 1978, is that the game you're referring to WW ?

My 6 visits there were W2 L4

1974-75 (FAC5) L 2-3
1976-77  Div 1  L 0-1
1977-78    "       L 0-2
1978-79    "       W 2-0
1981-82    "       L 0-3
1982-83    "       W 2-1

Funny how I've remembered all that without even having to think about it and yet I struggle to remember how we got on in games last season !

You're right WW - small town club.

the 2-0 is definitely my best memory of that inbred town.  A lot of the problems Ipswich fans have experienced appears to be their own fault, both as a club  and as supporters - their daft IRA song - whilst I actually they sung  this in complete ignorance of whom was visiting and not realising how it would offend, they actually thought of themselves as some sort of big hooligan firm.  They came unstuck once or twice namely Milwall in the cup when they actually tried to take the Cold Blow Lane - we were away at Old Trafford that day. 

Funny how we never seem to sing our really old songs these days.  (5 Ken McNaughts, When your smiling, Come down to Villa Park and my eyes have seen the glory).

And whilst we are about it - it was their own daft fault for not winning the league in 81 - I remain convinced we were the better team, there chance was blown the season before when they sold their two Dutchmen.

It's been said many, many times before, yes they may have beaten us 3 times that season and been chasing 2 other competitions, (and we had a big slice of help from dear old Bosko), BUT over 42 League Games, we were the better team. The 26 wins compared to 21 says it all. 
UTV.

[class-of-82]

"When your smiling" song was one of the best ever should still sing t now
"The whole world smiles with you were Aston villa"

[dcdavecollett]

Just imagine if Nicholl and Little had been able to play in 1975!

[castlefields_villan]

Just imagine if Nicholl and Little had been able to play in 1975!

It's that long ago now - I can't remember the exact team, but I remember the occasion - and I know Bobby McDonald and Alun Evan played because I remember their goals.