VILLA CARDS
1935-1939
Villa had been kings of English football for half a century, but without a league title since 1910, their slide became alarming in 1935, when the prospect of an unprecedented relegation loomed. The powers that be decided they could spend their way out of trouble - enter George Cummings, Tom Griffiths, Charlie Phillips, Alex Massie, etc. Alas, their efforts were in vain as the close season saw Villa relegated for the first time, to spend two successive seasons outside the top flight. That relegation season is remembered for the embarrassment of a 7-1 home drubbing at the hands of their main rivals, Arsenal - but more humiliating was the 7-0 hiding, at Villa Park, inflicted by West Brom. In the Cup, Villa fared little better; apart from 1938 when they reached their record 14th semi-final, they struggled to get past round 3! In the event they rebuilt their way back to the top flight, but War again interrupted their progress.
1935: Carreras (cigarettes) - Famous Footballers
Some of this set was re-printed with alternative imagery - including both the Aston Villa cards.
[27] Jimmy Allen
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[27] Jimmy Allen [re-print]
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[31] Dai Astley
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[31] Dai Astley [re-print]
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1935: WD & HO Wills (cigarettes) - Association Footballers [1st series]
Set 1 with frame on back. Set 2 (no frame) followed in 1939.
Set 1 with frame on back. Set 2 (no frame) followed in 1939.
[1] Dai Astley
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1935: Ogden's (cigarettes) - Football Caricatures
Also issued by Hignett (see below)
Also issued by Hignett (see below)
[12] Dai Astley
1935: Hignett Bros (cigarettes) - Football Caricatures
Also issued by Ogden's (see above)
Also issued by Ogden's (see above)
[12] Dai Astley
1935: John Sinclair (cigarettes) - English & Scottish Football Stars
Jack Palethorpe's photo and write-up relate to Sheffield Wednesday, but Aston Villa are named as his current club (he joined in autumn 1935).
Jack Palethorpe's photo and write-up relate to Sheffield Wednesday, but Aston Villa are named as his current club (he joined in autumn 1935).
[1] Tom Griffiths
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[9] Dai Astley
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[25] Jack Palethorpe
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[35] Eric Houghton
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[36] Ronnie Dix
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[37] Tommy Gardner
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1935: Topical Times (magazine) - Footballers
Long-format cards. See also 1937 and 1938-9.
Long-format cards. See also 1937 and 1938-9.
1935: J A Pattreiouex (cigarettes) - Sporting Events and Stars
A sprinkling of football cards in this 96-card set, two of them featuring Villa men.
A sprinkling of football cards in this 96-card set, two of them featuring Villa men.
[87] George Cummings
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[90] Jack Palethorpe
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1935: Barratt (sweets) - FA Cup Winners 1883-1935
1887 team
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1895 team
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1897 team
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1905 team
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1913 team
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1920 team
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1936: Godfrey Phillips (cigarettes) - International Caps
The backs of the card are gummed, for fixing into an album.
The backs of the card are gummed, for fixing into an album.
[3] Tom Griffiths
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[24] Dai Astley
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[46] Jimmy Allen
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[50] George Cummings
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1936: Godfrey Phillips (cigarettes) - Famous Footballers
Similar to Phillips' contemporary International Caps set (above). Card [4] featured Charlie Phillips as a Wolves player in the earlier set, but he transferred to Villa in 1936 as is added here as such. The backs of the cards are adhesive for fixing into an album.
Similar to Phillips' contemporary International Caps set (above). Card [4] featured Charlie Phillips as a Wolves player in the earlier set, but he transferred to Villa in 1936 as is added here as such. The backs of the cards are adhesive for fixing into an album.
[3] Tom Griffiths
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[4] Charlie Phillips
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[24] Dai Astley
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[46] Jimmy Allen
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[50] George Cummings
1936: Godfrey Phillips (cigarettes) - Soccer Stars
Similar again to Phillips's contemporary sets, above. The backs of the card are gummed, for fixing into an album.
Similar again to Phillips's contemporary sets, above. The backs of the card are gummed, for fixing into an album.
[4] Charlie Phillips
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[24] Dai Astley
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[26] Alex Massie
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[50] George Cummings
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1936: Hignett Bros (cigarettes) - Football Club Captains
Also issued by Ogden's (see below).
Also issued by Ogden's (see below).
[3] Danny Blair
1936: Ogden's (cigarettes) - Football Club Captains
Also issued by Hignett (see above).
Also issued by Hignett (see above).
[3] Danny Blair
1936: Amalgamated Press (comics) - Football Fame
Available through The Pilot comic. Some online listings state the card for Tom Griffiths has him representing Villa. However we have only seen cards showing him as a Middlesbrough player. It's possible a Villa card exists - we will add one if confirmed.
Available through The Pilot comic. Some online listings state the card for Tom Griffiths has him representing Villa. However we have only seen cards showing him as a Middlesbrough player. It's possible a Villa card exists - we will add one if confirmed.
1936: United Services (manufacturing) - Popular Footballers
Believed to be tobacco product-related
Believed to be tobacco product-related
[7] Jimmy Allen
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[27] Ronnie Starling
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1936: Ardath Tobacco Co (cigarettes) - Football Clubs of Midlands
[34] Aston Villa FC
1936: Carreras (cigarettes) - Popular Footballers
Came with either white or cream coloured backs.
Came with either white or cream coloured backs.
[1] George Cummings
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[19] Harry Morton
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1937: Godfrey Phillips (cigarettes) - Sportsmen (Spot the Winner)
11 footballers in a set of 50 - one of them from Villa. The back of the card is printed upside-down, and features a water-activated 'horse race' game.
11 footballers in a set of 50 - one of them from Villa. The back of the card is printed upside-down, and features a water-activated 'horse race' game.
[19] Tom Griffiths
1937: Topical Times (magazine) - Footballers
Long-format cards.
Long-format cards.
1937: Sherman's Pools - Searchlight on Famous Players
Large-sized cards.
Large-sized cards.
[32] Ronald Starling
1937-38: Barratt (sweets) - Famous Footballers
A note on Barratt cards: the firm had been issuing football cards since at least 1930. In 1935 they began a generally standard format of cards which are squarer than normal and feature a player head photo. The first series from 1935 is unnumbered and we have not yet ascertained whether any Villa players feature (but if they do, they will be added, above). Further (numbered) series were issued starting 1937, sometimes repeating a player, but with an updated card number. More will also appear after the war (see relevant pages).
A note on Barratt cards: the firm had been issuing football cards since at least 1930. In 1935 they began a generally standard format of cards which are squarer than normal and feature a player head photo. The first series from 1935 is unnumbered and we have not yet ascertained whether any Villa players feature (but if they do, they will be added, above). Further (numbered) series were issued starting 1937, sometimes repeating a player, but with an updated card number. More will also appear after the war (see relevant pages).
[31] George Cummings
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[68] Alex Massie
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[86] Charlie Phillips
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1938: Sherman's Pools - Searchlight on Famous Teams
Postcard-sized card
Postcard-sized card
Aston Villa - Champions Div II, 1937-38
1938: Amalgamated Press (boys' magazines) - Prominent Football Teams
Aston Villa
1938: WA & AC Churchman (cigarettes) - Association Footballers [1st series]
[3] Frank Broome
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[5] Ernie Callaghan
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[20] Bob Iverson
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1938-39: Barratt (sweets) - Famous Footballers
[10] Alex Massie
1938-39: Topical Times (magazine) - Stars of To-day / Footballers
So-called 'panel portraits' - long cards. One Villa man in each of three separate sets in 1938-39.
So-called 'panel portraits' - long cards. One Villa man in each of three separate sets in 1938-39.
1939: WA & AC Churchman (cigarettes) - Association Footballers [2nd series]
[6] Frank Broome
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[34] Jackie Martin
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1939: Topical Times (magazine) - Great Players - Close-ups of the Stars
The Villa card was given away on 29 January.
The Villa card was given away on 29 January.
1939: WD & HO Wills (cigarettes) - Association Footballers [2nd series]
With no frame on back.
With no frame on back.
[2] Jimmy Allen
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[9] Frank Broome
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1939: R & J Hill (cigarettes) - Famous Footballers
Issued in two phases. These cards exist with two different footnotes on the back. Note that O'Donnell's club is given as Blackpool on the front of his card (indeed, he's wearing a Blackpool shirt) but his current club is correctly given as Villa on the back.
Issued in two phases. These cards exist with two different footnotes on the back. Note that O'Donnell's club is given as Blackpool on the front of his card (indeed, he's wearing a Blackpool shirt) but his current club is correctly given as Villa on the back.
[7] Frank O'Donnell
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[11] Frank Broome
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[24] Ronnie Starling
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1939: Tobler (chocolate) - Famous Footballers
Very similar to the R & J Hill set above.
Very similar to the R & J Hill set above.
[9] Frank O'Donnell
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[28] Ronnie Starling
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1939-40: Barratt (sweets) - Famous Footballers
[17] Frank Broome
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[34] George Cummings
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[70] Alex Massie
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[89] Charlie Phillips
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