Managers were never seen on the pitch, they would watch the game alongside their chairman in the director’s box. They chose the team based mainly on what they knew about the opposition. Tactics were determined beforehand and it was left to the captain on the field to see that they were carried out. When things failed to go according to expectations it was left to the players to improvise on the hoof. The trainer, being closer to the action in case he was needed, may have had more input but not much in the way of influence. His main task was to ensure match fitness.

All of this is relevant in terms of what is about to happen this season to Aston Villa.

There was no such thing as preparatory pre-season friendlies, unless, as may have happened, they were held behind closed doors and never reported on. Come the traditional curtain raiser at Villa Park, Colours v Whites, there was a suspicion that all was not well between the houses along Trinity Road. This game was traditionally a close affair usually because the reserves (whites) were always determined to stake a last-minute claim to a place in the first team. A factor which eventually led to the abandonment of this ritual as a trial for fear of injuries. But on this occasion the Colours won 8-1. Did we suddenly have a ‘wonder team’ or were the reserves so poor that we would not be able to call on any if the need arose? We shall see….

As last season we begin with Tottenham Hotspur only this time at home and this time for a traditional Saturday opener. An occasion sufficient to merit an appearance by the band of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Perhaps to mark the fact that the bomb damage on Witton Lane stand was at last showing signs of renovation. Also shareholders were to be allowed to use the barracks car park off Witton Road.

Only one problem, we could never and never did beat Spurs since they were promoted. Victory would suggest that all was well, a promising season in prospect. 44,193 wondered.

But it took Bennett only seven minutes to expose our weaknesses and Bailey (19) emphasised them. What followed turned out to be little more than a shambles. Except that after we somehow got within sight of their goal and conjured up a penalty. Blanchflower netted (28). Then, contrary to all that had happened so far Harry Parkes went on a charge, passed to Baxter, and lo! 2-2. Probably a dangerous thing to do because Tottenham were having none of this. Tore into us and it was a wonder they only scored twice. 2-4.

Two days later ten thousand fewer supporters, 32,283, returned to their regular places, hoping against all logic for better things. We kept an unchanged team because there was really nobody worth considering. Sunderland were having similar problems to us and opted for negative tactics that we could not break down. Tactics that were more successful than they could have anticipated when Parkes diverted a shot beyond Jones, who had it covered (18).

Too early in the season for the foot stamping though. But not too early for a cheer when Blanchflower and McParland combined to equalise (27). We continued to try to break down a stubborn defence and eventually succeeded when, despite his lack of height, Pace headed us in front (79). Victory was within our grasp until another header emphasised what kind of season we were in for. 2-2.

Sheffield Wednesday were relegation candidates before the season began. A draw at least, surely. Dozens of Villa supporters thought so too when for 9/6 (48p) they boarded the excursion train at New Street. On a firm pitch sun and wind were our biggest opponents, or so it seemed. Parsons became our first change of the season, Jones being injured, somehow. In a thrice we went a goal down to Quixall (4) then quicker than a thrice 0-2 Sewell (19).

Just when things were looking bad up pops Dixon (21) but Shaw (23) soon had most of the 32,804 wondering just who were the relegation favourites. Sewell again (33) and Shaw (44) emphasised the point. 1-5. Those watching the same two reserve sides play out a drab 0-0 at Villa Park must have wondered what was happening as the changing scores went up every fifteen minutes. Pace added to the fun, if it could be called fun (79) only for Finney to restore their four-goal advantage. A goal by Dixon (88) did nothing to appease for this monumental disaster.

Sunderland supporters must have been expecting a goal fest for days later. If so they had overestimated the ability of their own team because what the 50,962 got instead was a nil-nil. Lynn and Parkes swopped over. Bet that move took some thinking about. Although it ended scoreless both goalkeepers had frequently been called into action. A win and Sunderland would have gone top of the pile. The point kept us off the bottom.

There were no calls for Houghton to resign, no letters of discontent in the Sports Argus. What we were seeing was perfectly normal after all.

Con Martin became a late replacement for Frank Moss. Portsmouth confused fans by forsaking their blue shirts for red and probably confused themselves as well because the numbers on their back (1 -11) meant little as they constantly swopped around. No man to man marking, we marked the position and so stood firm. Pace decided the issue with a drive (73) and 28,284 went home happy and relieved. Portsmouth also missed the chance to go top.

After another night at a hotel in Whitley Bay we moved out to play Newcastle United. No great change in personnel, any eleven from fourteen. The sensational game had a sensational opening. Milburn (90 seconds) Pace (150 seconds). It was the foretaste of what was to come. White achieved a first half hat trick, 1-4. Then it was our turn. Dixon, then an og from a shot by Parkes 3-4. Despite giving our all White scored his fourth, a rare achievement, and 39,860 had had their money’s worth.

A cross-country journey might have followed except that hotels in Blackpool are full and expensive when the illuminations are on so we came home instead. Fans leaving New Street station at 10.30 aboard the excursion train 14/6 (74p) were in for more than a surprise. Nay. a shock! Although up against Parkes, Matthews could not let the home fans down or for that matter, the Villa fans too. 31,147. It was touch and go throughout but the game was decided when Pace went down in a tussle but rose quicker than his two opponents (26) and fish and chips along the prom watching the illuminated trams pass by have never tasted so delicious.

Two evenings later o with an unchanged team we had expectations of reversing the Newcastle result. But with a 5.45 kick off and having to get there straight from work only 20,370 made it. Those not able to get there were lucky. It was a quite appalling match. But if there was a better side in such circumstances the better side lost. Our only goal came from the only place it was likely to come from, Blanchflower from the spot (56). But by then we were already a goal adrift from a shot by Milburn (17) which Parsons failed to gather properly. Mitchell added to our misery (70) and the Villa lion did not so much roar as rolled over to be stroked.

Charlton Athletic followed Newcastle into town and had no more difficulty in leaving just as content. Chapman, who had made the move from Kynoch’s, appeared having been missing for twelve months. Likewise Lochhart for his first game of the season. Charlton manager, Jimmy Seed made umpteen changes to his eleven saying that they had been playing so badly that he thought the introduction of a few reserves would not make any difference. A policy that could have been adopted by Houghton but on the other hand judging from the reserves he had at his disposal the idea they would not make any difference is far-fetched.

We were never going to beat Bartram with long-range efforts and it came as no surprise when Firmani put them ahead after yet another deflection (32). Finally, a goal when none had seemed likely. A shot by Chapman except that Dixon did his best to deprive him of the honour by following the ball into the net. It was a simple goal. The winning goal that is. Parsons could only stand and stare (88). 24,651.

Why would anyone want to go to Bolton? But there are certain players who are held in such affection as to be beyond criticism however few games they played. One such player is Michael Pinner. An amateur in the true mould of Dr Victor Milne (1923-29) when it was possible to be just that and not expect boot money for turning out in the Birmingham Works League on a Saturday afternoon. Mike was not just any goalkeeper, he was a regular England amateur international. Quite how he came to be playing for Aston Villa is shrouded in mystery, none more so than how he came to be playing at Bolton after so few games in our lesser sides. Be that as it may his presence was a lesson to all and the other ten were going to do their damdest to give him something to remember the day by.

And what a game it was. Straight out of the Jimmy Hogan playbook. Moir (7) Dixon (9 and 23) Pace (36). But for Hanson in goal it would have been more. Seconds after making the save of his life Pinner was beaten by Lofthouse (65). Only Lofthouse could have done that. The thrills continued only for a sixteen year-old, Brian Birch, to have a day even he would never forgot. 3-3, 28,335 lucky fans. Worth paying the 11/6 (58p) to get there from New Street.

Huddersfield Town – deficient in personalities – were not a big attraction when they came down Carriage Drive. 22,932. They left in similar fashion after a game where ‘drab’ is an over-exaggeration. We can offer the excuse that McParland and Blanchflower were away in Belfast in the pointless Home International tourney. Similarly Pinner who could not have played even if we had wanted to so Jones got the call again. The alternate was Corbett. Jones set a record of some sort for the number of goals kicks he had to take, such was the inaccuracy on display in blue and white stripes.

Everton, back in the top flight, replacing Liverpool (a long-forgotten fact) showed up again and Hickson must have been licking his lips at the very thought. Sixteen minutes and he was doing more than licking his lips as he thrashed the orb into our net. Martin back at number five, did his utmost to keep Hickson at bay and so keep us in the game. On the hour Parkes might have scored but for the upright, ditto Thompson. Then McNamara managed to avoid hitting the post and caused the rigging to ripple. 30,702. Doubtless including a goodly number of visitors. The referee was Coultas from Hull, a name to conjure with, but who knew?

Time for National Service again. How did the army chose their team and how many other games did they play each season? But only one Scotsman this year. Trevor Smith (Birmingham) and Mel Charles (Swansea) are the names of note. We took along a few regular reserves. Birch (who scored our winning goal – 40), Tyrrell and Follan. Blanchflower was absent with an eye injury (or was he?)

Manchester City, unbeaten at home, are vying with Manchester United for top spot. A home banker, surely. Still no Blanchflower, there are rumours afoot. Baxter takes his place. Parkes, missing at Aldershot, is also ‘rested’. Vic Crowe also gets to make his debut as does Eddie Follan. Something is going on. Has Houghton been talking to Jimmy Seed? In retrospect that is the best explanation.

25 minutes and City take the lead, Spurdle. No surprise there. 43 minutes, Walsh. Where did that come from? 49 minutes and Spurdle again Normal service and expectations restored. Then in the 63rd minute the whole season was turned on its head. Thompson. Barely sixty seconds later with a flick of his head Trautmann was left flailing at thin air. 36,384 could not believe what they were seeing. Even less so when with just seven minutes remaining Thompson completed a most unlikely hat-trick. Supporters at home watching us surrender to Stoke City Reserves 1-3 cannot believe the ever-changing fifteen minute scores. We may allow ourselves a period of celebration. But not for long.

STOP PRESS. Robert Dennis Blanchflower no longer wishes to play for Aston Villa. It seems that the club does not equate with his own ambitions. The club is above any player but does not wish to retain him against his will so his request is granted.

If Blanchflower was expecting a queue of clubs vying for his services he was sadly mistaken. Unless, as may have happened, the whole scenario was worked out in advance. But there was a further snag. He was injured and who would buy spoiled goods? So Blanchflower had to be included in the team to face Arsenal as a sort of shop window display. Crowe was, of course injured Or not. It is easy to think the change was why we won, although coming off the result at Maine Road all things were possible. 38,038 turned up if only for the opportunity to discuss with fellow fans the latest developments.

This ‘new’ Villa threw everything they had at Arsenal but at half-time had nothing to show for their considerable effort. But barely back in their seats in time fans were soon on their feet again cheering a fantastic shot by Lochhart that Kelsey quite literally did not see. Then Lochhart was tripped for his audacity, a penalty. But could it be entrusted to Blanchflower? Who knows who he might be playing for next? No subtly placed penalty kick from Lynn. ham. 2-0. Tommy Lawton was duly harnessed by Martin. Within seconds remaining, Roper, 2-1. We are on a roll!

To say we were thus looking forward to a game at the Hawthorns is hyperbole. The buses from the city centre were crammed as in days of yore. Standing room only. 51,662. Some were still struggling to get through the turnstiles when Thompson scored after Walsh had nodded the ball down to him. Baggie fans were heard to mutter “He never did that when he played for us”. That was it until the interval. The best is yet to come. This was a proper local derby. 63 and Allen hooks the ball beyond Jones.

But the irrepressible Thompson is soon making a nuisance of himself again to even greater effect. (65). Reserve keeper Davies is not used to this kind of bombardment. Kennedy fouls McParland who took the free-kick himself, deceiving Davies from fully thirty yards. 3-1. Lee made it 3-2 (72) prompting Davies to join his forwards up front as often as he dare. But to no avail. 3-2 It remained. Even for referee Arthur Ellis it had been a game to remember.

Arthur Proudler is up there with Mike Pinner amongst players who fans remember with affection although it is questionable whether Arthur remembers the game against Leicester City with affection. It turned out to be the one and only game he played in the first team.

Blanchflower had been injured playing against Scotland in midweek. Crowe left-half, Baxter, captain, on the right. Martin away with Ireland in Norway, hence Arthur. It rained. Ten minutes in and a clash of heads. Unfortunately, Aldis and Proudler. Both received lengthy attention then resumed but only for a few minutes as each retired in turn for stiches to be inserted. Aided by Jones in particular our other men held firm until Walsh dribbled his way through to the rapturous applause of 28,181; most of them anyway. 1-0.

Worthington (53) equalised but Lochhart (59) had us believing we were seeing something special. Then it happened. We visibly tired before our very eyes. Four goals between the 67th and 81st minute. 2-5 and all the efforts of the last three games destroyed. Proudler did not even get fifteen minutes of fame. Hence the perpetual goodwill

Unlike Manchester United Villa were not exactly pioneers of youth football. We were almost obliged into putting out a team in the newly established FA Youth Cup for players under 18 years old. So it was that at 11 am on Saturday morning November 13th eleven players of totally unknown ability from who knows where ran out nervously to face a similar team from West Bromwich Albion. It was probably the most embarrassing performance I have ever witnessed by a team in claret and blue. Albion won 7-1. It could easily have been a world record score. I went home for my dinner than returned in the afternoon for Villa Reserves 0 Preston North End Reserves 2. Two games in one day. A first.

Then a most unusual game Wednesday morning game at Villa Park. Aston Villa 4 England 2. The game went on behind closed doors, unannounced and only thirty minutes each way. I had heard that it had been intended to play the game at our training ground until it was realised that would have entailed England players walking down Trinity Road after to get to the showers in Villa Park. A routine familiar to young autograph hunters who, in the school holidays, used to wait for the Villa players to return from training before they caught them going into the café opposite the park.

The England match had come about following the Hungarian debacle when it was finally realised that it was not enough to choose the best players in England and expecting them to beat the rest of the world without practicing together. Hence the gatherings at Lilleshall and then the idea of a meaningful practice match in the hopes the players would gel better. As if. The game may also have served to help Houghton try to solve the Villa goalkeeping dilemma which he had inherited from Martin. So Parsons played in the first half and Jones in the second. Managers, of course, no absolutely nothing about goalkeepers.

Houghton did not see the pathetic youth cup match. He had to be at Burnley but readers will be aware in advance what is likely to happen there. Turf Moor is something of a misnomer. Any team visiting the ground in autumn is unlikely to see anything resembling turf. And there is nothing glorious about the resulting deep mud after days of rain as we had to encounter.

With a disillusioned Blanchflower on the absentee list there was little to inspire a recovery after Holden had eventually put Burnley in front (24). Eight minutes later the ball got stuck in the mud when Lynn attempted to kick it out for a throw-in only for Holden to intervene again. The ball at the start should be the ball at the finish. We could make little progress as it got heavier. 0-2. 19,186 braved the rain.

Two days later on a Monday morning, a most unusual friendly. A team from Auchen University was visiting the country from Germany. Somehow they persuaded Villa to engage them in a friendly kickabout. It is recorded as being a ‘third team’ match but the assortment of players representing Villa seemed to come from all five active teams. The first team representative was none other than Robert Dennis Blanchflower, keen to test his injured knee over ninety minutes in order to prove he was fully fit. He stayed the distance, scoring one of our goals in a 5-3 success. The others were scored by Hill (3) and Pennell. Who?

Burnley can mean only one thing, Preston next. Finney was still trundling up and down the right wing but just 25,187 suggested he may no longer be the crowd-puller of old. Preston had not won at Villa Park since the days of Clem Stephenson and Frank Barson, 1919. So you can guess what happens next. Eddie Follan replaced Dixon, injured at Burnley. K.O. Roberts for Lochhart who, perhaps unsurprisingly, has the flu. In the 28th Follan scored his first Villa goal (7 for 36) and we had no reason to suppose anything bad was going to happen.

Then Thompson fell lame, and Jones, who up to then had been a spectator, found himself under siege. Highham levelled the score with the players seemingly getting ready to leave the pitch. With Thompson limping we were lost as an attacking force but Preston enjoyed a slice of luck when Martin inadvertently deflected an innocent-looking shot netwise. (73). There was nothing lucky about the third Preston goal, it had an air of inevitability as Finney weaved his magic around Aldis. Holden (76). And so history is made.

One of the five below us were Sheffield United. Could we go to Bramall Lane and pull off a vital win in the wind and rain so cold it came close to being snow? Walsh was still feeling the effects of the Preston game. Who wasn’t? Pace. Just what we needed, pace. Forty-five minutes of not a lot. 25,154 felt sorry for the ballboys out on the cricket field, who were the most active during this time. Then just after the hour United sent down a fast ball that beat Jones. Hawksworth.

After Dixon had missed a sitter he followed it with a googly straight afterwards that beat the forward defence of Burgin (68). Aided by Baxter, especially, McParland decided to take charge and his pace proved deceptive for Coldwell and he dashed from cover point for Follan (81) to net from just beyond the crease. 2-1. The fun was not yet over for those who had paid the 9/6 (47p) excursion fare. Coming in from mid=off Pace virtually cleared the ground as he added greatly to those already leaving. 3-1. Our first win for a month. But little cause for celebration. The Blanchflower saga was about to reach its nadir.

It is not so much that he left – after all, injuries apart we had been expecting that to happen for about a month. It was where he went to. Tottenham Hotspur. Below us in the table at the time (as were Arsenal). I will resist the temptation to reprise a previous article other than to add a footnote. In 1996 the Post Office issued a set of commemorative stamps featuring football legends chosen by the public.
The stamps were:- 19p Dixie Dean, 25p Bobby Moore, 35p Duncan Edwards, 41p Billy Wright, 60p (and worth every penny) Robert Dennis Blanchflower. I rest my case.

Unfortunately for us our next game was against a player who also thought he was too good for Aston Villa. Trevor Ford, Cardiff City. It was almost as if he set out to singlehandedly prove that RDB had been correct in his criticism of the club. Nothing speaks louder than his two goals (23 & 30) in the Welsh team’s two-goal success. In a howling northerly gale fans mostly gathered at the Witton End and 25,186 were left to ponder whether both players may have been right.

Things were certainly no better when Chelsea at Stamford Bridge were next on the agenda. Trevor Birch was given the unenviable task of playing at right-half on his debut and injuries to Baxter and Martin meant a line that read Birch, Frank Moss after an absence of thirteen games, and Crowe. But there was precious little choice available Only the dedicated fan or supreme optimist forked out the 15/- (75p) excursion fare to be there. Parsons – theirs not ours, Jones was in goal (15) set the scene. It was all but over on the hour, McNichol followed a second (73) and another by Blunstone (75) proved what had been anticipated in advance. 36,162. There is a choice of trains home from Paddington – 7.10, or 11.45 with the newspapers. Not worth arriving back at 03.55 after a 0-4 humiliation. Best get the early one.

The compilers of the fixture list (I had a book explaining how it was done) had a true sense of irony when we ended up going to London on consecutive Saturdays and this time to face (no prizes for guessing) Tottenham Hotspur. There was probably no sense of humour in the offices of British Railways either, as this time the train was to go from New Street to Euston. Meanwhile RDB had been on Spurs’ books for a fortnight but had not yet played. This was to be his debut. Spurs supporters did not yet appreciate quite who the club had acquired so his appearance did not cause hordes of them to rush to White Hart Lane to see the new wonder player. 28,137. Also the club was in danger of a quick return to the second tier.

No-one expected anything like a great game. So they were not too disappointed. Spurs adopted the policy of shoot on sight and after seven minutes opened their account. Or more particularly Amos Moss did it for them when he deflected a shot by Baily into the far corner. But we fought back and midway through the half we were awarded a penalty. No longer having to entrust the kick to the finesse of Blanchflower there was only one man for the job. Wham! Stan Lynn, a proper penalty. Except it was not. The crossbar was still shaking violently when the ball bounced back harmlessly into play. Never mind, we are on top and Dixon soon put the world to rights.

Tottenham had a sandwich man who went around the pitch displaying the half-time scores. He was just sorting out his numbers when Spurs too were awarded a penalty. Everyone in the ground saw Ramsey indicate to Blanchflower that he wanted him to take the kick. But in a gesture of sportsmanship still appreciated today RDB declined. So Ramsey had to take the kick himself. It may be that he too had been taken in by the drama that had just been enacted but be that as it may, instead of wham, bang, he gently placed the penalty wide of the left-hand post. Poetic justice. It was unusual for a game to be goal-free in the second half after there have been goals in the first but both sides were happy to settle for a point.

The cheap train back from Euston was timed for midnight. But those with a Euston ticket who were keen to get home could still catch the 7.10 from Paddington with a touch of subterfuge.

Then a Christmas double. Both first team and reserves were down to play home and away versus Manchester United. Curiously the reserves game was scheduled to take place on Christmas Day morning, a Saturday. Even more curiously the game was cancelled on Christmas Eve “due to high winds”. Subterfuge is suspected. Had they had words from Santa that winds were still going to be high next day?

So the first team arrived at Old Trafford on Monday 27th. But with an extra player. Changing employment on Christmas Eve may be a somewhat unusual choice to make but Tommy Southren did exactly that when he joined us from West Ham United just before joining a train at Euston. No messing about, he went straight into the first team. Lockhart could move over to the other wing. A win at Old Trafford was almost unheard of but win we did thanks to Dixon J (21). 50,941.

Almost as many at Villa Park the following day, 48,718. Martin vice Frank Moss, never cause for concern. Thrills aplenty, this was Villa v Manchester United, after all, it is what is expected. What was possibly not expected was that we should do the double. A brilliant goal by Dixon (25) hinted at greater things to come. But an equaliser by Taylor (70) suggested that normal service may have been resumed. Ten minutes later, or with ten minutes to go, depending on which viewpoint prevails, Lockhart (12 for 85) had his big moment.

Instead of fans rushing for the buses Villa players had the unusual experience of being cheered off the pitch all the way to the dressing room. It would perhaps be wrong to attribute this sudden re-emergence of the Agincourt spirit down to the appearance of Tommy Southren but there can be little doubt that his brand of enthusiasm was infectious.