1959–60 Aston Villa F.C. season explained

See main article: History of Aston Villa F.C. (1874–1961).

Club:Aston Villa
Season:1959–60
Manager: Joe Mercer
Stadium:Villa Park
League:Second Division
League Result:1st
Cup1:FA Cup
Cup1 Result:Semi-finals
Prevseason:1958–59
Nextseason:1960–61

Aston Villa played the 1959–60 English football season in the Football League Second Division. Aston Villa earned an immediate return to the First Division as Second Division champions, and were joined in promotion by runners-up Cardiff City.

There were debuts for Alan Deakin (231), Harry Burrows (147), Jimmy MacEwan (143), Bobby Thomson (140), Mike Tindall (120), John Neal (96), Jimmy Adam (24), Terry Morrall (8), Kevin Keelan (5), Norman Ashe (5) and Brian Handley (3).[1]

Deakin signed for the club as a 15-year-old. He became a regular in the side during the 1960–61 season and collected a League Cup winners' tankard at the start of the following season. He broke his ankle during the 1964–65 season, but recovered to skipper the side for the 1966–67 season. Deakin also played for the England under 23 team.[2]

Harry Burrows was born in Haydock and attracted the attention of Aston Villa whilst playing for Wigan Boys.[3] but turned his attentions on becoming an apprentice with the National Coal Board (NCB).[3] Villa manager Joe Mercer persuaded Burrows to sign part-time in March 1958. He played and scored in the final of the inaugural League Cup in 1961 as Villa beat Rotherham United 3–2.[3] Burrows won an England U23 cap against Greece and finished as Villa's top goalscorer in 1961–62 and 1962–63.[3]

Second Division

See main article: 1959–60 in English football.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Aston Villa's Seasons. AVFC History.
  2. Book: Purkiss. Mike. Sands. Nigel. Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. 1990. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. 71. 0907969542.
  3. Book: Stoke City 101 Golden Greats. 2002. Desert Islands Books. 1-874287554.