But now I was working in town Monday–Friday there was no point in going there for a sixth time. This posed the problem of what to do when the Villa were at home. The solution more often than not was to go for a bike ride on my new Carlton stead. 10-20 miles weather permitting. Sutton Park and Cannock Chase were favourites. But always wary of a puncture in case it meant I did not get back in time although that never actually happened. But in inclement weather – winter remember – these was no choice but to sit things out at home waiting for the clock to move round.

So it was that I much preferred having an away match to go to than two dozen games at Villa Park. As the season began, even with Liverpool in the second division there were still seven teams from Lancashire in the first division. Preston North End, Manchester City, Manchester United, Burnley, Blackpool, Bolton Wanderers and Everton. So away matches became a well ordered routine. The fixture list something keen to look forward to with its promise of trips into the unknown.

1958 threw up the first such adventure in the shape of an FA Cup third round tie at Stoke City of the second division. Considered by some, at least in Wolverhampton and West Bromwich as a ‘local derby’ but stretching a point in Aston. With Hazelden in place of an absent Hitchens we put up a poor defence of our trophy in the dank conditions after McParland had set us on our way (21). Wilshaw, who used to torment us whilst he was with Wolves hit a post, Bowyer netted the rebound (64) and we were pleased to escape with a replay.

Wednesday afternoon – 2 pm – only a one page 2d teamsheet. The winners will be at home to Middlesbrough in round four. When Stoke went ahead in only the third minute – Coleman – followed by Kelly (32) the 38,939 had a feeling it was not going to be Villa. But Sewell remembered quite who we were and crashed home a scorcher (38).The best goal of the game.

From then on it was mostly Villa and Lynn restored equanimity from 25 yards (72) and when Hitchens put us 3-2 up five minutes later we were assured of success. Wrong. We had reckoned without Oscroft (83) followed by a thirty-minute stalemate. And a third meeting. Molineux obviously. But first we had to contend with a home encounter with relegation-threatened Sunderland. 22,645 get to see something unique. In our famous mud we went two goals up after ten minutes, Lynn (4 a penalty) and Myerscough (10) spoilt when Grainger (11) and Fleming (21) responded in kind.

Then Dugdale got carried off with two broken ribs but his absence seemed to make Villa more determined. Lynn, another penalty (28) and Sewell – a rare header (31). Then Dugdale returned to play on the wing as the wounded often did in pre-substitute days.

McParland in defence. Then Lynn third goal from a well-rehearsed move from a corner. The first hat-trick by a full-back in 70 years of the Football League, which later earned him a rare appearance on evening television. 5-2 up at half-time Dugdale was able to retire early safe in the knowledge that victory was ours.

Spurred on by the win over Sunderland we had no reason to expect that we would not do the same against Stoke. But we had reckoned without the change in the weather – ice. And 37,702 most of whom put their support behind the Staffordshire team. At least Wolves had managed to produce a programme. Referee Callaghan awarded a penalty when Crowe handled a ball which had already crossed a line, Cairns (55) Wilshaw – again – conned Saward deputising for Dugdale and there is no more miserable place than Wolverhampton High Level at four o’clock on a Monday afternoon when you have just lost the FA Cup.

Luton Town have just been knocked out of the cup at third division (north) Stockport County so at least we must have a chance at that cramped ground. Cramped even with only 16,619 onlookers. Scene of happier days twelve months ago. But without five of our Wembley men we gifted two goals to Luton. Deeper mud than Villa Park. Adam (55) and Turner (61) – offside surely? – and McLeod (77) completed a lacklustre afternoon in Bedfordshire.

Round four day. No friendly – best to give the players a day off for the relegation struggle ahead.

On 1st February 47.498 arrived at Villa Park to sing Happy Birthday to Stanley Matthews. His forty-third. Imagine that – 43 years old and still playing regularly in the first division. Even more intriguing from a Villa point of view his direct opponent was to be Leslie Jones making his debut having been signed from Luton Town only three days earlier. His major contribution to the game was a goal-line clearance a la Stan Lynn. This after McParland had given us a lead (21) which ought really have been credited to Sewell had he not miskicked. We should have gone on to win but for minor injuries to Sims and Lynn which led to repositioning and a goal for Taylor (64).

There was no hint of the disaster which was to come when apart from Southren for Hazelden we took a near-unchanged team to Leicester. But seven minutes in and we were already two goals adrift. Walker (2) and an own goal by Lynn (7). However Southren gave hope to we amongst the 25,535 after 25 minutes. But somehow this only seemed to inspire the Foxes and goals Riley (42) – a dubious goal – did it really cross the line? Then Hogg (75) ruined any plans Houghton may have had for an inspiring half-time team talk. Further goals by Hogg (70) and Riley (85) meant a 1-6 reverse against a team who had themselves been beaten 1-5 the previous week Our position was now precarious.

Just as well that thanks to the FA Cup we were spared a visit from Manchester United and took another weekend off. Meanwhile in the shadow of the Munich air disaster Crowther had been allowed to transfer to Manchester United. Hence Crowe was on duty when Chelsea arrived alongside Dugdale, now recovered. It was an appalling day so only 20,358 made their way to Aston. Being early was not such a good idea when Tindall scored after the ball had bounced back off the corner flag instead of going out for a harmless throw.

Everyone was slipping and sliding everywhere and it was no surprise when Mortimore (26) embarrassed us further Sims was brought into action more than he would have liked but so too was Reg Matthews who was finally beaten by McParland (77 . Any hopes of a point were soon dispelled by Brabrook (84) leaving us 20th with 23 pts, 21st Sunderland 21 pts, 22nd Sheff Wed 19pts. Making Newcastle United, next, a four-pointer.

Despite winning on the last two visits to St. James Park nothing that had happened in the last month suggested that we were likely to make it three in a row. So the few Villa supporters who headed north to be amongst the 40,125 probably did so more out of loyalty and habit rather than any expectation of success. But when goalkeeper Mitchell failed to hold a shot from Leslie Smith. Maybe. Until their other Mitchell played pin ball against Dugdale. His first shot rebounded to him off our number five. His second shot likewise.

Except this time it fell to Bottom and we had to start all over again. Then again custodian Mitchell failed in his duties to stop a short Sewell and Hitchens was ever alert. Maybe. Then the referee saw a foul by Dugdale that had not brought the usual sort of screams from the terraces Penalty. 2-2.

From then on it was backs to the wall as Newcastle rode their luck. Then with spectators already inching their way towards the exits we gain a corner. With home fans already whistling to remind the referee to look at his watch Dugdale sneaked imperceptibly forward. With one well-placed corner from Smith and one nod of the head by Dugdale he had made up for his misfortune in having contributed to the Newcastle goals. The stroll towards the exits by the home fans intensified. A disappointment which visibly spread to the field.

They were casual at the restart. Hitchens intercepted, then simply carried on forward unchallenged and so with two goals in a memorable final minute it is fair to say that our season completely changed. It was a long seven-hour journey on the train home including the scheduled long wait at Sheffield with time to go to the fish and chip shop. Due New Street 01.55 so hopefully in time to catch the 2 o’clock night service bus from outside Greys. Sadly we learn of the death of Arthur Sabin from kidney failure.

Burnley at home next so hopefully we could start to put to bed all thoughts of relegation. As snow began to fall the game was proceeded by a minute silence for Arthur. Unusual then in being for a player and one who had only appeared for us twice but such was the affection in which Arthur was held. 25,689 anticipated a more noteworthy tribute especially so when Lynn (26) smashed the ball past McDonald from 10.96 metres after the snow initial flurry had dissipated. Finally our defence of old resurfaced and we kept Burnley at bay. And McParland recaptured his shooting skills with a fine strike (36).

Then with ten minutes remaining the fierce blinding snow returned. After three more minutes the referee called a halt but he did not abandon the game. He proved to be a good weather predictor because the snow stopped as quickly as it had started. The brooms came out, the touchlines were cleared and much to the annoyance of Burnley who thought it should have been abandoned the game continued, believe it or not in bright sunshine. In those ‘added minutes’ McParland gave the game the score line Villa merited. 3-0.

The question with Portsmouth, especially with no excursion fare, was which route to take. Via London Waterloo or Oxford and Basingstoke or equally as important, which is the better route back? It was another four-pointer. Made disastrous when the winning goal was scored, with a degree of over-exuberance, by Alex Govan, (58) who until a few days earlier had been playing in the alternative royal blue shirts of Satan City. Basingstoke won the battle of the routes if only because the first train after the game was a ‘local’ which stopped at Fratton.

Next we should have been at home to Manchester United but instead were required to welcome them to Villa Park for an FA cup semi-final v Fulham. Second division Fulham were only thought to be there to make up the numbers but somehow they managed to achieve a 2-2 before going down 3-5 at Highbury four days later.

Our visit to White Hart Lane turned out to be nothing short of a benefit for their centre-forward, Bobby Smith. After a frenetic opening ten minutes in which we might well have taken the lead followed by barely another ten minutes that had elapsed before Smith had a hat-trick to his name (14, 19. & 22). His bustling style proving too much for Dugdale to handle. Sewell achieved a tap in (28) only for Spurs to have none of that nonsense and Medwin (29) had the 34,102 wondering how many? McParland was able to add to his reputation before Smith (75 & 86) was awarded the precious matchball for his five goals at a time when they were usually needed for the next reserve game.

Two days later cup finalists Manchester United were obliged to revisit Villa Park on a Monday afternoon. With Jones for Aldis most of the 16,631 feared the worst. Especially when Webster (12) accepted a gift. But a well-flighted free-kick by Lynn reached Myerscough (33) 1-1. Then the United defence got in a tangle and Hitchens (58) was alert. Just when we looked like beating United for once in steps Dawson (83) Then, with memories of Newcastle, McParland to Smith to Saward to Sewell and it pays never to leave Villa Park before the final whistle. 3-2. Wow!

A rare Good Friday game saw us go to cup-finalists Bolton Wanderers. Minus Nat Lofthouse (injured or rested?) they had right-half Hennin leading their line. You would not have known the difference. Stevens (8) then Hennin a hat trick (48, 51 & 87) and with a true sense of irony I took some pigs trotters home for my father as a treat.

Easter Saturday by which time Wolverhampton had won the battle of Staffordshire and Albion were now amongst the also-rans’ So only 31,406. yerscough (23) and McParland (51) saw us dominate proceedings easier than hoped and even a goal by Ronnie Allen (85) did not instil the panic it might have done.

Easter Monday the first team had a much-needed rest day so there was the joy of Villa Reserves 4 Albion Reserves 0

Easter Tuesday, historically a holiday in Birmingham. Civil servants like me are entitled to a half-day for the Queen’s birthday on either Maunday Thursday or Easter Tuesday. Like most in the city I exercised my option for Tuesday. In the true tradition of holiday fixtures the result and scores are reversed precisely as Bolton with one eye on Wembley surrendered four goals. Lynn (8) Hitchens (21) Sewell (65) Higgins (og 76). Mystery still surrounds the omission of Nat Lofthouse from the Bolton pen pictures in the Villa News. 4-0 32.645.

Preston, where we have not been beaten in the last eight visits and all for only 14/3 (72p). Toms Finney, Thompson and Docherty as usual. Surprisingly, despite all that has happened this season, apart from Hitchens vice Dixon, it is our cup-winning team from a year ago. But in keeping with all that had happened this season it was a thoroughly disappointing game. Myerscough dived full length a la Sewell to head us ahead (23) Mayers (31) calmly equalised. It seemed incongruous to sip champagne in the dressing room afterwards but the point had meant we had survived to live for another season in the first division. 21,053.

To add insult to injury in a manner of speaking our next opponents were Sheffield Wednesday. It was for them, a must-win game – they lost. Mainly because they did not appear to play as though there very lives depended upon the result, and we had Gerald Archibald Hitchens. His two strikes (58 & 80) were more than enough to send most of the 25,995 looking forward to better things next season.

Metro 2 Triplex 0 at Villa Park
Bham Works FA 2 Bham County FA 1 at Villa Park
Erdington Albion 6 Yardley Wood OB 1 at Villa Park
Barn Social club 1 Ladywood OB 0at Villa Park

It was a pleasure to be going to Maine Road with nothing but pride at stake. And for just 12/- (60p) the satisfaction of simply being there. What we had not really expected was to win or to win so convincingly. Especially when we went a goal behind to Hayes (18). But straight from the restart Roy Warhurst, another former Blues player, saw to it that we did not stay behind for long (o.g.20). It was now the Villa of distant memory and 28,275 were mainly less than pleased with the City of old.

On a Wednesday evening Nottingham Forest came in a make-up game from a cup day. Eric Houghton v Billy Walker for those old enough to reminisce. Hitchens (18) Farmer (75)so 1-1 is about all the 21,043 saw worth noting.

Final position 14th P42 W16 D7 L19 F73 A86 Pts 39.Report: – could do better.