The corresponding weekend a year previously had seen Hereford beat another United in Newcastle. To show progress was being made United didn't require extra time to beat Cambridge 2-1 (Att: 8907). This was a big win that would see Hereford take 4th place off their opponents courtesy of goals by Redrobe (27) and Tucker. That made it two in two for Tucker, both in the 57th minute. Cambridge got an injury time consolation goal.
On the Pitch: Colin Addison with an explanation of the last two performances demonstrates why football seldom makes any sense. He concedes that Hereford were probably a tad lucky to beat Lincoln the previous Saturday, but lost at Workington the week before despite him describing his players efforts as a first class performance. He also demonstrates that he is a manager wise beyond his years by trying to keep a lid on promotion talk. The programme also takes several opportunities to advertise the upcoming midweek Welsh Cup game with Merthyr Tydfil. Future Hereford manager Johnny Newman gets a name check in Bits and Pieces as does Fred Potter via his previous connection with the Cambridge manager.
Off the Pitch: Bits and Pieces reveals that the Hereford United Grandstand Fund Committee have so far raised an impressive £9k towards the bargain £31k cost of the Len Weston Stand. Even allowing for early 70s prices that was a lot of stand for the money. Both Bits and Pieces and Supporters Club Jottings are kept busy revealing a whole raft of fundraising events/competitions etc.
In the Opposition: A run through the Cambridge squad reveals one thing they all have in common; being unremarkable good solid lower league pros. I have though discovered that John Collins who played at inside left* once scored a hat-trick of headers for QPR, then I am down to Bobby Ross following that well trodden pathway after football by becoming a chassis inspector. Luckily Cambridge have never been shy at taking on memorable managers.
Cambridge had been promoted to the football league just before Hereford in 1970 courtesy of winning the Southern League two years on the trot, all overseen by their manager Bill Leivers. He spent 7 years as their manager (67-74), getting them promoted to Division 3 in this 72/73 season. Alas, despite everything he had achieved, relegation the following season would see him sacked and replaced by Ron Atkinson. Leivers had played 250 times for Manchester City between 1953-64, bagging an FA Cup winners medal in 1956 (see Bits and Pieces).
*I often struggle with understanding modern positions so these old ones I have no chance with - it almost worked for Gareth Southgate though.
In the Charts: Blockbuster by Sweet remains at No.1.
On TV: 5th February - The Wombles begins on BBC1, written by Elisabeth Beresford, narrated by Bernard Cribbins.
Housekeeping: If you are still reading this, well done, you have if nothing else gained the inner strength to get through whatever the upcoming season throws at us. With preparations for the new season nicely underway this series will now be published once a week on a Monday. Also I believe the best way of viewing the below images is by going directly to Bulls News via your mobile phone.
Click on photos to enlarge.
