Big Rons Opener

[He wears a magic hat]

August 1991

Sheffield Wed2 Aston Villa 3

Has to be one of my favourite away days, Opening day of the season and Big Rons return to Sheffield after leaving them in the summer

[fbriai]

That was a great win. Heralded the start of a fine period in recent Villa history.

[Nev]

What a fantastic day.

They don't make 'em like that anymore, a boiling hot saturday afternoon and a massive away following for the first game.

Cigars all round after that one on the coach on the way back.

[Chico Hamilton III]

Marvelous day out. Big Ron's style of football summed up in 90 minutes

Was that the game where they had to open extra sections of the old terrace in the corner of leppings lane to fit all the Villa fans in?

[Damo70]

What a fantastic day.

They don't make 'em like that anymore, a boiling hot saturday afternoon and a massive away following for the first game.

Cigars all round after that one on the coach on the way back.

Definately one of the greatest ever away days. From the fixture itself to the way the game panned out you couldn't have written a better script. I remember the pre match deal about brandys and cigars all round in honour of BFR in the pub when we got back. As a lager drinker and non smoker my throat and head were f***ed the next day. Actually the throat might have been to do with the singing and shouting as well as the cigars.

[Fin Feds Dad]

As others have said - one of the best away days ever. Red hot, loads of villa - and a comeback !

My niece was born that morning too - so a memorable day all round. Don't think my Sister was too amused that my Dad came the match with me rather than going to visit his first grandchild, until the day after.

[CAitken]

I could only get a ticket in the home stand to the left of the Villa fans. When the third went in I went berserk and had to leg it out under the stand before I got lynched.

[The Left Side]

What a great season opener that was!

[eric woolban woolban]

Didn't realise Francis was the manager at that time. Even better!

[Ray Turner]

Awesome match, great following, brilliant atmosphere and the start of a golden era (albeit too brief) under BFR.

[Pete3206]

What a day

[bones.]

Marvelous day out. Big Ron's style of football summed up in 90 minutes

Was that the game where they had to open extra sections of the old terrace in the corner of leppings lane to fit all the Villa fans in?

I was on that corner terrace.  We were on the football special from New St that was delayed approaching Sheffield due to one failure or another and we reached Wadsley Bridge station after kickoff. There was a platoon of West Yorks Police waiting for us as our escort and they had to run to keep up as everyone legged it to the ground, the one filming us gave up after he fell over and 'nearly took his eye out'. Shame its not on youtube. Everyone had tickets for the seats but they wouldnt let us in and put us all on the corner terrace, we were two down when we arrived.  When we were stuck on the train and not going anywhere in a goods yard the floodlights of the stadium built for the 'youth olympics'? were visible in the distance. Some lads jumped off and ran across the tracks towards the floodlights thinking it was Hillsborough. They were waving for everyone to join them and we were waving back saying theyd got it wrong, but they didnt hear, it must have looked like we were all waving goodbye to each other. I dont know what time they got to the match.

[pauliewalnuts]

One of the most enjoyable days watching Villa I've ever had.

[saunders_heroes]

Remember it well. Stood at the front of Leppings Lane stand near the corner flag seeing Big Ron get all sorts of stick from the home fans. He had the final laugh though. Absolutely brilliant day in the sunshine. All our 3 goal scorers made their debut that day. Has that ever happened before or since?
Big Ron's teams played the best football I've ever seen at the Villa. Will we ever see the likes again? We can hope!

[Richie]

Agreed. Got to be my favourite away day ever.

The buzz of the opening game of the season, a lovely Sunny day, a full house with one of the best travelling support I have ever witnessed, the Big Ron against his former club factor and coming back from the dead after 20 minutes to win.

The elation when Stan put in the winner was unbelievable.