Hereford go into this game in great form (WWWDWWW), comfortably in 2nd place. With seven games to go, they have a promotion buffer of 4 points, which would equate to roughly six points in 'three points for a win' money. The previous two games at Edgar Street had seen crowds of 11,302 and 10,150, the latter a mid-weeker against the division's bottom club. I therefore find myself in the strange situation where I pick up on the fact that this game was only watched by a crowd of 9,515.
Hereford eased to a 3-0 win courtesy of on loan David Jenkins, Owen and Radford.
It is also worth noting that the above crowds would merrily/legally have fitted into the three sides of Edgar Street that are in use today.
On the Pitch: Colin Addison is rightly full of praise for his team after Hereford thrashed early 70's rivals Northampton Town 4-0 at their place the previous Saturday. Northampton fans must have been sick of Hereford by now. Addison also takes the opportunity to welcome back John Barnwell, who had been his assistant earlier in the season. Addison had spoken about the situation in his Manager Notes at the time as he felt the circumstances behind his leaving had needed a bit of clearing up. He was right to praise him, as whilst Boro were in 18th, they had won only one of their first 13 games, form that Peterborough assistant manager Barnwell had helped turn around with only 5 defeats in the next 24 matches. Bits and Pieces also reveals that they aren't goal shy, adding value to Hereford dispatching them 3-0.
Off the Pitch: As the season reaches a climax, Hereford's away support had been rising. Bits and Pieces and the Supporters' Club Jottings publicise away trains to Torquay and Aldershot. 444 fans would be fortunate to get to Torquay on the League Liner, a fancy new train catering for football fans. The poor thing. A 500 seater train is also organised for Aldershot. The cost is £1.60/£1.80 depending upon whether you are a member. That equates to roughly £25/£30 today.
Bits and Pieces also advertises an upcoming Welsh International at Ninian Park against Poland. Terrace tickets will be 50p (30p kids); again, that equates to roughly £7.50 and £4.50. Football was definitely cheaper; one thing that the programmes haven't revealed so far is how much it cost to attend games as Edgar Street.
Supporters' Club Jottings are definitely allowing a bit of needle with the council to be aired in public, something that they planted in the last programme, this time disclosing that the council are reluctant to grant outline planning for the new social club (the main reception/Addisons/upstairs etc.).
In the Opposition: Dennis Oakes not only played 120 times for Notts County together with 85 times for the Posh, but also played played 5 first class cricket matches for his native Warwickshire. He only averaged 11 with the bat though and didn't appear to bowl either, which would have even attracted attention in a 1990's England test squad.
Mr. Posh, though, was Chris Turner, who sadly passed away at the age of 64 in 2015 after suffering from dementia. Turner had played over 300 times for Boro between 1969-78 before having several spells at Cambridge, together with Luton, Swindon, and Southend. He also appeared to spend the summers of 78,79 and 80 at the wonderfully named New England Tea Men, following the summer of 77 with the Connecticut Bicentennials. I think the Cricket 100 style names of these US teams though explains why "dodgy US football chants" has such rich pickings when Googled.
He played until 1985 before Turner did what Turners do and went into management. He had 5 years at Cambridge before steering Peterborough into the second flight following two successive promotions. What any of them divisions would have been called around that period is anyone's guess. Being a Turner (unrelated) he went on to be the club's chairman in 1992, before selling up to Barry Fry in 1996.
In the News: 26th March - The London Stock Exchange admits women for the first time.
In the Charts: Slade start their 4th and last week at No.1 with Cum On Feel the Noize.
On TV: It is becoming clear that early 1973 saw some popular television programmes launched. Around this game Are You Being Served (14/3) and Open All Hours (25/3) kicked off, adding to a roll call so far of Last of the Summer Wine, Sesame Street, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?, and the Wombles. No wonder our attendances were so poor!
In the Maternity Ward: Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills was born 28/3/73. Mills would go onto invent a singing competition called Barry-oke, an on air singing competition open to anyone called Barry, the final was broadcast from the exotic location of Barry Island.
Click on photos to enlarge.
