The countdown had started. Ten... Forest 3 Chelsea 1. Nine... Villa away. After this stormy night in Birmingham, Forest had just eight more games to get the ever dwindling number of points required to seal their first and only ever first division title.
In this blog post I'll update the remaining fixture calculations and predictions, celebrate my 43rd ground visited, remind everyone how, in 1978, Aston Villa were the most successful club in England and pay tribute to Tony Woodcock. His crucial 86th minute winner at Villa Park was scored towards the end of his 83rd consecutive appearance for the Reds. How good is that?
The game was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday, 11th February but the bad weather intervened and the game was postponed, along with seven others that day.
Everton faced Liverpool in the big Merseyside derby as the first division form team but Liverpool, with the second leg of their European Cup semi final against Borussia Moenchengladbach coming up in a week's time, were getting ready to turn their full attention again on defending their league title.
The form books predicted a (close) win to Everton, or at least a draw, which would keep Everton as the most significant challenger to Forest.
Aston Villa, as everyone should know, is one of the biggest clubs in England and are based in Birmingham. They are named after the second city's suburb to the north of the center, called Aston.
Villa Park wasn't Villa's first ground. Their first two years (1874-76) were spent at Aston Park and then they moved to the Wellington Road ground in nearby Perry Barr, where they played for 21 years.
By the late 1890s, Villa were already the top team in the league, having won it three times and obtained more points than anyone else, so in 1897 they moved a mile or so to a new ground with a much bigger cappacity - Villa Park.
The biggest ever attendance at Villa Park was 76,588 for an F.A. Cup quarter final tie at home to Derby County on 2nd March 1946. It was a notable season because for the only time in the Cup's history all matches after the first round proper were played over two legs. This was a hum dinger of a game and Villa led 3-2 with five minutes to go only for Derby to nick a 4-3 win. In the second leg at the Baseball Ground the match was 1-1 so Derby went through to face Villa's local rivals Birmingham City in the semis. Derby beat the Blues and then Charlton at Wembley to win the cup that year.
Villa Park's capacity has gone down in recent years in the era of all-seater stadiums but the massive Holte End was still terracing in those days. The Holte End was named after a nearby hotel (now a pub.)
This was the 5th biggest attendance of the season so far for me, and the 11th time in 1977-78 I'd been in a crowd of over 40,000.
Despite a terrible night's weather, Forest attracted the 2nd biggest attendance at Villa Park so far that season.
Forest's record against Villa over the years was poor so we were hoping that this history breaking season would turn that around too.
Our record at Villa Park was especially bad. We'd only won there five times in 38 attempts and the last win was in 1963.
No-one will be surprised that Villa have finished above Forest many more times than we finished above them. As Villa were one of the original 12 league members, we didn't even get the benefit of a few years of being top dogs like we do with most teams.
The only period when Forest enjoyed a spell of being on top was from the 1960s through to 1971-72 when we got relegated from the first division the same year Villa escaped from their only spell in division three as champions.
Even if one just concentrates on the three big domestic trophies, Villa still come out on top.
Until their relegation from the first division in 1967, Villa had the best total points record in the entire first division history.
and even ten years later, despite Villa only having spent two more years in the top flight, they were still second.
But, let's be honest, much of that glorious history was a really long time ago. A summary table since the war would place Villa down in 14th place and their best season since then was 4th place, the season before this one.
According to past history then, Forest would need to be at their best, or luckiest, to get away with something here. But to us Forest fans, having already beaten Villa twice at the City ground - once 2-0 on Saturday, September 17th - Peter Shilton's debut, and once 4-2 in the League Cup 3rd Round, we were confident we could even win the game.
Who scored the 4th goal in Forest's win against Villa the last time we played them?
Tony Woodcock!
This was Forest's sixth double of the season.
Woodcock's goal meant he joined Peter Withe as Forest's (joint) top scorer in the league.
So Forest restored their four point lead at the top of the league.
Liverpool's win took them to the top of the current form (last 3 home/away) table, replacing Everton. Forest went up to 2nd place.
In other news, Frank McLintock resigned as Leicester City manager after only ten months in charge and Watford clinched promotion that day too - from the fourth division.
In this blog post I'll update the remaining fixture calculations and predictions, celebrate my 43rd ground visited, remind everyone how, in 1978, Aston Villa were the most successful club in England and pay tribute to Tony Woodcock. His crucial 86th minute winner at Villa Park was scored towards the end of his 83rd consecutive appearance for the Reds. How good is that?
The game was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday, 11th February but the bad weather intervened and the game was postponed, along with seven others that day.
Closing in on the title
The previous Saturday, Forest had brushed Chelsea aside - eventually - to keep two points ahead of in-form Everton as they kept up their relentless pressure on us at the top of the table. Now, Forest faced their first of five or six tough away games. Villa away was probably the second easiest of the six, with Ipswich being perhaps marginally easier. So, this was a match we hoped to pick up something from, even if it was just a point.
Everton faced Liverpool in the big Merseyside derby as the first division form team but Liverpool, with the second leg of their European Cup semi final against Borussia Moenchengladbach coming up in a week's time, were getting ready to turn their full attention again on defending their league title.
Villa Park - 43rd Ground Visited
This was my first visit to Villa Park, my 263rd match on my 43rd ground. I've been there three times since, twice to watch Villa play and once to watch Wycombe Wanderers come very close to beating Liverpool in the F.A. Cup semi final of 2001. The Chairboys were no longer under Martin O'Neill as Laurie Sanchez was the boss but his legacy lived on.
Unfortunately there are no YouTube clips of Forest's game at Villa 40 years ago.
Here's a list of the grounds I'd been to after that match.
Unfortunately there are no YouTube clips of Forest's game at Villa 40 years ago.
Here's a list of the grounds I'd been to after that match.
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| Aston Villa to north of Birmingham City |
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| The Perry Barr ground looked like this. |
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| The site of Villa's second ground |
By the late 1890s, Villa were already the top team in the league, having won it three times and obtained more points than anyone else, so in 1897 they moved a mile or so to a new ground with a much bigger cappacity - Villa Park.
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| Villa Park around 1907 |
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| Cycle track removed and Holte End terrace in the 1950s |
Villa Park's capacity has gone down in recent years in the era of all-seater stadiums but the massive Holte End was still terracing in those days. The Holte End was named after a nearby hotel (now a pub.)
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| The Holte Pub, just down the road |
Despite a terrible night's weather, Forest attracted the 2nd biggest attendance at Villa Park so far that season.
Forest's record against Villa over the years was poor so we were hoping that this history breaking season would turn that around too.
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| Overall record against Villa... not good |
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| @ Villa Park P 38 W 5 D 7 L 26 Scored 34, Conceded 94 |
The only period when Forest enjoyed a spell of being on top was from the 1960s through to 1971-72 when we got relegated from the first division the same year Villa escaped from their only spell in division three as champions.
Aston Villa - England's most successful club in 1978
By the late 1970s Liverpool were starting to dominate the English league so much that most of us had forgotten how, historically, Aston Villa had won even more. Villa had won the F.A.Cup and League Cup most times and only four clubs had won the first division title more than them. They'd also won three other domestic titles - the second division twice and the third division. So, Villa had won three more trophies than Liverpool, and six more than Manchester United.
Even if one just concentrates on the three big domestic trophies, Villa still come out on top.
Until their relegation from the first division in 1967, Villa had the best total points record in the entire first division history.
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| Villa best First Division Record 1888-1967 |
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| Villa, second best 1888-1976 |
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| Villa's Trophies/Year has declined since their glory days (before the first world war) |
Who scored the 4th goal in Forest's win against Villa the last time we played them?
Tony Woodcock!
Tony Woodcock's 83rd Consecutive appearance
As we'll see, Tony Woodcock played a crucial role in this game too, and as I mentioned in the last game, he was building up an incredible run of consecutive appearances, so I want to pay tribute to the lad from Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, here.
I am a bit embarrassed to admit I was quite excited to find out that Woodcock actually made his debut for Forest at Villa Park on another Wednesday fixture toward the end of the season (our penultimate match that season) on 24th April 1974, and that'd I'd somehow acquired the program, even though I didn't go to the game.
Tony was aged 18 years and 4 months old that night. He played No 10 in the same attack as Martin O'Neill and Duncan McKenzie, who scored Forest's only goal as they went down 3-1.
He played alongside McKenzie the next game too - last of the season, at Fratton Park. Forest beat Portsmouth 2-0 and McKenzie scored both. McKenzie joined Brian Clough's Leeds United in the summer.
In the 1974-75 season, notable mainly because it was when Cloughie became Forest new manager, Tony Woodcock made just five full appearances and came on four times as substitute. He was picked five times by Clough's predecessor, Allan Brown (he made his first appearance at home when he came on as sub in the first game against Bristol City) and four times by Brian. The first time Cloughie used his services was against, you've guessed it, Aston Villa, when we lost to them 2-3 at the City Ground on March 8th 1975. I've got the programme for that too, but I did go to that one.
Cloughie gave him three full appearances in Forest's last five games of that season but seems to have decided against using him after that as Woodcock was all but forgotten the next season. He even went out on loan to fourth division Lincoln City (who won that division that year) where he scored his first league goal in their 6-0 home win against Southport on 25th February 1976. Woodcock only made two full appearances and one as sub for them, though. Languishing in Forest's reserves towards the end of the 1975-76 season, Woodcock surely could not have dreamed what was around the corner for him.
At the start of our promotion season, 1976-77, Tony Woodcock was loaned out again, this time to Doncaster Rovers, also in the fourth division. He made six full appearances and scored two goals (both at Belle View against Darlington and Bradford City) for them. His last game for "donnie" was on 25th October 1976. I suspect some communication from Doncaster about the lad's form had reached Cloughie's ears because just twelve days later, Tony found himself playing in the Forest first team against Blackburn Rovers at home, a match we won 3-0.
Woodcock had been an ever present ever since, playing in all 30 league games from that point on and in all five in Forest's F.A. Cup run, which included three replays. So, that's 35 consecutive appearances. He scored his first goal for Forest in the second of those league games, at Orient, and would end up Forest's second highest scorer (behind Peter Withe) in league and cup with 16 goals.
Tonight, against Villa, Tony was making his 48th consecutive appearance for us in all competitions. (his 34th in the league, six F.A. Cup and eight League Cup) in the current season and his late goal made him (joint) top league scorer with Peter Withe for the first time in the season. It was his 19th goal in all competitions. At that time Peter Withe had 18.
35 + 48 = 83. 83 consecutive appearances is a pretty good record and 35 goals scored (a 42% success rate) isn't too bad either.
No wonder the Trent End used to sing one of the clumsiest chants in football at the time...
"Peter Withe and Tony Woodcock!"
Just in case anyone is thinking that 83 consecutive appearances is something really special though, I had to check the historical stats and, sadly, it pales into insignificance against some others, most notably Harold Bell of Tranmere Rovers.
He was picked for Tranmere's first game after the end of the second world war in 1946 and would not miss a game in league or cup for about nine years, until 30th August 1955 when he was dropped. That's 459 consecutive games: five and a half times as many as "our Tony", who would make just one more appearance (at Man City next week) before finally missing out through injury. So Woodcock's run would end on 84.
I am a bit embarrassed to admit I was quite excited to find out that Woodcock actually made his debut for Forest at Villa Park on another Wednesday fixture toward the end of the season (our penultimate match that season) on 24th April 1974, and that'd I'd somehow acquired the program, even though I didn't go to the game.
Tony was aged 18 years and 4 months old that night. He played No 10 in the same attack as Martin O'Neill and Duncan McKenzie, who scored Forest's only goal as they went down 3-1.
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| Woodcock's debut for Forest was at Villa Park in 1974 |
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| Tony Woodcock nowhere to be seen in this 1973-74 squad photo |
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| Woodcock in for Bowyer, alongside Duncan McKenzie and Martin O'Neill |
In the 1974-75 season, notable mainly because it was when Cloughie became Forest new manager, Tony Woodcock made just five full appearances and came on four times as substitute. He was picked five times by Clough's predecessor, Allan Brown (he made his first appearance at home when he came on as sub in the first game against Bristol City) and four times by Brian. The first time Cloughie used his services was against, you've guessed it, Aston Villa, when we lost to them 2-3 at the City Ground on March 8th 1975. I've got the programme for that too, but I did go to that one.
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| Woodcock's first selection by Brian Clough - coming on a substitute against Villa |
Woodcock had been an ever present ever since, playing in all 30 league games from that point on and in all five in Forest's F.A. Cup run, which included three replays. So, that's 35 consecutive appearances. He scored his first goal for Forest in the second of those league games, at Orient, and would end up Forest's second highest scorer (behind Peter Withe) in league and cup with 16 goals.
Tonight, against Villa, Tony was making his 48th consecutive appearance for us in all competitions. (his 34th in the league, six F.A. Cup and eight League Cup) in the current season and his late goal made him (joint) top league scorer with Peter Withe for the first time in the season. It was his 19th goal in all competitions. At that time Peter Withe had 18.
35 + 48 = 83. 83 consecutive appearances is a pretty good record and 35 goals scored (a 42% success rate) isn't too bad either.
No wonder the Trent End used to sing one of the clumsiest chants in football at the time...
"Peter Withe and Tony Woodcock!"
Just in case anyone is thinking that 83 consecutive appearances is something really special though, I had to check the historical stats and, sadly, it pales into insignificance against some others, most notably Harold Bell of Tranmere Rovers.
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| Harold Bell hold the record of 459 consecutive games |
The Teams
Forest welcomed back Viv Anderson at full back. Ian Bowyer stepped back onto the bench. Colin Barrett rejoined Viv at left back, replacing Frank Clark. John O'Hare continued for John McGovern.
Villa remained unchanged for the third match running.
Aston Villa
1 Jimmy Rimmer, 2 John Gidman, 3 Gordon Smith, 4 Leighton Phillips, 5 Kenneth McNaught, 6 Dennis Mortimer, 7 John Deehan, 8 Brian Little, 9 Andy Gray, 10 Gordan Cowans, 11 Frank Carrodus.
Nottingham Forest
1 Peter Shilton, 2 Viv Anderson, 3 Colin Barrett, 4 John O'Hare, 5 Larry Lloyd, 6 Kenny Burns, 7 Martin O'Neill, 8 Archie Gemmill, 9 Peter Withe, 10 Tony Woodcock, 11 John Robertson.
Goals : Tony Woodcock 1.
1 Jimmy Rimmer, 2 John Gidman, 3 Gordon Smith, 4 Leighton Phillips, 5 Kenneth McNaught, 6 Dennis Mortimer, 7 John Deehan, 8 Brian Little, 9 Andy Gray, 10 Gordan Cowans, 11 Frank Carrodus.
Nottingham Forest
1 Peter Shilton, 2 Viv Anderson, 3 Colin Barrett, 4 John O'Hare, 5 Larry Lloyd, 6 Kenny Burns, 7 Martin O'Neill, 8 Archie Gemmill, 9 Peter Withe, 10 Tony Woodcock, 11 John Robertson.
Goals : Tony Woodcock 1.
Attendance 44,215
The Game
By all accounts (even John Shipley's) Forest were a tad lucky to get away from this with maximum points.
Forest basically parked the bus and clung on as Villa threw everything at them.
The most controversial incident came in the 76th minute when Kenny Burns appeared to many to punch Gordon Cowans' shot on the line to keep a clean sheet.
But Forest clung on and stole the win when Robbo beat John Gidman, got to the goal line, whipped in a perfect cross for Woodcock to head home past Jimmy Rimmer. There was no way back after that 86th minute winner.
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| Kenny Burns might have handled but Forest fans claimed Gemmill was brought down in the box - not given, either |
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| Robertson crosses... |
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| ... Woodcock heads in in the 86th minute. 1-0 to Forest. |
This was Forest's sixth double of the season.
Other Results
The key result that night for us was Liverpool's 1-0 win in the Merseyside derby. This was a win that would knock the stuffing out of Everton's title challenge. Newcastle also sneaked a point at Coventry further damaging whatever slim hopes they still maintained.
Woodcock's goal meant he joined Peter Withe as Forest's (joint) top scorer in the league.
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| Peter Withe and Tony Woodcock |
So Forest restored their four point lead at the top of the league.
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| Four points clear with three games in hand now |
In other news, Frank McLintock resigned as Leicester City manager after only ten months in charge and Watford clinched promotion that day too - from the fourth division.
Closer than ever to our first title
So, after Liverpool's surprising win at Merseyside rivals Everton, the dynamic of the title chase had changed a little. Everton were no longer the main challenger but were effectively joined by Liverpool. The bottom line, from Forest's perspective, was that 60 points was now the maximum anyone else could get. Both Everton and Liverpool could theoretically achieve that if they won all their games. Before tonight it was 62. So, to clinch the title we needed 61 points, not 63.
So, seven more points needed from eight more games. 0.875 points per game, when so far they had got 1.588. A point a game, then.
Next up for Forest would have been West Bromwich Albion away but as they had beaten us in the F.A. Cup 6th Round they were lined up to play Ipswich Town in the semi final at Highbury. Arsenal themselves faced plucky Orient in the other game at Stamford Bridge.
So, Forest's next match would be next Tuesday for another tough away game at Maine Road. That game had originally been scheduled for Saturday, 11th March but had to be rescheduled as we made it to the F.A., Cup quarter finals mentioned above that were played that day. Manchester City had been on our heels for much of the season and now we had to face them on their home soil. At least we got a whole week off. Banana skin opportunities were running out for Everton and Liverpool.
So, seven more points needed from eight more games. 0.875 points per game, when so far they had got 1.588. A point a game, then.
Next up for Forest would have been West Bromwich Albion away but as they had beaten us in the F.A. Cup 6th Round they were lined up to play Ipswich Town in the semi final at Highbury. Arsenal themselves faced plucky Orient in the other game at Stamford Bridge.
So, Forest's next match would be next Tuesday for another tough away game at Maine Road. That game had originally been scheduled for Saturday, 11th March but had to be rescheduled as we made it to the F.A., Cup quarter finals mentioned above that were played that day. Manchester City had been on our heels for much of the season and now we had to face them on their home soil. At least we got a whole week off. Banana skin opportunities were running out for Everton and Liverpool.
The Programme
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