Villa Park Highest Attendance wasn't Derby? One for the history buffs, please.

[Dave Javu]

I'd always thought that Villa's (note: NOT Billy Graham's) highest attendance for a game was v Derby 76,588 in the FA Cup 6th round, 2 March 1946.

My Dad today shattered my view of world history, by casually stating that there were comfortably more people present for the War Cup Final (North) second leg against Blackpool in 1944 (which we won 4-2 and 5-4 on aggregate) than for the Derby game.

Wikipedia says that the attendance was 38540, which I think is an error The later "North v South Final" at Stamford Bridge v Charlton (1-1 - cup was "shared") is also listed as having exactly the same attendance - 38540. Another source (which I annoying can't find now) said 58000.

My Dad said that it is reckoned there were around 84000 at the Blackpool game, with many having gotten in without paying. It was slightly before my Dad's time (he was seven) so he himself wasn't there but he says his brother (now dead) went and he still knows someone who was at the game and both told him their experiences of the incredible crush.

The other thing is, like the first Wembley Cup Final, assuming many got in by means other than via the turnstiles, who can really say what the attendace really was, and being a war game, would it really count as an official match (because of guest players and the like) in any case?

Apologies for not putting this in the "Memories" section, but logically, not many people below the age of 80 will remember this at all. It's more of a history/heritage question and (I think) deserves a wider input.

Has anyone got any more info?

[PeterWithesShin]

54,824.

I find it hard to believe that another 25K got in without paying, and if they had i'm sure it would have been mentioned in one of the many Villa history books.

[UK Redsox]

Just think of all the H&Vs that could have been sold in them days.

A 1940s version of Mr Woodhall could have created a Murdoch like media empire by now on the back of those sales.

[montague]

Convinced there was more than the official 58,000 at the Sunderland game in 1975 (Divison 2 for you  youngsters) when kids sneaking under the turnstiles was fairly common.

[johnc]

Convinced there was more than the official 58,000 at the Sunderland game in 1975 (Divison 2 for you  youngsters) when kids sneaking under the turnstiles was fairly common.

Great day but the crowd was massive. 2-0 wasn't it?

[Brend'Watkins]

The Derby attendance would have had a fair few who got in without paying too.

[Chico Hamilton III]

54,824 for the Blackpool second leg, according to "unfairly sacked by Villa" archivist, John Lerwill.

http://www.lerwill-life.org.uk/astonvilla/a_villa_war_final.htm

[montague]

Convinced there was more than the official 58,000 at the Sunderland game in 1975 (Divison 2 for you  youngsters) when kids sneaking under the turnstiles was fairly common.

Great day but the crowd was massive. 2-0 wasn't it?

It was. Pitch invasion at the end. "Were going up" (Dave ismay song?). Steve Hunt played I seem to remember, but a bit fuzzy with the memories..

[The Laughing Policeman]

Convinced there was more than the official 58,000 at the Sunderland game in 1975 (Divison 2 for you  youngsters) when kids sneaking under the turnstiles was fairly common.

Great day but the crowd was massive. 2-0 wasn't it?

Been in Villa Park for many sold out games but that day the crowd was unbelievable. I'd be very surprised if the crowd was "only" 58,000. It was 2-0. And didn't they have to beat us and Norwich lose for them to get promoted along with us and Manure?
Also it's the only time I can remember away fans being 'invited' in for a pre match pint in the Aston Tavern.

[nigel]

Convinced there was more than the official 58,000 at the Sunderland game in 1975 (Divison 2 for you  youngsters) when kids sneaking under the turnstiles was fairly common.

Great day but the crowd was massive. 2-0 wasn't it?

Been in Villa Park for many sold out games but that day the crowd was unbelievable. I'd be very surprised if the crowd was "only" 58,000. It was 2-0. And didn't they have to beat us and Norwich lose for them to get promoted along with us and Manure?
Also it's the only time I can remember away fans being 'invited' in for a pre match pint in the Aston Tavern.

I was up the Holte and, literally, couldn't move. I was pressed up against this woman, I'm just glad it was a good game otherwise my mind might have wandered onto other schoolboy stuff. Blokes were just getting their dicks out and pi**ing where they stood.
Didn't only 2 go up then?
I think had we lost to Sunderland we'd have had to beat Norwich in a 'Winner takes all' game at their place. As it happens we stuffed them 4-0

[Stu]

I think had we lost to Sunderland we'd have had to beat Norwich in a 'Winner takes all' game at their place. As it happens we stuffed them 4-0.

I think the Villa team had a few injuries going into the Norwich game as well. After the match, Eric Houghton told the Norwich directors that Villa would be "bringing our first team next year."

[Mister E]

Convinced there was more than the official 58,000 at the Sunderland game in 1975 (Divison 2 for you  youngsters) when kids sneaking under the turnstiles was fairly common.

Great day but the crowd was massive. 2-0 wasn't it?

Remember it well; 2-0; Sunderland needed to win to join us in promotion. We'd been in the Holte since around 1315 and it was hot, noisy, packed and rocking!

Brian Little and Ian Ross (I think) scored, the second from the penalty spot.

Following the pitch invasion at the end, I had a piece of VP turf for about 2 years in my bedroom  .. until me mam turfed it out (so to speak) - she had no sense of occasion.

[ClarrieBlue]

The Sunderland promotion game gave me a claim to fame. Like EffDee I was in the ground by 1 o'clock and watched the game stood in the gangway as getting on the actual terrace was impossible. We all went on the pitch at the end and the team appeared in the old Director's Box in the Trinity. Shortly after we won the 1st Division, a book came out called "Ron Saunders Aston Villa Scrapbook" which had a photo of the crowd on the pitch. After much searching with a magnifying glass I eventually found me and my mates in the photo.  I've still got the book. No publicity or autographs please !!

[dcdavecollett]

I think the attendance was 58,000.

The game was too close to call until Gidman came on for Hunt. Giddy played wide on the right as John Robson was right back. Bobby McDonald made both of Villa's goals.

Thousands of fans were on the pitch at the end.

[Irish villain]

Wasn't that the era when 'if you hung up 11 claret and blue jerseys to dry, 40,000 villa fans would turn up to watch'? I've heard that said a few times but can never remember what era it refers to. I first heard it when I was about 11 on an Irish tv tribute to Paul McGrath.