Ray Graydon talks...

[Dr Butler]

isn't funny I always thought I saw this game live on TV on the Saturday but according to the web they only showed highlights, sadly we could not make the final that day.

League Cup Final
Sat 1st Mar      Aston Villa 1 (Graydon) Norwich City 0
ITV Highlights
Brian Moore
*This was the only time an FA Cup or League Cup final was contested by two non-top flight clubs (there were no top flight clubs in the Semi-finals of this season's competition either!). It was third time lucky for Villa boss Ron Saunders who'd managed the two previous League Cup runners-up (including Norwch), Ray Graydon was Villa's match winner - following up his saved penalty to score from the rebound late in the game. All regions's (except ATV who had their own "Star Soccer" programme) showed LWT's coverage which was broadcast in the London area on Sunday 2-3pm.



includes semi final, the Nicholl header and the penalty.

UTV
The Doc

[Bernie]

Does anyone remember what a great header it was from Chris Nicholl that lead to the handball for the penalty?  I have to say, it was a great save from Mel Machin? for the penalty, a save most goalkeepers would have been proud of.  I felt sorry for Nicholl after the game as that header deserved a goal and he'd been great.

Now you mention it, and having looked at the clip, big Chris' header does come back to me. He had his moment at Old Trafford just over 2 years later though!

[castlefields_villan]

Does anyone remember what a great header it was from Chris Nicholl that lead to the handball for the penalty?  I have to say, it was a great save from Mel Machin? for the penalty, a save most goalkeepers would have been proud of.  I felt sorry for Nicholl after the game as that header deserved a goal and he'd been great.

Now you mention it, and having looked at the clip, big Chris' header does come back to me. He had his moment at Old Trafford just over 2 years later though!

I'll never forget that moment either, I was on the side almost level with where he shot from and I remember thinking "you'll never score from there"!

[passport1]

I remember the Grader. Don't think he was one if the Villa greats but will never forget being behind the goal at Wembley when he banged the rebound in.

[dave shelley]

Does anyone remember what a great header it was from Chris Nicholl that lead to the handball for the penalty?  I have to say, it was a great save from Mel Machin? for the penalty, a save most goalkeepers would have been proud of.  I felt sorry for Nicholl after the game as that header deserved a goal and he'd been great.

Now you mention it, and having looked at the clip, big Chris' header does come back to me. He had his moment at Old Trafford just over 2 years later though!

I'll never forget that moment either, I was on the side almost level with where he shot from and I remember thinking "you'll never score from there"!

Me too, we were about level with him on the opposite side to the dugouts and as he received the ball, I said to my mates that we really needed to score soon or we were gone.  I never believed he could(would) score from there.  Cue pandemonium. 

Strangely enough, and I've posted this before, I've never before or since heard noise like when Brian Little scored his first goal shortly afterwards, and that includes his winner.  It was like a lightening Bolt exploding directly overhead.  Happy days.

[castlefields_villan]

Does anyone remember what a great header it was from Chris Nicholl that lead to the handball for the penalty?  I have to say, it was a great save from Mel Machin? for the penalty, a save most goalkeepers would have been proud of.  I felt sorry for Nicholl after the game as that header deserved a goal and he'd been great.

Now you mention it, and having looked at the clip, big Chris' header does come back to me. He had his moment at Old Trafford just over 2 years later though!

I'll never forget that moment either, I was on the side almost level with where he shot from and I remember thinking "you'll never score from there"!

Me too, we were about level with him on the opposite side to the dugouts and as he received the ball, I said to my mates that we really needed to score soon or we were gone.  I never believed he could(would) score from there.  Cue pandemonium. 

Strangely enough, and I've posted this before, I've never before or since heard noise like when Brian Little scored his first goal shortly afterwards, and that includes his winner.  It was like a lightening Bolt exploding directly overhead.  Happy days.

What I also remember about that as well was - after Brain Little put us 2-1 up (2 goals in a minute) Lyons equalising for them and as we were singing "we shall not be moved" the fact they'd levelled didn't subdue the singing - I remember Everton supporters in the stand singing it as well - was the only occasion I recall both sets of supporters singing it at the same time !!

[class-of-82]

I was right behind the goal in line with Nichols shot and it just seemed to keep coming and coming straight at me absolute mayhem when it hit the back of the net

Oh happy days

[Big Dick Edwards]

Graydon was a good winger who could score goals as well as make them but I don't recall him being a particular fan favourite a lot of the time.

[dave shelley]

Graydon was a good winger who could score goals as well as make them but I don't recall him being a particular fan favourite a lot of the time.

He was in the enclave where I stood down the Witton End BDE.  I genuinely cannot remember anyone ever getting on his back giving him stick.  He would; and did, give his all everytime I saw him play.

[steamer]

from that clip there is a link to the whole game.
I was 18 then and had been in London since Friday afternoon. probably saw more on the youtube recording than I remember from the game.
some great second half performances from "Saunders Heroes "

[Pat McMahon]

Graydon was a good winger who could score goals as well as make them but I don't recall him being a particular fan favourite a lot of the time.

He was in the enclave where I stood down the Witton End BDE.  I genuinely cannot remember anyone ever getting on his back giving him stick.  He would; and did, give his all everytime I saw him play.

He came back with Coventry for a boxing day game around 1978 and was serenaded with "Ray Graydon - shit" which really upset me.

[steamer]

It would have upset me also, I think there was a minority who always moaned and slagged off Graydon.
The opposite was Chico, the Villa Park Faithfull loved him and he could do no wrong !
Yet when we played away, he was often, missing in action.

[wittonwarrior]

I thought Graydon was terrific for the Villa.  He was not what you call an orthodox winger he would dribble side to side and this was totally confusing for the opposition.  Remember this was before back to back  football on TV and video so teams had less preparation skills available to them for games. 

I always thought he was held in high regard by Villains and certainly cannot recall any poor form singing when he returned to Villa Park.

Time causing all sorts of issues with memories but I am surprised just how little he did play in 1976/77 - he was immense in the 2nd replay at Old Trafford.  Thanks for the memories RG.

[castlefields_villan]

I thought Graydon was terrific for the Villa.  He was not what you call an orthodox winger he would dribble side to side and this was totally confusing for the opposition.  Remember this was before back to back  football on TV and video so teams had less preparation skills available to them for games. 

I always thought he was held in high regard by Villains and certainly cannot recall any poor form singing when he returned to Villa Park.

Time causing all sorts of issues with memories but I am surprised just how little he did play in 1976/77 - he was immense in the 2nd replay at Old Trafford.  Thanks for the memories RG.

Time is causing me all sorts of issues with memories as well - I know Dixie Deehan played no.9 in the 2nd replay - but was Ray Graydon playing due to Andy Gray's absence ?

[dave.woodhall]

I thought Graydon was terrific for the Villa.  He was not what you call an orthodox winger he would dribble side to side and this was totally confusing for the opposition.  Remember this was before back to back  football on TV and video so teams had less preparation skills available to them for games. 

I always thought he was held in high regard by Villains and certainly cannot recall any poor form singing when he returned to Villa Park.

Time causing all sorts of issues with memories but I am surprised just how little he did play in 1976/77 - he was immense in the 2nd replay at Old Trafford.  Thanks for the memories RG.

Time is causing me all sorts of issues with memories as well - I know Dixie Deehan played no.9 in the 2nd replay - but was Ray Graydon playing due to Andy Gray's absence ?

Gray and Frank CArrodus both got injured the week before at Derby.