27 years ago - promotion at Swindon

[Chico Hamilton III]

One of my mates managed to come home with one of Andy Gray's shinpads after carrying him off the pitch at the end.

Football: Villa thankful for failure of rivals
By VINCE WRIGHT

9 May 1988
The Times
T
English
 
Swindon Town ......... 0 Aston Villa .......... 0

Aston Villa have another cause for gratitude to Middlesbrough. When Villa won the League championship in 1980-81, Middlesbrough beat their main rivals, Ipswich Town, on the last Saturday of the season. This time Middlesbrough's home defeat against Leicester City ensured that Villa returned to the first division at the first attempt.
Villa ended their match against Swindon on Saturday knowing that the other contenders for second place, Bradford City, had lost to Ipswich Town, but then there was an agonizing wait of 10 minutes before it was confirmed that Middlesbrough had been beaten.
Villa finished on the same number of points as Middlesbrough, with an identical goal difference, and were placed second only by virtue of having scored more goals. So Graham Taylor, the Villa manager, has brought the club promotion in his first season - a fine achievement considering that on his arrival from Watford last summer, he said that he team was a shambles.
They have come a long way since then, and Taylor, who led the celebrations, has been the architect of their success. No one is more aware of this than the man who lured him away from Vicarage Road - the chairman of Villa, Doug Ellis.
Ellis praised Taylor's honesty and man-management: Graham knows how to get the best out of players, he's a great psychologist,' he said. 'He doesn't rule by bear, unlike some managers, and he has the respect of players and public. He has restored pride in the club and given the supporters fresh heart.' Ellis added that money would be available for Taylor to strengthen the side during the close season.
It was as well that there was such excitement off the pitch, for little of note happened on it. The second half was slightly less tedious than the first, with a Thompson header and a Platt shot striking the woodwork for Villa, and Bamber, of Swindon, missing the game's easiest chance from Hockaday's free kick.
Allan Evans, the only surviving member of Villa's championship-winning team, steadied his colleagues during the final tense minutes

[tom jennings III]

Awesome to read that. Being a nipper at the time the '87-'88 season was just before I properly knew what Villa were. Really special when you think what a good team we became over the next couple of years.

[castlefields_villan]

Football: Villa thankful for failure of rivals
By VINCE WRIGHT

9 May 1988
The Times
T
English
 
Swindon Town ......... 0 Aston Villa .......... 0

Aston Villa have another cause for gratitude to Middlesbrough. When Villa won the League championship in 1980-81, Middlesbrough beat their main rivals, Ipswich Town, on the last Saturday of the season. This time Middlesbrough's home defeat against Leicester City ensured that Villa returned to the first division at the first attempt.
Villa ended their match against Swindon on Saturday knowing that the other contenders for second place, Bradford City, had lost to Ipswich Town, but then there was an agonizing wait of 10 minutes before it was confirmed that Middlesbrough had been beaten.
Villa finished on the same number of points as Middlesbrough, with an identical goal difference, and were placed second only by virtue of having scored more goals. So Graham Taylor, the Villa manager, has brought the club promotion in his first season - a fine achievement considering that on his arrival from Watford last summer, he said that he team was a shambles.
They have come a long way since then, and Taylor, who led the celebrations, has been the architect of their success. No one is more aware of this than the man who lured him away from Vicarage Road - the chairman of Villa, Doug Ellis.
Ellis praised Taylor's honesty and man-management: Graham knows how to get the best out of players, he's a great psychologist,' he said. 'He doesn't rule by bear, unlike some managers, and he has the respect of players and public. He has restored pride in the club and given the supporters fresh heart.' Ellis added that money would be available for Taylor to strengthen the side during the close season.
It was as well that there was such excitement off the pitch, for little of note happened on it. The second half was slightly less tedious than the first, with a Thompson header and a Platt shot striking the woodwork for Villa, and Bamber, of Swindon, missing the game's easiest chance from Hockaday's free kick.
Allan Evans, the only surviving member of Villa's championship-winning team, steadied his colleagues during the final tense minutes





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Online tom jennings III
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Re: 27 years ago - promotion at Swindon

« Reply #1 on: Today at 12:43:41 PM »


Quote

 

Awesome to read that. Being a nipper at the time the '87-'88 season was just before I properly knew what Villa were. Really special when you think what a good team we became over the next couple of years.





I remember that day well too - didn't go - but living on my own as I was then, was in my flat, tv turned on with sound turned down and radio on and continually swapping stations while marching up and down each room unable to sit still - frantically trying to find out what was happening with Middlesbrough (Again !!).  Of course no internet, bbc website or facebook to aid us and the wait was agonising but worth it - anyone remember how we almost blew it by losing to -  was it Oldham ? at home just before ?

[Chico Hamilton III]

I think we only won 1 of our last 6 games ( the Bradford game). Millwall, Stoke and Oldham all beat us in the run in

[PeterWithesShin]

We beat Shrewsbury at home the game before Bradford. Before that it was 4 defeats in 5. Bradford and Shrewsbury were our only wins in the last 7.

[Nev]

What a day.

The huge crush at the turnstiles and the programmes going up in the air when the seller abandoned his post.
The near deserted ground with the exception of the away area which was rammed, I seem to remember Swindon refusing to give us any more tickets.
We were at the bottom of the side terrace and could barely see the pitch.
The ripple of realisation when the news came through and everyone went crackers.
A mate from Walsall riding on the bonnet of my mates car as went 'round an island.
Playing "Everywhere" by Fleetwood Mac (on cassette) for the whole of the journey home.
Stopping for a pint and an Argus in Stratford.

While I was typing this I was reminded of the old Miglands Today report by Steve Lee that I had on VHS. I looked for it on You Tube but found this gem instead:

You even see programmes flying through the air. And aren't we the bunch of cool looking fuckers?

[somec]

[quote

While I was typing this I was reminded of the old Miglands Today report by Steve Lee that I had on VHS. I looked for it on You Tube but found this gem instead:

You even see programmes flying through the air. And aren't we the bunch of cool looking fuckers?


[/quote]

Cheers Nev, that video is a great find!

[Nev]

It has just been pointed out to me by the ever helpful Nodge that the link is incorrect. It leads to European Cup clip rather than the TV report regarding the Swindon game.

As apologetic that I am, I can't be arsed with another link so you will have to find it yourselves.

Kind Regards.

[somec]

Yeah, I was thinking, 'Where are the programmes flying through the air?'

That European Cup final clip you posted is interesting though, despite the poor quality of the footage.

Maybe the link you meant to post was this one?

Did anyone here buy a forged ticket?!

[Nev]

Thanks Somec.

I'm shit with the internet.

In fact I'm a Spurs fan, joined the wrong forum and have been stuck here ever since.

[LeeB]

First away game, why in the holy name of fuck didn't we have the whole end? There we're Swindon fans sitting down on the terraces watching it, it was that sparse.

[neil strevens]

It was ridiculous that Swindon wouldn't give us the whole end - could have been another Hillsborough. I was on my own in the Swindon end and had to keep my big mouth shut.

[fbriai]

27 years ago!!!!!!!!!!

[Damo70]

What a day.

The huge crush at the turnstiles and the programmes going up in the air when the seller abandoned his post.
The near deserted ground with the exception of the away area which was rammed, I seem to remember Swindon refusing to give us any more tickets.
We were at the bottom of the side terrace and could barely see the pitch.
The ripple of realisation when the news came through and everyone went crackers.
A mate from Walsall riding on the bonnet of my mates car as went 'round an island.
Playing "Everywhere" by Fleetwood Mac (on cassette) for the whole of the journey home.
Stopping for a pint and an Argus in Stratford.

While I was typing this I was reminded of the old Miglands Today report by Steve Lee that I had on VHS. I looked for it on You Tube but found this gem instead:

You even see programmes flying through the air. And aren't we the bunch of cool looking fuckers?

I remember the nervous wait on other results. I also remember being convinced a draw was no good to us whatever happened elsewhere until everyone else disagreed with me. I remember the crush and our bonnet surfer. I also remember four of us in a Ford Sierra and our driver attempting to get Mr Whippy to pull over so we could buy an ice cream from him. I confess I have no recollection of the flying programmes or stopping for a pint in Stratford. Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac. All the way home. That is one thing I will never forget.  Any time I hear it I smile.

[LeeB]

What a day.

The huge crush at the turnstiles and the programmes going up in the air when the seller abandoned his post.
The near deserted ground with the exception of the away area which was rammed, I seem to remember Swindon refusing to give us any more tickets.
We were at the bottom of the side terrace and could barely see the pitch.
The ripple of realisation when the news came through and everyone went crackers.
A mate from Walsall riding on the bonnet of my mates car as went 'round an island.
Playing "Everywhere" by Fleetwood Mac (on cassette) for the whole of the journey home.
Stopping for a pint and an Argus in Stratford.

While I was typing this I was reminded of the old Miglands Today report by Steve Lee that I had on VHS. I looked for it on You Tube but found this gem instead:

You even see programmes flying through the air. And aren't we the bunch of cool looking fuckers?

I remember the nervous wait on other results. I also remember being convinced a draw was no good to us whatever happened elsewhere until everyone else disagreed with me. I remember the crush and our bonnet surfer. I also remember four of us in a Ford Sierra and our driver attempting to get Mr Whippy to pull over so we could buy an ice cream from him. I confess I have no recollection of the flying programmes or stopping for a pint in Stratford. Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac. All the way home. That is one thing I will never forget.  Any time I hear it I smile.

Alexander O'Neill for me, had his album on my walkman. Even at 11 I was a smooth mofo'.