NOTES.
Retlaw | 16/04/1897

The eight thousand Birmingham excur- sionists who went to London to see Aston. Villa win the English Cup on Saturday had no cause to regret making the journey. The game was one of the finest expositions of football seen this season, and a better final tie could not have been wished for. The Villans have brought off the "double event," winning both the League Championship and the English Cup in one season, a feat which has only been accomplished previously by Preston North End, and their cup of joy is full to the brim. The club's performances during the past four seasons are without parallel, and are worthy of a special par. all to themselves.


1803-4: League Championship. 
1894-5: English Cup.
1895-6: League Championship. 
1896-7: English Cup and League Championship.


To win the League Championship thrice in four seasons is a feat of which "Captain" Jack Devey and his comrades may well be proud, and as the present occasion is the third on which they have held the English Cup. Birmingham enthusiasts can be pardoned for their excitement.

The Villa open their new ground on Saturday, when Blackburn Rovers pay them a visit, and if there are not at least twenty thousand spectators to give a right royal reception to the champions on their first appearance at the "Lower" it will indeed be a big surprise.

The best player on the field at the Crystal Palace was, without a doubt, Jack Reynolds. The veteran only gained his place in the first team on account of the injury to Bob Chatt a few weeks ago, yet he has shown such brilliant form since that he was selected to represent England against both Wales and Scotland, and came out of both games with credit to himself and his club. Reynolds has played in four English Cup finals, and has been on the winning side on each occasion, a performance which no other player can boast of. There is some talk of him going to Blackburn Rovers next season, but the Villa committee will surely not part with him.