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Happy birthday to the Scholars Ground
The new ground needed a prestigious first friendly – and that honour went to Aston Villa, represented by a Youth side managed by Brian Little.
The match with Aston Villa took place on Saturday 6th August 1983, a week before the football season opened.
The winning goal – and the prestigious title of the first ever goal scorer at the Scholars Ground – came within the final minute of the game from Greg Mackenzie.
Chasetown’s first Scholars Ground line-up
Mark Pickman, Paul France, Paul Laffey, Rob Sheppard, Jon Rose, Dave Wright, Dennis Kilbride, Maurice Robinson, Brett Godbold, Tim Wright, Ralph Jennings, Ron Gibbons
Jez Williams, Les Mair, Tommy Prendergast, Stuart McKay, Gordon Tongue, Brian Jones
Aston Villa:
Dale Belford, Matt Hellin, Bernie Gallacher, Darren Bradley (captain), Paul Shipley, Dave Norton, Phil Robinson, Lee Palin, Paul Hutchings, Terry O’Connell, Tony Obi, Tim Langford, Dave McMahon, Derek Mitchell, Peter Howell and Gregory MacKenzie.
More details on the ground will be available in the "Official History of Chasetown FC" due for release next summer, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the club being formed in 1954. Speak to our press officer Paul Mullins for more details on the book and to pre-order.