1923–24 Aston Villa F.C. season

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Aston Villa
1923–24 season
ChairmanFrederick Rinder
ManagerGeorge Ramsay
StadiumVilla Park
First Division6th
FA CupFinalists
Second City Derby
12--7--6
Tommy Ball

The 1923–24 English football season was Aston Villa's 32nd season in The Football League.

On 11 November 1923, Aston Villa centre-half Tommy Ball was shot dead by his neighbour, thus becoming the only Football League player to have been murdered.[1]

By December, consecutive victories over Nottingham Forest enhanced Cardiff's lead in the table. However, the form of rivals Aston Villa, Huddersfield Town and Everton meant that Cardiff were unable to extend their lead by more than two points.[2]

Villa's 1–3 victory over Huddersfield Town A.F.C. on 17 April 1924 was the biggest loss for the Yorkshire club that season.

Dicky York scored five goals in 43 games in 1923–24.[3] He also appeared at Wembley in the 1924 FA Cup Final.[3]

There were debuts for Alec Talbot (264),[4] Teddy Bowen (203),[5] Vic Milne (156), Billy Armfield (12), Albert Surtees (11), Percy Varco (10), Alex McClure (7), Joe Corbett (8), Archie Campbell (4), Bert Singleton (2), and Norman Mackay (2).[6]

Second City derby[edit]

Aston Villa's visit to Small Heath on 25 August 1923 produced the Highest home attendance that season for the local rivals. Villa lost the away fixture 3-0.[7] The 59,147 crowd watched a goalless draw at Villa Park.[8]

Football League First Division[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
4 Bolton Wanderers 42 18 14 10 68 34 2.000 50
5 Sheffield United 42 19 12 11 69 49 1.408 50
6 Aston Villa 42 18 13 11 52 37 1.405 49
7 Everton 42 18 13 11 62 53 1.170 49
8 Blackburn Rovers 42 17 11 14 54 50 1.080 45
Source: [9]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored

FA Cup[edit]

1924 FA Cup final
Illustrated programme
Event1923–24 FA Cup
Date26 April 1924
VenueWembley Stadium, London
RefereeW. E. Russell
Attendance91,695
WeatherRain

Villa contested the 1924 FA Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley. Newcastle won 2–0, with the goals scored by Neil Harris and Stan Seymour. The referee was Swindon-born William E. Russell.

The match has become commonly known as the "Rainy Day Final" due to the weather that day, a consequence of which has led to there being very few good condition programmes left for the game (many fans used their match programmes as makeshift umbrellas). The value of the programme is the highest for any Wembley final with recent sales attaining over £6,000 at auction.

Road to the Final[edit]

Round 1 Ashington 1–5 Aston Villa
Round 2 Swansea Town 0–2 Aston Villa
Round 3 Aston Villa 3–0 Leeds United
Quarter-final West Bromwich Albion 0–2 Aston Villa
Semi-final Aston Villa 3–0 Burnley
(at Bramall Lane)

Match details[edit]

Newcastle United2–0Aston Villa
Harris 83'
Seymour 85'
(Report)
Attendance: 91,695
Referee: W. E. Russell

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Cowan, Mark (6 May 2010). "The star Villa player shot dead by neighbour". From the archives. Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 8 May 2010. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  2. ^ "Association Football". The Times. London. 10 December 1923. p. 5. Retrieved 8 May 2019 – via The Times Digital Archive.
  3. ^ a b "Dicky York Detailed bio". Aston Villa Database. Retrieved 4 June 2009.
  4. ^ https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/player/alec-talbot
  5. ^ https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/player/teddy-bowen
  6. ^ "Aston Villa's Seasons". AVFC History.
  7. ^ https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/game/1211
  8. ^ https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/game/1213
  9. ^ "1923–24 Football League". Football Club History Database. Retrieved 23 July 2020.

External links[edit]