I no longer have to plead for my ‘Villa money’ every Saturday morning because I have a paper round and am earning 8/6 (43p). Fourteen rounds per week because so many take the Radio Times that it merits a special round. Also the Birmingham Mail now runs to 24 pages on a Friday making it a bit heavy for a little chap like me. The shopkeeper does not ‘number’ the papers, just hands them over with a card and it takes about a fortnight to learn the evening round with only the Dispatch and Mail to contend with as opposed to ten days for the morning round with its variety to choose from. Including, I always remember, a Daily Worker.

The pocket money now enabled me to go trainspotting on occasions as far afield as Tamworth, Rugby, Crewe and, famously, Liverpool. Platform six at New Street also became a regular venue. My bicycle also took me to games at St Andrews and the Hawthorns. At the former the householder always put the bikes out into the street before the end but times were different then and there was no thought that the machine was ever going to get stolen.

And as the new year is about to begin I can report that I have kept a diary since 1955. Not a written diary but more in the way of an appointment book in which are recorded matches, football as well as cricket, films and other significant events. Enough social history, now read on.

New Year’s Day, a Monday and we welcome Sheffield Wednesday if only because we, that is just 22,990, are expecting an easy two points. But on a cold, bleak afternoon the Owls have other ideas. Or to be precise their idea is to defend like the soldiers at Rorkes Drift. The epitome of a nil-nil. A poor rehearsal for the cup tie next week.

We have been drawn away at Brighton of the third division (south). A club which missed out on promotion last season, finishing second behind Ipswich Town when only one club was promoted. We had cause to be cautious. Thanks to Thompson two we escaped with a 2-2. Both teams could almost have travelled back to Villa Park together for the replay on Monday afternoon. All I can report about this game is in having skived off school early I entered the Witton End through the exit gate which was always opened twenty minutes before the end to allow the early leavers to leave early. Then getting curious glances from adults when asking “What’s the score?” 4 -2 as it happens and we have already been drawn to go to second division Rotherham United in round four.

Meanwhile whilst travelling fans had been enduring an excursion train to Hove, rather than the main station in Brighton, I had witnessed a representative game Birmingham County FA v FA of Ireland. At least I was luckier than any Villa supporters who took up the offer of a cheap fare to Portsmouth via Paddington and Waterloo. They only got to see 79 minutes of action for their shekels. Even worse, we were leading 2-1 when the for descended. The journey home may have been interesting.

Blackpool, Stanley Matthews, 30,161. If we could do the double over Manchester United surely we could do it over Blackpool. Look where they are. My diary confirms that we won 3-1, Thompson 2 and Pace followed by a visit to the Mayfair cinema to see The High and the Mighty, John Wayne.

On fourth round day I was somewhere amongst the 56,582 who attended St. Andrews for Blues 2 Bolton Wanderers 1. Being so small for my age (almost the smallest and almost the youngest in the class) I cannot account for how much I actually saw of the game

Meanwhile up at the Racecourse, problems for Villa. All week we had been hearing about their teenage sensation, Alec Jeffrey and probably paid him far more attention then was merited. Made worse when Con Martin suffered a broken nose. 0-0 was almost considered as success even if only because it meant a few extra sovereigns in the bank. Monday afternoon and I somehow connived to get the afternoon off school. “Russell sir? He’s gone to the Villa.” I think it was now accepted of me. 36,872, and a pleasure to be amongst them. Neither I nor anybody else was expecting was 2-2 after an additional thirty minutes ahead of it going dark. There would have to be a third meeting at neutral Maine Road.

But before we go there we have to go to the Valley again. It is not clear whether we were still anxious about the cup but it was to prove a Valley of Despair. Norman Clarke turned out to make his one and only appearance in the colours, even if we were playing in white. It is perhaps easy to say why when his direct opponent Eddie Firmani scored five of the six Charlton goals. The heavy rain and the heavy mud may not have helped our debutant. The Charlton goals came after 3-5-35 (Kiernan)- 63-79-84 Gibson (44) was our contributor.

Then it is off to Maine Road with the knowledge that if we win we have to visit St Andrews next in the fifth round. But there isn’t going to be a next. Not yet, anyway. A shot by Jeffreys was deflected by Martin – amazing how often that happens – and we are in need of a serous pep talk. Thomspon toe-poked the ball in (60) and after another sixty came the question as to where to play game four.

And, first, we still had to face Bolton Wanderers (who with Nat Lofthouse again had beaten Wolves 6-1 last week.) 21,447 on a frozen pitch. But we have Con Martin, Lynn (12) with a typical penalty, Dixon (38) and Southren, his first, (65) ensured a routine victory if it can be described as such.

The team which beat Bolton was expected to beat Doncaster Rovers at the fourth attempt, this time at Hillsborough. On a thawing pitch even standing up was something of an achievement and there was an element of relief when after ninety minutes twenty-two players were shepherded back to the dressing rooms because bad light stopped play. There was now a monumental fixture problem. It was Monday, the fifth round was due to be played on Saturday. See you tomorrow at the Hawthorns!

The fact that 17,177 did so is something of an achievement. Amidst all the aching limbs the one player who seem to be enjoying it most was Jeffrey. All the more so when his two goals plus one by Walker were sufficient to put an end to the saga. Despite a goal by Dixon we seemed to have simply run out of puff. We had played seven ties – enough to win the cup yet had not even reached the fifth round

Meanwhile at St Andrews on the Monday Blues had been obliged to put their tickets on sale for the match on Saturday whoever were the opponents. Hoping it would be Villa I went along with all my classmates – Blues supporters all – to claim my place on the terraces. We all just managed to get back to school in time.

I bought my ticket, I am going to see the match. So I was amongst the 5,7800, who were not altogether bothered who they were playing who saw Blues 2 Doncaster Rovers 1. Meanwhile I must digress to tell you of a little known saga which coincided with our exploits against Doncaster Rovers.

Stoke City and Bury who had played each other in the league home and away over Christmas had been drawn together in the third round. Their cup games finished 1-1 1-1 3-3 2-2 and 3-2. Namely seven meetings in a month. Their first four cup ties had all gone to extra time so whereas we had played thirty minutes short at Hillsborough their meetings, not ours, belong in the record books as the longest cup ties ever played. For the record, in the league games Stoke had won 3-2 at home. 1-1 at Bury.

We had been due to go to Huddersfield Town on fifth round day but they had a date with Liverpool (won 2-0) so it is little wonder that only 5,287 attended Wednesday afternoon football at Leeds Road. The lowest at a first division game for many a long day. Our reserves are used to playing in front of such a crowd so no problem for our four changes.

After 32 minutes Lynn crashed home a spot kick in typical style. Is there any better way? Glazzard responded five minutes later. Gibson fooled four defenders who were standing on the goalline and we might have won by more but for Wheeler. Seven points clear.

I always kept my fingers crossed on Wednesday mornings in the hopes that rugby would be cancelled. This meant we would be sent home and have the afternoon off. So while Villa were at Huddersfield I hastened along to the Hawthorns for Albion 2 Chelsea 4. A remarkable finish involving two late goals which where to prove vital in the final analysis

Next we should have been due to go to Goodison only it snowed and no Villa team saw action. But at least we were spared a fruitless journey north.

This meant that I got to see consecutive games involving Chelsea. Ahead of the game the two teams faced each other across the halfway line. Stood to attention and wearing black armbands. Fred Normansell, long-time chairman and director of Aston Villa had died the previous evening.

The game was a fitting tribute to him insofar as the 24,487 had cause to be pleased with the nature of our 3-2. Walsh (25) a brilliant individual effort and (34) a tidy piece of footwork. Separated by a goal for the visitors by McNichol. After intense pressure Parsons, their number seven equalised and it was all to play for on the increasingly churned up pitch. McParland with his first strike for four months sent us into the top half of the table. 3-2 Played 30 Points 30. Who needs Blanchflower?

Arsenal were not the team they once were and unfortunately we were not the team we saw last week. After numerous corners, Tapscott finally connected with one (28) and immediately after the pies or whatever delicacy they serve in the break at Highbury Roper made it two. An injury to Baxter led to his being carried off and McParland moving back into defence. A handicap which proved too much for any hopes we may have had. 0-2, 30,136.

39,960 turned up at Villa Park to see us play the Albion – 19th in the league to our 15th. It took fully thirty minutes for things to settle down and when they did our attack, which had been gutless at Highbury took command. Walsh, always delighted to score past Kennedy, tapped in from six inches (38). Then Sanders pushed Dixon out of the way leading go Lynn slamming the ball out of his reach. There were thoughts of last Easter but we had to make do with only one more – a great shot by Dixon (59).

Then it was another semi-final day. I was totally indifferent to the outcome. Manchester City 1 Sunderland 0. The real interest had been at Hillsborough where third division nearly succeeded where Port Vale had failed last season drawing 1-1 with Newcastle United. The Magpies won the replay 2-0 at Roker Park so Sunderland could play in and host a semi-final.

Real Villa supporters would probably have paid the 6/- (30p) train fare to join the 19,200 who went to 21st placed Leicester City. They stayed 21st even though we came away embarrassed by the 2-4 result.
We were not helped when just before the game Vic Crowe was taken ill and his place had to be taken by our travelling reserve, Ray Hogg making his debut. Hines (6) opened for City but Southren was not long in responding (10).

They too had a Hogg in their side, D Hogg and together with Froggatt had any Villa supporters watching the semi-final take a deep breath when they saw the half-time score go up. In the rain and the mud we offered little threat and Rowley made sure we stayed down at the bottom with them. A Dixon goal (88) was of no consequence

When you are in need of a couple of points invite Burnley to come to share the Villa Park pitch with you. Walsh still injured so Gibson came back in at centre-forward. One thing Gibson could be relied upon to do was run about confusing the opposition at speed. We did not score from many corners but Follan used his lack of height to convert one from McParland (6) and we were on our way. That is until Pilkington broke through (16).

Follan had a foot in the second goal (41) when he passed to Dixon and earned of the applause of most of the 19,950. Burnley supporters were a rare sight at Villa Park. Eventually all our pressure told and McParland did what he would come to like doing against Burnley(75)

Easter Saturday Ninian Park. As usual they had Ford, we had Follan! In the fifteenth minute the said Follan sent in a great shot which ultimately gave us a win on foreign mud to the despair of 20,720 mostly locals.

Followed by the customary holiday season fixtures against Wolves. Molineuz first on Easter Monday. The ball spent much of the time in the air with neither side able to apply the finishing touch. That is until with only three minutes remaining the ball come low enough for Flowers to head home and gain the precious two points they needed to remain within touching distance of Chelsea at the top. 33,785.

Easter Tuesday and 44,344 spread themselves around Villa Park, expecting possibly another drab encounter. But Thompson was back so too Lockhart. It did not take Thompson long too show how much he had been missed. (6). Then Wolves held sway and six minutes into the second frame 1-1, Wilshaw. Then a hat-trick, something we did not often get to cheer. Thompson (67 & 70) Hardly had the cheering evaporated when Hancocks (77) introduced an element of tension into the proceedings. But 84 and Follan had the Trinity Road on its feet again as Sims was seen having to pick the ball out of the net. 4-2. Two points which Wolves could hardly afford to surrender if they were going to win the league. They weren’t.

Meanwhile over Easter I had had a visitor. A young lad from Essex returning a visit I had made there last year to see Essex v Warwickshire. Coming from where he did he had never seen a top-level football match so I decided to take him to the three big grounds. Except we had to go by bus.

On Easter Saturday Albion 3 Portsmouoth 1. Easter Monday Blues 3 Middlesbrough 1 Would he get to see all three win? You already know the answer to that. Villa 4 Wolves 2. Something to tell his friends.

Sheffield United had also been enjoying the same sort of form as Villa. So safety was assured for the winners. After playing most of the season except when he was away playing for Ireland McParland was marked absent, injured. In a swirling wind both teams kept the ball close, too close as a drab half ensued. Goal-hungry Thompson brought excitement to the 21,149 with a glorious header. (53). Then Lynn did from twenty yards what he normally did from twelve (61) after Burgin had handled outside his area. Sheffield were now in disarray and in an instant Gibson added to his person tally for the season.(63).

Nearing the end in trying to make a save from veteran Jimmy Hagan Jones was only partially successful. Referee Reg Leafe was on hand to show that he was actually unsuccessful and you do not argue with referee Reg Leafe. 3-1. See you next season. But we still hard four games to play. Preston North End away. Only four defeats since Christmas. Finney was absent so it was left to Tommy Doherty to provide their backbone.

Turf is now a luxury at this time of the season and in the drying conditions the playing surface became hard-baked mud. Thompson yet again, his fifth in three games, surprised Fed Else (18) and that was it for a bit. Controlling the light ball proved problematical for all except Martin who kept our lead intact. Until eventually Thompson scored his sixth(64) and Preston were on the way to their biggest home defeat of the season. Confirmed by Follan (75). Plenty of time to get back to the station for the 6.10 return. 3-0 and all for 12/6 (62p).

An unchanged team headed south to Portsmouth for a Wednesday evening encounter. The home team were hoping to finish second to Chelsea. We were just hoping to finish. It would have been nice to have carried on where were had left off, leading 2-1 after 79 minutes. Not least because we were losing 1-2 after 45 Rees (14) Gibson (16) Gordon (36) for those of the 18,801 keeping count.. 75 and Stan Lynn shook the crossbar only for the ball to fall to Follan to tap in past Uprichard. 2-2.

Cup finalists Manchester City for the last home game. Could they be bothered? 27, 788 did. So did Stan Lynn, a brace. Rare for a full-back.

The season finished at Goodison and it finishes in style courtesy of Thompson. 1-0 20,505.

28 players had worn the colours during the season, eleven of whom played 25 times or more. The final table makes surprising reading considering how things looked when Blanchflower departed. But somehow those remaining engendered a spirit of “We can do without him.”