Toulouse 1957(maybe 58)

[Steve R]

This is from an old football book published some time during the 57/58 season. I would guess the venue is the Stade Colombes, where the French cup final was played. I had never heard of this game, but the (curious) text goes :

Another international was this meeting between Aston Villa, the F.A. Cup winners and the French cup winners Toulouse, in Paris. Toulouse won 2-1. Despite this friendly beginning the French and British teams agreed to have a battle in other terms than football and police had to restore order.

Frenchman Cahuzac and Jackie Sewell race for the ball.

[BC54 VFC]

Very interesting, Steve; the match was played on 29th May, 1957.

[The Left Side]

Was that where Escape to Victory was filmed?

[Exeter 77]

Was that where Escape to Victory was filmed?

It is where the match in the film is supposed to take place in the screenplay but it was actually filmed in Hungary.

[DeKuip]

According to Bryan Sheppard's "Friendlies, Tours & Testimonials" book the game was played in Paris at the Parc des Princes.
During the first half there was a fight involving every player except the French keeper that went on for five minutes before the Belgian ref, linesmen and numerous gendarmes regained control. Throughout the second half the pitch was surrounded by armed police officers, but as soon as the players got into the tunnel at the end it kicked off again. Peter McParland is quoted: "It was a real free for all and I can remember, which I laugh about now, Bill Moore, the Villa trainer being in the middle of it. He was stood on a chair with the the heavy metal pump he used for inflating the balls and was whacking the French players with it!"
Wonderful.

[Steve R]

The article says merely 'Paris'. I was just guessing at Colombes because that is where the French Cup Final was always played.

[Bernie]

Johnny Dixon looks unwilling to shake hands with Johnny Foreigner