Willie Anderson

[dave shelley]

I was at the 4-3 game v Wrexham at the Hawthorns, a fantastic night.

Willie Anderson was very much a favourite of the fans.

I was there too.  We always hard hard Tussles against Wrexham back in the Third Division days. 

Anyone else there at Wrexham the day we won 4-2 I think.  The day Chico Hamilton took a penalty with a run-up that would have done a long jumper credit.  He scored.

[Pat McMahon]

As soon as I saw the comments of FMWMU I thought of Willie's penalty miss away at Walsall and Pat and Dave have beaten me to it with their comments. It was 2nd Jan, 1971 and only the third away game that my dad took me to, and the first that we stood on the terraces. We were in amongst the 'lads', or the 'steamers' as I think they were called in those days, and it was quite a 'tasty' atmosphere for a 12 year old! I also remember the incident referred to by 'castlefields' when the Villa fans kept the ball (just in front of where we were standing). I think you are generous  , Pat, when you say the penalty was 5 yards wide, probably that far high and wide (of the right-hand angle as I recall). Isn't it funny how you remember everything about a game nearly 45 years ago but nothing about any home games over the past couple of years, apart from a certain cup game in early March?

Interested, castlefields, in your earlier comments on Jimmy Greaves.

I love these threads that reminisce.   

I was only 8 so I may be wrong but my recollection is that his penalty at Walsall came back off the brick wall of the terraces.

I only learned years later that we had been standing of the Hilary Street, the Walsall home end, and it was like a mini Holte End that day. I was so upset after the game my dad had to take me to Woolworths and fill me with chocolate to stop me blarting.

[Bernie]

Bernie and Castlefields:
The song I remember for Willie was: Give it to Willie, give it to Willie, Anderson...Anderson to the tune below (you'll recognise it) !

  I remember that song too, we had a few songs about Willie didn't we. [Fill in here with your own jokes if you must.....]
Some great memories have been triggered on this thread-not least the Wrexham match at The Hawthorns- as with many memories from that period it's coupled with a personal life event- the following day, 1 September 1971 I started my first job, scary to think it's now nearly 4 years since I retired, albeit an Early Retirement.
Also that 0-3 Walsall match- I remember well Villa taking the place over but had forgotten the missed penalty.
Thanks all for the memories and other stories.

[castlefields_villan]

I was at the 4-3 game v Wrexham at the Hawthorns, a fantastic night.

Willie Anderson was very much a favourite of the fans.

I remember a game at VP at the end of 1970-71 - I think by then we were already consigned to another season in the 3rd Division - lost to them 3-4 and I seem to remember we levelled 3 times but couldn't manage a 4th.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Whether that penalty miss at Walsall was "the one" that broke his run of successful penalties I can't remember...but I remember the penalty being miles wide when we thought it would be a nailed on goal and we'd go on and beat Walsall easily. The giddy heights of that semi-final win!!!
I distinctly remember coverage in the local press of Willie having scored 11/12 penalties consecutively and, in true Villa fashion, he missed the next one he took. Whether it was the Walsall one, I don't know.


btw, I find it quite reassuring that I can look back at a 3-0 defeat by Walsall and not get upset, just shake my head sagely and think of the good old days!
If it was THEM I'd probably be climbing into the cupboard under the stairs and sucking my thumb 'til tea time.   

[castlefields_villan]

The 0-3 & 0-2 defeats of 2002-03 (Enkleman and all that) still irritate me and even more so to think those 6 points we gave 'em was the difference to the one and only time they've finished in a higher place than us since 1974-75. 

[Comrade Blitz]

The 0-3 & 0-2 defeats of 2002-03 (Enkleman and all that) still irritate me and even more so to think those 6 points we gave 'em was the difference to the one and only time they've finished in a higher place than us since 1974-75. 

They took 10 of 12 points from Villa and WBA that season. (3W, 1D).


7 fewer points would have sent them back down.

[Flamingo Lane]

The 0-3 & 0-2 defeats of 2002-03 (Enkleman and all that) still irritate me and even more so to think those 6 points we gave 'em was the difference to the one and only time they've finished in a higher place than us since 1974-75. 

Sorry.  What's that got to do with this topic?

[steamer]

Bernie and castlefields  memory's of songs match mine.

Bernie's version was one that we sang in the pubs and on the coach, it needed a little bit of attention to timing and application.
Castlefields version was from the Holte.
"Bless them all,  the long and the short and the tall "

[Pat McMahon]

The 0-3 & 0-2 defeats of 2002-03 (Enkleman and all that) still irritate me and even more so to think those 6 points we gave 'em was the difference to the one and only time they've finished in a higher place than us since 1974-75. 

Sorry.  What's that got to do with this topic?

They are a follow on to fmymu's last sentence

[Steve R]

I don't know if Walsall sent any tickets to Villa for the December 70 game, but they had  a scheme which gave fans a voucher to get a ticket if they attended their (Walsall's) previous home game, which is how I got mine. Loads of Villa fans did it that way but most just paid at the turnstile, got their voucher and then climbed back out again without watching the match.

I did stay and watch and was stuck by how poor a team Walsall were and left rubbing my hands at the thought of sticking 5 or 6 past them.

The Chico penalty at Wrexham turned out to be the decider in a 3-2 win. I have no recollection as to why Willie didn't take it.....

My biggest memory of the three game marathon against Wrexham in the league cup the following year was then team captain Harry Gregory thumping Tommy Hughes in the away game after some disagreement or other. The captaincy was soon moved the Bruce Rioch and Gregory found himself out in the cold a few games later when the rest of the team supposedly refused to take the field alongside him.

[Ron Manager]

Harry Gregory thumping someone. It seems incredulous!

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Harry Gregory giving Valderrama and Fellaini a run for their money.

[Rudy65]

Harry Gregory giving Valderrama and Fellaini a run for their money.

I went to school with his sons, garry and terry, if I recall correctly

[Big Dick Edwards]

Willie used to sign autographs as Billy Anderson. According to my autograph book anyway..