Ticket to the Moon: Aston Villa: The Rise and Fall of a European Champion

by Richard Sydenham

Aston Villa's 1982 European Cup win in many ways was the most romantic in football history. And yet, set against the backdrop of English dominance in the competition it is widely a forgotten achievement. Having achieved promotion seven years earlier under the clubs iconic manager Ron Saunders, Villa became unlikely First Division champions in 1981. With steady progression being made in the European Cup the following season, Saunders resigned suddenly and shockingly, citing a lack of support from the board and a lack of investment in a team he wanted to improve. Though Villa would proceed to the final and ultimately surprise Bayern Munich under the guidance of Tony Barton, the club would quickly slide back into the Second Division. For the first time, journalist and author Richard Sydenham details Villas improbable rise and then its sharp, dramatic fall through exclusive testimonies from the big movers and the managers, players and chairmen, including the notorious Deadly Doug Ellis. By taking readers inside the boardroom, revealing through minutes who said what to whom at key meetings, Sydenham paints a vivid portrayal that covers more than 20-years of turbulent Midland football history.

458 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2018

Reviews

[Simon Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book. It is feasible that my claret and blue Aston Villa passions have given this an extra star but the crazy story of decline from being the best side in the country, and then winning the European Cup, to relegation in five short years will probably never be surpassed. Mismanagement from the top down is laid bare through interviews with those who were there. There’s a large focus on the building of the title winning side through Ron Saunders reign, and I would have appreciated an equally strong focus on the subsequent decline, but then all of the political elements that led to his departure were slowly slotting into place during this era. I was young at the time of these successes and it breaks my heart to consider what might have been. Could one man’s ego have prevented Aston Villa from capitalising on success to truly challenge the modern powerhouses of English Football over the ensuing decades? Read and judge for yourself.
Excellent writing.

[Paul Metcalfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you started supporting the Villa in the 60s as I did (1967) the book would be better titled The Fall & Rise and Fall ( and rising again) of a European Champion. It brings back so many memories of being a Villa supporter in the days when football supporters were a major part of a club. There are also some interesting information about what went on behind the scenes as well. For the more mature (old) Villa supporter this is a must read book.

[Michael Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look behind the curtain at Villa Park, particularly through the boardroom minutes. This isn't the definitive story of the European Cup win, but I'd have liked more detail and a deeper focus on that success.

[Peter Tennant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it,An honest account of Aston Villa during the 70's and 80's, it covers everything, from Boardroom battles to European Adventures, Richard has clearly done his research and should be proud of an excellent publication.

[CJA · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written and extensively researched.