The Holte’s Last Stand

[dave.woodhall]

Right, settle down and I'll begin.

One day, a long time ago, Tom Ross was collecting recordings of local sports people each singing a line of We Wish You a Merry Christmas. He was on his way out of Villa Park when Doug spied him and asked what was going on. Tom, with some trepidation, told him, to which Doug replied. "Excellent! I'll take part - I used to be Head Chorister at Chester Cathedral."

And so, a few days later, a package arrived at Capital or whoever they were then containing a cassette featuring Doug singing a selection of carols, accompanied by Heidi playing his organ. 

[Lastfootstamper]

That was a considerably shorter story than I was expecting. I feel a little let down.

[PeterWithesShin]

I have a highly disturbing image in my head from the last 4 words of that story.

[Villa in Denmark]

I have a highly disturbing image in my head from the last 4 words of that story.

Eugh!

[Des Little]

Was this pre, post or during the bicycle kick? Just so I’m clear...

[russon]

I thought this would be the most relevant thread to post this question.

Someone put up footage of us playing Watford in the 80s and the Watford players warmed up before the game in front of the Holte. This completely threw me, I have no recollection of away teams doing that, was it a regular thing for away teams to do?

[dave.woodhall]

I thought this would be the most relevant thread to post this question.

Someone put up footage of us playing Watford in the 80s and the Watford players warmed up before the game in front of the Holte. This completely threw me, I have no recollection of away teams doing that, was it a regular thing for away teams to do?

They did it occasionally as a bit of a wind-up.

[Godfrey Brian]

I thought this would be the most relevant thread to post this question.

Someone put up footage of us playing Watford in the 80s and the Watford players warmed up before the game in front of the Holte. This completely threw me, I have no recollection of away teams doing that, was it a regular thing for away teams to do?

As Dave has said occasionally away teams would do so much in the same way that some would choose to kick towards the Holte second half if they won the toss. It did get me thinking about one of the other  pre match rituals lost to modern times. Around 45 minutes before kick off the away side would wander out of the tunnel in their civvies and shuffle around the pitch in groups testing the pitch to decide which boots to wear.I suppose that today's more structured and lengthy warm ups have made that obsolete.

[steamer]

Best was, the Arsenal/Sammy Morgan replay Rd 3 FA cup
Villa ran out first and went to the Witton end.
arsenal ran out and had to go to the Holte.
The rest is History

[PeterWithesShin]

30 years ago today we walked away from the Holte terrace for the last time.

[usav]

30 years ago today we walked away from the Holte terrace for the last time.

Bloody hell, where has time gone?

[kippaxvilla2]

https://www.heroesandvillains.info/heroesarchive/hls/index.htm

[eamonn]

Beating Liverpool again tonight, 30 years on, with the winner at the Holte, would be summat special.

[trinityoap]

To be fair to them the Liverpool supporters showed some class that day.

[LeeB]

I really don't remember anything from that day other than that oaf singing their anthem before the game.