40 Years ago yesterday

[castlefields_villan]

21-8-1976 - Villa 4, West Ham 0

First game of that memorable 76-77 season, West Ham were later to be joined by amongst others Ipswich, Arsenal, Liverpool and the Albion to be well and truly thumped at Villa Park.

Am I right in remembering all the goals came in the second half when we were attacking the Witton End ?

[sid1964]

I was there that day, a fantastic start to a brilliant season

We should of won the league that season.

[castlefields_villan]

Yes, you're right Sid, we could have done a lot more than win the League Cup that season.

[Big Dick Edwards]

We had the best, most exhilarating starting eleven in the league that season. The reason we didn't win the league was the backlog of games and injuries we accrued in winning the League Cup. The semi final replay and two final replays did for us.

[castlefields_villan]

We had the best, most exhilarating starting eleven in the league that season. The reason we didn't win the league was the backlog of games and injuries we accrued in winning the League Cup. The semi final replay and two final replays did for us.

Not forgetting we only went out of the FA Cup on top of The League Cup Final and the first replay in the week before.

[Big Dick Edwards]

I remember winger Ray Graydon playing centre forward late that season, we were so short of strikers.

On the positive side, God smiled upon us injuries-wise in the 1980-1981 season.

[Richie]

This was one of my earliest games at Villa Park and remember it was a red hot day and we battered them (as we did a lot of teams at Villa Park that season).

My second ever Villa game was the Boxing Day massacre of West Ham in 1975 on Mortimer's home debut.

Happy days !

[Witton Warrior]

Took my, now, wife and sister to this - the first outing of the ICF as I recall ;-)

[oswald funkletrumpet]

my first game and the most exciting villa side i have had the pleasure of watching

all the goals were in the second half, i thought at the holte but it was 40 years ago and my memory aint what it used to be

[wittonwarrior]

My favourite season of all time and what a start to the season.

Birth of the London Lions first organised  train trip - I was a  mere babe  in arms ha ha.

Regarding the West Ham game things I remember :

1. We absolutely stormed them, Billy Bonds, Frank Lampard (no not the tart who now plays in the States), Phil Parkes.

2. ICF being  on our service train.

3. Speaking to Nick, Dave and Clive at New Street after the game whilst bedlam was going on around us.

4. We  beat  them easily at home the season before (Boxing day game), and later on  in 76/77 in the cup, 3rd or 4th round.  Graydon running side to side with the ball, you normally expect a winger to move the ball forward , Ray Graydon had a way of moving it across the pitch, complete one off.

Injuries and a very average keeper stoppped us from winning the league and the FA Cup that season.  If  only we had Jimmy.

PS the birth of the £10 junior season ticket (nearly forgot that one)

[castlefields_villan]

My favourite season of all time and what a start to the season.

Birth of the London Lions first organised  train trip - I was a  mere babe  in arms ha ha.

Regarding the West Ham game things I remember :

1. We absolutely stormed them, Billy Bonds, Frank Lampard (no not the tart who now plays in the States), Phil Parkes.

2. ICF being  on our service train.

3. Speaking to Nick, Dave and Clive at New Street after the game whilst bedlam was going on around us.

4. We  beat  them easily at home the season before (Boxing day game), and later on  in 76/77 in the cup, 3rd or 4th round.  Graydon running side to side with the ball, you normally expect a winger to move the ball forward , Ray Graydon had a way of moving it across the pitch, complete one off.

Injuries and a very average keeper stoppped us from winning the league and the FA Cup that season.  If  only we had Jimmy.

PS the birth of the £10 junior season ticket (nearly forgot that one)

Yes, as fortunate as we were with injuries and suspensions in the 1980-81 season, we were very unlucky with injuries that season, I seem to remember Dixie Deehan playing centre forward (and doing a very good job, although not his natural position) occasionally, notably the LCF 2nd Replay).  As you say WW if only we'd got JR a year earlier.

[wittonwarrior]

When we played them later on in the season in the Cup bloose were at home the same time, yes same kick off time etc to Leeds.  Imagine the police agreeing to that nowadays.

[wittonwarrior]

Tomorrow 40 years for our 1st away win at Everton brace by little and I missed it after being barred from going by my mum after an altercation at Maine road when I got sparked by a knob twice my age