VILLA CARDS
1955-1959
Football is a game of highs and lows, and in the late-50s, Villa had both. Pride was restored with a record-breaking seventh FA Cup win against a much-fancied Manchester United, and a couple more semis kept the club at the fighting end of the competition. But somehow calamity came again with a bleak relegation in 1959.
- FA Cup winners: 1957
1956: Barratt (sweets) - Famous Footballers
New style for Barratt - standard cigarette card format.
[4] Jackie Sewell
1956: D C Thomson ('The Wizard' comic) - Famous Footballers
Villa card issued on 20 October
Villa card issued on 20 October
[5] Peter McParland
1956: Kane (sweets) - Football Clubs & Colours
Also issued without any Kane branding on the back.
Also issued without any Kane branding on the back.
[6] Aston Villa
1957: D C Thomson ('Adventure' comic) - Football Stars
The Villa card was given away on 16 Feburary. More cards in the same series were given away with Hotspur comic (no Villa players).
The Villa card was given away on 16 Feburary. More cards in the same series were given away with Hotspur comic (no Villa players).
[11] Peter Aldis
1957: Chix (bubble gum) - Famous Footballers (No. 2 Series)
Cards are recognised in different varieties.
Cards are recognised in different varieties.
[11] Peter McParland
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[33] David Walsh
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1957: Barratt (sweets) - Famous Footballers
Jackie Sewell's card is almost identical to the 1956 issue.
Jackie Sewell's card is almost identical to the 1956 issue.
[1] Jimmy Dugdale
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[2] Jackie Sewell
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[3] Stan Lynn
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1957: Merrysweets ('Soccer' Bubble Gum) - No. 1 Series Soccer Teams
Series 1 (see also, Series 2, below)
Series 1 (see also, Series 2, below)
[39] Aston Villa
1958: Barratt (sweets) - Famous Footballers
Sewell's card is again almost identical to the 1956 and 1957 issues.
Sewell's card is again almost identical to the 1956 and 1957 issues.
[1] Jackie Sewell
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[2] Peter McParland
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1958: Lamberts of Norwich (tea) - Football Clubs and Badges
This card appears to have been issued several times. Amalgamated Tobacco re-issued the set in 1961, and other variants are known - including overseas printings.
This card appears to have been issued several times. Amalgamated Tobacco re-issued the set in 1961, and other variants are known - including overseas printings.
[2] Aston Villa
1958: D C Thomson (comics) - World Cup Footballers
Cards given out with the comics, Adventure, The Hotspur, The Rover and The Wizard. The one Villa card was issued on 14 June.
Cards given out with the comics, Adventure, The Hotspur, The Rover and The Wizard. The one Villa card was issued on 14 June.
[11] Peter McParland
1958: Master Vending - Cardmaster Football Tips
Issued on white or grey card. Each card was issued twice, with different card numbers.
Issued on white or grey card. Each card was issued twice, with different card numbers.
[2] and [27] Jimmy Dugdale
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[23] and [46] Peter Aldis
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1958: Merrysweets ('Soccer' Bubble Gum) - No. 1 Series Soccer Teams
Series 2
Series 2
[26] Aston Villa
1958: Chix (bubble gum) - Famous Footballers (No. 3 Series)
Varieties of each card are known. Derek Pace's card also exists with him in a Sheffield United kit.
Varieties of each card are known. Derek Pace's card also exists with him in a Sheffield United kit.
[21] Jackie Sewell
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[22] Derek Pace
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[42] Pat Saward
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1958-59: A & BC (chewing gum) - Footballer
[18] Peter McParland
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[40] John Dixon
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1958-59: Fleetway Publications (comics) - Football Teams
Given away in sheets of four cards with Lion boys' magazine. The Villa card had a Preston North End card joined underneath. A second, similar, card was issued the following year in the related Tiger comic.
Given away in sheets of four cards with Lion boys' magazine. The Villa card had a Preston North End card joined underneath. A second, similar, card was issued the following year in the related Tiger comic.
Aston Villa FC
1959: Master Vending (Cardmaster) - Did You Know
[5] Pat Saward
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[44] Jimmy Dugdale
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1959: Clevedon Confectionery (sweets) - Football Club Managers
Two versions of each card available, with differing colours.
Two versions of each card available, with differing colours.
[35] Eric Houghton
1959: Sweetule Products (sweets) - Football Club Nicknames
Note that Villa's nickname is given incorrectly as 'Villains'.
Note that Villa's nickname is given incorrectly as 'Villains'.
[2] Aston Villa
1959: Barratt (sweets) - Famous Footballers
[7] Peter McParland
1959: D C Thomson ('The Wizard' comic) - Football Stars of 1959
Printed in sheets of eight. The Villa card was included in the sheet given away on on 7 November.
Printed in sheets of eight. The Villa card was included in the sheet given away on on 7 November.
[44] Ron Wylie
1959: Cadet (sweets) - Footballers
[3] Peter McParland
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[12] Leslie Smith
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1959-60: Fleetway Publications (comics) - Football Teams
Given away in sheets of two cards with Tiger boys' magazine. The Villa card came joined to a Cardiff City card.
Given away in sheets of two cards with Tiger boys' magazine. The Villa card came joined to a Cardiff City card.
Aston Villa FC
1959-60: A & BC (chewing gum) - Footballer
[6] Peter McParland
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[10] John Dixon
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