50 Years Ago - Villa 1 Notts 0

[Frigiliana Pie 1]

Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of what I reckon is one of the most memorable matches in Notts ‘ history. Unfortunately it was one that we lost.

Notts had made an impressive start to life back in Division 3 after the Championship winning season of 1970-1, and Villa were also flying high in their second season at this level. Over 37,000 turned up, despite a bus strike in Birmingham.

I watched the match from what was then an open terrace at the Witton End. Villa won thanks to a first half goal by Ray Graydon, but that was only half the story. Notts played some brilliant attacking football, hit the woodwork, and saw the ball cleared off the Villa goal line 5 or 6 times. And then, about 10 minutes from the end, missed a penalty - Don Masson’s tame shot being saved by goalkeeper Tommy Hughes, who had made numerous other saves.

All in all, I think it was one of the unluckiest defeats I ever saw. I can remember that one of the quality Sunday papers the following day carried a report which referred to it as one of the best games anywhere so far that season. And it was also on Match of the Day, which enabled fans everywhere to see the quality of football Notts were playing at that time.

The season ended in disappointment. Villa went up as Champions, Notts finished 4th (but went up the following season). In the 46 League games played that season, Notts failed to score in only three, including the return game with Villa at Meadow Lane, where the attendance was over 34,000.

Notts team: Brown, Brindley, Needham, Stubbs,Worthington, Carlin, Masson, Nixon, Bradd, Hateley, Cozens (Sub: Jones)

[Psaw]

You are right. Todays footballers have no talent, not compared to yesteryear. Any of those players had x5 times more talent than any of the modern drones. All modern players do is run a lot. Flair players died out a long time ago to be replaced by workhorses.

That Cozens player, thats not John Cozens, ex Hillingdon, Cambridge and peterboro?

[uysapie]

Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of what I reckon is one of the most memorable matches in Notts ‘ history. Unfortunately it was one that we lost.

Notts had made an impressive start to life back in Division 3 after the Championship winning season of 1970-1, and Villa were also flying high in their second season at this level. Over 37,000 turned up, despite a bus strike in Birmingham.

I watched the match from what was then an open terrace at the Witton End. Villa won thanks to a first half goal by Ray Graydon, but that was only half the story. Notts played some brilliant attacking football, hit the woodwork, and saw the ball cleared off the Villa goal line 5 or 6 times. And then, about 10 minutes from the end, missed a penalty - Don Masson’s tame shot being saved by goalkeeper Tommy Hughes, who had made numerous other saves.

All in all, I think it was one of the unluckiest defeats I ever saw. I can remember that one of the quality Sunday papers the following day carried a report which referred to it as one of the best games anywhere so far that season. And it was also on Match of the Day, which enabled fans everywhere to see the quality of football Notts were playing at that time.

The season ended in disappointment. Villa went up as Champions, Notts finished 4th (but went up the following season). In the 46 League games played that season, Notts failed to score in only three, including the return game with Villa at Meadow Lane, where the attendance was over 34,000.

Notts team: Brown, Brindley, Needham, Stubbs,Worthington, Carlin, Masson, Nixon, Bradd, Hateley, Cozens (Sub: Jones)

http://carousel.royalwebhosting.net/...ml?19711113NCO

[TheBlackHorse]

... I was there too. A couple of curios ... Firstly, Notts played in B&W as usual but forgot about the colour clash with AV on socks. AV lent us a set of r e d socks. Hate to admit it, but looked good on the tele. Secondly, am not aware of a match being trailed on the BBC. We got home about 8.15 'ish; at 8.30, they showed Jon Cuzens crossing the ball from the left wing onto the head of Tony Hateley whose glorious header smacked the base of the left hand post - Barry Davies ( I think) in raptures.
By the way, I remember counting 14 goal line clearances!
Never had so many Villa supporters shake hands and apologise (for the robbery) ...

[lunaspie]

It was a long journey home on the BR Football Special despite Brum's proximity.

[Frigiliana Pie 1]

That Cozens player, thats not John Cozens, ex Hillingdon, Cambridge and peterboro?

Yes, that’s him.

[maddogslater]

I went to villa a couple seasons later when we turned the tables and won 1 0 Dave Needham header, 2 disallowed for Notts and a Ray Graydon penalty saved. Also saw notts play in Black White stripes Black shorts and red socks I think it was 75, Blackpool away lost 1 0.

[upthemaggies]

Really frustrating that the highlights still haven't turned up in full on youtube yet, a copy does exist and somebody out there has it. The goal and the penalty miss are here....
https://youtu.be/4RxfqFrCBqQ?t=44

[uysapie]

Really frustrating that the highlights still haven't turned up in full on youtube yet, a copy does exist and somebody out there has it. The goal and the penalty miss are here....
https://youtu.be/4RxfqFrCBqQ?t=44

Found this but video does not play on my machine

https://www.heroesandvillains.info/f...958#msg1897958

[Old_pie]

Found this but video does not play on my machine

https://www.heroesandvillains.info/f...958#msg1897958

Not the one you are looking for but this is a good watch with Sirrel being interviewed and the Mair "goal of the season".