But first some even better news. The GCE examinations have been brought forward a few weeks to enable the results to be announced earlier to aid employers. Because of accommodation problems going to school afterwards becomes almost voluntary and my diary is full of full days spent at Edgbaston. Except when Warwickshire were away and we were encouraged to go to the sports field for impromptu games of cricket.

Leaving school at 16 or even 15 was the norm, as was finding a job to go to. There was no incentive to continue studying into the sixth form. Even less reason for wanting to go to university. A chat with a Youth Employment Office in Margaret Street and he sent me to have another chat with a man down Newhall Street. He came up with the offer of a job in the Inland Revenue and merely asked “When can you start?”. He may have thought that I was not altogether keen on starting when I intimated that I would still like to have one final chance of enjoying the full six weeks school holiday. So we compromised on five weeks!

When the results came out I had passed in the four main O levels. English Language, Mathematics (three separate exams involving mathematics, algebra and geometry). Failure in French was not altogether surprising because as I type this I find it difficult to report that we never actually spoke French in class, it was all textbook translations. Nothing prepared us for the actual exam when a teacher from another school came and quizzed us in some unintelligible tongue. Failure at English Literature still irks. Not least because although at a boys-only school we were required to study Jane Austen and I still cannot understand why.

I can though still remember quite large chunks of Julius Caesar and the Rime of the Ancient Mariner but they were probably of not much use for when I was eventually to be let out to meet the tax=paying public.
By now you have read enough of me and want to find out what happened to the Villa. But you do not get away that easily because, remember, we have a cricket-playing manager. And Villa seem to spend a lot of their pre-season practice playing cricket. A subtle team-bonding exercise perhaps.

July 25th Bloxwich 103 Villa 83 Lost
Aug 2nd M&B Villa 40 for 3 Abandoned
Aug 5th Ansells 134 for 8 dec Villa 71 for 6 Drawn
Aug 7th Aston Unity 148 for 9 dec Villa 132 for 5 Drawn

Which leads to that great moment of steeping into Villa Park for the first time for weeks to be startled by the green of the grass and whatever has been painted. Not least the Witton Lane stand now actually reflecting the drawing which has appeared on the front of the Villa News for the last seven years.

A teamful of reserves has departed to offer their talents elsewhere. There is no unknown cast into the whites for the public practice match until Roy, Lawton and Williams appear after four o’clock. It could almost be first team v first team. Or reserves v reserves. Only half the usual attendance for this fixture, 4,000, none of whom are fooled by the score line Colours 7 Whites 1.

Doubtless the same 4,000 were amongst the 32,372 gathered for the first big test of the season. Charlton Athletic. More or less we were as we finished 112 days ago, Saward for Crowe. No early goal, we had to wait until the 38th minute before Dixon, now officially the club captain, put the ball out of the reach of veteran Sam Bartram. Villa coped better with the wind, especially when Baxter shot into the Aston end goal (51), Ayre (83) gave us the feeling that we have been this way before but Charlton were so excited that a team is never more vulnerable when having done so and O’Linn instantly gave us a helping hand (84).

Two days later I reported for the first day of my working life. I was to be paid £3/10/- per week for my efforts. £1/10/- was to go to my mother. My bus fare would be 5/- (25p) per week. Although having found somewhere to park my bike safely I soon did a grown-up thing and bought a new Carlton cycle on Hire Purchase. 10/- (50p) per week but I reasoned it would pay for itself in two years. Dinner money came to 5/- per week at the Civil Service Canteen above Piccadilly Arcade. Vastly superior to school dinners.

Admission to Villa Park and the cinemas 2/- (10p). And money left over for the occasional quarter of Mint Chunks much to the detriment of my teeth.

The following Wednesday Albion and their fans in the 37,118 were keen to put to rest any suggestion that they had played any nefarious part in our remarkable escape from relegation. Up until Whitehouse broke the deadlock (30) either side might have taken the lead, and, Villa especially, might have added to their zero. Then with the night rapidly drawing in thoughts of an abandonment were put to bed and Robson (79) sent everyone to do just that.

Possibly spending my anticipated new-found wealth before I had received any of it I boarded the excursion train to Manchester 11/- (55p) because I had lost my schoolboy bus pass and as I looked over 14 it was no longer wise to try to ‘cheat’. Also I had started to buy cheap maps of the grounds to be visited for fear of not finding the way back to the station after the game.

It rained, as it was wont to do in Manchester. The pitch at Maine Road was a swamp. Joy of joys, we took the lead, Smith (12) We hit the post, we hit the bar, but we conceded a scrambled goal, Clarke (72) but I had experienced again what if felt like to stand on the terraces amongst a mainly alien crowd. Except for safety’s sake I knew by now not to display my loyalty too openly. 1-1.

Working hours were 08.30 to 5.15 or 5.30 on Wednesdays. Saturdays mornings one week in four. About a month before I started the Civil Service had abolished compulsory regular Saturday morning working. Those who had been doing so until then were able to keep their annual holiday quota of 20 days per annum but I was now limited to only 15. But the way the system worked was to play a major part in my Villa-watching activities, as will be explained as the story unfolds.

But as soon as my first working day was over I hastened not to tell my mother what it had been like but to dash to Villa Park to be part of the 31,785 for the 6.15 kick off against the Albion. Each goalkeeper in turn saw action and both were probably fully responsible for the game ending goalless as much as any inefficiency on the part of the forwards.

Midway through Friday morning it was a strange experience to be handed a wage packet containing four crisp notes. It had been a strange experience working with adults, some, I was to discover, ex-National Servicemen. And also including girls only a little older than myself. Even stranger was being shown what was expected of me rather than being lectured to for forty minutes at a time. Truth to tell I reveled in my office junior role, which meant I was to mingle amongst all the staff rather than be confined to a desk of my own.

Villa Park looked different without the words Good Honest Beer emblazoned across the ends of the barrel roofs over the Witton Lane stand awaiting restoration. Someone who was not awaiting restoration was the evergreen Stanley Matthews, still pulling in the crowds wherever Blackpool played. 44,374. Children at the front clinging to the pitc side railings. But like as not I had sought the sanctity of the wall at the top of the Aston end.

It was a thrilling game as it usual was against the seasiders. It was also McParland’s day when he scored twice right down in front of me (23 & 41). The second illustrated by Gerry Armes in one of his brilliant Birmingham Post photographs taken from the directors box. I am now keeping a scrapbook. I had a less clearer view of Brown (41) or Mudie (58) threatening to spoil my enjoyment.

But I need not have worried. We too have a player capable of weaving spells around defenders. Sewell (72) and it is home to tell my mom quite who it was we had beaten.

Keen to see football wherever and whenever, including the six pitches at Perry Common Recreation ground on a Sunday morning, I took myself along to St. Andrews for Birmingham City 6 Newcastle United 1. After all, admission only cost 2/- (10p). Bike parking 6d.

Unfortunately I had not yet learned the secrets of the Civil Service leave sheets so had no thoughts of going to Luton for a Wednesday evening kick-off. Besides, I had already been to Kenilworth Road and it was something I was not, as yet, keen to reprise. I did not miss much or any goals for that matter, 0-0 21,171 so perhaps the home fans were expecting something better than back in March.

Then one of my best days yet when Everton came up on the schedule again. Excursion trains usually arrived with a couple of hours to spare. But unusually today the train was not timed to reach Lime Street until 1.55. Despite knowing the way I nearly did not make it in time for a 3.15 kick off. Everton were one of the few clubs with a 3.15 start to allow for the pubs closing at 3 o’clock. They had also lost their first six games of the season. Could we make it unlucky seven?

Yes, as it so happened but it was five minutes into the second half before Sewell beat O’Neill from the edge of the box. We then frustrated Everton who became, well, frustrated. So much so that in the last twenty minutes we strolled through them three more times. Dixon (70) Sewell (71) Smith (85). Sewell should have had three from an in-off but give a linesman a flag and they love to wave it. Vitriol is being with 43,762 Liverpudlians when they have just lost seven in a row. Words like that were never heard at Villa Park last season during the worst excesses of our ineptitude.

Could we break the sequence of six consecutive home defeats to Tottenham Hotspur when Blanchflower came to back again up his critical words with actions? All seemed well when after thirty minutes Pace (28) and McParland (30) had put us ahead. But we failed to press home our advantage and Harmer (35) and Bobby Smith (44) soon put an end to any jollifications. 43,947 had seen it all before and so knew what to expect next. Stokes (48) and Robb (54) ensured we had lost at home to Spurs seven times in a row.

Villa arrived by coach for their next fixture at Leeds United. Nothing unusual in that except that they arrived fully kitted out having got changed at a local works ground. The seating area of the main stand at Elland Road had burnt to the ground on the previous Tuesday. But to their credit Leeds were determined that the game should go ahead as scheduled.

Fearing a possible lockout it was essential to be at the ground early. The scorched earth of the near touchline showed the extent of the fire. A long row of single seats occupied the warning track on the other side. of the ground. Put there to accommodate the season ticket-holders who had been obliged to give up their seats for a temporary directors box. The game was decided with a shot by the imperious John Charles (19). There is no record of what the players did at half-time. Insufficient time to get back to the dressing room so I can only imagine them having a cup of tea and a massage out in the car park. 35,388 crowded in. Not bad, given the unusual circumstances.

P9 W3 D3 L3 F13 A11 Pts 9 Position 12th

Bolton Wanderers, our centre-forward is Stan Lynn, theirs is, as always, Nat Lofthouse. No contest. The crowds are coming back. But perhaps this nil-nil might give the 34,402 cause to hesitate in two weeks hence.

The only reason I can account for my absence from Portsmouth was that there was no advertised excursion and I was not yet up to travelling through London and the alternative timings via Basingstoke were unreliable. Portsmouth were cast adrift at the bottom so there was every reason to hope for at least a draw. But my day was not wasted. We had entered the FA Youth Cup and on the Saturday morning were successful at the third attempt beating Coventry City 4-0 followed in the afternoon by Villa Reserves 4 Bury Reserves 3.

Meanwhile in the sunny south disaster struck. Henderson (10) followed by Gordon (12) beat the diving Sims who sometimes imperceptibly had difficulty getting down to a daisy cutter. Henderson (49) Gordon (62) added misery for any Villa supporter who had managed to find themselves amongst the 23,613. Smith (64) did very little to lift the gloom made worse by Harris (75).

Staying on we moved to Aldershot for the annual kick about with the Army. Despite a team which included Duncan Edwards and Bobby Charlton, Hodginson (Sheffield Utd) Setters (WBA) and Clive Jones (Swansea) they provided less of a challenge than usual for our first team including George Ashfield for the experience. 7-1.

Newcastle United and despite last week 35,144 still kept the faith. Those who got there early, as they should have done, were more than rewarded for their loyalty. Not just one but three goals in the first quarter of an hour. Smith (4) Sewell (9) and Smith again (14). Possibly due to Lynn returning to right-back allowing Dixon to come back a number nine. A goal by Eastham (44) did nothing upset the euphoria.

Next we had originally been down to play at Ninian Park but Wales v Scotland took precedence so what I got to see was Villa Reserves 4 Burnley Reserves 2 So after a fortnight absence the visitors are Satan City. Those of the 54,927 who did not follow the stricture ‘to be there early’ missed one of the most memorable goals ever scored at Villa Park. Gaining a corner in the second minute Stan Lynn was seen, by me at least, sneaking stealthily down the right wing touchline.

In what had obviously been a training ground move Smith hit the ball to him along the ground and several defenders could only stare in bewilderment as Stan lashed the ball into the net to the wonderment, if not the joy of all the onlookers. The unexpected nature of the goal visibly had an affect on the Blues from which they never seem to recover. Roberts (26) and Sewell (45) took advantage of their confusion. A goal by Astall (84) was as irrelevant as any goal so late tends to be when we have been so much in command.

The pavilion of the former Holte Bowling Club next to the ground on Trinity Road has been converted into a Physiotherapy Unit in the expectation of reducing injuries.

New Street 10.05 – Euston 12.30 Fare 16/- (80p). I make my debut at Highbury. Slightly more subdued than usual because they and the Metropolitan Police Band are marking the recent death of Tom Whittaker, a long-time Arsenal legend. 40,045. Our interest in the game probably lasted just fifteen minutes by the large clock. Groves (10 & 15).

McParland had me metaphorically jumping up and down when he left Kelsey helpless with a header (35) but I then had to keep my feet well and truly grounded 1-2. The return train was due to leave Euston 11.00 pm New Street 1.45 am. I have no reason to suppose that I was not on it. While I had been at Highbury a team from Hereford, Pegasus, had entered the FA Youth Cup and Saturday morning saw them defeated 15-0. Players of note for the future included Arthur Sabin, Terry Morrall and Wally Hazeldene.

Burnley next so you know enough by now to anticipate the outcome. You are quite correct. It rained heavily in the morning keeping all but 22,420 watching wrestling on ITV Sport in the afternoon. Those who were there saw Villa by far the more aggressive and a neat goal by Sewell at the Aston End (7) 1-0. We have now beaten Burnley at home seven seasons in a row.

My brother, who by now is more a player than a watcher at weekends, is determined that I should go with him to see England v Wales at Wembley on a Wednesday afternoon. By now I have learnt the intricacies of the Civil Service leave sheet and nobody is in a position to prevent my taking the day off. With the recent opening of our Physio Unit the England management have honoured Bill Moore by making him the England trainer for the afternoon.

I was not impressed with Wembley and not all that impressed with international football which resulted England 3 Wales 1. Afterwards a near-disaster. My brother leapt aboard a tube train at Wembley just as the doors were closing. My heart sank and I was close to tears until quite unexpectedly the doors opened again and much to my relief and my brother’s I leapt aboard. In the evening we went to sit in the comfortable surroundings of the Odeon Leicester Square and saw the Battle of the River Plate so we must have got home quite late.

As you well know – or should do by now, for us Burnley home are invariably followed by Preston, away. A Preston without Tom Finney but with Toms Thompson and Docherty. We manage to fall two goals adrift. The first by our exile (34) the second by the burly Hatsell who proved a handful for Dugdal. But Preston are not the only invincible team in this contest. Smith broke through and somehow his shot eluded Fred Else (60) and when Cunningham decided to play handball there was only one man for the job of equalising. Lynn (80).

In the fading light Hatsell threw his weight around again and just beat Sims to the ball (85). With thoughts of the dash back to the station for the 5.50 departure McParland (88) gained us a precious point. It being only November there was no running on the pitch.

A foggy day in Birmingham – so only 26,949 to see Chelsea. Baxter in place of Crowther. Lochkhart has gone to Bury leaving the field free for McParland. We were up against England international goalkeeper Reg Matthews late of Coventry City and it looked for all the game as if he was going to deny us the victory we vainly sought. Armstrong had given them the lead just as the minute hand reached the top of its circle. But never leave early either because a neat bit of skill by K.O. allowed Sewell to beat the onrushing Matthews and half the Chelsea defence. 1-1.

Meanwhile Hull City thwarted our progress in the FA Youth cup 0-0 whilst up at Hillsborough I was with the travelling supporters, of whom I am becoming a regular. As was customary Sewell was captain for the day but in a repeat of the Chelsea game was unable to provide that essential spark. Instead it was Quixall, the latest star in the football firmament who lead the home team support, 23,560, with a brace. The first (44) was followed literally in seconds by McParland (44.75) so changing any proposed team talks.

Quixall (68) actually won the game for Wednesday but only because McParland missed a sitter as I was getting ready to catch the tram back to town. As a sign of the times Wednesday had invited Zagreb to turn on their floodlights next Thursday. When is Villa Park going to be light up?

But unlikely as it may seem I joined 40,143 in seeing the Yugoslavian club in action three days ahead of anyone in Sheffield and in a competitive match. The Inter Cities Fairs Cup which was designed to take place over three seasons. Any city which hosted an industrial fair was invited to take part and Birmingham qualified by virtue of the British Industries Fair at Castle Bromwich. Pressure was applied locally for the city to put out a joint Villa–Blues team but Villa emphatically declined so Blues went it alone. Birmingham City 3 Zagreb 0.

Two days later in search of more football I ventured to Wolverhampton for a World Cup qualifying match England 5 Denmark 2. Then it is my birthday. At the risk of opening up old wounds I will simply state Aston Villa 1 Manchester United 3 Taylor (42 & 49) Viollet (69) McParland (77).

Then it is off to the Valley again but the game made headlines more for the lack of an audience 13,452. The turnstiles had stopped ticking when the club needed 20,000 per game just to survive. Charlton 0 Villa 2. McParland (10) Dixon (46). The game was also notable for the fact that without even telling their fans Villa abandoned their usual white shirts and took the field wearing pale blue for the first time.

Meanwhile on that Saturday morning Hull City Youth had arrived at Villa Park for a third round replay. A convincing 4-0 in which Hazeldene scored all four. Followed in the afternoon by Villa Reserves 3 Manchester City Reserves 1. The Manchester City first team were less fortunate than their reserve counterparts when they were obliged to alter their travelling arrangements to get to the ground by coach rather than train only to find the game abandoned due to fog.

Lack of supporters was also a consideration when it came to the last ever Christmas Day game at Sunderland on a Tuesday. Only 18,453, their smallest gate of the season managed to find a way around the seasonal transport difficulties. Only two Villa fans made it – Brian Tuby and his son, who had cause to be grateful to the Salvation Army. To make things worse the wind-assisted game was also devoid of anything like ‘Christmas spirit’ and would have resulted in a bore draw but for Bingham (72). Chaos followed.

The two clubs had hired a train to get back to Villa Park for the reverse fixture on Boxing Day. Also, I believe involving Chesterfield at some point. And, fortunately for them, Brian Tuby and his son had somehow managed to wangle a seat on board. But on the way home it began to snow and although Villa were more than pleased to be home Sunderland had to face a return journey after the inevitable abandonment.

Not a good time to be going to Blackpool. The snow was melting as the team set off on Friday afternoon only to be greeted by heavy rain at the seaside. However the excursion train, New Street 10.10 Blackpool South 1.26 made it safely in good time. Fare 15/6 (77p). And the sun came out to greet Stanley Matthews and his cohorts onto the field. Dugdale, flu, was replaced by right-half Trevor Birch for his first game at number five.

He held firm. It was a far better game than the nil–nil suggests but the nil throws up a very interesting statistic. We had only conceded 30 goals so far – the best in the division. Watch this space.