On 11 November 1923, Aston Villa centre-half Tommy Ball was shot dead by his neighbour, thus becoming the only Football League player to have been murdered.[1]
By December, consecutive victories over Nottingham Forest enhanced Cardiff's lead in the table. However, the form of rivals Aston Villa, Huddersfield Town and Everton meant that Cardiff were unable to extend their lead by more than two points.[2]
Villa's 1–3 victory over Huddersfield Town A.F.C. on 17 April 1924 was the biggest loss for the Yorkshire club that season.
Aston Villa's visit to Small Heath on 25 August 1923 produced the Highest home attendance that season for the local rivals. Villa lost the away fixture 3-0.[7] The 59,147 crowd watched a goalless draw at Villa Park.[8]
The match has become commonly known as the "Rainy Day Final" due to the weather that day, a consequence of which has led to there being very few good condition programmes left for the game (many fans used their match programmes as makeshift umbrellas). The value of the programme is the highest for any Wembley final with recent sales attaining over £6,000 at auction.
