Clearing out the loft and coming across this precious find of the Supporters Club annual Handbook for season 1964/65 - which of you fellow old-timers remembers those!? And in the inside page a photo of Bobby Smith! An unbelievable coup for the now 4th tier BHA to secure him on 14th May for the season at £5000 (plus gambling debts!). Read attached, John Vinicombe's Argus summary of the expectancy for that coming season. Who remembers being there for the last game of the season with over 30,000 celebrating a fantastic season as winners of the Division with 102 goals, and Smith having scored 19 of them? Alas it all went downhill for him after that but that previous season was for me, at 15 years old, one never to forget.
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[Albion] Bobby Smith and that 1964-65 season
- Thread starter bardo
- Start date
Just following the Albion via Sports Report, BBC Sport in the West (for a twenty second summary) and my Dad's Sunday paper in those days - but still exciting times Didn't the 'other Smith' score almost as many as Bobby? Not to mention Wally Gould's contribution.
cjd
Well-known member
The start of my love affair with the Albion.
ewe2
Well-known member
Behind the north end goal with my rattle…..
Seagull on the Hill
Well-known member
- Jan 22, 2022
- 757
What a season that was!
Average gate over 17,000 in the 4th Division.
6 players scored 10 goals or more.
My 3rd season of watching the Albion.
Sadly marred by the death of Barry Rees.
Average gate over 17,000 in the 4th Division.
6 players scored 10 goals or more.
My 3rd season of watching the Albion.
Sadly marred by the death of Barry Rees.
Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo
I believe in Joe Hendry
- Oct 4, 2003
- 12,091
My Dad would rave about Bobby Smith when I was little (his Albion career was 10 years before I was born), he’s probably still my Dads favourite ever player for us.
Talking of the Supporters Club handbook again something that was mainly done before my time but I’ve picked up a couple with special meaning on eBay in the past. Can’t remember the exact years but my Grandad was membership secretary for a while (and his photo would be in the handbook), and one year the cover was drawn by my aunt. I’m guessing late 60s or very early 70s as my uncle and her emigrated to Canada in 1973.
Talking of the Supporters Club handbook again something that was mainly done before my time but I’ve picked up a couple with special meaning on eBay in the past. Can’t remember the exact years but my Grandad was membership secretary for a while (and his photo would be in the handbook), and one year the cover was drawn by my aunt. I’m guessing late 60s or very early 70s as my uncle and her emigrated to Canada in 1973.
- Aug 7, 2003
- 8,090
There were two Bobby Smiths, the latter, less famous, being 68-72.
A year before mine (early 1966). Us youngsters eh? Don't even remember rationing!
AnotherArch
Northern Exile
A great season. That Easter we played away to Stockport on Good Friday and then at Darlington next day on the Saturday. My dad and I stayed overnight in Manchester but some intrepid fans travelled all the way back home to Brighton, has a few hours kip and then travelled up to Darlington (where it snowed in April!). Day return was 66 shillings.
We then played at home to Stockport on Easter Monday making it 3 games in 4 days - normal for Easter back then. We then finished at home to Darlington.
I think I still have the scrapbooks with all the Argus cuttings for that season.
We then played at home to Stockport on Easter Monday making it 3 games in 4 days - normal for Easter back then. We then finished at home to Darlington.
I think I still have the scrapbooks with all the Argus cuttings for that season.
el punal
Well-known member
Your post reminds me of a Good Friday fixture. In 1971/72 season we played Torquay at the Goldstone. It must have been the earliest kickoff I’ve been to 11.00 or 11.30 (memories eh!). Torquay were 1-0 up with eight minutes to go and severely denting our promotion aspirations. No worries though - we bagged three in the last minutes to win 3-1.
maltaseagull
Well-known member
That was my first full season of watching the Albion. I had been to a few games in 1963 ( with a wooden cheese box to stand on!)
AnotherArch
Northern Exile
Then we went to Bournemouth the next day for a top of the table match. We equalized in the last minute. Their players, including MacDougall were gutted.
Then on the next Tuesday Templeman scored a worldie to win at Barnsley.
We went up and Bmuff didn't.
Ted Mac scored a lot of goals for Bmuff, Saints and Norwich
Seagull on the Hill
Well-known member
- Jan 22, 2022
- 757
That was another great season.
I remember away wins at Mansfield (0-3), Oldham (2-4) Halifax (0-5) and Shrewsbury (3-5) amongst others.
Mexican Seagull
Active member
First season I was allowed to go (walk there) on my own, though did have to meet my uncle at the ground and stand with him in NE corner. Wally Gould was my favourite player, am I right in remembering he had a few fingers missing?
el punal
Well-known member
If I remember correctly the coach was to have picked up the team from the station (Manchester?) and take them to Halifax. The coach either broke down or failed to turn up. Pat Saward, as manager, herded everyone onto a fleet of taxis in order to get to the Shay. They arrived just in time so as not to incur a penalty for turning up late. The Albion were on fire and won 5-0. Pat Saward put the victory down to having to spend as little time as possible in that depressing ground.
Mr Bridger
Sound of the suburbs
Before my time, but my dad used to rave about him.
Another piece of Albion memorabilia he passed on to me.
Another piece of Albion memorabilia he passed on to me.
Seagull on the Hill
Well-known member
- Jan 22, 2022
- 757
There was a lot of trouble after the Bournemouth match.
Their fans were looking for revenge after the match at the Goldstone when their coaches got smashed up.
Got back to the station safely but then had to dodge a volley of stones that they rained down onto the platform.
