Testimonial Matches- help needed

[Virgil Caine]

I tend to let my mind wander during International breaks ( last round took me to thinking how long ago had it been that the ball had been kicked out of Villa Park). This time I'm trying to work out how many Villa testimonial matches I've attended in the last 40 years. Worryingly I can only recall Charlie Aitkens where I think the attendance was under 15,000.

I know there have been others though it is becoming an extinct event. Does anyone out there know what testimonial matches there have been since Charlie's and for what reason? I'm confident that both Alex Cropley and Brian Little had benefit matches because of a curtailed football playing career but I can't think of too many that qualified under the 10 year playing criteria.

I am sure that some of my fellow aged supporters have been to all and can list them - any help is gratefully received.

[dave.woodhall]

Cropley didn't have one - are you thinking of John Robson, when Cropley came on and scored? Little, Keith Leonard, Paul Birch, Nigel Spink, Allan Evans, Paul McGrath, Ron Saunders, Sid, Tony Barton (memorial).

[Virgil Caine]

Thank you- and you are right,Cropley scored an absolute screamer at John Robsons, so I must have been there. If anyone can remember the matches and who they were against plus the score it might just help me piece my memory together.

One assumes that Gabby is due for one soon or are testimonials a tad passé considering the wages footballers in the Premiership especially benefit from?

[peter w]

There was the 6-6 testimonial game around 79/80 ish. Against an England select team?

[Flamingo Lane]

I went to Brian Little's testimonial match, played a week or so before the European Cup Final in 1982.  I recall the attendance was dismally small, maybe not much more than 10,000.

[Pat McMahon]

I remember going to Fred Turnbull's at the end of the 1975-6 season. We lost at home to the Albion 1-0. They had just been promoted so it was a logical choice for him as they brought a good few - I was in the usual place in the Witton End with my dad and it was mixed with no trouble.

[wittonwarrior]

Ron Saunders  against Blooos 1980 end of season and we lost.

[PeterWithesShin]

Brian's was May 18th against an England XI. IIRC Brian scored 2, maybe all 3 in a 3-2 win.

[PeterWithesShin]

There was the 6-6 testimonial game around 79/80 ish. Against an England select team?

John Robson's, October 1978.

[four fornicholl]

I cried because nobody would take me to the pele game
what was that game all about
ive never forgiven em for that

[PeterWithesShin]

Cropley didn't have one - are you thinking of John Robson, when Cropley came on and scored? Little, Keith Leonard, Paul Birch, Nigel Spink, Allan Evans, Paul McGrath, Ron Saunders, Sid, Tony Barton (memorial).

We played Portsmouth away, August '82 for a Cropley testimonial.

Dennis had one in May 1985, home to an England XI.

[dave.woodhall]

Cropley didn't have one - are you thinking of John Robson, when Cropley came on and scored? Little, Keith Leonard, Paul Birch, Nigel Spink, Allan Evans, Paul McGrath, Ron Saunders, Sid, Tony Barton (memorial).

We played Portsmouth away, August '82 for a Cropley testimonial.

Dennis had one in May 1985, home to an England XI.

Then

I went to Brian Little's testimonial match, played a week or so before the European Cup Final in 1982.  I recall the attendance was dismally small, maybe not much more than 10,000.

I think that was the night Leeds rioted at the Hawthorns.

[PeterWithesShin]

I think only ever went to 2 testimonials, Brian and Tony Barton. Everything else i'm pulling from the Friendlies & Testimonials book.

[PeterWithesShin]

This always tickles me when I look at the fixtures in the book

Dec 20th 1989 Nettleham (A) Opening of Floodlights*

*This game was abandoned due to floodlight failure

[PeterWithesShin]

We had one for Jimmy Dugdale, Sept 1992 home to sha.