The Villa Cup - Kings Norton Boys

The Villa Cup 1967/8
Under 15 Football Team, 1967-68
A successful season culminated in a well-earned victory in the Villa Cup Final on
May 6th, at Villa Park. The continual downpour somewhat dampened the pitch
but not the spirits of the ardent spectators who turned out to cheer the team.
To these boys we pour forth our hearty thanks.
K.N. netted the only two goals, both coming in the first half, and although the
second half was goalless many incidents brightened up the proceedings; incidents
such as frayed tempers and flying boots. Under the circumstances
though, the team played very well and eventually emerged as worthy champions,
although each player had to be somewhat of an aquabat to play football on
the evening. Few people, apart from the members of the team, realise how
much effort was put into the preparation for the Villa Cup final victory by Mr. J.
Quysner and Mr. M. Davies. They gave up their spare time for some weeks before
the match, devoting it to training sessions. Although these sessions appeared
to have little effect on the physical fitness of the team, it boosted their
morale by making them believe that they were prepared for the final.
The Villa Cup victory, however, was only the highlight of a very successful season,
when the U.15 side lost only one game with all the regular members present.
This was against our old rivals St. Thomas Aquinas, who beat us 2-0. Revenge
was gained for this defeat in the semi-final of the Villa Cup, when they
were beaten 1-0 on a very muddy snow-laden pitch. It was in this game that
two reserves, John Shelton and Gary Swinford, stepped up into the place of two
incapacitated regulars. Their remarkable performances showed the class of the
U.15 squad by being able to bring into the team two such capable reserves at
short notice.
Another trophy gained by the team was the Jubilee Shield. We emerged as district
champions after defeating Bishop Challenor School in the final 2-1. The result
was decided late in the game when our second goal was scored only a few
minutes after their equaliser.
In the other one that was entered, the Birmingham Schools' U.15 6-a-side competition,
the team did well but unfortunately lost to St. Thomas Aquinas in the

final.
U.15 Team members: Brooks, Burgess, Caney, Heath, Jones, Packer, Parkinson,
Sandford, Shelton, Swinford, Vickers, Wamer, White, Whitehurst.