Back then my pocket money or “Villa Money” as it was always referred to, was 2/6 or half a crown (12.5p or 30 old pence) per week. Admission to Villa Park or Edgbaston was 1/- (5p or 12d as it was back then). Bus fare to the cricket 7d per game. Villa Park free as I always walked to the ground, leaving 11d for sweets or the cinema if I managed to save anything from my school bus fare. For this I was given 7d per day for two buses each way but conversely if I took three busses each way the fares totaled only 6d per day so unbeknown to my mother I cheated her out of 5d per week – if it can be called cheating!

Having finished the season with nine games undefeated (W6 D3), after Colours v Whites there was no reason to suppose we would not make it ten unbeaten when we headed north to take on Nat Lofthouse and Bolton Wanderers again. Especially when after 10 minutes Thompson put us one up. Only for Rutherford, preferred in goal over Jones, having to go off due to a severely injured finger. No substitutes back then so it was critical that every team should have someone capable of acting as a stand-in custodian if needs be. We were better prepared than most in having Con Martin ready for such eventually, he having once been selected to play in goal for the Irish Republic. Despite our handicap Herbie Smith managed to double our lead on 27. At this point Rutherford returned with a heavily bandaged hand. This may have been a mistake because Wanderers fought back to equalise by the interval, made worse when in the second half they scored three more in rapid succession leaving my brother, who had been amongst the 30,253, (I have the programme with his handwriting in it) and the others on the Stockland Coach more than a little downhearted. 2-5.

Manager Martin then had something of a goalkeeping dilemma. Obviously Rutherford would not be available for the game next Saturday and he clearly thought Keith Jones was not the Keith Jones of old and the next in line Graham Cordell lacked experience. So, with a reserve game at Bury on the Monday night Martin had the inspired idea of sending Martin to play there to get familiar with the role. He so impressed in the 1-1 draw that come Saturday Martin was the first name on the team sheet v Derby County.

37,548 arrived with more than the usual first home game nerves; possibly also including the visiting supporters because their custodian was R. Middleton JP. Really. But it was 26 minutes before Dixon put the ball into custody. Smith (31) and Dixon again ensured that we continued to enjoy the ‘Blanchflower’ effect. The Derby goal was scored by Powell, uncle of my best friend from a few doors down. A wounded Walsh added the fourth before it became apparent he would not be appearing in the next game.

The next game was on a Monday night v Sunderland and 42,295 arrived to tell Trevor Ford quite what we thought of his treachery. But as it was it was the team on the pitch with Pace at number nine who mostly expressed our displeasure. Especially Pace in the eighth thence Dixon (27). Sunderland began to wake up but after Len Shackleton had us biting our nails Frank Moss kept Ford in check for the remaining half hour. Seldom was victory so sweet.

Meanwhile there is much rejoicing throughout the city. Warwickshire have won the County Cricket Championship for the first time since 1911. If they can do that, surely we can win the Football League, again!

Our winning sequence should have continued at Maine Road but for four fatal minutes. Pace (17) and again just as the referee was about to whistle for half-time and it should have been more had it not been for Bert Trautmann. But the fatal minutes were the 59th and 62nd, the second being from a melee leading to a penalty. City might have opened the scoring at the very start when Martin was bundled into the net and thanks to the shoulder charge goalkeepers were fair game. But the ball had stayed out.

Early-season fixtures usually included home and away matches midweek so we set off to visit Trevor Ford in his new home with unexpected results. Especially as far as the 44,107 mostly Sunderland fans were concerned. Moss, this time Amos rather than Frank, kept him quiet as others did Broadis and Shackleton. It had not appeared that way when the notorious author put them ahead (11) Dixon responded (22) then McLain ran the ball into his own net (26). Anything McLain could do his colleague Hudgell could do worse and so we achieved a most unlikely double.3-1

It was no surprise when 56,860 turned up at Villa Park to see this new exciting Villa play the Arsenal. They were rewarded with a ‘picture goal’ by Thompson just as the Mail and Dispatch sellers were starting to appear in the crowd. Tension mounted but Blanchflower was imperious and Martin? Well, he brought the house down with two great saves.1-0.

On a Monday evening two days later 37,233 came to check that there was no fluke about this Methodist revival. Or not as after eighty-nine minutes of not a lot Goffin ensured a few extra customers at the Witton Arms from a tap-in after a throw from Blanchflower. Huddersfield may have been hampered by the absence of Howe injured late on with a broken nose. Also the fading light.

We do not normally expect to win at Blackpool but this is not a ‘normal’ season, so far. Not least with Pace injured and Amos Moss chosen to play centre-forward. But Peter Aldis, improving with every game, replaced George Cummings as Matthews’ nemesis and so with help from Frank Moss was able to keep the ball away from Mortenson. But it took us to turned four o’clock before we opened our account, Parkes moving forward to set up Dixon. Thompson (71) and Dixon again (88) guaranteed a wonderful night at the illuminations or to hear Vera Lynn at the Opera House for the Villa fans amongst the 31,873 who saw our first win at the Seasiders since the days of Jimmy Hogan.

The players on at the seaside for a few days before heading to Huddersfield midweek. To the surprise of the 19,994 Taylor headed them in front from all of two yards (20). After we twice hit the timber it was starting not to be our day when Taylor again (59) had the home crowd in raptures. Only for Moss just justify his unusual role (63). Blanchflower did not score many goals so he would probably prefer it if I did not mention the misguided pass back that handed the game to Huddersfield (79).

But we were not downhearted and 47,056 came to see Billy Liddell and his mates who started off at a hundred miles per hour. But the masterful Blanchflower is not to be rushed. Once the fire had been quenched he was able to set up Thompson for the opener. Thompson was in sparkling form and set up Goffin just as the teas were being poured out. Liverpool missed a penalty before we had the unusual sight of the entire Liverpool team on the goalline to defend an indirect free-kick.

The League table read:
1st Aston Villa P10 Pts 15
2nd Bolton P9 Pts 14
3rd Man Utd P10 Pts 14

Mark the day well, 22nd September 1951. It may be a long time before you see the likes again.

At this stage of the season when the players might have enjoyed some respite it seemed odd to be playing Shamrock Rovers as they came for their annual visit. This time I was able to be there for the 5.45 kick off. Like the Barbarians rugby team, who always included a non-international in their fifteen we invariably included a little-known reserve. Alan Pollard, whose name was usually to be found amongst the Birmingham League eleven. But he did have the distinction of scoring our only goal (19) although it did not go on to earn him fame or fortune. Pat Daly had gone back to Rovers after just three games in the first team and was left to mark Derek Pace. Kane saw to it that this time Rovers made a bit of a game of it despite the absence of either the Lord Mayor or a military band.

This pointless encounter may have contributed to our fall from the top spot. The following week lead to a two-page spread in Charlie Buchan’s Football Monthly (a great publication) describing our downfall at Portsmouth. Nil–two. Bad enough, but made worse by the ‘nil’- the first time we had failed to score this campaign. It was not through want of trying – we might have scored in the first minute – but the woodwork seemed to act like a magnet. Henderson was three yards offside when he scored their first goal (35). And a rolling sphere gathered no moss when Frank of that name failed to trap a ball and it skidded through to Phillips four minutes later. 0-2. And most of the 37,283 started singing the ‘famous’ Pompey chimes.

As if one friendly was not enough, the directors had long since locked us into an annual game in October against the Army. This time the full first eleven was dispatched to Aldershot on a Monday, to encounter a team that might well have been able to make a good account of itself in the first division Or perhaps the Scottish first division, looking at most of the names. It took Pace 68 minutes to wear down the Army resistance but they came back with all guns blazing for Cameron to equalise. Herbie Smith ensured a reasonable journey home, late on.

At least we had five days rest before going to Stoke. Curiously the attendance was almost identical to that at Portsmouth, 37,985 and the result was the same, if not worse. Martin pulled a muscle in the opening minutes, meaning the full-backs had to take the goal-kicks, of which there were many as Stoke played a game of shots in. Aided by Frank Moss who followed up his Fratton Park miscue by heading into his own net to set Stoke on their way. Worse, after 31 Martin failed to field a shot from Smyth. An early strike by Dixon promised a second-half fightback. But Oscroft, recognising that Martin was lame, added insult to injury. 1-4 and we had slipped to seventh.

Not a good time to be welcoming aspirational Manchester United to East 1646. Especially when having been selected to replace the still-injured Walsh, Derek Pace, although he had not made the Army team was required for military duty elsewhere so Dixon had to fill the role in a decidedly unbalanced side. 47.795 turned up, although standing out on the terraces in the pouring rain cannot have been much fun for most of them. Goffin gave us the lead in the fourth minute but everyone was aware as to what happens when we take an early lead against United. This time it only took another three hundred seconds but unexpectedly that was all.

Even more unexpectedly Herbie Smith gave us a deserved lead at the break. Then the sky fell, figuratively as well as literally. Four goals conceded in just seven minutes, 53 to 60. A record which probably still remains. We are now tenth. he possibility of top to relegation is being considered in the Barton Arms. Not least because White Hart Lane is next on the itinerary

With Martin injured and Jones now a fixture in the third team the only alternative available was Graham Cordell. Made worse because Thompson was away playing for England in Cardiff. Although they were minus Medley and Alf Ramsey. All went okay until Duquemin (68) took to the air and scored with a flying header. Followed in an instant by an offside goal by Bennett. There were lots of such questionable goals back then but who are 49,247 to argue? We are now eleventh.

The question as to whether we would ever win another game was solved when Preston North End took the train south. Cordell, no faults at Tottenham, Amos Moss at six, Frank at five. But at least Walsh was back so reason enough for 40,504 not to be totally without hope. They also got the chance to think about the then biggest debate in English football. Matthews or Finney? A well-worked goal by Leslie Smith (20) was replicated by Dixon not long afterwards. Time for the fans to relax but not the team. That started to come later when Gibson rippled the rigging (58). Aldis got close to Finney for once, too close. The Preston plumber scored from the resulting penalty and suddenly they were a different team. Fortunately they left it a bit too late because after Charlie Wayman netted there were only two minutes left for well-known referee Murdoch from Sheffield to adjudicate. We are back seventh with a whole plethora of teams mid-table.

Burnley, Turf Moor. Definitely not one for the treble chance. Play was as depressing as the weather. Walsh played on the wing for most of the game. Not that he was chosen to play there but that is what happens when you pull a muscle almost at the very start. Morris (14) had most of the 17,806 in good spirits before Cordell collapsed in the goalmouth in obvious pain after having pulled a muscle. He continued to struggle throughout the second half but like any team playing with only ten men, or virtually so, we knuckled down and it was possibly no great surprise in such circumstances when Thompson equalised (63). But do not get too excited. Our handicap proved too much and Morris scored a second to ease their relegation fears.

Sam Bartram was still playing in goal for Charlton Athletic but now Martin was back to replace the wounded Cordell. Both had their work cut out. Not least Martin when Vaughton (18) went through unchallenged. Offside surely. Biased, moi? Never. Then with many of the 34,874 still making it back from the toilets Evans headed Charlton two up. It is hard to break down a team which suddenly finds itself two goals ahead against the tide and so it then proved. Twelfth; four teams with 17 points, three with 16.

And then international football came to Villa Park on a Wednesday afternoon. England 2 Ireland O. 58,000 paid anything between 4/- (20p) and 21/- (£1 .05) to be there. In fact a Villa Park record of £11,947. But despite all the box office names appearing in white it was not the hoped-for feast of football. A typical international in fact, only enlivened by two goals from Lofthouse.

Bottom team Fulham next. But it rained before, during and after the game so only mudlarks selected to play. Sensationally with Lynn at centre-forward again (as if manager Martin still wanted to prove something) we scored two goals in the first five minutes Lynn (3) Gibson (5). Game over as Fulham floundered around in the mud like the French at Crecy and Agincourt. But no! They have two ex-Villa favourites, Reg and Eddie Lowe, determined not to be humiliated albeit only in front of 15.967. 66 minutes and a wounded Pavitt struck. Nothing to worry about, though. Wrong. Ten minutes left and Fulham scored but only after referee Thorpe had had a long discussions with his linesman.

Middlesbrough; a home win, surely. Lynn back where he belonged but then Colin Gibson was at number nine 25,415 are beginning to wonder about the manager! 25,415 who have chosen to brave the rain. Wilf Mannion was not at home in the mud, Johnny Dixon was. Twice (18 and 66). Much better all round. Tenth.

Then off to West Bromwich. A town which had its own buses, leading to the odd fact that you had to pay twice if you crossed the boundary. But no problem Outer Circle 11 to Holyhead Road, then walk the rest. Also for some reason Albion as well as the Blues had an in–house band, possibly to make up for any entertainment lacking on the field 48,000 saw a remarkable game not least because it included none of the pistols at dawn or last man standing which had been a feature of such derbies going back to pre-history. It is tempting to think it was because of the Blanchflower Effect. Robert Dennis Blanchflower was a purist and I cannot imagine for just one millisecond the thought of him committing anything so heinous as a tactical foul. This remarkable match saw Allen give the Baggies the lead on eleven, only for Gibson to head an equaliser four minutes later. It was another four minutes, this time into the second phrase when Gibson, ditto.

The roar at the final whistle could be heard at Villa Park where the reserves had just beaten Manchester United Reserves 2-0. There was no need for the usual long wait before the ninety minutes score to go up on the Aston End board.

Next a birthday treat – or not. Cup holders Newcastle United called in, minus Jackie Milburn, so we are in with a shout. Ironically though, his replacement Duncan scored both their goals. But not before Thompson had scored a great goal whilst many of the 32,220 were still wrestling with the turnstiles. Despite the rain Villa reprised their game at the Hawthorns such that Dixon made it two only for Duncan to find time to pull one back on the stroke of three o’clock (2.15 kick off). The excitement continued such as Duncan completed a remarkable brace when again in time added on at the end he scored the equaliser. It was customary for amateur whistleblowers to start their Ronnie Ronaldo imitations as soon as the end of the forty-five minutes approached. It was annoying when the referee allowed play to continue, because there was no certainty as for how long. Obviously I did not realise it at the time but it was the closest I was ever to come to seeing the Villa win on my birthday.

Bolton Wanderers and Nat Lofthouse (him again!) came next and amazingly we were remarkably close to a repetition of the last seconds drama. Seventeen minutes and Howe had us a goal down. It took an hour of all-out attack for Gibson to retrieve the situation. Then just as a shot from Lofthouse was destined for the net – which it actually reached – referee Flanagan blew for time with the ball in mid-air. No goal. Imagine that happening today!

I am now going to tell you about Villa’s first floodlit match, indeed the first such match in the Midlands. Only you are not going to believe me. Kidderminster Harriers were the club which had decided to invest in the future long before Wolverhampton Wanderers. They invited our third team along to fulfil a Birmingham League fixture on Monday 17th December. The Villa team for this historic event was Jones – Lamb- Norman – Canning – Vinall – A Moss – Roberts – Higgins – Jeffries – Bullock. 4,000 saw us win 2-0.

Five games unbeaten, could we continue the run at the Baseball Ground? Yes! As it so happened 1-1. Amos replaced his brother; Walsh, after a long absence, replaced Gibson. Thompson (60 and McLaren for them (46) ensured it was anything but boring for the 21,833.

Christmas could mean only one thing. Wolverhampton Wanderers again, home and away. Home first on Christmas morning, at eleven o’clock, whether the vicar of Aston liked it or not. The buses used to be spasmodic up until four so I have no idea how 38.856 made it there – or back! It was a bright day and the game full of seasonal spirit. Walsh (9) Dixon (15) before their Smith (18) 2-1 h/t. Goffin (75) had the Villa roar roaring that is until Wilshaw (80) calmed things down about. And what would Villa Park be like without a bit of last minute frustration? Baxter (90+) 3-3. Meanwhile at the same time Wolves Res 2 Villa Res 2

Boxing Day and two unchanged sides. 45,803 now it was easier to get about. It was all Villa to start with and Martin was practically able to have time for a mince pie. Herbie Smith (3) then Thompson an unstoppable shot, (39). Yet another last-minute incident. Herbie tripped Mullen and their Smith converted past Con.2-1. Meanwhile at Villa Park 3-3.

The year ends with visit from Bert Trautmann and Manchester City. Quite why it ended with the appearance of the Parachute Regiment Band is not clear, welcome though they were. It had rained since Boxing Day so there is no need to describe the conditions underfoot. Not an ideal time to persist in a short passing game. Ivor Broadis having moved from Sunderland knew better and things looked ominous when unluckily in the thirteenth Meadows scored. Dixon put a different complexion on things (41) but the second half had an air of inevitability about it as was confirmed by Williamson. 1-2