Crewe Alexandra

Crewe Alexandra FC are a football club from the railway town of the same name in Cheshire, around thirty miles south of Manchester. The club were formed in 1877 as Crewe FC, originally starting out competitive life in the Football Alliance, changing their title to include Alexandra while playing at Earl Street Cricket Ground.

Before long the club had moved to a new ground in Nantwich Road, which hosted an England v Wales international in 1880 and then an FA Cup semi final between Aston Villa and Rangers in 1887. The following year 'The Alex' reached the semi final of the FA Cup where they were defeated 4-0 at Anfield by double winners Preston North End. In 1892 the club became founder members of the Football League Division Two, but they lost their place after just four seasons.

The Alex competed in The Combination at a new ground at Edleston Road, before joining the Lancashire League in 1898. After just three years they moved to the Birmingham & District League and then the Central League as founder members in 1911 as the team had spells playing at Old Sheds Field and then Earl Street once more, before moving to Gresty Road in 1908. In 1921 Crewe were accepted into the newly formed Division Three North.

The clubs first major honours came in 1936 and 1937 as they lifted the Welsh Cup with Herbert Swindells scoring plenty of goals at the time. The team struggled in many seasons and were placed in Division Four upon League re-organisation in 1958. The 1959-60 season saw Alexandra reach the fourth round of the FA Cup which drew a crowd of 20,000 to Gresty Road to see a 2-2 draw. However, Alex lost the replay 13-2 at White Hart Lane.

Not to be put off Crewe beat Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup the following season, before going down 5-1 to Spurs at the fourth round stage once again. In 1963 the club were promoted for the first time as Frank Lord's goals saw the team reach Division Three. Unfortunately their spell lasted just the one season, although they went back up in 1968. Alas, once again they lasted just one season at the higher level.

The club entered many years of struggle and had to apply for re-election on several occasions. Bruce Grobbelaar did his best to keep out the goals for a while in the late 70's, before the club changed forever when the former Wimbledon and Crystal Palace boss Dario Gradi was appointed as manager in June 1983.

Gradi quickly put emphasis on developing youth players and those who had been released by bigger clubs. Two of whom was David Platt who quickly impressed and earned a move to Aston Villa and future international Geoff Thomas, before the club won promotion in 1989 with full back Rob Jones starring. After two years they were relegated, but they returned to the third tier in 1994. By now the team included Neil Lennon, Robbie Savage and Danny Murphy who went on to excellent careers.

In 1997 the team reached Wembley and beat Brentford in the Play Off Final to reach Division One at the time (the League's second tier). Despite having the lowest budget in the division Gradi managed to keep Alex up there for five seasons. Miraculously the club returned after just one season in the third tier with Dean Ashton leading the line. Eventually they were relegated once more at the end of the 2005-06 season.

The monies raised from all the sales of players allowed the building of a new training ground and the club were awarded FA youth academy status. Gradi missed the start of the 2007-08 season to undergo heart surgery, but returned in October until the end of the season before handing on the reigns to first team coach Steve Holland.

Holland lasted around fifteen months in the role before he was sacked as fans became disenchanted with results. Gradi stood in as caretaker boss, from his new role as Technical Director until former Stoke City boss Gudjon Thordarson took over. His time at the club ended in relegation and the following October he was dismissed to be replaced by Gradi once again.

Gradi stedied the ship and brought more money in by selling players on before his assistant Steve Davis took over in November 2011 to allow Gradi to concentrate on his previous role. Davis had a good record as boss of nearby Nantwich Town after playing for Alex amongst others at centre back. He inspired the team to put in a tremendous late run to reach the Play Off Final, where a Nick Powell goal helped see off Cheltenham Town at Wembley to clinch promotion. Powell was sold to Manchester United soon after.

Crewe Alexandra will play in the Football League One in the 2013-14 season.


My visits

Crewe Alexandra Reserves v Opponents Unknown (Saturday 26th October 1985)

I was travelling to watch Hull City play at Shrewsbury Town and after managing to get on the wrong train from Stockport and ending up in Stoke, I took the train to Crewe where I was to change for my final destination. As I had a fair bit of time to wait I decided to have a wander down to Gresty Road to see if I could catch a look inside.

The gates were open and a game was in progress with maybe a hundred fans in attendance. I wandered in and surveyed the scene. I remember Alex played in their kit of the time of red shirts and black shorts and they had a forward at the time trying to impress called Vernon Allott. 

The ground was a bit of a mess to be honest. The Gresty Road End had an old cover in the middle towards the rear with a few steps of wooden terracing. The Railway End was open and both areas had shale banking behind a few steps of terrace. The relatively small Main Stand ran along the right hand side with a small terraced paddock in front. Opposite was the Popular Side, which was a covered terracing.

I departed to try a couple of pints in The Royal Hotel, whose car park was the site of Alex's former Old Sheds Field ground. I enjoyed the pub and left in good form for the train ride to Shropshire.

Crewe Alexandra 1 Scarborough 0 (Saturday 17th October 1987) Division Four (att: 2,723)

I travelled to this game in a car with my postie colleague Pete Trapps, getting there in time to go to The Royal for a couple of pints before the game. Boro played reasonably well but couldn't score an equaliser after David Platt had put Alex ahead. Not long after he moved on to Aston Villa. Dario Gradi infuriated us as he made his subs in injury time, in a tactic that was relatively new at the time.

Gresty Road had been tidied up, at least at the away end where the old roof and terrace had gone. There was a few steps at the front and then some flat standing backed by a wall.

Crewe Alexandra 1 Scarborough 1 (Saturday 8th April 1989) Division Four (att: 3,423)

Boro were chasing promotion and took a decent following over to Cheshire. I travelled on a mini bus from the Gas Club/Post Office. High fences had been added to the away end meaning a poor view. Many lads stood on a railing and rested against the wall at the back so that they could see a little better.

Paul Dobson scored the goal to secure a point for The Seadogs.

Crewe Alexandra 1 Scarborough 1 (Saturday 15th January 1994) Division Three (att: 3,594)

Alex were top of the league as we headed off to this encounter on a mini bus that I had booked. We stopped for beers in Castleford and then later we tried out the several pubs in Sandbach market square, arriving in good form.

Gresty Road had at last seen some improvements with The Railway End now having a cover, seats and some corporate hospitality.

Steve Wick's side played some good football and were pulling away from the bottom of the table. Boro had more than their fair share of the game with Jason White scoring and generally terrifying the home defence but were let down by some debatable refereeing and the actions of some of the home players. Neil Lennon was most prominent in raising our ire. We left the ground singing "You're only top cos you're cheating."

I can't remember where we stopped off on the way home, but it's fair to say that we did.

Since my last visit

Gresty Road was re-christened The Alexandra Stadium, with a new seated stand being put up behind the Gresty Road goal, the Popular Side was seated and a large single tiered Main Stand replaced the old wooden structure, holding just short of 7,000 fans and offering around two thirds of the total stadium capacity. I passed on a train in 2011 and hoped to return at some point in the future.


The colour photos of Gresty Road have been taken from the internet as I failed to take a camera on any of my visits, with the old black and white shots scanned from Simon Inglis' excellent 'Football Grounds of England and Wales'

Walsall

Walsall FC are a football club from the large industrial town of the same name, which is located ten miles to the north west of Birmingham in the West Midlands. The club were formed in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts FC, following the amalgamation of Walsall Town FC and Walsall Swifts FC.

Two players who appeared in Swifts first ever games; Alf Jones and Albert Aldridge played for England  around the same time. The club were accepted into the Football League as founder members of Division Two in 1892 playing games at a sports ground at Chuckery. After a season Swifts were forced to move to a new ground on West Bromwich Road after neighbours complaints, but they failed to be re-elected to the League three years later. However, in 1896 as Walsall FC, the club were re-admitted after spending a season in the Midland League as they moved into a new ground on Hilary Street.

In 1901 Walsall lost their League place once again, rejoining the Midland League. A couple of years later they moved into the Birmingham League and then in 1910 the Southern League. Following the end of World War One the League was expanded with Walsall being elected as founder members of Division Three North in 1921.

1928 saw 'The Saddlers' placed in Division Three South, where they remained until 1958 apart from a small spell in the northern section. After League re-organisation Walsall were placed in Division Four, a league that they won in 1960 to win promotion. The good run continued as they finished Division Three runners-up the following season to find themselves in Division Two, with players such as Bill 'Chopper' Guttridge, Tony Richards and Colin Taylor starring.


After two seasons the club were relegated back to Division Three, where they were to remain for several seasons. Allan Clarke and then Phil Parks both began their glittering careers with spells at Fellows Park during that period. The ground had been named in honour of the club director Mr HL Fellows in 1930. Walsall were relegated back to the bottom tier in 1979.

Action from Fellows Park

The team were promoted at the first attempt aided by the goals of Alan Buckley. In 1982 local scrap metal dealer Ken Wheldon was club Chairman and he attempted a move meaning a move for Walsall to Molineux to move in with Wolverhampton Wanderers before he was denied after a supporters group called SWAG; Save Walsall Action Group.  the protests caused him to rethink. The 1983-84 season saw the club embark on their most memorable cup run, when they reached the League Cup semi finals beating Arsenal at Highbury on the way, before losing out to Liverpool. 

In 1986 with football in the region as much in decline as the general living standards Wheldon announced a plan to move the club to share St Andrews with Birmingham City, the club he was now Chairman of. Once again SWAG swung into action with Barrie Blower at the head of the campaign. Millionaire entrepeneur and racehorse owner Terry Ramsden came in to save the day as David Kelly starred in manager Buckley's team.

Tommy Coakley was appointed as boss for the 1986-97 season as the side narrowly missed out on a play off place, but enjoyed a good FA Cup run reaching the fifth round before Watford won through after two replays. The following season Bristol City were defeated in the Play Off Final Replay at Fellows Park to seal promotion to the League's second tier.

Unfortunately their spell lasted just one season an worse was to follow as Ramsden's business empire collapsed alongside the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Walsall were minutes from folding but were saved following the intervention of Blower and several local businessmen. 1990 saw a further relegation to the botton division.

At least the disappointment of demotion was met with good news as the club left Fellows Park at the end of the season, where Morrison's built a supermarket, to move to the new Bescot Stadium a quarter of a mile away. Lifelong Walsall fan Jeff Bonser bought into the club the following year, from where he would later become Chairman.

Kenny Hibbitt was appointed manager and he built the foundations for the next four years before he was replaced by Chris Nicholl. Nicholl took the team to promotion in 1995 before resigning a couple of years later. Jan Sorensen replaced him and signed two of the most popular players the club ever had in Roger Boli and Jeff Peron. Ray Graydon took over as manager for the 1998-99 season with the team winning promotion as runners up.

Again their spell in the League's second level lasted just one season, but Graydon took them straight back up again aided by the signings of Don Goodman and Fitzroy Simpson. However, despite his success Bonser sacked the manager to much outcry after a poor live TV performance. Colin Lee came in and despite initially polarising opinion between the supporters, his team were successful. Vinny Samways and the later signing of Paul Merson made the team attractive to watch.

By the end of the 2003-04 season the team were relegated with Lee departing having fallen out with Bonser. After a spell as caretaker, Merson was put in charge for the following campaign. Matty Fryatt's goals helped his reign but he was eventually sacked after refusing to resign in February 2006. Kevan Broadhurst and then a couple of caretakers failed to take their opportunities to impress as the team were relegated with Richard Money being appointed as team manager in May 2006.

Money took the team up as League Two champions at the first attempt and then enjoyed a decent run the following season, before form fell away and he departed the club. Jimmy Mullen and then Chris Hutchings both had time at the helm as the club opened the first ever own training facility at Essington for the first time. Walsall's Head of Youth and former player Dean Smith took over as team boss in January 2011 as Bonser continued to steer the club along calm financial waters thanks to smart business around The Bescot despite the club paying rent to play there to a self invested pension company owned by Bonser and his brother.

The stadium was re-named the Bank's Stadium following a sponsorship deal with the local brewers, while Smith's side continued to defy the odds as they just missed out on a play off spot in 2012-13.

Walsall FC will compete in Football League One in the 2013-14 season.


My visits

Walsall 0 Hull City 1 (Saturday 4th May 1985) Division Three (att: 4,809)

My only visit to Fellows Park was of vital importance as a fan of Hull City. A win for The Tigers would clinch promotion to Division Two with a couple of games to spare. so I wanted to be there. Despite having chickenpox the week before I passed the fitness test to get on board the train with a group of other City fans from Scarborough, with them giving me a wide berth in case I was still infected!

After changing at York and Birmingham we arrived at Bescot Crescent station, over the road from where the new stadium would be built five years later. We managed to get inside the King George V pub over the road from Fellows Park for a couple of pints before heading down to the away entrances.

Fellows Park was showing its age and it was certainly no thing of beauty. We were in the open terraced Railway End, which had a few steps and a large wall at the back. To our left was the covered seated Main Stand, which ran between the two penalty areas with slightly covered standing in front and flanked by open terracing. The Hilary Street End roof went up in three levels and around the corner to the penalty area, offering cover to the standing spectators underneath. Finally the Popular Side had a roof over the rear half of the terracing.

The game was settled by a first half Peter Skipper header, much to the joy of the mass ranks of Yorkshiremen behind the same goal, as well as a sizeable group in the seats who were not exactly getting on with that fine body of men and women; the West Midlands Police.

Some local youths hurled abuse at us when we wanted to use the catering or toilet facilities in the corner, but nothing could dampen our mood. That said, the police did their best by letting their dogs loose on the few fans that celebrated on the pitch at full time, thus leading to a semi crush as the rest of the fans wanted to get over and pass on their feedback.

It was a very happy train ride home!

Wednesday 21st October 1987

Scarborough were away to Hereford United in Division Four and I was on the way with three mates in a car driven by John 'Doomy' Dyer. As we set off early it was agreed to visit some clubs on the way down. After a call at both Burton Albion and then Aston Villa, we continued on to Fellows Park.

We walked inside by the changing rooms that were past the Main Stand towards the Hilary Street End. The ground was unchanged apart from the erection of high fencing in front of the terracing sections.

Walsall 0 Scarborough 0 (Tuesday 1st January 1991) Division Four (att: 4,914)

I was offered the opportunity of visiting the Bescot Stadium by Paul Frain who was driving down to the game, so after a crazy New Years Eve night out I got some shut eye before heading to the station to pick up my lift with a gigantic hangover.

The journey rather passed me by, but I know we got there early as we went inside the social club for a small admission fee at the ground. This aided my recovery slightly.

Bescot Stadium was extremely similar in appearence to Glanford Park at Scunthorpe, which had also been recently built, apart from having lots more pillars supporting the continuous roof. Both ends had terracing, with seating down the sides.

The game was instantly forgettable, but a point was a satisfactory result for Boro.

Walsall 0 Scarborough 0 (Saturday 28th December 1991) Division Four (att: 3,488)

This visit was made by minibus along with Bunner and his gang. Again we arrived early and used the clubhouse, where I made a large faux pas asking a pal if a certain Boro full back was still providing us with complimentary tickets, only to be told by sniggering others that it was not a good idea to ask owing to a parting of the waves off the pitch!

They ran out of bread at the catering stand so they sold us hot dogs to go in the soup!

Another satisfactory point celebrated by a night out in Shepshed and plentiful ales.

Walsall 4 Scarborough 1 (Saturday 8th October 1994) Division Three (att: 3,601)

Billy Ayre's Boro side were woeful, with Paul Rutherford standing out for special attention thanks to his ineptitude. We were placed down the side in the seats and got a grandstand view as Scott Houghton put in a majestic display on the wing to tear the lightweight Boro defence apart.

I went to this one in the people carrier with several other Seadogs, which definitely included Bunner and Filey John.

Since my visit

Bescot Stadium has since been made all seated, with the home end having a large upper tier added.


The colour photos on this page have been taken from the internet as I didn't take a camera on any of my visits, with the black and white image been scanned from Simon Inglis' fine tome, The Football Grounds of England and Wales.

Hartlepool United

Hartlepool United FC are a football club based on the north east coast of England, around thirty miles south of Newcastle. The club were formed as Hartlepools United FC in 1908 as they represented both West Hartlepool and Old Hartlepool. A seperate club West Hartlepool FC won the FA Amateur Cup in 1905, but soon lost players to the newly formed club. United moved into the Victoria Ground, as West Hartlepool Rugby Club went bust and left the ground unoccupied.

The club began life in the North Eastern League, having being denied a place in the Football League owing to the proximity of the other clubs in the region already having membership. However, in 1920 the League was extended and United were given a place in Division Three North.

United struggled for many seasons, and often had to apply for re-election at the end of the season. They fared a little better in the 1950's, reaching the FA Cup fourth round in 1955. Two years later a record gate of 17,264 flocked to the Victoria Ground to see Manchester United's Busby Babes in action. Hartlepool trailed 3-0 but drew level before going down to a late goal.

Despite this the club were placed in Division Four the season after following re-organisation. Things improved following Brian Clough's appointment as manager in 1965 despite him not been keen on taking the job at first. He rallied the town to get behind his team and generally dragged the club from its slumber, upsetting his chairman along the way. In may 1967 the impressive Clough was snapped up by Derby County, with the club changing its name to Hartlepool FC a year later after winning promotion.















Their spell in Division Three lasted just one season, and Hartlepool returned to a struggling existence. In 1977 the club took on its current title as several managers tried and consequently failed to improve on the field fortunes despite the goals of Bob Newton and Keith Houchen. Financial problems also dogged the club off the pitch with Vince Barker threatening to move them to Scarborough in 1980 after he claimed that the local council reneged on a deal concerning the ownership of the Victoria Ground.

The supporters became totally dissatisfied with the board with gates dipping. A low of 790 was posted in May 1984 for the home game with Stockport County. Barker departed with John Smart taking over. Billy Horner continued to do his best managing the team with limited resources until he was replaced by John Bird during the 1986-87 season as relegation from the Football League seemed a distinct possibility. It was during that same season when Middlesbrough used the Victoria Ground for a few early games as they were locked out of Ayresome Park after going into administration.

Bird's team with the goals of Paul Baker and Andy Toman showed signs of improvement but he departed to take the vacant job at York City, to be replaced by a highly unsuccessful spell under Bobby Moncur. New Chairman Gary Gibson appointed Cyril Knowles, who would go on to gain legendary status in his short spell with Hartlepool fans after initially helping saving another relegation threat.

Joe Allon joined Baker up front as fortunes improved as the team were in the top ten all season until tragedy struck. Knowles was diagnosed with a brain tumour and passed away in August 1991. Former chief executive Alan Murray took up the reigns and led the team to promotion as Allon was sold to Chelsea. Several good signings were made as the team vied for promotion a couple of seasons later before eventually missing out.

The 'temporary' Main Stand at the Victoria Ground

However, during the 1992-93 season it was revealed that the club had major financial problems, so players had to be sold. Murray was sacked and replaced by Viv Busby as a relegation was escaped. However, a return to the bottom tier followed the season after as no money was available for players. Busby departed and other managers also tried their best. Local businessman Harold Hornsey bought the club and stabilised the finances for a couple of years before selling to oil company IOR while remaining chairman for another couple of years. At around the same time United's home ground was renamed Victoria Park.

Mick Tait was manager during the 1998-99 season but was replaced by Chris Turner as United's League place was in danger, but helped by the experience of Peter Beardsley the team stayed up. Turner turned fortunes around as United reached the play offs for the following two seasons, but lost out each time in the semi finals. He did lead the side to automatic promotion in 2002-03 before moving to Sheffield Wednesday to be replaced by Mike Newell and then Neale Cooper who continued to build on the good work.

Cooper departed surprisingly near to the end of the 2004-05 season ashis assistant Martin Scott took the team to the Play Off Final, where in a classic encounter they were defeated by Sheffield Wednesday at the Millennium Stadium. Scott and then Paul Stephenson spent time as manager, with the latter in charge as the team were relegated in May 2006.

Danny Wilson was appointed as the new manager and he immediately led the club to success as the team were promoted as runners up. However, the owners proved difficult to please and Wison was on his way during the 2008-09 with Chris Turner returning to the hot seat. His position caused much unrest as he was also involved with a consortium looking to buy Sheffield Wednesday, so in the summer of 2010 he was replaced by Mick Wadsworth.

During the following close season, a scheme selling season tickets for just £100 attracted 5,500 takers as Norberto Solano was added to the playing ranks. Unfortunately after a great start the form dropped off with Wadsworth being replaced by the returning Cooper in December 2011. The team ended in mid table, but following another season ticket offer the side started the 2012-13 in awful form with fellow Scotsman John Hughes arriving as manager in place of the sacked Cooper.

Hughes was also shown the door, in April 2013 as United were relegated. Colin Cooper was employed as the new manager.

Hartlepool United FC will play in Football League Two in the 2013-14 season


My visits

Hartlepool United 1 Scarborough 0 (Saturday 26th March 1988) Division Four (att: 2,453)

My first visit to Hartlepool was made on the Gas Club/Post Office mini bus run by the much missed George Johnson. As ever he'd arranged that we left in good time with an intended pub stop before reaching town. On this occasion, as many others, we hit the jackpot. We travelled along the main A689 and near the village of Newton Bewley we saw the Blue Bells over the carriageway  Driver, Rich Carsey pulled round at the next opportunity and soon we were enjoying some magnificent pints of Tetley's Imperial.

I was in excellent form as we arrived at the Victoria Ground, even more so on finding that my pal Steve Adams had left me a complimentary ticket! I walked inside not expecting to find a work of beauty, which is as well, as I wasn't let down.

Where there was once a small wooden Main Stand, which in itself was only meant to be temporary when erected in 1921, there was now a row of portakabins and a small enclosure for directors. The club had been enforced to remove the old structure following the Bradford Fire Disaster. We were stood on the open Town End, behind which stood Hartlepool Stadium, which was used for greyhound racing. Behind the other goal was the open Rink End. Finally the far side was occupied by the Mill House Stand, offering the only public seating and cover at the ground behind more open terracing.

The game was unremarkable. Boro still had hopes of reaching the play offs, but on a blustery afternoon the game just drifted along. Ian Ironside, making his first league appearance in the Boro net saved a penalty.

Post match we headed back and attempted to stop at Sleights for beers, which if I remember rightly we did at the second pub of trying.

Hartlepool United 3 Scarborough 1 (Tuesday 11th April 1989) Division Four (att: 1,845)

This was a really foul evening to go anywhere, but the howling winds and driving rain coming off the nearby North Sea made it really miserable. The decent following of Boro fans huddled in groups against the back wall to try and hide from the weather while sneaking a look through the holes at the dog racing next door.

Boro badly needed a win against lowly United to continue their promotion charge, but in truth the teams of Colin Morris often failed where Neil Warnock's side would grit out a win, despite there being very few differences inthe starting line ups.

They capitulated to a hungry team who wanted it more and didn't look bothered by the conditions. We were not best happy as we clambered back on the mini bus to try and thaw and dry out. Our mood wasn't aided by the friendly Cleveland Police escorting everyone back past Scaling Dam to prevent a beer anywhere north of Whitby.

Hartlepool United 4 Scarborough 1 (Tuesday 26th December 1989) Division Four (att: 3,698)

Just when we thought the previous visit couldn't have been any worse, it most certainly did. We set off in good spirits on the bus with turkey sarnies and mince pies aplenty and arrived at a pub somewhere near Middlesbrough with a charity football match taking place on the pitch next to it. All was good as we left there at 1pm to head for some more fine ales at The Blue Bell. This is where it all went downhill.

The kind constabulary had decided to hammer home the overtime and were waiting in vans to stop all Boro supporters as they left the roundabout from the A19. Several coaches and mini buses were all held until 2pm when they kindly escorted us to the ground and made sure we all went to stand in the freezing open end for an hour or so before kick off.

Cyril Knowles had only recently taken over at the bottom of the table Pools and had signed several new players including Ian Bennyworth from Boro, where he'd only ever been moderately popular. Basically, Boro were outfought and out thought and looked like they'd overdosed on Christmas pudding and were missing their fireside's.

The home fans were delirious under the new roof at the Rink End, especially when Bennyworth scored. It was a day when we wondered why we ever bothered?

Solace was sought by stopping for beers for an hour or so in Whitby on the way home. I think it says everything that it ranked as the days highlight.

Hartlepool United 1 Scarborough 1 (Saturday 6th January 1996) Division Three (att: 2,252)

For reasons listed above, I gave Hartlepool a wide berth for a few seasons, but decided it was time for another go after Sean Hunter announced in the Tap & Spile that he was prepared to drive, so I thought I'd accompany Col Whelan.

I was interested as to how we'd get on up there with the locals. Bunner and some of the boys had erected a mock scaffold and hung a toy monkey from it on the A171 before a home game with them as a mickey take of the famous story of the town when they hung a ship's monkey as they suspected it was a French spy. Luckily their intelligence and humour had improved from those days and they were fine!

Victoria Park, as it was now called, had changed out of all recognition. It was now an impressive arena. We were placed in the Rink End, which was now seated. The far Town End now had a cover and accommodated the vocal Poolies. The Mill House Stand and terrace remained the same, but the portacabins had been replaced by a new structure, The Cyril Knowles Stand. The teams emerged from a new changing room block in the corner nearest our entrance.

Boro put in a reasonable performance with Kevin Magee scoring the goal. Hartlepool must have been poor at the back! 

It rained all day.

Hartlepool United 3 Scarborough 0 (Saturday 17th April 1999) Division Three (att: 5,098)

My visits to Hartlepool were hardly filled with joy, but they were like music hall comedies compared to this classic. I was a little disorientated as Karl Theobald, who'd kindly agreed to drive, parked up in a warm sunny and wind free town. The pubs were sound enough around the harbour area and then the town, although the big Elvis tattooed barman in one pub frightened the life out of us. Karl said it was fine that he'd poured him a full pint of coke without asking!

I was nervous about what we were about to receive, with both clubs scrapping at the bottom of the table along with Hull City and Carlisle United to try and retain our place in the League. Boro had been woeful until Colin Addison had arrived in the New Year and results had picked up, but this was a huge game. A large turnout of Seadogs made the journey north, but we all had the stuffing knocked out of us as Pools ran into a two goal early lead.

I was devastated. This was a game we really couldn't afford to lose, yet the players had barely turned up. I asked scorer Chris Freestone why he'd been let go by Middlesbrough? He replied by scoring. Peter Beardsley boosted the home team as they ran Boro ragged. The home 'fans' boosted by many from up the coast goaded us for the rest of the afternoon.

We sat in the car in deathly silence and listened as the other scorers didn't help us either. Then the news headlines came on offering my Pièce de résistance. I was to move to London the following Sunday to start a new life. I was tense about the decision as I hadn't any work sorted in advance; just a place on my brother Paul's settee.  The newsreader announced that a bomb had gone off in Brixton, a mile or so from where Paul lived. I had to break the silence before one of my fellow passengers wet themselves and burst out with laughter. It was the only thing I could do.

I walked straight into the Gas Club to announce to Bob Hall that we were as good as relegated. I can't remember much else so I must have drowned my sorrows good and proper.


The colour photos of Victoria Park have been taken from the internet. I didn't take a camera on any of my visits, and even if I had my hands would have been too cold apart from the last time to use it properly. My black and white image has been scanned from Simon Inglis' excellent book of the Football Grounds of England and Wales.

West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion FC are a football club based in the industrial Black Country five miles north west of Birmingham. The club were formed as West Bromwich Strollers by workers of Salter's Spring Works in 1878, before they adopted their current title two years later. The Strollers in their original title was derived from the fact that no footballs were on sale in their home town, so they had to walk to nearby Wednesbury to purchase one. 'Albion' was chosen as it was the name of a district in West Bromwich where several players lived.

The club joined both the Birmingham and Staffordshire FA's and began to draw attention with their fine performances in the county cups. In 1885 Albion turned professional and were runners up to Blackburn Rovers in the following seasons FA Cup. The next season saw another final appearance, this time going down to local rivals Aston Villa. However, they were not to be denied as they won the trophy in 1887 after defeating Preston North End 2-1 in The Oval showpiece.

1888 also saw the formation of the Football League, with Albion becoming one of the twelve founder members. 1892 saw the clubs second FA Cup win, this time over Aston Villa, who revenged that defeat by winning the 1895 final. In 1890 the club moved to The Hawthorns after earlier playing home games at several local pitches, The Birches and then Four Acres. However, their new surroundings didn't bring immediate luck as they were relegated in their first season there, before correcting that at the first attempt.

In May 1902 the nineteen year old Fred Everiss became the club secretary/manager, going on to hold the post for the next forty six years. The 1910-11 season saw a return to the top flight after a previous relegation as well another FA Cup Final appearance. On this occasion Barnsley defeated 'The Throstles' in the final. The nickname had come as the club had changed at the Plough and Harrow pub before games where the landlady kept a pet thrush in a cage.

The goals of Fred Morris helped Albion to be crowned League champions in 1919-20, but by 1927 the club once again found themselves in Division Two. The 1930-31 season saw promotion and a third FA Cup win, as Birmingham were defeated. They were beaten after reaching the 1935 final by Sheffield Wednesday. By the outbreak of World War Two Albion were back in the second tier.

In peacetime the club appointed a proper football coach in Jack Smith. Everiss had previously delivered a team talk after the board of directors picked the team. This paid immediate dividends as the team were promoted. Smith was replaced by Jesse Carver who introduced football into the training for the first time, which no doubt benefited the likes of Ronnie Allen. Vic Buckingham built an exciting footballing side after Carver was seduced back to Italy.

The 1953-54 season almost saw Albion complete the League and Cup double. Unfortunately league form dipped at the vital time with local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers pipping them to the title. Solace was sought with an FA Cup Final victory over Preston North End at Wembley. The team were consistent over the following seasons until Buckingham was lured to take over at Ajax. Derek Kevan scored plenty of goals during a steady decline until Jimmy Hagan took over as boss in 1963.

A young striker was signed from Notts County the following year by the name of Jeff Astle. Hagan began to produce an excellent side, with the team winning the League Cup of 1966 over two legs against West Ham United, before falling to a huge shock as Third Division Queens Park Rangers defeated them in the first Wembley final the following year. Hagan's side had Astle leading the line with Tony Brown, which was complimented by John Kaye, Bobby Hope and Clive Clark.

Hagan was replaced by Alan Ashman who led the team to the FA Cup in 1968 as an Astle goal defeated Everton.

To see action of the great day, click on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtKhZupeJRw

1970 saw another Wembley visit but this time it ended in defeat as Manchester City lifted the League Cup. Don Howe replaced Ashman as boss in 1971, but couldn't prevent the team from being relegated a couple of years later. The legendary Astle departed in 1974 and a failure to win promotion led to Johnny Giles being appointed as player manager. He was a popular choice and he took the team back up in 1976 before handing in his resignation. Giles was also the manger of the Republic of Ireland and he decided that he needed to dedicate more time to that role.

Ronnie Allen and then veteran centre back John Wile had spells in the hotseat before Ron Atkinson was attracted to the role from Cambridge United. Atkinson was another very popular appointment as he set out an attractive team including several star youngsters such as Peter Barnes, Gary Owen and Bryan Robson as well as the famed 'Three Degrees' of Cyrille Regis, Lawrie Cunningham and Brendan Batson who challenged the racism in the game at the time. It was around this period when the alternative nickname of 'The Baggies' became popular. The source of this title is unclear with several local theories being mooted.

To see a wonderful performance of this era, click on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTAMsgAdsII&hl=en-GB&gl=GB

Sadly the talent was sold off under the conservative chairmanship of Bert Millichip before Atkinson took the vacant job at Manchester United in 1981. Managers Allen (again), Nobby Stiles, Ron Wylie, Giles (again) and Ron Saunders tried to halt the inevitable slide without success, despite some promising but cheap signings coming in. In 1986 the club were relegated to Division Two.

Atkinson returned in 1987 and was doing well until he was tempted to take the head coach role at Atletico Madrid. Brian Talbot took over, initially while playing, but he couldn't carry on the good form. This was a real time of depression around the West Midlands and the football clubs suffered like every other industry. Talbot was sacked after a 4-2 home defeat to Woking in the FA Cup in January 1991. Bobby Gould took over but at the end of the season Albion were demoted to the League's third tier for the first time.

Ossie Ardiles took the team up via the play offs in 1993 as Port Vale were swept aside at Wembley as Bob Taylor's goals were too much for several opponents. Ardiles was appointed as boss by his former club Tottenham Hotspur soon after. Keith Burkinshaw was next to try his luck at the helm, but he was replaced after just one stuttering season by Alan Buckley. He lasted a little longer but couldn't bring success. Ray Harford and Brian Little also failed to find the magic ingredient despite local lad Lee Hughes banging in regualr goals.

Gary Megson was appointed in March 2000 and he led the team to safety after making some late astute signings. He led the side to the play offs the following year as he built a hard to beat side. In May 2002 Albion won promotion to the Premier League as runners up in the league. Chairman Paul Thompson departed soon after following a falling out with Megson to be replaced by Jeremy Peace. Albion were relegated after just one season, but won promotion at the first attempt.

Megson wasn't faring too much better the second time around and he was replaced by former midfielder Bryan Robson. The team found themselves bottom of the table at New Year 2005, but for the first time in the history of the Premier League they survived at the end of the season from such a position after beating Portsmouth on the final day of the season.

The 2005-06 season wasn't as successful and ended in relegation, with Robson leaving soon into the new season to be replaced by Tony Mowbray. He took the side to the Play Off Final, but the game was lost 1-0 to Derby County in the clubs first appearance at the new Wembley. In 2008 Albion reached the FA Cup semi final where they were defeated by Portsmouth. Mowbray took the side up at the end of the season, but yet again their spell in the top flight lasted just one season, at which point the manager left to join Celtic.

Roberto Di Matteo won promotion in his first season in charge, 2009-10 as the team played some splendid football. It came as a major surprise when he was sacked during the following season to be replaced by Roy Hodgson, who admittedly did a tremendous job before being given the job as England manager at the end of the 2011-12 season. Former Chelsea and Liverpool coach Steve Clarke was appointed in his place and immediately impressed as his side including Chris Brunt, Shane Long, Peter Odemwingie and Liam Ridgewell beat all comers.

West Bromwich Albion FC will play in the FA Premier League in the 2013-14 season.


My visits

Wednesday 21st October 1987

Scarborough were away to Hereford United in their debut Football League season and I was heading to the game in a car with our grand prix standard driver John 'Doomy' Dyer, Mick Young and Dave 'Crusher' Johnson. We had set off early to have a look at some grounds along the way and had already called in at Burton Albion, Aston Villa, Walsall and Wolves. After parking up outside we saw a groundsman coming out of a corner gate, and he was most kind in letting us inside.

We were in the corner with the all seated single tiered Halfords Lane Stand to our left. Raised seated corner stands were at either end. At the far end was the Birmingham Road covered terrace with room for ten thousand fans. To our right was the Smethwich End, a large terracing with a roof at the rear, which continued around the corner to the Handsworth Side where the Rainbow Stand was located. This had two tiers of seating separated by the later addition of a row of corporate boxes at the rear of the lower section. Finally was the uncovered Woodman Paddock in the far corner, with the Woodman Inn  directly behind it. At the top of this enclosure stood a traditional half time scoreboard topped with a large golden throstle.

We said our thanks and headed off for a visit to Kidderminster Harriers before continuing for pre match beers in Hereford.

West Bromwich Albion 1 Fulham 2 (Tuesday 1st January 2013) FA Premier League (att: 25,436)

It had always been a relief to finish my night shift on the tube after New Years Eve and this one had been no exception. It also gave me great satisfaction that between my colleague and I we'd dealt with things professionally and as well as possible. Heading to a top flight game at a new ground the following morning also helped me along.

The Megabus, which cost just £5 from Victoria was packed, but it would matter little to me, as going past Lord's Cricket Ground was the last I knew about anything for the best part of two hours. I awoke from my slumber as we approached Coventry, and after a drop there we were soon heading into Birmingham from the M6 past Villa Park.

I was in good form as the bus dropped me ten minutes ahead of schedule on a cool but beautiful morning. My next job was to find a pub to fill in some time and to toast the new year, as I knew the area around The Hawthorns was pub free and I didn't really fancy hanging around inside the stadium concourse supping overpriced lager. Birmingham city centre was extremely quiet. A pub that was advised on the CAMRA app on my IPhone was closed and I was about to give up when I spotted a man down an alleyway sat at a table with a pint. I entered the back door of the establishment and walked into a veritable Aladin's Cave of a real ale pub.

The Wellington was the local CAMRA pub of the year, with very good reason. Sixteen hand pumps dispensed fine ales from lots of Midlands brewers. After advice from the knowledgeable barman I plumped for a pint of the hoppy Citra from Oakham Ales of Peterborough. t went down a treat. In fact it was that good that I put another couple away before following some other gents in Albion shirts back across to Snow Hill station.

I could have taken a tram or train to The Hawthorns station, and as a rail service was due I went for that option, with a return ticket costing just £2.10. The ride took around seven minutes and we were entertained by a poor bloke obviously suffering on hard times, but with a great memory of his days when he was in his prime as he recalled random names from the past at volume such as Bobby Hope, Bomber Brown and Dick Krzywicki and great games. As I said to the youngish lad opposite me "That's what taking the Wolves job does to you". "Aye" he replied, "it breaks the best of em".

We were soon alighting and following the crowds up Halford Lane, past a stall selling bags of sweets to keep the kids happy, and to the turnstiles of the Smethwich End. I was soon inside and despite the long queue I had time for a good meat pie. I was taken by the generally friendly atmosphere and good support around me.

My seat was on the very back row amongst the noisier fans and had cost me just £15 in an attempt to sell out to home fans. I was most impressed with my view and the stadium as a whole. The Halfords Lane stand was as before with corner sections added. The Smethwich End and Birming Road End were both single tiered seating, with the far end slightly larger. The East Stand was also a large bank of seating to replace the dated Rainbow Stand. The lower corner sections were filled with seating, but large metal sheeting filled the gaps to enclose the arena. In one was a scoreboard, and the other had the old throstle looking over proceedings. They were the only areas letting the stadium down and offered further scope for expansion.

To see the teams emerge, go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watchv=
WFZPaADnAYY&list=UUuIHNmGQ2lRbtwwp7tLYDDQ&index=1

The sun shone on the pitch, but still a couple of visiting players wore gloves. One was Dimitar Berbatov and he was probably the only player on the pitch who didn't break sweat, yet he was head and shoulders above everyone else on show. His control, touch and passing had the most passionate of Baggies stood next to me (no-one sat at the back thank goodness) purring with admiration. It was good to be next to a proper fan who appreciated both teams. He wasn't so glowing in his praise of his own skipper Chris Brunt, and with good reason. He performed as though he was one of my customers from a few hours earlier.

Albion didn't close their London visitors down and the game was just drifting along. I was still starving so I went downstairs before the break and saw Berbatov put Fulham ahead on one of the TV's. The queue was large but then I noticed the doors open at the back so fans could use the burger van inside the compound. It wasn't cheap but it certainly did a job!

No doubt Steve Clarke offered plenty of advice to his team at the break and they came out looking a different team. The defence was tightened and play became quicker with the wide man attacking and getting up to support the forwards. A fine piece of play from Billy Jones led to Romelu Lukaku slotting home. As with many of the players, the Baggies faithful had a clever song for the scorer. "Lukaku whoa whoa Lukaku whao whoa, he comes from Stamford Bridge, he's bigger than a fridge." It made me laugh anyway!

Somehow the Fulham goal escaped a further breach as Albion piled the pressure on with David Stockdale in goal living a charmed life. Then out of nowhere Fulham scored what turned out to be the winner. A long ball went in from deep which saw Alexander Kacaniklic take advantage of keeper Ban Foster's strange decision to come well out of his goal, to slide the ball into an unguarded net.

That was that. Albion had the stuffing knocked out of them. The brilliant Berbatov went off to a cacophony of jealous boos and suggestions he had a self indulgient hobby, while he smiled waved and walked off slowly while milking the applause from the purists and away fans. A bloke just behind me as I stood by the exit commented "He's the best player of the park" to numerous nods and agreement.

I made a run for it on full time and within twenty five minutes of the final whistle I was back in the pub. There were plenty more drifting back to chat with fans of other clubs supping their pints, with some offering updates via their radios. "Villa are one down already, and it should be three" reported one bloke, to knowing groans around the bar. I settled for a relaxing pint before heading through the impressive city centre to New Street station. 

I had managed to purchase a cheap rail ticket, which proved to be a wise choice. I slept like a baby and felt refreshed ready to go and meet my good pal Jim Wilson for beers in Camden.

It had been a great day of football and beer. If every day out was to be like that over the following twelve month, I'd be a very content man by the time Big Ben chimed in 2014.


The two older photos of The Hawthorns have been taken from the internet.