Lionel Martin

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

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.

From 69/70 you had the Vice-Presidents Club. The lounge for this was in a different place,  the entrance being on the left hand side as you entered the 1st floor of the Trinity stand after going through the turnstiles at the top of the steps.
The `dugout` on the Witton lane side was nothing other than benches on the track in front of the stand wall. To the side of these would be the letters for posting half time scores, although from most of the ground you could see these on the big half time score box on the corner between the Witton Terrace and Witton Lane stand.

[Ron Manager]

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.

Bobby Park was about the same level as John Inglis,Graham Fencott and other useless ejits we had at that time.The worst player I ever saw in Villa colours was Barry Stobart but the awful Bobby Thompson runs him close.When we sold him to Small Heath that was one of the finest days of my teenage years.

[Ron Manager]

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.

Got to disagree with you about Dave Roberts he had skill  as did Hamilton although he had a few problems that showed up on the pitch

[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.

Got to disagree with you about Dave Roberts he had skill  as did Hamilton although he had a few problems that showed up on the pitch

Agree, especially about Willie Hamilton. He was a Scottish International and a very skillful player, but rumour had it he had a bit of an alcohol problem, at least that's what I heard. Remember seeing him playing the Baggies at the Hawthorns. Our goalie, (Colin Withers I think,) took a goal kick and Hamilton, who was standing in the centre circle unmarked kicked it straight back towards him and almost scored. I swear he thought he was facing the opposite way.

[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.

From 69/70 you had the Vice-Presidents Club. The lounge for this was in a different place,  the entrance being on the left hand side as you entered the 1st floor of the Trinity stand after going through the turnstiles at the top of the steps.
The `dugout` on the Witton lane side was nothing other than benches on the track in front of the stand wall. To the side of these would be the letters for posting half time scores, although from most of the ground you could see these on the big half time score box on the corner between the Witton Terrace and Witton Lane stand.

There were a few seats behind the wall on either side of the gap where the groundsman got through as well as the benches in front of the wall.