Lionel Martin

[Dave Clark Five]

I remember Lionel Martin missing a sitter at home to Portsmouth in 69/70, I think. He kicked it over the Witton End goal from about two yards out. This is probably greatly exaggerated as these things usually are. We lost 5-3.

[Oscar Arce]

Lionel Martin was an immensley talented player but also infuriating, sometimes the ball used to stick like glue to his feet and he could glide past players with ease, dribbling past them in often impossibly tight areas, other times he was totally innefectual.
I remember a game when Tommy Doc was in charge he picked the ball up in a really tight area virtually on the goal line, dribbled along the line and curled it into the to corner (I think it was a 3-0 win against Bolton) ?
Also I remember the crowd getting on his back and at the end of the 1970-71 season he was loaned to Doncaster, and only appeared as a substitute in the Third Division promotion year (7 apearances).
He was sold to then Southern League Worcester City for £14,000 in July 1972 and drifted into non-league football.
He had a low centre of gravity and was small for a striker, ( I could compare him with another Lionel in that respect)!!...at times he was awesome but those games were few and far between.
As others on here have said, I suppose his greatest moment was the winner against Southampton, I can still see him smashing the ball into the net in front of the Holte.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I think there was a thread last year which said he worked at Startins in Erdington and somebody saying he had happily reminisced with them about his days at Villa and that goal.

I used to wash cars there after school when Lionel was in charge of 'Parts' at Startins. Lovely, very modest chap, always loved the Villa.

[Ron Manager]

I think he was manager at Tamworth for a while but I could be wrong!

[Dave Cooper please]

I think he was manager at Tamworth for a while but I could be wrong!

Assistant manager from 87-91, won the FA Vase in '89.

[adrenachrome]

I really used to like him as a player, but then I also liked Bobby Parks who was similarly inconsistent.

The goal I remember most was at home against Sperms in the League Cup in 68 when we lost 4-1. The Holte thought that Alan Deakin had scored the goal at first, and were chanting his name. It was a brilliant header.

Despite the result, Villa played very well that night.  The Spurs supporters were at the back of the Holte surrounded by police. "Hiding Behind The Coppers" was the main chant. A different age.

[E I Adio]

I really used to like him as a player, but then I also liked Bobby Parks who was similarly inconsistent.

I was never a great fan of Lionel, although I agree that he could be a skillful player at times.

I don't remember Bobby Park being inconsistent. I think he was consistently poor and must have been one of the worst players I have ever witnessed in a Villa shirt, in an era of laughably crap football and dire underachievement.

But then, it was a long time ago and I'm prepared to admit that my memory is sometimes a little hazy.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

I don't remember Bobby Park being inconsistent. I think he was consistently poor and must have been one of the worst players I have ever witnessed in a Villa shirt, in an era of laughably crap football and dire underachievement.

1966-67 was my first season and  the fringe players unable to command a regular place in a crap side were particularly dire. Bobby Park was the worst, with the likes of Graham Parker, Dave Roberts, Tony Scott and Willie Hamilton also worthy of dishonourable mentions in despatches.

The highlight of season was beating Man U at home  2-1 in front of 39,000 instead of the usual 20,000. They still went on to win the league that season, but it was to be their last for many a year.

[E I Adio]

I don't remember Bobby Park being inconsistent. I think he was consistently poor and must have been one of the worst players I have ever witnessed in a Villa shirt, in an era of laughably crap football and dire underachievement.

1966-67 was my first season and  the fringe players unable to command a regular place in a crap side were particularly dire. Bobby Park was the worst, with the likes of Graham Parker, Dave Roberts, Tony Scott and Willie Hamilton also worthy of dishonourable mentions in despatches.

The highlight of season was beating Man U at home  2-1 in front of 39,000 instead of the usual 20,000. They still went on to win the league that season, but it was to be their last for many a year.

I remember that game well. It was totally one sided with Man U constantly playing shots in for most of the game. It was a miracle they didn't score 10 against us. I think we had recently sold Tony Hateley and in desperation had moved Lew Chatterley up from centre half to centre forward. Since Man U were camped out in our half for almost all of the game, it came as quite a shock to them - and us, when Lew got lucky and scored the winner at the Witton End. As I recall, amongst the cheering when he scored, there was a great deal of incredulous laughing.

[dave shelley]

I don't remember Bobby Park being inconsistent. I think he was consistently poor and must have been one of the worst players I have ever witnessed in a Villa shirt, in an era of laughably crap football and dire underachievement.

1966-67 was my first season and  the fringe players unable to command a regular place in a crap side were particularly dire. Bobby Park was the worst, with the likes of Graham Parker, Dave Roberts, Tony Scott and Willie Hamilton also worthy of dishonourable mentions in despatches.

The highlight of season was beating Man U at home  2-1 in front of 39,000 instead of the usual 20,000. They still went on to win the league that season, but it was to be their last for many a year.

I remember that game well. It was totally one sided with Man U constantly playing shots in for most of the game. It was a miracle they didn't score 10 against us. I think we had recently sold Tony Hateley and in desperation had moved Lew Chatterley up from centre half to centre forward. Since Man U were camped out in our half for almost all of the game, it came as quite a shock to them - and us, when Lew got lucky and scored the winner at the Witton End. As I recall, amongst the cheering when he scored, there was a great deal of incredulous laughing.

I remember this game so well.  I was one of those laughing; couldn't believe what I'd just seen.  I remember I was still laughing when I got home.  Not wishing to dirgress from this thread, but while on the topic of real duff players, does anyone remember a Brian Inglis? he has to be the worst I have ever seen in a Villa shirt.  I may be wrong but I think he may have been related to one of the then coaching staff.  Useless would be a superlative in his case.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Not wishing to dirgress from this thread, but while on the topic of real duff players, does anyone remember a Brian Inglis? he has to be the worst I have ever seen in a Villa shirt.  I may be wrong but I think he may have been related to one of the then coaching staff.  Useless would be a superlative in his case.

Do you mean John Inglis ? He only played 2 or 3 first team games but at the start of season 67-68 they must have expected more of him as he made the 1st team photo call here. (Thats him, between Johnny McLoed and Tommy Cummings).  Dont know about him being related to any of the coaching staff . But I do remember him in reserve games vaguely and your right, he was useless.

[eric woolban woolban]

Would his goal be akin to David Platt's against Coventry?

[E I Adio]

That line up brings back some memories. Seeing Johnny Mcleod reminds me of a chant we had if anyone fouled him which was based on the Rolling Stones' "Hey, you, get off of my cloud."

Mike Tindall and Alan Deakin were both very promising wing halves, tipped for England before both of them broke a leg if I remember correctly. They were shadows of their former selves when they eventually returned. Peter Broadbent was the heartbeat of Wolves' great team of the '50's and early '60's, but was well past his best when he joined us. Of the rest, only Colin Withers, Charlie Aitken, Mick Wright and Slogger were good enough, which would have been alright if all you needed was a defence.

And some on here think we're playing badly this season. Pfft.

[dave shelley]

Correct Andy, John Inglis it was and he must have been really dire if he only played a couple of games but left such and indelable memory on me. Brian Inglis was the bloke that presented a programme on telly called "All Our Yesterdays'" which is appropriate as that side there was as shit as the one we have now!

[Dave Clark Five]

Just to the right of the picture was the Vice Presidents Lounge. The only bit of corporate about at the time. It was by the tunnel and had narrow windows through which you could see the pitch. The dugout was in the Witton Lane Stand.