A late Redrobe goal gave Hereford a 1-0 win over fellow promotion rivals Exeter City. A bumper gate of 11,302 - the highest attendance anywhere in the division in the 72-73 season so far - saw the Bulls rise to 3rd, their highest position so far.
On the Pitch: Addison's notes reveal that Hereford knew how to mix it when they had to as he defends their play in the recent game at Hartlepool. Hereford were now averaging over 8000, comfortably the highest in the division, with their visitors Exeter next best with an average of 5,260. It is also revealed that Darlington (who are playing at Newport) will be at Edgar Street the following Monday night to keep travel costs down.
Off the Pitch: Bits and Pieces contains news that Hereford born Exeter fan Geoff Taylor is cycling to Hereford and back to raise his club money.
In today's online world, it is not uncommon for Golden Goal & 50/50 winners to come from lots of weird and wonderful places; back in the simpler times that were 1973, the three Golden Goal winners listed in Bits and Pieces hail from Redhill, Clehonger and Roman Road.
In the Opposition: The programme features a youthful photo of Hereford born Exeter manager Johnny Newman; he also receives a warm welcome in Bits and Pieces. Newman played briefly for Hereford reserves as a youngster, before moving to Birmingham, where he would play in an FA Cup final in 1956). He moved to Leicester and spent the lion's share of his career in the south west at Plymouth and Exeter. In all, he played over 500 games as a central defender. Newman moved to Exeter as a 33 year old in 1967, becoming player manager in 1969. He didn't retire from the playing side until 1972 at the age of 38. Newman would manage Exeter over 350 times before moving to Gillingham for 3 seasons. An unsuccessful year at Derby was followed by a relatively successful 4 years at Edgar Street (83-87), the highlight being the 84-85 season that would see Hereford still in the hunt for promotion come April during the pre-play-offs era. That season would also see Hereford take Arsenal to a replay in the FA Cup 3rd round following a 1-1 draw at Edgar Street in front of 15,777. In all he played and managed in approx. 1300 games.
In the starting line up, Plymouth born former docker Fred Binney would turn out for the Exeter/Plymouth/Torquay three, a no doubt common feat. He would finish his career at Edgar Street in the early 80's. Binney was a proper goal every other game striker who in 1977 would play in the NASL for St. Louis Stars, finishing as their top scorer grabbing 9 goals in 18 games. It was a season that saw him mixing it with the likes of Pele.
Fred Potter: A belated RIP to one of the Newcastle legends, goalkeeper Fred Potter. There is a Bulls News article issued on 24th July that pays tribute to him.
In the Charts: Slade are at No.1 with Cum On Feel the Noize.
In the News: I have to concede, based upon my go-to site, that the news in the early months of '73 was pretty grim. It makes 2024 look like a Disney Movie, so I am going to give you Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon being released on 1st March, and Spurs beating Norwich 1-0 to win the League Cup on 3rd March.
In the Maternity Ward: Former MP and Coronation star Penny Mordant was born 4th March 1973. Football player/pundit/pantomime villain Chris Sutton was born on the 10th.
Click on photos to enlarge.
