Villa myths

[andyaston]

It was the 9th October.
Complete myth about any trouble. Here is the programme for the game, the atmsophere was just like in this picture from a previous game. Rangers fans travelling down with their families, lots of happy faces and kids from Glasgow and Birmingham played with party balloons.

I think thats a modern programme with a bunch of kids in 1970s fancy dress. Or it's the real thing, and Rob Bishop is a Villa version of back to the future confusing the programme buyers of 1977 with some strange futuristic grammar.

[steamer]

I think it was in the October.

It was definitely during the season. We didn't have a game because Alex Cropley was in the Scotland squad and back then there were no international weekends but you could have your game called off if you had players called up.

I believe it was October 9th, that month we also played Stoke, Sunderland & Liverpool, all away. As I remember it we went to the Liverpool match more confident of getting a result there than for many years and took thousands but, anti-climactically, lost 3-0. It was also a bit hairy in the Anfield Road end.

Me and you both in the Anfield Rd Bernie.
As you remember we took thousands.
No segregation
Liverpool fans already in the ground waiting for us.
Crap/non existent policing.
Only the force of numbers allowed us to surge up into the stand with fighting at the top of the stairs to allow us in. In hindsight an absolute disaster potential.
The Police eventually forced and manned a gap between the fans, all standing then, and constant surging and baiting between the fans.
My undying memory (conveniently forgot the score) was some senior cop (Inspector) with a flat cap, unlike the wooden tops who were pushing the fans back into line, walking in the gap and lashing out on the head of any miscreant who took his fancy with his silver topped cane.
Ahh for the days of positive, politically incorrect policing !!!

[London Villan]

The senior coppers in Liverpool always seemed to have those big long wooden stick things.

[Witton Warrior]

I think it was in the October.

It was definitely during the season. We didn't have a game because Alex Cropley was in the Scotland squad and back then there were no international weekends but you could have your game called off if you had players called up.

I believe it was October 9th, that month we also played Stoke, Sunderland & Liverpool, all away. As I remember it we went to the Liverpool match more confident of getting a result there than for many years and took thousands but, anti-climactically, lost 3-0. It was also a bit hairy in the Anfield Road end.

Me and you both in the Anfield Rd Bernie.
As you remember we took thousands.
No segregation
Liverpool fans already in the ground waiting for us.
Crap/non existent policing.
Only the force of numbers allowed us to surge up into the stand with fighting at the top of the stairs to allow us in. In hindsight an absolute disaster potential.
The Police eventually forced and manned a gap between the fans, all standing then, and constant surging and baiting between the fans.
My undying memory (conveniently forgot the score) was some senior cop (Inspector) with a flat cap, unlike the wooden tops who were pushing the fans back into line, walking in the gap and lashing out on the head of any miscreant who took his fancy with his silver topped cane.
Ahh for the days of positive, politically incorrect policing !!!

Remember being there on Saturday Nov 5th when we beat them 2-1 - same start fighting onto the Annie Road - then fireworks thrown throughout - pickpocketing kids - coppers laughing that we shouldn't have come - having to be kept in afterwards - arming ourselves with staves as we ran past the pools offices to chase off the scouse mobs only to find coach windows smashed for the return home. Folks wonder why I have no time for their "humour"...

[willywombat]

Always made me laugh when people used to crap on about how funny and friendly mickey mousers were. I  remember trips to Anfield being rough as a bears arse. Cowards too, didn't want to know unless they outnumbered us 3-1

[JD]

They are a bunch of cowards. I remember bumping into and getting a kicking from Red Scouse after I had been to see Villa at QPR. There were about 20 of them and two of us (and we were 15 years old).
Remember my big Brother (a Yiddo) was livid and when he went up to Anfield later in the season with his Spurzz crew he brought me back a souvenir (a blood stained red and white scarf). Never approved but he thought that was his way of looking after me.

[Percy McCarthy]

Two I choose to believe:

Frank Barson 'going in heavy' (armed) to contract negotiations;

Pongo Waring regularly getting nicked and The Villa telling the OB 'Keep him locked up, feed him on steak and eggs, let him go on Saturday before the game and send us the bill'.

[Vancouver]

getting nicked for what though?

[dave.woodhall]

getting nicked for what though?

Wife beating mainly.

[Percy McCarthy]

getting nicked for what though?

Wife beating mainly.

He used to beat Frank Barson's daughter? Did he have a death wish?

[kippaxvilla2]

That Villa fans sing "Veela - Veela" in squeaky voices
The Wolves never shut up about it.
On the Championship video you hear us singing at Molineux just like anyone else - why do they keep on about it?

The evidence in this video would at least create a case for the prosecution I fear.....

[kippaxvilla2]

John Gregory signing Robbie Keane.

[Damo70]

Reading Matt Kendrick's piece about the best uncapped Villa players I realised I had imagined my own little Villa myth. I always thought Gary Shaw got a cap on the Australian tour in 1983 when Nigel Spink got his. Obviously not.

[Meanwood Villa]

getting nicked for what though?

Wife beating mainly.

He used to beat Frank Barson's daughter? Did he have a death wish?

I didn't know he was a wife beater or that he married Frank Barson's daughter. Takes the gloss off his achievements somewhat. Things I've heard about him were that the name Pongo was because of his poor personal hygiene and he used to keep chickens in the front room of his house (possibly on Witton Lane even?)

[Meanwood Villa]

John Gregory signing Robbie Keane.

I was on holiday and reading the delayed British papers it was a done deal. Came home and he still hadn't signed. Ended up going to bloody Coventry. I wonder what difference he'd have made? Gregory probably would've coached the excitement out of him.