I did nothing all week in those days except process legal documents and filled-in index cards, and in spare moments read up on some law or (more likely) gone and chatted with Annie (can’t remember her real name), a dame dangerouse who exuded a certain empathy. Yes, working in the creeky vaults of the council house’s legal department didn’t have a lot of excitement about it circa 1960. But there was always Annie to rub shoulders with; she seemed a bit beyond reach, but it didn’t stop me trying!
The trouble was in those days (and at the tender age of 16) there wasn’t a lot of opportunity to experience excitement; the main options for me then consisted of the office flirtation with Annie … and the fortnightly trip to watch the Villans in the days of Hitchens and goalscoring winger Peter Mac. Now, between those two leather chasers you generally did see enough to go home in a chirpy spirit, but the two were poles apart in nature as footballers. With Gerry you saw unbounded enthusiasm and lethal finishing on a regular basis, but with Peter Mac you could often be tearing your Villa News in exasperation for most of the match (and sometimes a whole match). Peter gained particular fame on the occasion of an international match versus England when he managed to leave the famed Duncan Edwards and Billy Wright on their backsides in one deft movement. He could produce the unexpected. But, it seemed, only when he felt like it.
He was, of course, also famed for laying out the Manchester United goalkeeper early on in the 1957 Cup Final and then winning the match with two explosive goals. And then he scored 5 goals in the 1958 World Cup finals, helping Northern Ireland through to the quarter-finals.
The usual irregular input from Peter Mac was witnessed in a sixth round replay of the FA Cup at Villa Park (1959). Villa faced a fine Burnley team in whose ranks played the highly esteemed Jimmy McIlroy of Northern Ireland, a lovely playmaker and international left-wing partner of Peter Mac. As Jimmy recorded: “Despite the Burnley pressure, we could not get the ball past the capable Nigel Sims. Peter McParland, meanwhile, was having a very poor outing. Yet so unpredictable is this goalscoring winger, he can never be left alone at any stage of a game. This lesson was brought home to us in the most amazing fashion.”
In the second half, Peter Mac decided that it was time to do something. Jimmy described what happened:
- McParland took possession of a ball near the half-way line and set out on a diagonal run towards the opposite wing. He wanted, I am sure, to pass to his right-winger, but he kept running with the ball getting nearer and nearer to our goal. David Smith, the Burnley left-back, moved out to cover the Villa right-winger, so that he could be positioned to intercept McParland’s pass. That pass never came, and all the time, big Peter kept running with the ball at his feet. Before anyone could appreciate the danger, he shot from the inside-right position from about 20 yards. It was a goal from the moment the ball left his foot, and my hopes of Wembley again died.
Joe Mercer, the Villa manager, must have been so totally fed up with the erstwhile form of his mercurial left winger that night. As a result, Mercer shouted a few expletives at Mac during that run to try to make him release the ball! A more relaxed Joe subsequently said that he felt something of a fool after that goal had been scored.
To see your playing heroes after 14 days’ suspension of emotions (unless there happened to be a mid-week match for some reason or other) heightened the expectation. There was precious little coverage of football on TV apart from some international matches and the Cup Final. And unless your team was in the Cup Final you simply didn’t see them on TV at all unless they happened to be in one of the two matches highlighted in the BBC’s Match Of The Day programme as it was in those days. And, of course, it was all televised in ‘natural colour’ – meaning black and white!
Going down to the Villa in the 1960 era had a very different something about it. You went along thinking of what an awe-inspiring ampitheatre you were entering, and that (as a youngster) you thought that the managers of such a venue and of such gladiators must be super-human: that they must be great people indeed to have such an opportunity to rule that roost. Yes, they were very deferential days indeed.
A year after the Burnley match (in March, 1960), Liverpool were the visitors to Villa Park, but Gerry Hitchens was out with an injury. After 45 minutes of high entertainment, the visitors held a commanding 3-0 lead which morphed to 4-0 after an hour. Peter Mac was having one of those nights – but he could take you from the lows to the highs very easily and was instrumental in Villa’s comeback in those last 30 minutes.
It was not until after 66 minutes that Mac decided to wake up as he had against Burnley, and, with a characteristic run and shot, opened Villa’s account. Six minutes later Bobby Thomson neatly tucked away Jimmy Adam’s cross to reduce the arrears to two. Suddenly, Villa were nothing like the side which had dozed around for an hour or so, and with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining McParland was floored in the penalty-box. Stan Lynn stepped forward and thundered in the spot-kick. Villa were back in touch and the fans were going wild. On 85 minutes the hard-working Thomson fastened on to Wylie’s through-ball and sweetly drove the ball past Slater for the equaliser. Then, in the dying minutes, Villa’s Lynn kicked England’s later World Cup hero Roger Hunt’s shot off the line, McParland (who else?) sent a chance into orbit from six-yards range and then Slater saved a snap-shot from Adam. So 4-4 was the result. We were all drained at the end of that match.
A few months earlier, Villa had famously beaten Charlton 11-1 with Gerry Hitchens scoring 5 of them. The strange situation was that when the score was at 9-1, all the Villa forwards had scored except Peter Mac. In a match when (for once) he’d done more of the contributing for others to score, he decided that enough-was-enough and on two occasions showed us his trademark style of streaking through the opponent’s defence to complete the scoring.
There was something different about footie in those days. It was a ‘something’ to do with not knowing quite what you might see: there was more spontanaity I guess and much more physical contact. Whereas today’s footballers seem over-coached in standard passing routines and how to fall over or how to jab someone away from the ref’s eye, it’s only the very best teams now that offer much that is out-of-the-ordinary. Between 1952 and 1962 a usually average Aston Villa had something very much out-of-the-ordinary in the match-winning Peter McParland. He even tried resurrecting his career at centre-forward when his pace had slackened off, and scored his only first-class hat-trick as a result.
Oh, life was all so simple then. But Annie was later replaced in my between-match affections by the wench behind the bar down at t’ Plough pub. A charming damsel named Mavis. Ah, but that’s another story…
The Author
John Lerwill
I'm a Villan of more than 60 years standing and an occasional writer on Villa history. For me there is only one football club worth supporting, but I am now wondering whether I will again see anything like the pageant that was paraded under Ron Saunders or even that by Big Ron and Brian Little. My glass, however, is always half-full! Click here for my Villa website.Comments 42
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brilliant reminders of those great days which now are gradually fading from the memory. Thank you John for such a wonderfully written reminder.
John the club has certainly seen some better days — hoping it won’t be too long when we can look forward watching our team play rather than dreading it.
prox – love the post from yesterday with the horses – briliant
Well done for finding something positive to write about John — the only thing i am looking forward to at the club is seeing jack glealish play — loving his work
Very emotive, really captures the feelings of match attendance and inconsistency which has been Villa’s problem in the last 60 years when developing good to great sides that albeit transported 30 years later for me when I could afford to travel to games in the 90s. excellent article.
Excellent piece yet again John, how fortunate we are to have seen so many great players at VP although i can’t imagine Frem in fifty years contributing to a book about defunct footy clubs and devoting an article on Bennett, Westwood and Gabby.
Confirmation today that Joe Cole is stupid…. talking about how our young team will improve !!!
Runtings the only thing i am looking forward to at the club is seeing jack g[r]ealish play — loving his work
I’m looking forward to that too, mate, and something tells me that this season may well be interesting – provided the defensive issues can be sorted.
Thanks, John.
I’ve always wondered about Peter Mac. I always enjoy listening to his commentaries, obviously knows his football.
McParland had X factor, didn’t he? I guess Benteke would be the only real X factor player we have. That’s when he’s fit. The other X factor player was supposed to be Nzog. We’ve only seen it in snippits. Who else at Villa has X factor? Anyone?
Trinity
Yep, you’ve got it in one – Benteke is the Peter Mac *potential* x-factor element we have today. “Potential” only as he needs to re-find that individual ability that he displayed in his first season. Perhaps the defenders are now more tuned in to his play.
BTW, I’ve a couple of times seen Gabby break from left-wing into the middle in a similar style to Peter Mac and have waited for him to go the whole hog and blast the ball home, as Mac did. But, no, Gabby follows what he’s been taught – to not take it too far and pass instead.
Just picked up the free Sun, hells bells, the country’s full of morons, apart from their idiot columnists just look at the polls on the greatest ever English person and greatest ever living English person !!!!
Runtings – the only thing i am looking forward to at the club is seeing jack grealish play
I think they have the reserve team games on AVTV.
Trin,
Any time your at VP Peter Mac goes in the Holte pub, usually a few more in there, Chico Hamilton etc, Syd, Morley and Gidman come in the Aston Social occasionally. Other stars who make an appearance include Carl Chinn and Nigel Kennedy and S75.
John,
Other options include pushing the defender into the crowd or falling over.
John, your story made me think of my Dad. Those were his times. I was a bit young to grasp it all and was gone by 57.
Thanks
ST75- you idiot. Everyone knows corn flakes won’t grow. You need to plant BRAN FLAKES. My Mr Wright was Charlie Smith. A family friend who would drop by every week end. And, just wondering, since you claim some Asian blood in you, how’s your driving?
Jenny, my uncle was ELO’s first manager, or so I’m led to believe.
John
How did Gabby play so confidently against Man City last year when he got the two goals? If I were the manager, I’d just tell him to play like that.
Steamer
I’ve never been in the Holte Pub. Next time I visit VP, I’ll make a point of it, might bump into S75.
lol steamer 🙂 i have been watching on AVTV — considering the kid has more skill than most of the current squad put together surely he has to play
I think gabby has never had the right manager to get the best out of him – there is no doult gabs can be a very dangerous player but due possibly to motivation and style of play he has not produced in more than flashes
Ian
l was 4 yrs old , jeezzzzz , my drivings fine l never get into any arguments , could be the baseball bat on the passenger seat , l want to get one of them stickers they have on some cars round here , yellow with black writing on , then l can park like a cnut , drive on either side of the road , stop whenerever l want ,park on double yellow lines , and drive a car thats falling apart ,
yes ian l have one of my dads traits as well ,,, drinking , he drank a bottle of whiskey everyday ,lm not there yet ,
Trinity
make sure you bring your bloody wallet though , l got stung at the last meet up ,
STeamer
dewar lost his keys as well today , in his front pocket , you pair of ejits
I am hearing steve sidwell has rejoined us ? anyone hear about this
He’s gone to Stoke I think…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27769534
Thanks john – there avin a laugh with me at work – better than our other signings thou so it makes sense that villa would not be interested
“I’m proud on behalf of Aston Villa to continue to contribute to the FA Council and to assist in its efforts to deliver effective administration of the game in this country,” said Faulkner.
I should start at AVFC chubby, and how has he deserved a jolly to Brazil when 1) he’s totally useless 2) we’re a pile of poo so he should be in his office at VP.
How can Faulkner deliver effective administration to the game in this country when he knows bugger all about it, DELUSIONAL LYING TWAT.
John,
A brilliant piece of writing i almost felt like i was there i could swear i could smell the bovril, i was just too young to see Peter Mac but read lots about his mercurial talent.
We have had some fantastic players who have graced the claret and blue over the years its such a shame that the current lot are not fit to wear our famous colours.
UTV
John , you have the gift of bringing to life what it must have been like to be a villa supporter in years gone by . A beautifully written article as always .
But, what happened to the swinging sixties – I thought there was more excitement than Mavis at Plough !
ST75 . What a charming story – I think you should take up Carl Chinn’s offer – or write these accounts on your own . Special and magical times .Do you have any photos of those days ? My big regret is that I didn’t ask my Dad more about his childhood when he was alive . To have these wonderful stories preserved would be priceless for your family’s future generations .
Ian – wow . I saw a really good documentary about Jeff Lyn on BBC 4 recently – on at the “come back late and too tired to go to bed time slot ” he is a really good musician playing about 30 different instruments !
I wish I could watch AVTV – never worked – I’ve tried the monthly subscription and had it free with ST in past . I have up speaking and e mailing AV – they passed me onto another co and i lost the will to spend any more hours sorting it out ,
These Croations – got the right mentality – have Brazil got the same AV home curse !!!!!
Jen,
I’ll do you a copy of the opening of the Zoom tour, first time ELO played live for 17 years, brilliant.
Also got a book called ‘Hippies’ which gives the lowdown on all the political and musical happenings in the USA and GB. I’ll bring them to the Social and introduce you to CC.
Book about 60’s
That’s really kind Steamer – I’d love to see that ELO concert . This documentary was for about 2 hours and was fascinating .
I feel rather in awe of Prof Chinn !
Jenny
Thanks for the kind comments, luv.
But, what happened to the swinging sixties – I thought there was more excitement than Mavis at Plough !
Oh, I was talking about 1960 … it was the cusp of what went on after. 😉 Not that I got involved in much of that. I instead tried a hitch-hiking world tour … which lasted 2 months!
As for Mavis … well you didn’t know Mavis! 🙂
SWV i was just too young to see Peter Mac but read lots about his mercurial talent.
I could share a cup of Bovril with you! 🙂 Thanks for the comments – and to everyone else too.
Yes, Peter Mac was a Moody Claret and Blue. It was a bit sad how he ended his career. With the rise of Harry Burrows he went to Wolves just when they were coming out of their great period and did well there in his first (half) season. Then he got injured, along came the young Alan Hinton and before you knew it Peter was off to Plymouth.
And I wrote on here about the studies into referee biAs towards the home team as being the biggest factor in home side advantage : as concluded by all of the studies conducted on this topic . Last nights game further proving the point , I’d be feeling pig sick if I was from Croatia this morning .
John – maybe Mavis will make an appearance in your next article then !
Now that brings back memories John. My first visit to VP (in1963I think) was against Blackburn Rovers, we lost 4-0!! It should have been a warning but not one I took notice of!
The other memory you have brought back was Stan (the slam) Lynn. Of course he had played for the scum & during that time I went to Lyndon Green Junior school in Sheldon. Just outside the school there was a row of houses owned by the scum, where players, including Lynn lived ( also England goalie Gill Merrick) we would often go after school and have a kick about in Lynn’s back garden. It was great to boast in school the next day I had saved a Lynn pen or scored a goal against Merrick! Can you imagine any of todays prima donors even letting Scottie nosed kid in their gated estates let alone having a kick about with them?
Thanks John
villa@herts
Cheers, mate – that’s a good story to tell.
I also remember that 4-0 defeat against Blackburn – a certain Mick Ferguson (later of Villa) scooted through the entire Villa defence to score the fourth.
Jenny
Oh, Mavis was brought in just to add a touch of extra romance to the story!
In fact, not a lot to tell really. She certainly made my mates eyes goggle though!
villa@herts
You amaze me. I also went to Lyndon Green Junior School after it opened, and it was in Wensley Road. School song was Linden Lea. Gil Merrick was a big friend of my Dad and lived in Larne Road. This area of Brum was mainly a Blue Noses area..!! I remember walking to school everyday down the Gully between Willclare Road and the Post office sports ground. Stan Lynn went to the Noses after Villa, in the days when several went in that direction, Ron Wylie, John Sleewenhoek, to name but a few, the only one coming the other way that i remember was Colin Withers.
Paul,
That’s amazing that you and Herts went to school.
Remember Geoff Vowden coming across the city to us in the early 70s, I never did take to him just could not get rid of the vision of him dressed in blue and white.
UTV
Signs in the press are looking promising for a Ellison takeover in the future —- fingers crossed
SWV
No, he was not a pretty sight…
There was at time I would not have minded Karen Brady coming across…..
Brady had a face like Vowden if I remember rightly although I cannot fault Brady and the porn dwarf for selling the scum to the Chinese crook, as the saying goes “there is always someone worse off than yourselves”.
UTV
Bobby Thomson also went to Brum. I liked Tommo – never a top player, but certainly one of the most reliable at any midfield or attack position. Scored 2 or 3 hat-tricks, including one in a 8-3 win over Leicester City with Banksy in their goal.
When he and Vic Crowe left Villa, that was the real start of the decline i.m.o. Patching up the midfield with youngsters didn’t really work.
Malcolm Beard also came from Blues to Villa.
Spot on JL.
Remember that 8-3 very well and around the same time we beat man City 5-1.
I think we also knocked a few holes in Notts Forest.
Paul
I think the Man City (5-1) match was early in 1961. The 8-3 match was at Easter, 1962, and was followed by a 5-1 defeat of Notts Forest (as you say) on the Easter Monday.
The following week we lost at Ipswich to give them the championship under Alf Ramsay.
John,
I played for a team Mal Beard used to train us Steamer might remember who it was we trained at the civil services ground at solihull he had us crawling up hills on our stomachs just using our fingers proper mental stuff but i was as fit as a butchers dog come the start of the season.
UTV