(09 Jun 2015, 4:09 pm)Andreos1-75...2nd88 wrote We will have to agree to disagree on the third tier in the 80's being not too far from the Northern League/Conference feeder levels at the time - but... (me being a pain in the arse) - Villa in the third tier in the 80's?
I can agree to disagree on that one pal
Got my dates wrong, they were Third Tier for 2 seasons in the 1970s...Below is Aston Villa's years outside the top Fight
Aston Villa Non-Top Flight Seasons(with position):-
1936-37...9th
1937-38...1st(Champions)
1959-60 ...1st(Champions)
1967-68...16th
1968-69...18th
1969-70...21st(Relegated)
1972-73...3rd
1973-74...14th(Promoted)
1987-88...2nd(Promoted)
Third Tier Seasons
1970-71...4th
1971-72...1st(Champions)
I do see where your coming from though...Though I would always say The Conference for quality was closer to the 3rd division with only a couple of Northern League Clubs being capable enough to challenge at a higher level, which is why I mentioned Spennymoor, Whitley Bay and North Shields, despite ending up back in the Northern League, they played played in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, as did Bishop Auckland and I think Whitby and Blyth today are proof of that strength today
