Despite winning 7 of their last 9 games, Hereford's defeat the previous Saturday away at promotion rivals Aldershot (0-2 7,060) meant that Hereford only had a 2 point promotion buffer going into this game. Newport were also in the promotion hunt; with them being just down the road, this was a bit of a big game.
An article in the programme reveals that Hereford v Newport games have seen some impressive crowds over the years, including a then-record crowd of 15,526 in a 1950s FA Cup match. This match attracted a record football league gate at Edgar Street of 14,849; the crowd were treated to a blood-and-guts game that saw Hereford prevail with a vital 2-0 win, courtesy of second half goals from Owen and Jenkins.
The below photos reveal that there were two different cover designs - possibly due to a need for a second run, owing to demand?
On the Pitch: Colin Addison correctly predicts that the crowd is going to be a big one before acknowledging the great turn out at the previous away game at Aldershot, before revealing frustration that Hereford couldn't send the fans back with any points.
Ken Mallender gets a shout out on the last page for only missing one game all season; he has featured in 48 games so far, three more than next on the list, Billy Tucker.
Off the Pitch: Supporters' Club Jottings reveals that West Ham-based Dudley Tyler will be at the annual dance at Park Hall (18th May), before entering into the now traditional grumblings about the council dragging their heels over the proposed new development.
Meanwhile, Bits and Pieces manages to shoe horn in news that Frank Miles has been re-elected as Chairman, funds have been raised for various good causes, Jean Addison received a bouquet of flowers off a kind hearted fan, plus a Golden Goal prize winner roll call, news about the Hereford Cider Festival, which the last paragraph would have made seem a sober affair. It is revealed that the Leagueliner train to Torquay will be leaving at 9am, getting there at 12:45, but not leaving Torquay until an impressive 10:40pm.
In the Opposition: Surprisingly slim pickings on the 'they played for Hereford and Newport' front in the Newport squad, so to the trusty FA Cup Final we go. Now in his late 30's, the versatile Brian Harris had won the FA Cup with Everton in 1966. It was the culmination of a decade-long spell at the club where he played over 350 times. Wirral-born Harris passed away in 2008 aged 72. His service was held in St. Luke's Church, the famous church that dominates one corner of Goodison Park. Between Everton and Newport, Harris had played 150 times for Cardiff, who paid £10,000 for his services after the '66 Final. Harris retired at Newport after playing almost 100 games before going on to have a brief spell as manager in the mid 70s. Harris would see out his days in Chepstow.
Steve Aizlewood was a prospect in '73, and would go on to have a decent career at Newport, Swindon, and Portsmouth. He had a better-known footballing brother Mark, who was seven years his junior and would play 39 times for Wales.
Finally, Len Hill played almost 400 times for Newport and Swansea, appeared in 76 First Class cricket matches for Glamorgan, and was talented at both Tennis and Golf (where he represented Wales seniors). He was no doubt the sort that would have also been a menace at snooker and darts, and probably still holds his school's long jump and 100m record 70 years later.
In the News: The gods had been watching proceedings at Edgar Street - the smiles, the joy, the hope, all of which were free, which is just as well as out of jealousy they put VAT on pretty much everything else from 1st April, initially set at 10%. Whilst VAT has been universally unpopular, it did at least give football an offspring in VAR, which has more than made amends.
In the Charts: Gilbert O'Sullivan is at No.1 with Get Down
On TV: The TV bangers keep on coming. A pilot episode of Porridge, "Prisoner and Escort," was aired on April 1st.
In the Maternity Ward: Actors Kris Marshall and Simon Farnaby were born on 1st and 2nd April respectively.
Click on photos to enlarge.
