50 Years Ago

[march4]

For those waiting for this week’s instalment, we had a leap day this year (unlike 1974) and so our days of the week now match up. The next thrilling instalment, a local derby at Derby will be tomorrow.

Away from football, the general election was pretty much a dead heat. The Conservative government won more of the popular vote (by 0.3%) but the Labour opposition won the most seats (by 2).

Consequently, both sides claimed victory and prime minister Ted Heath went to see the Queen saying he would form the next government. Perhaps he should have tried to form a coalition first!

[Caerwrangonpotter]

Derby.....must have been a quagmire then!

[march4]

Derby were a side to be feared in the early 70's even after the departure of Clough and Taylor and so our visit to the Baseball Ground in front of 28,000 folk would be a stern test for our 10 match unbeaten run. We lined up; - Farmer, Marsh, Pejic, Dodd, Smith, Mahoney, Robertson, Greenhoff, Hurst, Hudson Ritchie. Sub; - Skeels. This was a bold 4-2-4 formation full of attacking intent and a million miles from Waddo's Wall. For Derby, big money signing Bruce Rioch was making his debut alongside the usual Derby players such as; Nish, McFarland, Todd, Gemmill, Davies and Hector. Indeed the Derby defence was considered the best in the country.

Derby started strongly and within 2 minutes Rioch curled a perfect cross for Bourne to score with a diving header. This really was going to test us. In Roger Davies, Derby had a useful outlet up front and time and time again the ball was pumped up to him for the Derby midfield to pick up any loose ball. Gemmill was pulling all the strings. At half-time Waddo did one of his genius changes by pushing Huddy into attack too, leaving just Mahoney in midfield. Incredibly it worked and we started to take control. The game became niggly (indeed it was a battle royale in the Baseball Ground mud). The ref let some serious foul play go unpunished while booking players for not retreating from free kicks quickly enough.

Huddy was now running the game. He put in an exquisite flighted pass that Smith headed just wide, but in the 55th minute Hudson combined beautifully with Robertson and the resurgent Ritchie scored yet again. And so the game seemingly meandered to an end with both sides apparently content with a point. A special mention to Farmer, who began the game with a thigh injury which left him hobbling for over an hour and then he was the victim of many strong challenges, particularly from Davies. At one point a blow to the head left him motionless on the floor, but he struggled on. Then in injury time, Davies hit a thunderbolt towards the top corner of the goal. Farmer somehow ignored the pain and flung himself skywards, tipping the ball wide. Even the Derby fans applauded.

And so, it is now 11 games unbeaten after this 1-1 draw and a top half finish beckons.

In national news, the truth dawns on Ted Heath that he has lost the election and he resigns. He has tried to from a coalition with the Liberals, but cabinet papers show that he was warned not to give any position of authority to their leader Jeremy Thorpe as this might cause embarrassment further in the future (Thorpe was subsequently charged with conspiracy to murder and acquitted). Can Harold Wilson form a government? It is going to take a few days to find out. The Queen is actually in New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games and so it is the Queen Mother overseeing any potential solutions to Britain's first hung parliament for decades.

And what is going on with Derby's match-day programme. It is more like a newspaper - very odd.

[castokie]

Yes that newspaper was a feature with Derby for 3-4 seasons. Notts County also got into producing these. It was nightmare to try attempt to read at the game. At that time I use to collect Stoke programmes it was an even bigger nightmare storing the things amongst all the other regular sized programmes.

[march4]

No midweek game but the Osgood saga is twisting and turning in all directions.

First, Chelsea manager Dave Sexton was summoned by the board of directors and ordered to reinstate the group of players he had disciplined (including Osgood). Sexton left the meeting visibly upset, said goodbye to the staff and players and walked out. By the next morning, Sexton said he thought he had been sacked but it was all a misunderstanding and he resumed his duties. On hearing all of this, Osgood announced he was leaving Chelsea and was considering giving up as a footballer completely. Chelsea reiterated that only one club had made an offer for him (last month both Derby and Palace seemed to have done so). The Sentinel reports that Stoke have not made an offer and are monitoring the situation. However, we are still interested in signing Osgood if Chelsea are prepared to lower their valuation or change their insistence on a player exchange. Osgood has asked for his 'cards' from Chelsea and could take up alternative employment as a bricklayer at the building business he shares with his brother.

Harold Wilson has been to see the Queen Mother (the Queen is still in New Zealand) and has agreed to form a minority government. His first move is to give in to the demands of the unions and the 3 day week ends as the miners and power workers go back to work. Over the next 6 months, the FTSE loses half of its value and the pound exchange rate against the dollar also goes down. Another election must be in the offing soon.

[jonnynico]

Mar 5, 2024 12:33:34 GMT march4 said:

No midweek game but the Osgood saga is twisting and tuirning in all directions.

First, Chelsea manager Dave Sexton was summoned by the board of directors and ordered to reinstate the group of players he had disciplined (including Osgood). Sexton left the meeting visibly upset, said goodbye to the staff and players and walked out. By the next morning, Sexton said he thought he had been sacked but it was all a misunderstanding and he resumed his duties. On hearing all of this, Osgood announced he was leaving Chelsea and was considering giving up as a footballer completely. Chelsea reiterated that only one club had made an offer for him (last month both Derby and Palace seemed to have done so). The Sentinel reports that Stoke have not made an offer and are monitoring the situation. However, we are still interested in signing Osgood if Chelsea are prepared to lower their valuation or change their insistence on a player exchange. Osgood has asked for his 'cards' from Chelsea and could take up alternative employment as a bricklayer at the building business he shares with his brother.

Harold Wilson has been to see the Queen Mother (the Queen is still in New Zealand) and has agreed to form a minority government. His first move is to give in to the demands of the unions and the 3 day week ends as the miners and power workers go back to work. Over the next 6 months, the FTSE loses half of its value and the pound exchange rate against the dollar also goes down. Another election must be in the offing soon.

Didn't Wilson give the miners and politicians a rise and then put a wage freeze on everybody else

[march4]

Mar 5, 2024 13:13:35 GMT jonnynico said:

Mar 5, 2024 12:33:34 GMT march4 said:

No midweek game but the Osgood saga is twisting and tuirning in all directions.

First, Chelsea manager Dave Sexton was summoned by the board of directors and ordered to reinstate the group of players he had disciplined (including Osgood). Sexton left the meeting visibly upset, said goodbye to the staff and players and walked out. By the next morning, Sexton said he thought he had been sacked but it was all a misunderstanding and he resumed his duties. On hearing all of this, Osgood announced he was leaving Chelsea and was considering giving up as a footballer completely. Chelsea reiterated that only one club had made an offer for him (last month both Derby and Palace seemed to have done so). The Sentinel reports that Stoke have not made an offer and are monitoring the situation. However, we are still interested in signing Osgood if Chelsea are prepared to lower their valuation or change their insistence on a player exchange. Osgood has asked for his 'cards' from Chelsea and could take up alternative employment as a bricklayer at the building business he shares with his brother.

Harold Wilson has been to see the Queen Mother (the Queen is still in New Zealand) and has agreed to form a minority government. His first move is to give in to the demands of the unions and the 3 day week ends as the miners and power workers go back to work. Over the next 6 months, the FTSE loses half of its value and the pound exchange rate against the dollar also goes down. Another election must be in the offing soon.

Didn't Wilson give the miners and politicians a rise and then put a wage freeze on everybody else

Yes, the country was at a low ebb.

[spitthedog]

Mar 5, 2024 12:33:34 GMT march4 said:

No midweek game but the Osgood saga is twisting and turning in all directions.

First, Chelsea manager Dave Sexton was summoned by the board of directors and ordered to reinstate the group of players he had disciplined (including Osgood). Sexton left the meeting visibly upset, said goodbye to the staff and players and walked out. By the next morning, Sexton said he thought he had been sacked but it was all a misunderstanding and he resumed his duties. On hearing all of this, Osgood announced he was leaving Chelsea and was considering giving up as a footballer completely. Chelsea reiterated that only one club had made an offer for him (last month both Derby and Palace seemed to have done so). The Sentinel reports that Stoke have not made an offer and are monitoring the situation. However, we are still interested in signing Osgood if Chelsea are prepared to lower their valuation or change their insistence on a player exchange. Osgood has asked for his 'cards' from Chelsea and could take up alternative employment as a bricklayer at the building business he shares with his brother.

Harold Wilson has been to see the Queen Mother (the Queen is still in New Zealand) and has agreed to form a minority government. His first move is to give in to the demands of the unions and the 3 day week ends as the miners and power workers go back to work. Over the next 6 months, the FTSE loses half of its value and the pound exchange rate against the dollar also goes down. Another election must be in the offing soon.

Peter Osgood's career trajectory is a curious one, and the 'what could have been' narrative will never fade, but I guess that will be part of this story as it develops and we can get into that then!

[march4]

Interesting that the 1970s miners’ strike ended 50 years ago this week whereas the 1980s miners’ strike began 40 years ago this week exactly 10 years later.

[march4]

We now travel to Highfield Road for the 2nd time this season following our bitterly disappointing cup defeat there 4 months ago. We are of course defending our 11 match unbeaten run having faced down the clubs at the top of the table. Coventry started the season well but have been poor since the New Year, barely earning a point and putting pressure on their managerial duo of Mercer and Milne. After his injury stricken heroics last week, Farmer is now on the sidelines, but Bloor successfully came through a reserve test to make our starting 11; - McDonald, Marsh, Pejic, Dodd, Smith, Mahoney, Robertson, Greenhoff, Hurst, Hudson, Ritchie. Sub; - Bloor.

We played a fluid 4-4-2 system that never seemed to work and in spite of Mahoney's endeavours, Tommy Hutchinson ran the show for Coventry. In the second minute, he strolled through the midfield before hitting a cracking shot against the post. Before half-time he forced McDonald into a fine save and then put over two tantalising crosses that the Stoke keeper tipped away at full stretch. At the other end, Hurst was having a terrible time - on 3 occasions he fired tamely at the keeper when his normal thunderbolt strike would have surely bulged the net. As the second half began, Willie Carr chipped the ball into the penalty area where McDonald flipped it out to Hutchinson who gratefully scored from the rebound. Still Stoke didn't really stir. 20 minutes later, a poor back pass from Dodd reached McDonald and Coventry striker Cross simultaneously with the ball appearing to be kicked out of the keeper's hands and into the net. 2-0 and now we started to play. Finally Hurst found the net with a shot that ricocheted in off a Coventry defender. However, the ref mysteriously disallowed the goal with Hurst still unsure of the reason even after the game. And so our unbeaten record ended with a whimper in a game that looked one of our easier fixtures.

Norman Hunter was named PFA player of the year and complimented Denis Smith as the toughest most courageous player in England. The Sentinel letters are unusually complimentary.

There was controversy at St James Park in the quarter final of the FA Cup where Forest lead the hosts 3-1 with 33 minutes left. The crowd rioted with hundreds on the pitch. One Forest player was attacked and play was held up as the teams left the pitch. On the restart, spectators lined the touchlines and there were further intrusions onto the field of play. In the midst of this, Newcastle scored 3 goals to run out 4-3 victors. Immediately after the game Forest demanded a replay. The FA said fences were now needed to stop this happening again.

Peter Osgood has not collected his cards from Chelsea who have dropped their demands for a player exchange deal and have also reduced the fee they require to £275,000 as the transfer window closes on Thursday. Stoke and Southampton put in immediate bids and Stoke's is accepted as Waddo goes down to Chelsea to discuss terms with the club and with Osgood. The papers describe us as clear favourites to win his signature. However, Osgood sends a message to Waddo saying he wants to stay in London and Waddo returns to Stoke empty handed. The next day Osgood signs for Southampton. Stoke need to look elsewhere for a goalscorer with our two centre forwards Ritchie and Hurst not getting any younger.

Bobby Moore plays his final game for West Ham in a reserve fixture. He will find a new club before the week is ended.

And the 2nd World War finally ends with the surrender of Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda For years, the Japanese army and police has visited his stronghold in the Philippines, telling him the war was over. But he would not believe them and replied with volleys of shots. Eventually, his former commanding officer visited him with a document from the Emperor ordering him to surrender. On his 52nd birthday, he left the jungle, still wearing his WW2 uniform.

[spitthedog]

Went to this game with high expectations. I remember Hutchinson tearing us apart but we never really showed up and it was really disappointing, half of our team looked like they had hangovers which might have been the case tbh. Dodgy ref though!

[deeside2]

Really disappointing performance, although I never understood why our goal was disallowed. Typical Stoke though wasn't it. Best the top teams and then out in a poor performance against one of the poorer sides. We should have learned back then what a lifetime supporting Stoke would be like.

[i1da]

Mar 9, 2024 11:54:58 GMT march4 said:

We now travel to Highfield Road for the 2nd time this season following our bitterly disappointing cup defeat there 4 months ago. We are of course defending our 11 match unbeaten run having faced down the clubs at the top of the table. Coventry started the season well but have been poor since the New Year, barely earning a point and putting pressure on their managerial duo of Mercer and Milne. After his injury stricken heroics last week, Farmer is now on the sidelines, but Bloor successfully came through a reserve test to make our starting 11; - McDonald, Marsh, Pejic, Dodd, Smith, Mahoney, Robertson, Greenhoff, Hurst, Hudson, Ritchie. Sub; - Bloor.

We played a fluid 4-4-2 system that never seemed to work and in spite of Mahoney's endeavours, Tommy Hutchinson ran the show for Coventry. In the second minute, he strolled through the midfield before hitting a cracking shot against the post. Before half-time he forced McDonald into a fine save and then put over two tantalising crosses that the Stoke keeper tipped away at full stretch. At the other end, Hurst was having a terrible time - on 3 occasions he fired tamely at the keeper when his normal thunderbolt strike would have surely bulged the net. As the second half began, Willie Carr chipped the ball into the penalty area where McDonald flipped it out to Hutchinson who gratefully scored from the rebound. Still Stoke didn't really stir. 20 minutes later, a poor back pass from Dodd reached McDonald and Coventry striker Cross simultaneously with the ball appearing to be kicked out of the keeper's hands and into the net. 2-0 and now we started to play. Finally Hurst found the net with a shot that ricocheted in off a Coventry defender. However, the ref mysteriously disallowed the goal with Hurst still unsure of the reason even after the game. And so our unbeaten record ended with a whimper in a game that looked one of our easier fixtures.

Norman Hunter was named PFA player of the year and complimented Denis Smith as the toughest most courageous player in England. The Sentinel letters are unusually complimentary.

There was controversy at St James Park in the quarter final of the FA Cup where Forest lead the hosts 3-1 with 33 minutes left. The crowd rioted with hundreds on the pitch. One Forest player was attacked and play was held up as the teams left the pitch. On the restart, spectators lined the touchlines and there were further intrusions onto the field of play. In the midst of this, Newcastle scored 3 goals to run out 4-3 victors. Immediately after the game Forest demanded a replay. The FA said fences were now needed to stop this happening again.

Peter Osgood has not collected his cards from Chelsea who have dropped their demands for a player exchange deal and have also reduced the fee they require to £275,000 as the transfer window closes on Thursday. Stoke and Southampton put in immediate bids and Stoke's is accepted as Waddo goes down to Chelsea to discuss terms with the club and with Osgood. The papers describe us as clear favourites to win his signature. However, Osgood sends a message to Waddo saying he wants to stay in London and Waddo returns to Stoke empty handed. The next day Osgood signs for Southampton. Stoke need to look elsewhere for a goalscorer with our two centre forwards Ritchie and Hurst not getting any younger.

Bobby Moore plays his final game for West Ham in a reserve fixture. He will find a new club before the week is ended.

And the 2nd World War finally ends with the surrender of Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda For years, the Japanese army and police has visited his stronghold in the Philippines, telling him the war was over. But he would not believe them and replied with volleys of shots. Eventually, his former commanding officer visited him with a document from the Emperor ordering him to surrender. On his 52nd birthday, he left the jungle, still wearing his WW2 uniform.

View Attachment

March, Thank you so much for doing this.  Excellent glimpse into Stoke history and brings back a flood of memories.

[waddosnavy]

Feb 2, 2024 18:07:15 GMT march4 said:

Could our long unbeaten league run continue with our short visit to Molyneux. We had sneaked above Wolves in the table for a game which would be keenly fought as usual. The days leading up to the game were unsettling as the furore over Ritchie's transfer to Preston was reflected in the Sentinel. First the Sentinel said the sale was cancelled, then it had an interview with Big John in which he stated he had agreed terms with Bobby Charlton (Preston's manager) but had not spoken to Waddo about the deal. The Osgood affair had died down and the Saturday evening letters page was one of constant criticism of Mr Waddington for considering the transfer with only Goodwin as cover for Hurst and Greenhoff. We lined up; - Farmer, Marsh, Pejic, Dodd, Smith, Bloor, Robertson, Greenhoff, Hurst, Hudson, Mahoney. Sub; - Ritchie.

This was a typically brutal battle on a muddy pitch against the team in old gold. In particular, Denis Smith and Derek Dougan gave no quarter as sparks seemed to fly every time they clashed. Huddy was again impressive and we were in little trouble until Pejic stumbled into the ball just as it was about to reach Farmer's grasp and the ball ended up in the net. However, straight from the restart, the game changed on a bizarre incident in which the referee stopped play with the ball in Stoke's half to award us a free kick on the edge of the Wolves' penalty area and ordered their defender Munro off the pitch. The referee indicated that Munro had struck Robertson in the face. With Wolves a man down, Waddo replaced Dodd with Ritchie and our big striker scored almost immediately from a Pejic cross. As Big John celebrated his goal he stuck two fingers up in the direction of the dugouts. So a 1-1 draw and our unbeaten run is extended.

At the top of the league, Leeds remain unbeaten and are rapidly approaching Burnley's 30 game record. At relegation haunted Manchester Utd, George Best has been placed on the transfer list.

The hottest young property in English football is West Brom's young striker Barry Donaghy. He was the star as England won the European youth title and manager Don Howe rated him as the greatest young talent he had ever seen.

The energy crisis is getting worse with the miners now voting for an all out strike rejecting a 16.5% pay rise and the power workers supporting them. There are stockpiles of coal but these depots are now being picketed to stop any lorries leaving. It looks like the army will be called in to distribute coal but the miners' leader Mick McGahey urges them to disobey orders. The government are starting to talk about the dispute as a threat to democracy. The papers suggest a general election could be a solution to see whether the electorate support the miners or the government. And an IRA bomb on a coach travelling on the M62 kills 12 people. The coach was carrying off duty soldiers and their families.

View Attachment

I was on a career course at HMS MERCURY the Communications School several miles outside Portsmouth. I travelled up to Newcastle under Lyme on a Southdown coaches 'Military Special' because trains were also on strike. I went to Molyneux on Saturday, and after a few beers on Sunday night boarded the coach around 23:00, outside the then coach pick up point on Liverpool Road (opposite where Sainsburys and The Mill pub are now). The coach had started its journey in Liverpool and most Matelots onboard had had a few beers and we soon dropped asleep. In the middle of the night we were stopped by a Police vehicle in the middle of nowhere, all of us drowsy and confused and had to disembark and get clear of the coach. We didn't know it but this procedure was happening all over the country to Military Specials in the aftermath of the M62 bombing. After a lengthy check lasting several hours we were allowed on our way. I arrived back at camp around 10:00 on the Monday morning rather shattered..

[march4]

This is the 3rd of the incredible run of home games that will live long in the memory. Huddy has starred for England u23s in midweek and TC has broken down again with his troublesome knee after 3 promising reserve performances. But the anticipation is all down to Peter Osgood making his debut for Southampton against a Stoke team who were keen to add him to their ranks. In front of a disappointing 20,000 crowd we lined up; - Farmer, Marsh, Pejic, Dodd, Smith, Mahoney, Robertson, Greenhoff, Hurst, Hudson, Ritchie. Sub; - Bloor. Hurst again played in an advanced midfield role. As well as Osgood, Southampton had England striker Mick Channon up front.

We started like a train with the crowd jeering Osgood's every move. A fine pass from Huddy put Pej away down the flank and his perfect cross was headed home by Hurst. Southampton replied with a fluke of a goal. A Channon shot hit Farmer's legs before rebounding against Dodd's head and into the goal. For some reason a section of our support then took to jeering Dodd - he was the new boo boy. 1-1 at half time and then the John Ritchie show began. Before the game, comparisons between Ritchie and Osgood had been made with some saying Osgood was a more complete forward whereas Ritchie only scored with his head. In the 50th minute, Ritchie finished off a beautiful team move to hammer us back in front. Then Hurst headed against the post and the rebound fell to Ritchie. Our big striker, with a point to prove flicked the ball up into the air, trapped it about a foot from the goal line and then got down on all fours and headed the ball over the line. In celebration he stuck two fingers up with both hands in the direction of Osgood (presumably to tell him how many goals he had scored). And Ritchie hadn't finished there, he completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute following a Huddy through ball.

What a great team performance and vindication for Ritchie who was on the verge of a move to Preston only a couple of weeks ago. Waddo protested that he wanted Osgood to play Hurst's midfield role with Ritchie up front but that didn't convince everyone. A special mention to John Mahoney who was involved in the build up to all our goals and is starting to develop a real understanding with Hudson. Jimmy Robertson is hoping to make the Scotland squad for the forthcoming World Cup.

The Sentinel letters were up in arms about the events at St James Park the previous week. The consensus was that Newcastle should have been disqualified. Eventually, the FA ordered the game to be replayed at Goodison (Newcastle won 3-0). Ill feeling is still felt by some Forest fans. More complaints about referee Clive Thomas - this time an official protest from Man City about his handling of the their derby game. And Leeds lost again - this time to Liverpool, but they are still miles clear at the top of the table.

[Caerwrangonpotter]

Mar 16, 2024 12:09:30 GMT march4 said:

This is the 3rd of the incredible run of home games that will live long in the memory. Huddy has starred for England u23s in midweek and TC has broken down again with his troublesome knee after 3 promising reserve performances. But the anticipation is all down to Peter Osgood making his debut for Southampton against a Stoke team who were keen to add him to their ranks. In front of a disappointing 20,000 crowd we lined up; - Farmer, Marsh, Pejic, Dodd, Smith, Mahoney, Robertson, Greenhoff, Hurst, Hudson, Ritchie. Sub; - Bloor. Hurst again played in an advanced midfield role. As well as Osgood, Southampton had England striker Mick Channon up front.

We started like a train with the crowd jeering Osgood's every move. A fine pass from Huddy put Pej away down the flank and his perfect cross was headed home by Hurst. Southampton replied with a fluke of a goal. A Channon shot hit Farmer's legs before rebounding against Dodd's head and into the goal. For some reason a section of our support then took to jeering Dodd - he was the new boo boy. 1-1 at half time and then the John Ritchie show began. Before the game, comparisons between Ritchie and Osgood had been made with some saying Osgood was a more complete forward whereas Ritchie only scored with his head. In the 50th minute, Ritchie finished off a beautiful team move to hammer us back in front. Then Hurst headed against the post and the rebound fell to Ritchie. Our big striker, with a point to prove flicked the ball up into the air, trapped it about a foot from the goal line and then got down on all fours and headed the ball over the line. In celebration he stuck two fingers up in the direction of Osgood (presumably to tell him how many goals he had scored). And Ritchie hadn't finished there, he completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute following a Huddy through ball.

What a great team performance and vindication for Ritchie who was on the verge of a move to Preston only a couple of weeks ago. Waddo protested that he wanted Osgood to play Hurst's midfield role with Ritchie up front but that didn't convince everyone. A special mention to John Mahoney who was involved in the build up to all our goals and is starting to develop a real understanding with Hudson. Jimmy Robertson is hoping to make the Scotland squad for the forthcoming World Cup.

The Sentinel letters were up in arms about the events at St James Park the previous week. The consensus was that Newcastle should have been disqualified. Eventually, the FA ordered the game to be replayed at Goodison (Newcastle won 3-0). Ill feeling is still felt by some Forest fans. More complaints about referee Clive Thomas - this time an official protest from Man City about his handling of the their derby game. And Leeds lost again - this time to Liverpool, but they are still miles clear at the top of the table.

I can't add an image of the programme as I'm getting an error saying the forum has reached its attachment limit.

Not even any newspaper images of the legendary Ritchie goal?

...and as a side issue March, loving the 50 years ago thread & ironically the programme covers too. Remember so very iconic ones bought home by my elder brothers at the time (QPR chequered one springs to mind) & the Midlands ones always seem to have Ansells or Brew XI adverts on the back

[march4]

Mar 16, 2024 12:12:53 GMT Caerwrangonpotter said:

Mar 16, 2024 12:09:30 GMT march4 said:

This is the 3rd of the incredible run of home games that will live long in the memory. Huddy has starred for England u23s in midweek and TC has broken down again with his troublesome knee after 3 promising reserve performances. But the anticipation is all down to Peter Osgood making his debut for Southampton against a Stoke team who were keen to add him to their ranks. In front of a disappointing 20,000 crowd we lined up; - Farmer, Marsh, Pejic, Dodd, Smith, Mahoney, Robertson, Greenhoff, Hurst, Hudson, Ritchie. Sub; - Bloor. Hurst again played in an advanced midfield role. As well as Osgood, Southampton had England striker Mick Channon up front.

We started like a train with the crowd jeering Osgood's every move. A fine pass from Huddy put Pej away down the flank and his perfect cross was headed home by Hurst. Southampton replied with a fluke of a goal. A Channon shot hit Farmer's legs before rebounding against Dodd's head and into the goal. For some reason a section of our support then took to jeering Dodd - he was the new boo boy. 1-1 at half time and then the John Ritchie show began. Before the game, comparisons between Ritchie and Osgood had been made with some saying Osgood was a more complete forward whereas Ritchie only scored with his head. In the 50th minute, Ritchie finished off a beautiful team move to hammer us back in front. Then Hurst headed against the post and the rebound fell to Ritchie. Our big striker, with a point to prove flicked the ball up into the air, trapped it about a foot from the goal line and then got down on all fours and headed the ball over the line. In celebration he stuck two fingers up in the direction of Osgood (presumably to tell him how many goals he had scored). And Ritchie hadn't finished there, he completed his hat-trick in the 81st minute following a Huddy through ball.

What a great team performance and vindication for Ritchie who was on the verge of a move to Preston only a couple of weeks ago. Waddo protested that he wanted Osgood to play Hurst's midfield role with Ritchie up front but that didn't convince everyone. A special mention to John Mahoney who was involved in the build up to all our goals and is starting to develop a real understanding with Hudson. Jimmy Robertson is hoping to make the Scotland squad for the forthcoming World Cup.

The Sentinel letters were up in arms about the events at St James Park the previous week. The consensus was that Newcastle should have been disqualified. Eventually, the FA ordered the game to be replayed at Goodison (Newcastle won 3-0). Ill feeling is still felt by some Forest fans. More complaints about referee Clive Thomas - this time an official protest from Man City about his handling of the their derby game. And Leeds lost again - this time to Liverpool, but they are still miles clear at the top of the table.

I can't add an image of the programme as I'm getting an error saying the forum has reached its attachment limit.

Not even any newspaper images of the legendary Ritchie goal?

...and as a side issue March, loving the 50 years ago thread & ironically the programme covers too. Remember so very iconic ones bought home by my elder brothers at the time (QPR chequered one springs to mind) & the Midlands ones always seem to have Ansells or Brew XI adverts on the back

I've not been able to find an image of the goal anywhere. Amazing when we have wall to wall video coverage of every game these days.

[Mr_DaftBurger]

I remember laughing so hard at the Ritchie moment. Never liked Osgood and am glad we never signed him. Obviously forthcoming weeks will highlight the error of what we eventually did with the money.... 🤫

[march4]

Mar 16, 2024 12:44:55 GMT Mr_DaftBurger said:

I remember laughing so hard at the Ritchie moment. Never liked Osgood and am glad we never signed him. Obviously forthcoming weeks will highlight the error of what we eventually did with the money.... 🤫

Big John was 32 and wasn’t going to keep banging in goals forever.

[spitthedog]

Mar 16, 2024 13:38:35 GMT march4 said:

Mar 16, 2024 12:44:55 GMT Mr_DaftBurger said:

I remember laughing so hard at the Ritchie moment. Never liked Osgood and am glad we never signed him. Obviously forthcoming weeks will highlight the error of what we eventually did with the money.... 🤫

Big John was 32 and wasn’t going to keep banging in goals forever.

I remember I used to see Big John hobbling from the ground to the Car Park after these games (via the Social Club) and wondering how he could still manage to play a full football game at the level he was playing. He was proper crocked, and it was pretty obvious his days were numbered but remarkable that he could still bang them in for us at that stage!

I have that image of Big John going on his knees to head it over the line in my head, but trying to picture how he had so much time to do that?

[march4]

This was an eventful week for Pej and Huddy as Sir Alf called them up as late substitutes for the English League fixture against their Scottish counterparts. It is another sign that both are approaching full international recognition. Sir Alf was apoplectic that Leeds withdrew 3, Liverpool 2 and Arsenal 1 player on the eve of the game for sudden injuries that had cleared by today's league fixtures. England won 5-0 with neither of our players being used.

After our big win last week, we now travel to bottom club Norwich at Carrow Lane. We lined up; - Farmer, Marsh, Pejic, Dodd, Smith, Mahoney, Robertson, Greenhoff, Hurst, Hudson, Ritchie. Sub; - Skeels. With a settled team, we look ready for a charge at the European places. Norwich, under new manager John Bond had other ideas in a game where we didn't have a meaningful shot and our players looked increasingly frustrated. The game was a bit of a stalemate until the hour when Norwich took the lead. 3 minutes later it was 2-0, then 3-0 and just before the final whistle, 4-0. The Sentinel described this as the game that ended any chance we might sneak into the top 5. A real mystery performance after last week and our poor away form continues with only one win all season to date. Norwich are off the bottom of the table to be replaced by Man Utd. We are in a cluster of clubs 4 points above the relegation zone. Leeds fell apart at home losing 4-1 to Burnley. Liverpool are 4 points behind them with 2 games in hand. It looks like the title race isn't over after all.

The Sentinel letters are full of praise again for John Ritchie and also the claims of Smith, Pejic and Hudson for England caps. Sandy Clubb has been added to the board of directors.

In other news, 23 year old Princess Anne and her husband are stopped in their car on The Mall during an attempted kidnapping. The royal chauffeur and their security man plus a journalist and a police constable are all shot during the attempt. Fortuitously a passing boxer intervened, punching the kidnapper to the floor and incapacitating him.

[senojbor]

Mar 16, 2024 12:17:36 GMT march4 said:

Mar 16, 2024 12:12:53 GMT Caerwrangonpotter said:

Not even any newspaper images of the legendary Ritchie goal?

...and as a side issue March, loving the 50 years ago thread & ironically the programme covers too. Remember so very iconic ones bought home by my elder brothers at the time (QPR chequered one springs to mind) & the Midlands ones always seem to have Ansells or Brew XI adverts on the back

I've not been able to find an image of the goal anywhere. Amazing when we have wall to wall video coverage of every game these days.

I was there and I can confirm that there was a photo of it somewhere.

[ihaveadream]

Mar 23, 2024 15:28:20 GMT march4 said:

Norwich are off the bottom of the table to be replaced by Man Utd.



View Attachment

They are up Man Utd creek without a paddle

[march4]

This was the league table 50 years ago.

We are about to launch into one of the best periods of top flight form in the club's history.

It is pretty much identical to the run in 1947 which almost won us the title.

[march4]

Following last week's disappointing defeat, we now entertain an Arsenal side next to us in the league and worrying about possible relegation. Waddo bemoaned the newly increased 3 relegation spots as being to the detriment of entertaining football with Arsenal selecting 9 defenders and us choosing Skeels as an extra defensive body in midfield in place of Geoff Hurst. Mike McDonald, broke his finger in training and with Farmer still struggling with a thigh injury, Banks was put on standby for an incredible comeback. We lined up; - Farmer, Marsh, Pejic, Dodd, Smith, Skeels, Robertson, Greenhoff, Ritchie, Hudson, Mahoney. Sub; - Hurst. Arsenal included Wilson, Storey, Ball and George.

This game was a bore-fest with Arsenal not having a shot at goal and our opportunities restricted to 4 half-chances that all fell to Ritchie. Denis Smith was man of the match, nullifying anything Arsenal tried and often moving into midfield to ensure Ball had no influence on the game. Only 18,000 folk were present to yawn their way through this spectacle. Huddy produced his usual delicate midfield patterns and Marsh and Pejic provided width with their overlapping runs from deep.

After the game, there was good news for Pejic, who was called up to the England squad. Unfortunately, this means he will miss our future fixture with Newcastle. The Sentinel letters were scathing about Stoke's away form. David Webb has now asked to leave Chelsea and Huddy has faced an FA tribunal led by Sir Matt Busby which refused his appeal to be awarded a share of his transfer fee.

Red Rum won the Grand National for the second time.

[ihaveadream]

Mar 29, 2024 11:47:31 GMT march4 said:

View Attachment

This was the league table 50 years ago.

We are about to launch into one of the best periods of top flight form in the club's history.

It is pretty much identical to the run in 1947 which almost won us the title.

As well as Man Utd being in their rightful place Arsenal are only 15th

[ihaveadream]

Mar 30, 2024 15:14:42 GMT march4 said:

This game was a bore-fest with Arsenal not having a shot at goal and our opportunities restricted to 4 half-chances that all fell to Ritchie. Denis Smith was man of the match, nullifying anything Arsenal tried and often moving into midfield to ensure Ball had no influence on the game. Only 18,000 folk were present to yawn their way through this spectacle. Huddy produced his usual delicate midfield patterns and Marsh and Pejic provided width with their overlapping runs from deep.

View Attachment

A typical Arsenal performance then

[march4]

A busier week saw us welcome FA Cup finalists Newcastle to the Victoria Ground. With Pej away on England duty, we had a bit of a defensive crisis with Marsh and Smith facing late fitness tests and Bloor still inching towards match fitness after his injury lay-off. In front of 16,000 people, we lined up, Farmer, Marsh, Dodd, Bloor, Smith, Skeels, Robertson, Greenhoff, Ritchie, Hudson, Mahoney. Sub; - Hurst. Smith and Marsh were clearly struggling straight from kick off and it was no surprise when Tudor shot Newcastle into an early lead with a superb overhead kick. We rejigged our formation with Skeels dropping deeper and we began to grow into the game. A 23rd minute Hudson free-kick was headed back across goal and Greenhoff nipped in to equalise. It was nip and tuck for the rest of the half with one of the most entertaining games of the season developing.

The second half started similarly and Greenhoff hit the post with an angled drive. Unfortunately, Dodd was continually barracked every time he went near the ball but he persevered, supporting our injured defenders at every opportunity. On the hour, a speculative 35 yard shot from Mahoney went straight to the Newcastle keeper Iam McFaul who inexplicably spooned it into his own net. We were ahead, but with our struggling players, it was one way traffic with Newcastle hitting the woodwork, forcing Farmer into a series of fine saves and Dodd heading off the line. Then our visitors had a goal controversially ruled out for offside. But, we sneaked home, for a well fought victory.

In Portugal, Pej made his international debut as one of six new England players in a 0-0 draw. After the game, Sir Alf was beyond furious that 9 of the original 16 players he had selected for the game were withdrawn by their clubs due to injury. He is suggesting any player who misses an international through injury should be automatically suspended from the following club game they are due to play.

Francis Lee has announced he will leave Man City at the end of the season for a cut price £100,000. Stoke and Man Utd are the favourites for his signature although relegation would rule Man Utd out.

[smallthorner]

16,000...

Amazing isn't it?

In a few weeks we would probably get 45,000 against Man Poo.

[march4]

Apr 3, 2024 19:46:07 GMT smallthorner said:

16,000...

Amazing isn't it?

In a few weeks we would probably get 45,000 against Man Poo.

I think it was about 28,000.