A late Wallace goal saw Hereford beat Bradford 1-0 with 8193 looking on; the win would take Hereford to 6th. It was Hereford's 12th game unbeaten in the league in a run which included 8 wins.
On the Pitch: Addison's manager's notes have been good value all season; his page in this programme is definitely worth a read, if only to remind you that there was a sport called football that managed just fine pre-'the era of media training.' Much more informative than many a modern manager - our Mr. Caddis being a welcome exception. Coursing through the managers notes is plenty of praise for the recent win at Reading.
With the second half of the season underway, the programmes are starting to feature reports from the corresponding away fixture, with a page dedicated to Hereford getting their first ever league point on the road at Bradford in August, during a game where Hereford had two goals disallowed.
Bits and Pieces features former Bradford goal machine David Layne who, during this game, was on a brief loan at Edgar Street from Sheffield Wednesday. His move from Bradford to the Owls in 1962 for around £20000 was a club record. He would, however, be better known for an infamous mid-60s betting scandal that resulted in him and two team mates being jailed for four months and banned from football for 8 years (originally life). His 4 game spell at Hereford was a brief but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to relaunch his career as a 33 year old. What is sad looking from afar, was that he was full of goals, scoring everywhere he played, including plenty in the top flight. When his career was "cut short," he had scored 120 goals in less than 200 games.
Off the Pitch: The Supporters' Club Jottings reveals that their Christmas draw cleared a £300 profit with over 90% of winners residing in Herefordshire. The Len Weston stand is all but finished, although an apology is made for a delay in installing speakers. it is proudly announced that there will be 12 in total.
One thing that perhaps sums up being a Hereford fan more than anything is talk of travel to the upcoming big game at Mansfield. Now this has to make an allowance for an early 70s highway network, but the call to arms tempts fans with it only being a three hour journey. We can't really complain though, many of us growing up with games like Exeter, Swindon, Wrexham and Swansea seemingly having derby status - all of which could bring on a dose of range anxiety if attempted in an electric car.
In the Opposition: Not exactly in the opposition as he didn't play in the match, but the 72/73 Bradford squad contained local boy David Bairstow. Towards the end of an era where talented sportsmen could play to a high level in more than one sport, he would go on to be much better known as a wicketkeeping cricketer. He played in only four tests, though, during a period when England were well-catered-for with glovemen. He became a name synonymous with Yorkshire Cricket, featuring in over 450 first class matches, including two seasons as club captain in the mid 80s. He was perhaps born a decade too late as Yorkshire didn't enjoy the same success during his career as they had in the 1960's, which saw them dominate English cricket. David had two cricketing children born 15 years apart, the elder Andrew had a brief spell in first class cricket with Derbyshire (he also turned out for Worcestershire Seconds). His second son is the much better known Johnny Bairstow who is now in an 80 strong club of international players who have 100 test caps and capable of destructive batting in the short form of the game if the stars are aligned.
David was not a cricketer who just used football for winter fitness/income - he was 21 during the 72/73 season and at a genuine football/cricket crossroads. He would make 17 appearances for Bradford (apparently as a forward), scoring 1 goal. Fellow Yorkshireman Brian Close had also played for Bradford/Yorks/England, the latter seeing him used as West Indian target practice as a 45 year old by one of the most ferocious bowling attacks of all time.
David passed away in 1998 but is warmly remembered by the Bradford City website Bantams Heritage.
In the Charts: Little Jimmy Osmond continues at No.1 with Long Haired Lover from Liverpool.
In the News: 4th January - 300 children attack British troops in Derry, Northern Ireland.
On TV: 6th January - Still in Northern Ireland, but on a slightly more positive note, Sesame Street is aired for the first time on Ulster TV.
Click on photos to enlarge.
