FA Cup Final - Pre-Match Thread

[He wears a magic hat]

went online at 14 15 email confirmation received at 14 20.

That's how to buy you cup final ticket

Fantastic

[Kingthing]

It

went online at 14 15 email confirmation received at 14 20.

That's how to buy you cup final ticket

Fantastic

It must be that hat you're wearing.

[Walmley_Villa]

Well I have been to a funeral in Worcester today of my dad's cousin. Back at the pub in Bromsgrove where we had a few drinks and remembered her life and I got talking to her daughter who was showing people some old photos. There was a Villa envelope with pics from the 1957 final and some newspaper cuttings. It turns out that the young lad in the replica Villa kit that you often see in 57 crowd photos is a distant relative of mine, called Andrew who died a couple of years ago. He was the mascot for the whole season apparently as that is how things worked back then.
We have to win it now surely!! ?

[dave.woodhall]

Well I have been to a funeral in Worcester today of my dad's cousin. Back at the pub in Bromsgrove where we had a few drinks and remembered her life and I got talking to her daughter who was showing people some old photos. There was a Villa envelope with pics from the 1957 final and some newspaper cuttings. It turns out that the young lad in the replica Villa kit that you often see in 57 crowd photos is a distant relative of mine, called Andrew who died a couple of years ago. He was the mascot for the whole season apparently as that is how things worked back then.
We have to win it now surely!! ?

Shame that he's died. He's been written about a bit in H&V.

[Walmley_Villa]

A follow on from my post - Dave W posted in 2010 the following:

"From the man:

Players I may forget but I can never forget ANDREW PUGH

He was, I believe, a self appointed mascot or rather appointed by his father and mother!

Don't think they ever had any official backing.  Andrew just appeared one day (I wish I could remember when but can't), and nobody seemed to object or have the heart to tell him they objected.
and his appearance never spawned any duplicates or rivals as it might have done today. Nor did it when he eventually 'became too big'. Mascots had to be small! I think he lasted about three seasons.

One possible reason was that there were no replica shirts or anything like them so his mother made all his kits. We wondered whether she would come up with a cup final outfit but she did so she was obviously talented in that direction although most women made their own dresses back then.

Somehow he used to get by the players entrance on to the pitch when the teams came out, even at away grounds, and take it from there. Other teams didn't seem to have mascots - or at least not many did, so he really was a pioneer.

My friends and I being teenagers were of course totally jealous but even we doubted he would get through the security at Wembley. He didn't pre-kick off (at least I'm sure he didn't!) but somehow he managed it after the cup had been presented. He's in all the pictures.

They lived in Kingstanding I think but can't swear to it. But and I've asked this many times, Where is he now?  He must have a bucketful of memories to tell."

The funeral today was of ,my second cousin Jean Pugh and her late husband Alf Pugh (former Royal Marine) was I think his uncle or cousin.

[Walmley_Villa]

Cheers Dave, beat me to it.

[dave.woodhall]

He couldn't have been that old when he died - mid/late sixties.

[Walmley_Villa]

He couldn't have been that old when he died - mid/late sixties.

62 I was told

[cheltenhamlion]

Be worried my pickled liver, Edvard has a cup final ticket!

[BlackCountryVilla]

Booked my ticket yesterday at 9.10.

It arrived today ! Can't argue with that.

Train booked, hotel booked and ticket in hand. Can't wait !!

[amfy]

Great news!

[Exeter 77]

Booked my ticket yesterday at 9.10.

It arrived today ! Can't argue with that.

Much the same for me.

[Phil Reading]

Well I have been to a funeral in Worcester today of my dad's cousin. Back at the pub in Bromsgrove where we had a few drinks and remembered her life and I got talking to her daughter who was showing people some old photos. There was a Villa envelope with pics from the 1957 final and some newspaper cuttings. It turns out that the young lad in the replica Villa kit that you often see in 57 crowd photos is a distant relative of mine, called Andrew who died a couple of years ago. He was the mascot for the whole season apparently as that is how things worked back then.
We have to win it now surely!! ?

Well I have been to a funeral in Worcester today of my dad's cousin. Back at the pub in Bromsgrove where we had a few drinks and remembered her life and I got talking to her daughter who was showing people some old photos. There was a Villa envelope with pics from the 1957 final and some newspaper cuttings. It turns out that the young lad in the replica Villa kit that you often see in 57 crowd photos is a distant relative of mine, called Andrew who died a couple of years ago. He was the mascot for the whole season apparently as that is how things worked back then.
We have to win it now surely!! ?

[Chris Jameson]

Excellent first post there Phil, you'll fit in well here!

[olaftab]

And two for the price of one!
Welcome Phil. What are you reading