Villa Reunion

THIS Saturday, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1984 FA Cup semi-final by welcoming back members of the Pilgrims' squad that came so close to an historic Wembley appearance.

Players Kevin Hodges, Mike Ham, Dave Lean, Dave Phillips, Mark Rowe, Tommy Tynan and John Uzzell, as well as chairman Stuart Dawe, manager John Hore and coach Martin Harvey will take a bow at half-time.

After the post-match presentations in the Tribute Legends Lounge, the class of '84 will be joined by former team-mates Geoff Crudgington and Chris Harrison, as well as former secretary Graham Little for an evening function in the Green Taverners Suite.

The Pilgrims were FA Cup semi-finalists for the only time in their history 30 seasons ago, when, having beaten Southend, Barking, Newport, Darlington, Derby and West Bromwich Albion, they played First Division Watford at Villa Park.

Their bid to become the first Third Division side to reach the competition’s Wembley final ended in failure when Elton John's Watford won 1-0 before nearly 44,000 people. George Reilly headed home a cross by John Barnes to score the only goal of the game. Argyle came no closer to equalising against Graham Taylor’s side than in the final moments, when Hodges’ low first-time left-foot shot appeared destined for the net before it bounced just the wrong side of the post.