“Andy, Andy Lochhead, Andy Lochhead in the air”
Aston Villa fans joined together for a ninth-minute standing ovation at home to Arsenal this weekend in the memory of Andy Lochhead who sadly passed away this week at the age of 81.
I was born in 1983, so Andy Lochhead’s exploits in a Villa shirt were before my time. Yes, I’d heard of the name, and his 25 goals during our promotion season from the old Third Division in 1972, but I was unaware of how much he’d captured the hearts of the claret-and-blue faithful during his short stay with the club.
The outpouring of emotional posts and tributes on various social media outlets has inspired me to educate myself more on what Andy Lochhead achieved during his stay at Aston Villa.
Aston Villa was a sinking ship, plummeting towards relegation from the Second Division when centre-forward Andy Lochhead signed for the club in February 1970. Unfortunately, it was a tough start to life at Aston Villa with Lochhead failing to find the net in his twelve appearances as Villa’s relegation to the Third Division was confirmed.
Yet Lochhead was a proven striker – strong, fearless and very powerful – taking no prisoners. He had amassed 113 goals in 270 games for Burnley and Leicester before signing for Villa, so surely it was only a matter of time before he was back on the goal-trail? Still today, he remains the only player to have scored five goals in one match for Burnley on two separate occasions.
The following season, everything came together and Lochhead regained his goal-scoring touch. Aston Villa made it to the 1971 League Cup Final, but it was Lochhead’s performances in the two-legged semi-final win over Manchester United that have been so fondly remembered. Lochhead scored in both legs, the 1-1 away at Old Trafford and again in the 2-1 victory at Villa Park. This was a United team including the likes of George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, so the achievement to reach the final cannot be understated. The final itself saw Aston Villa fall to a 0-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur with two Martin Chivers goals sealing the victory in front of 100,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium. In the league, Villa missed out on promotion, finishing 4th.
However, 1971/72 was a much more successful season. Andy Lochhead registered 19 league goals, including a match-winning strike in the 2-1 victory against promotion rivals, Bournemouth at Villa Park. In total that season Lochhead found the net on 25 occasions, ensuring Aston Villa achieved promotion to the Second Division, finishing top of the pile and 5 points clear of 2nd placed Brighton.
Lochhead scored a further six goals for Aston Villa as they finished 3rd in their first season back in the Second Division, making his final appearance in a goal-scoring farewell away at Carlisle United on the 28th April 1973 – the game ended 2-2.
In total, he played 154 Villa games, scoring 44 goals before moving onto Oldham Athletic at the age of 32 in August 1973. He later returned to Villa Park with Oldham Athletic as a coach where he received a hero’s welcome from all sides of the ground as he walked along the touch-line; huge respect for a man who just ‘got it’ – got what it meant to represent Aston Villa Football Club!
Here are a few memories from the fans, and why Andy Lochhead is so fondly remembered.
“My hero. Apparently he was a gentle man. But on the pitch he was a different animal. On the radio after a game when in the third division…the presenter described him as ‘so tough he would even kick his own grandmother'” – Trevor Rudge
“They asked ‘Chopper’ Harris who was the hardest player he had played against, straight away he said ‘Andy Lochhead'” – Gary Morton
“Basically, he came to the Villa when we needed him (this type of player) most – he struggled at the start but always gave his all. Then things clicked and he scored some very special goals and led the line as a real old fashioned centre forward should do. He was instrumental in dragging the Villa up from the depths to which they had sunk and excited the fans with his goals and his general play.
And when he returned to Villa Park with Oldham, that was so special to see and hear.
A great servant to the club and a great man. The balding eagle is now flying high. RIP Andy.” – Peter Lavender
“Scored the winner at my first game vs Bournemouth ‘72 – great memories.” – Steve Read
“Legend, brought us back from the abyss, rest in peace Andy it was a pleasure and a privilege” ❤️ – Keith Miller
“As with many on here, the moment walking along the touchline when he returned as Oldham coach spoke volumes for the respect in which he was held. He had an inauspicious start and I remember his name being booed when announced on the team sheet. None of us could understand why Crowe kept playing him when he was completely out of form. But, hey what do we know. One game Andy scored a brace and never looked back. Thanks for the memories big man!” – Harry Taylor
“The bravest and toughest centre forward I can remember. He had dry patches but you know he’d always batter opposition defenders. Will never forget this goal. The roar would have been heard as far as Small Heath.” – Keith Boden
Andy Lochhead – RIP – Holte Ender in the Sky!
Ryan.
*Drop your memories of Andy Lochhead in the comments section at the bottom of this article.
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10 Responses
I remember when we beat Oldham away 0-6. Andy scored a hat trick. The local paper reported that Andy Lochhead was dragging centre-half Mulvaney around like a dog on a lead. My first Villa hero!
I started going in 75 and my uncle used to tell me about him and the way he battered most defenders and they were always worried to face him, sadly both are no longer here but I stood and applauded the whole minute on Saturday to give my appreciation on my uncle’s behalf RIP Andy Lochead and Uncle Eric x
i thought our send off to Andy was pathetic, without him we would not have got out of the 3rd division, or made the league cup final he murdered Man Utd in the semi, finest header of the ball ever. Great player Andy for Villa and Burnley.
I was there that day. My cousin and I drive up to Oldham and sat in the new stand that was opened that very day – and we whupped ’em 0-6! We went on to win the old Third Division with a record number of points – 70 – when it was still only 2 points for a win, wasn’t it?
Great tribute Ryan! My dad loves talking about the old attendance figures & being part of the 48,000 🤣
York City away. Andy Lochhead was having grief from their centre half. Andy looked round to see if the ref was watching and punched the player in the nose. A most brilliant player who younger players at the time, such as Brian Little, would get a lot of protection from.
Played the game like he was a fan on the pitch.
Contributed to one of my fondest memories following Villa,that league cup semi against Man utd R.I.P Bald Eagle
My memory of Andy Lochead was the league cup semi final second leg against Man U standing at the top of the Witton Lane end with nigh on 60,000 in the ground and the atmosphere that it generated and the explosion of noise when Andy Lochead got one of the goals a wholehearted player with a big heart. He ranks among some of the strikers we have witnessed at Villa Park. Sadly missed but not forgotten RIP
One of my favourites! All action no nonsense centreforward!
Loved the period he played for us,giving his all for the causel
He was a great role model and in my matches down the park I was always Andy Lochhead, not based on any real ability apart from being good at heading the ball… a ‘caster’ which on a rainy day was like heading a medicine ball and on a good day you could get the imprint of the laces on your forehead. He, the real Andy Lochhead, always found a way to score, or so it seemed. He went through months when he would score (almost) every game. Then he would have periods where he couldn’t find the net. On form, he was unplayable. Great honest footballer.
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