Frank Allen wrote: I was at Wembley in 1957 when we won the FA Cup for what was then a record seventh time.

What do I remember? Only that despite all the media and most neutrals complaining that Villa played most of the match against ten men, they were far and away the better side. Even before Man Utd were reduced to 10 men Villa were far superior in every way.

Most of the actual match apart from Peter McParland's two great goals, is now just a blur, but I remember two things that happened after the match that I will never forget.

Firstly after Johnny Dixon had collected the cup the supporters chanted 'We want Johnny' so much and so loud, that he ran with the trophy to the Villa end.

Not many people know that what is now the ritual of parading the cup around the ground was first started by Villa. Prior to 1957 the winners would have photographs taken with the trophy on the side of the pitch just below the royal box, but Villa started the fashion of parading the cup to their fans and around the ground.

As Villa were parading the trophy Stan Lynn spotted Con Martin in the crowd and proceeded to persuade him to come on the pitch and celebrate with them. He had left Villa to become player manager of Waterford after giving Villa 10 years' great service.

My friends and I waited outside the dressing rooms area to greet the Villa team when they left Wembley in the coach. While waiting, Con Martin emerged from the door and we chatted to him for some time.

 The Villa team had taken him into the dressing rooms to celebrate with them. I said to him: "Don't you wish you'd been playing today?", to which he replied: "Son (I was all of 21 years old), I wish I could start my career again, playing for Villa has been the best time of my life, they are the greatest club in the world".

Later I remember buying a newspaper in the west end of London, the headline of which said "Villa in Seventh Heaven". I pinned this headline to the front of my coat and walked around London with it. I was so proud and so happy. Yes, those were happy days indeed.