Another season, another example of the debilitating and self interested behaviour of Herbert Douglas Ellis. The ex-Birmingham City director, unpopular in just about every circle he has been within distance of, tries to force Villa men off the board and strengthen his own position despite his reign having been utterly catastrophic as he led Villa into the third tier of English football for the first time in their history. Villa remain fortunate however that the likes of manager Vic Crowe and Villa great Harry Parkes have the club’s best interests at heart and vow to protect Villa from the “leading travel agent’s” destructive behaviour.

Meanwhile, on the pitch Villa lose narrowly to first division Manchester City in the Charity Shield.

Vic Crowe's Villa open the season with a Charity Shield game despite having no reason to be there other than numerous division one sides declining the invitation. Meanwhile, Alun Evans made his Villa debut aged 22 having joined Villa from Liverpool for a fee of £72,000 in June 1972.