Cricket went on as usual, as evidenced by the following results:-
July 29 M&B Ground Villa 88 West Bromwich Albion 113 for 6
As was customary play continued after the game was won
Aug 02 Ansells Ground Ansells 67 Villa 16 Lost by 51 runs
Aug 04 Sutton Coldfield Aston Unity 131 for 8 dec Villa 62 Lost by 69 runs
Aug 09 Erdington B’ham Gas Officials 62 Villa 63 for 7 won by 3 wkts

It is not known whether manager George Martin played any part in any of these games but he may have wished he had done. That is because with opening day approaching he was summarily dismissed on August 17th. It is reasonable to assume that he had selected the teams for Colours 4 Whites 1 on Saturday August 15th. But ironically this meant that his last real game in charge had been v Newcastle United, his former club, back in May.

But the most intriguing thing about his dismissal is that it coincided with an announcement that Eric Houghton had resigned as manager of second division Notts County. You did not need to be a genius to know what plans were afoot. Nevertheless, things remained discreetly silent.

Meanwhile back with the practice match Leslie Slatter had been chosen as the token reserve promoted to the colours. It was the only time he was to wear them. Leslie was the automatic choice at outside-right for the reserves for most of the coming season but since he only scored two goals in all that time he was sent into obscurity when it was all over. An example of the many such players who passed through Villa Park with ambitions unmatched by their talent.

Finally the season got underway to a very unusual start. On a Wednesday evening. Televising the FA Cup final had proved so successful that it was decided to repeat the exercise at the end of the current season. Thus to save any fixture complications all the games originally scheduled for cup final day were brought forward to the Wednesday beforehand. So it was that managerless Villa found themselves going to White Hart Lane. It was not an auspicious start. Not least when in front of 49,710 Harry Parkes headed a centre beyond Parsons for an o.g. (36).

Come the original day for the opening of the season and we found ourselves at Ninian Park meeting Cardiff City for the third time in four games. 36,671 Ramsden (6) and Thomson (24) meant we were in for a tough second half. Dixon (79) gave us hope of a point but that is all it was, hope. Still no news of a manager. Everyone knew it was going to be Houghton but where is he? Meanwhile Jimmy Eason has replaced the evergreen Hubert Bourne as trainer. Does he know anything about cricket?

Bert Trautmann made his seasonal visit to Villa Park to be faced with a team that had learnt how to gel better in Wales. Blanchflower suffered from a cut eye early on but this did not prevent him scoring his fourth goal in nine games. Also he set up the second goal for Thompson as the clock touched 7.30 (6.30 start). We continued to dominate from then on and Thompson, again, (81) sent 21,194 scurrying home fully satisfied at what they had seen.

Arsenal had only two draws and two defeats to show from their efforts so far when they followed into the stud marks of Manchester City. We were hopeful of adding to their record of failure and duly did. Walsh (14) started the fun with a peach of a goal until the 24th when happenings were turned to sour grapes by Forbes. Jones had once again replaced Parsons for no apparent reason suggesting he may have been there simply because it was his turn. Whatever, Walsh unless it was Dixon (reports differ) sent 33,731 home thinking that the world was back in kilter again.

The reserves had just beaten Manchester City reserves 7-1, (having previously lost to Derby Res 2-7). So we were confident in the return match at Maine Road whatever eleven they chose. With grounds open to the elements, wind strength and direction was often an important consideration and we overcame the conditions better than the Mancunians. Walsh (19) ensured our first double of the season.

Whereupon we now officially have a new manager. Eric Houghton – no surprise there then and there is a suspicion he has been calling the tune all season so far. Eric Houghton – a Villa hero from yesteryear. Glory awaits.

But as two years ago, or indeed last season, it did not await at Fratton Park. Con Martin was back as a replacement for Frank Moss, injured up north. But he cannot be blamed for what happened, we were simply outrun. Villa, not noted as a particularly speedy team, had no answer when Harris (22) and Froggat (27) giving Houghton food for thought at half-time. We managed to slow things down a bit, but only a bit, Walsh (75) managed to give them something to think about but it was too late. 1-2, 31,871.

It was said that Stanley Matthews was always missing from the Blackpool team when he knew he was going to be up against Harry Parkes, just as he never got the better of George Cummings. But this season he was to be faced with Peter Aldis. Not an overwhelming problem for the wizard of dribble but he still failed to put in an appearance. Houghton had seen enough to know that only minor tinkering was needed. So much so that we were better able to cope with the speed of Blackpool than that of Portsmouth. Thompson dispatched the orb beyond Farm (18). We remained in control but the second goal by Walsh (67) was a long time in coming. Mortenson finally got the better of Frank Moss (a better centre-half than he was given credit for). Walsh missed a penalty – or rather Farm saved it otherwise victory would have been more convincing than it was. 37,284

Two days later on a Monday evening and Sunderland were back again. Most of the Villa supporters from Saturday must have hung around because the attendance was only down a little. 35,722 It was not quite the thriller they had seen two days earlier but it was very satisfactory viewing nonetheless. Thompson, who seems to specialise in snapping up mere trifles did just that (6) and we continued to keep up the pace That is until things calmed down after the oranges, allowing Dixon to score (48) after some clever interplay. Len Shackleton tried hard to get his team going but Moss continued to master Ford. Then Dixon put the game out of the reach of Sunderland (71), setting off an early rush for the buses.

Wonderful manager, Eric Houghton! Especially after we won again, this time at Stamford Bridge and formed an unlikely trio at the top. Albion – Wolves – Villa. Sales of the Sports Argus went through the roof. Play had been fairly even until Walsh crashed a free-kick into the rigging in true Houghton style after Moss had feinted to take it. (27). Chelsea were kept at bay until another move straight from the Houghton handbook was finished off by Lochhart, leaving 47,487 to stand and stare. Amos Moss is credited with the Chelsea goal because he deflected a shot that was going wide (77).

It cannot have been the visitors who attracted 39,586 to Villa Park. Sheffield United. Eleven unknowns whom we despatched back home with consummate ease. 4-0

Huddersfield Town were threatening to break up the Midland trio at the top but nobody could have predicted that they would make us appear like Sheffield United – utterly inept. 0-4 and in the parlance of the day we were lucky to get none.

But that wake-up call was only a preliminary to the disaster which lay around the corner. Or Anfield to be precise Even more astonishing considering that Walsh had given us the lead after only four minutes. Billy Liddell equalised (20) from a corner after the linesman had signaled a goal kick and this seemed to encourage the 37,759 as much as those in red. We continued to have the better of things until in the 69th minute the sky fell in. Goals continued to rain in after 72-76-82-88 resulting in one of the worst twenty minutes in Villa history. Houghton’s solution to this debacle was to recall Parsons. Not for the first time in his career the finger was pointed at Jones.

We even feared the worst when the full first team – perhaps as punishment rather than as a confidence booster – went to Aldershot to take on the entire British Army again. As usual the National Servicemen gave us a run for our money. Quixall, Blunstone and Mel Charles being the most notable. 3-2 but only after we had led 3-0. Perhaps we could do better against Newcastle

It was quiet. 38,366, who wondered quite what humiliation Newcastle United were likely to inflict upon us After all they had Jackie Milburn. Ken Roberts came in to replace Lochhart, wounded at Aldershot. After being the better team for most of the game we still found a way to loose. Thompson set us on the right path (43) and but for Simpson it would have been more. But then Parsons did a Jones and a shot from Milburn squirmed its way in the Aston end net. Chins fell, hearts sank and Davies (73). Our customary autumnal slide down the table was gaining momentum.

After three humiliating defeats only a masochist, an optimist (or Brian Tuby) would have paid the 10/- (50p) excursion fare to travel to Manchester. We were not going to get any change there any more than, with so little choice available Houghton was going to ring the changes. To say that we dragged United down to our level was almost something of a triumph. As was keeping their score down to one. Berry (70) being the only player able to prevent the slow handclap breaking out on the 32,106 at the Stretford End and beyond.

A week later Nat Lofthouse was not expected to provide us with any comfort. Nor did he. Attendances are now on the slide in synch with results. 23,525. 1-2 adrift at half-time we fought back to ensure three points for treble chance enthusiasts.

But no reason to expect anything better at Hillsborough where once again we fielded an unchanged side. Is there really nobody else? And what has happened to McParland all this time you may well be asking? Please be patient! The wind played a major part as we only had limited success tryi ng to keep the ball on the ground. Wednesday were more adept and took advantage of the elements for an interval lead 0-2. Quixall, last seen at Aldershot, had obviously learnt as much from the experience as we had. Parsons saved a penalty conceded from a handball by Moss but it was to no avail. Especially when they went three up. Thompson added to his account. 30,687.

Suddenly we were staring at the abyss again and lowly Middlesbrough became a four-pointer. Dixon was unexpectedly ‘rested’ as it was euphemistically called. His place went to debutant Roy Chapman, our leading scorer in the Central League – even then with only eight goals! Thompson (13 and 17) Walsh (19) Chapman (23). 20,735 disbelievers roared their approval. Then normal service was resumed in a thrice by McPherson (28) Delapenha (39). You can almost hear the foot stamping as I type this. Especially when it was followed after the interval by slow handclapping as Rayment (46) made it 4-3. Nerves were now on edge but Thompson finally settled them (59) and we could breathe again. Not so Middlesbrough, for whom this defeat sent them into the basement.

But when you know your next match is at Burnley complacency is a stranger. Although he did not score Moss had more trouble with Holden than he did with most of his more illustrious opponents. This led to goals by Stephenson (24) and Gray (36). But gangly Chapman added to his reputation and caused hopes to rise (43). That is until McIlroy put a damper on things. Masters of the last-minute goal, Chapman’s second was just that. Second. 26,686 but Burnley,s hopes of glory seemed forlorn as although fourth they were six points adrift

England 3 Hungary 6. The knives are out and the nation is in mourning. A party of Villa players were taken to the game with Jimmy Hogan. They could have had no better instructor.

What is the likelihood of our beating Charlton Athletic? Defeat would be unthinkable. It took a brave manager to ‘rest’ Johnny Dixon. It took an even braver one to bring him back. But an injury to Lochhart made the decision easier Gibson could play on the left wing, Dixon on the right. And Baxter, our new signing from Wolverhampton, made his debut. 30,205. A few more than recently so all hope has not yet faded. Jones is back in goal so presumably Parsons took the blame for that third Burnley goal. Jones did not get the rap for the Charlton equaliser so the goals by the resurrected Dixon and Thompson were suffice.

Then a five day sojourn at the seaside. Blackpool, naturally. No Finney but Preston had Tommy Docherty at right-half. They also had Charlie Wayman, who set up the first goal for Hatsell (36). We were frustrated by their use of the offside trap until it was eventually sprung by Thompson (53) and it was left to Jones and our new signing Baxter to end a sequence of away defeats. 1-1 20,590.

There were never any expectations of a home win when Tottenham Hotspurs came to town. Since winning promotion three seasons back they had a stranglehold over us. Jimmy Eason must have been the busiest person at Villa Park as he tried vainly to find enough fit players to send out into the fray. Villa had the majority of the forward play but always there was Ted Ditchburn. Baily headed them in front (67) and it was against the general run of play when Walters (75) confirmed what 27,480 had already suspected. Finally with all hope almost abandoned Blanchflower hit a screamer. Too late (88).

Cardiff City followed Spurs into Villa Park. There at centre-forward was Trevor Ford, who had finally fulfilled his supposed desire to “return home to Wales”. Even so, despite five changes we fully expected to win with an orange ball for the first time. 466 fewer fans than last week, 27.012, pushed the turnstiles apart. Good football was at a premium. Northcott (22 and 42) proving the exception to the mediocrity. There were still thirty minutes remaining when Dixon brought reality to the scoreline but Ford had a smug grin on his face when it was all over close to four o’clock.

We were then faced with the possibility of an horrendous Christmas. League leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers twice. But Houghton, who knew about playing on the left wing, had an ace in his hand. Peter James McParland, who made his debut 467 days ago against Wolves, was called upon shot show his mettle. If he had any that is, because in those intervening days he had spent his time drifting between the sides in the Central League, the Birmingham League and the Midland Midweek League, the refuge for would-be juniors. His goalscoring record did not for one moment suggest that here was a potential hero who would be mentioned in the same breath as those household names from decades ago.

But the factories closed early and 40,536 were witness to the shock result of the season. Four who had not played against Cardiff City had cause to be nervous on Christmas Eve, a Thursday. As captain against his old club Baxter got to shake hands with the referee. When, in the twenty-second minute Wilshaw headed past Jones it was no more than most had been expecting. And when moments later Parkes suffered an injury that condemned him to the right wing Father Christmas was having to revise his delivery route. Gibson at right back – surely not!! It was eleven against ten then, against the odds, Dixon took a throw from Blanchflower and put the orb passed Sims (55). After 80 Wolves fell for the throw-in routine again and so it was that Peter McParland entered the realms of Villa heroes.

The big question was whether the Villa defence, including as it did three regular reserves, could keep the best front line in the country at bay again. History demanded that the result in those twin seasonal games should be reversed. History was not to be denied but it was a close call. Despite the transport difficulties associated with Boxing Day 49,123 gave up on cold turkey to attend. It was a monumental achievement to keep the wolf from the door and all the more so when after 27 minutes Thompson ran through to make the unlikely, likely. Only for misfortune to strike when Baxter stuck a foot out and the ball diverted beyond Jones, who had the shot covered. Two minutes was not enough time left to appease the gods of football. Wolves remained top of the league (37pts), Albion second with 36. Liverpool (16) were last. Sunderland next 17. Our 22 pts saw us 14th.

Martin or Houghton. It had not seemed to make much difference. But amazingly before the year was out I had been ordered, yes ordered, to attend Villa Park. The games master had ‘ordered’ the entire class to attend Villa Park for the purpose of watching rugby football. But this was to be no ordinary match. The regular R.I. Scorers XV, whoever he was v whoever. It was to be a Midlands XV v New Zealand All Blacks. Presumably the games master thought we might learn something. I have no recollection of the game or the score but I do remember showing my classmates around Villa Park. I particularly remember going into the Witton Lane stand for the first time because the gate to the Aston End had been left unattended.