| 1895–96 season | |
|---|---|
| Manager |  George Ramsay |
| Ground | Wellington Road |
| First Division | Champions (2) |
| FA Cup | Round 1 |
← 1894–95
1896–97 →
| |
| 4--0--1 | |
← 1894-95
1900-01 →
|
The 1895–96 English Football season fell in what was to be called Aston Villa's golden era.[1] Under George Ramsay's management committee Villa were League champions for the second time in their history.[2]
The 1895–96 Division 1 season was the second season of the elite level Second City Derby against local rivals Small Heath.
There were debuts for Jimmy Crabtree (176), Johnny Campbell, Jack Cowan, Edward Harris and Jeremiah Griffiths.[3]
Derby County won all 10 home games and led the table at the end of December, with Villa in third. Six consecutive wins took Villa to the top in January and they finished with a four-point margin over Derby, taking the title when Derby dropped a point on 4 April.
Villa paid Burnley £250 for international back James Crabtree in the summer of 1895. Crabtree, Reynolds and Jimmy Cowan formed an outstanding line of half-backs.
John Campbell was a Scot from Celtic where he had won the Scottish championship twice, and later returned to the club. He had developed an outstanding reputation in Scotland, and emphasized his skill by scoring his 26 goals in just 26 games. 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) tall but nearly 12 stone (170 lb; 76 kg) in weight, he was said to be difficult to stop when running at the opposition's defence.
This was the season Villa lost the FA Cup – literally. Following their FA Cup win in 1894/95, it was on display in a shop window in Birmingham. In the night of 11–12 September 1895 it was stolen and never seen again. A replica had to be made to the same design. Villa were fined £25. Luckily they had it insured for £200!
James Cowan missed the new year fixture due to his attending (and winning) the illustrious 100 yard New Year Sprint event held at Powderhall, Scotland. The club fined him but he still made a healthy profit due to the prize money!
In a season of the elite level Second City Derby, against local rivals Small Heath. According to the Birmingham Daily Post, [Jim Roach] should take no blame for any of the five goals conceded before half-time, due in part to the sun in his eyes and with the half-backs "little more than landmarks on the field".[4] On change of ends, the balance of play tilted towards the visitors, but the match still finished 7–3.[4] Villa's scorers were Johnny Campbell (3), Steve Smith, Jack Devey (2) and Jimmy Cowan.[5] When Villa visited Coventry Road Muntz Street they won the fixture 4-1. Villa scorers were Jack Devey (2), Jack Reynolds and Johnny Campbell.[6]
| Pos | Team
|
Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GAv | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aston Villa (C) | 30 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 78 | 45 | 1.733 | 45 |
| 2 | Derby County | 30 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 68 | 35 | 1.943 | 41 |
| 3 | Everton | 30 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 66 | 43 | 1.535 | 39 |
| 4 | Bolton Wanderers | 30 | 16 | 5 | 9 | 49 | 37 | 1.324 | 37 |
| 5 | Sunderland | 30 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 52 | 41 | 1.268 | 37 |
Ever-present: Jack Devey
First at top: 30 September
Players used: 18
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