On Saturday, October 9, 1976, Villa Park and Birmingham city centre experienced some of the worst football hooliganism ever seen in the region. The so-called 'friendly' match between Aston Villa and Rangers was abandoned after 53 minutes when crowd trouble erupted. Using reports from the Sports Argus and Sunday Mercury, Mat Kendrick revisits what became known as 'Sick Saturday'.
Eyewitness Account
Reporter Geoff Beane wrote in the Sunday Mercury: 'I watched as a young fan was knocked to the ground and kicked unconscious by up to ten assailants on the Villa Park pitch. It was the most sickening episode I saw amidst disgraceful scenes that caused the abandonment of the match.'
How the Trouble Started
Dozens of Rangers fans arrived on an overnight sleeper train from Glasgow, which was delayed due to trouble en route, with some fans thrown off at Wigan. Coaches began arriving at Villa Park as early as 3 a.m., despite orders not to arrive until 60 minutes before kick-off. Most of the 50 coaches were in Birmingham up to nine hours early. Once off-licences opened, fans bought whisky, champagne, wine, and beer, leading to a debauch that terrorised hundreds and halted public transport. Some fans were so drunk they could barely stand; a 15-year-old collapsed unconscious after drinking red wine. Four hours before kick-off, two teenage Rangers fans were fined £135 for threatening behaviour. Chief Superintendent Colin Sutton said: 'Drink was the major factor.'
Inside the Ground
During the first half, Villa led 1-0 through a Dennis Mortimer goal, but at half-time trouble flared on the Holte End. Supporters surged forward, forcing frightened fans onto the pitch. Bricks, stones, and bottles were thrown. When Frank Carrodus made it 2-0 in the 52nd minute, violence erupted. Over 200 Rangers fans invaded the pitch, with running battles breaking out. Two supporters were stabbed. Managers Ron Saunders and Jock Wallace waved players back to the dressing rooms. Referee Derek Civil abandoned the game. Police opened gates to let fans flee. Edna Thorpe, a local resident, said: 'I have lived here all my life but never have I seen anything like this. They were behaving like wild animals.'
Injuries
Over 70 people were injured, 18 seriously. Several fans suffered severe cuts and head injuries from missiles. Two had stab wounds, and many had suspected broken bones. Thirty police were injured, four hospitalised, one with a suspected fractured skull. Thirty St John Ambulance personnel treated the injured, ferrying 18 to hospital. Alfred Eggington, division superintendent, said: 'I have never seen anything like it in over 30 years of nursing.'
Police Presence and Action
At the height of the battle, 130 police were deployed, with 90 extra officers drafted in. Police confiscated cans and bottles and made 50 arrests. Dog handlers forced fans back. Mounted police chased troublemakers through the streets.
Around the City
Violence spread to Birmingham city centre. Well-behaved fans pleaded with shopkeepers to close. Eight buses were vandalised, and West Midlands Passenger Transport stopped nine bus routes. A mob pelted shoppers with bread. A woman and her daughter had their hair pulled and milk thrown over them. Most pubs closed; Teddy's pub was cleared after 150 fans hurled glasses. The Red Lion's front door was ripped off. Landlord Michael Evans said: 'I have never been more terrified in my life.'
What the Clubs and Authorities Said
Aston Villa secretary Alan Bennett said: 'It is our job to arrange attractive football matches.' Chairman Sir William Dugdale said: 'I don't regret it at all. What I do regret is all the trouble.' Rangers vice chairman Willie Waddell said: 'I am disgusted. It is the louts that are killing us.' Sports minister Dennis Howell, who witnessed the scenes, said: 'I found it absolutely appalling.'
As for the Football...
Aston Villa 2 Rangers 0 (abandoned after 53 minutes). Villa played well without Andy Gray and Chris Nicholl. Dennis Mortimer scored in the 29th minute after a swift move. In the 52nd minute, Frank Carrodus volleyed in from a corner.
Headlines
Headlines from the Sports Argus and Sunday Mercury included: 'Abandoned fan riots rock Brum', 'Villa, Rangers players run for their lives', 'Attraction that became warfare', 'The Ravagers', 'Drunken soccer mobs riot, terrorise a city', 'Birmingham a city under siege', 'The gruesome Battle of Villa Park', 'Mob frenzy at Villa Park', 'All day in Birmingham it was sick Saturday', 'Birmingham's day of Tartan terror'.
