Here come our Preston pals

[dave.woodhall]

Dave Collett writes about the ghost of Preston past.

https://heroesandvillains.info/2025/03/26/here-come-our-preston-pals/

[ADVILLAFAN]

Excellent stuff, enjoyed that.

They knocked us out of the Cup in 1938, in the Semis, on the qay to winning it. They also knocked us out the year after that.

[JD]

Fantastic article.

[steamer]

Great article
I am going to have a look as I am sure I have that programme.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

A sunny August 25th, 1973, our first home game of the season was a 2-0 Villa win, goals from Trevor Hockey and hotshot Charlie Aitken. As a nipper, even more memorable than Charlie scoring was the announcement there may be a bomb in the ground. Not a single fan left. Different times I guess.

More recently the tracking of Cam Archer progress at Preston in their promotion push to the PL. Their fans always came across as an informed and friendly lot. Also a timely reminder to never fall in love with a loanee.

[Legion]

Done.

[Nelly]

A great read, thank you! Evocative stuff.

[montague]

A sunny August 25th, 1973, our first home game of the season was a 2-0 Villa win, goals from Trevor Hockey and hotshot Charlie Aitken. As a nipper, even more memorable than Charlie scoring was the announcement there may be a bomb in the ground. Not a single fan left. Different times I guess.

More recently the tracking of Cam Archer progress at Preston in their promotion push to the PL. Their fans always came across as an informed and friendly lot. Also a timely reminder to never fall in love with a loanee.

I was at that game. I remember the bomb announcement and my Dad shouting "for christs sake somebody put it up Vowdens arse"

This game also notable as the first league game as Manager for a certain B Charlton

[simon ward 50]

Beautiful stuff!

[Flamingo Lane]

I was at that game in 1968, sat with my dad in the Trinity Road stand. The chanting 'the board must go' and the sound of the footstamping I still remember vividly. It was really scary, I was only 8.

[dcdavecollett]

Thanks for the reminder of the bomb alert at the 1973 game which had completely slipped my memory.

Two things I do remember is that when we finally broke Preston's resistance at the end of the game, I thought Charlie Aitken's fine goal was going to be disallowed as I saw the linesman's flag go up from my position on the Holte. The ref went over to the touchline, had a chat with the lino and gave the goal.

Anyone recall who played on the wing for Preston in this match?

[Towser]

https://youtu.be/9DVDPAV5ILs?si=kXlk3TR0RuCwexSD

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Anyone recall who played on the wing for Preston in this match?

Ha! I had to google that and some, though well worth the effort. A very young William Morley.

Dave, maybe you know, Was Andy Lochhead still with us for this game? I know we sold him in 73 but no idea when.

Cheers, Towser. Never seen that before.

[Brend'Watkins]

I must admit I was impressed with Preston's ground. My last visit was in 1973, my first ever away day experience, I was barely 12 years old, we won and full the same end that day too, maybe it was the weather or the impressive Tom Finney statue which made me admire it more than was deserved but you get the feeling if they should make it big again there is plenty of room for expansion of the place. Given it was a full house I've never got out of an away ground so quickly to be back on the M6 and back to the local for the 2nd half of the Bournmouth match and celebrating our win with mates who couldn't get tickets.

[dcdavecollett]

Yes, thanks again for posting that video.

RCF, Andy Lochhead left Villa that summer. I don't think he was keen to go but Vic Crowe needed to raise money for signings as the board had pulled the plug by this stage.