Silver Jubilee [

Silver Jubilee

1992 saw the 25th Anniversary of my first visit to Bloomfield Road. The following collection of anecdotes reflect some of the highs and lows experienced in a quarter of a century of supporting the Tangerines, with particular reference to my specialist period, the Seventies. Having been in exile 'down south' since 1977, I have been restricted by geography and economics to only 3 or 4 games a season.

Let's kick off with some real low points so that it can only get better. It can now be revealed that my two least favourite players of all time are Keith Bradley, the Aston Villa fullback, whose own goal ensured that QPR pipped Pool for promotion to Division 1 by a fraction of a goal in 1968, and Peter Kitchen, the Orient striker whose end of season goal, against a none too committed Cardiff side, condemned Pool to Division 3 for the first time in 1978.

Alan Ball, the ecstasy and the agony. There was a real buzz of excitement and anticipation when Bally returned to the fold as player/manager. His ideas to turn back the clock, and make the Seasiders great again seemed very convincing at the time. Unfortunately it all went horribly wrong. The combination of trying to run a Third Division club like a First Division outfit, with wages to match, and wasting good money on so called big names, who were well past their sell by date, nearly bankrupted the club. On the field, it soon became apparent that there was a lack of appreciation of what it takes to even survive in the lower divisions, let alone win promotion. The culmination of all this was Bally being given the bullet, and a lightweight, though occasionally skilful team, suffering the humiliation of relegation to the basement division for the first time.

May 31st 1991. Stunned silence when the unfortunate Dave Bamber changed from hero to villain in less than a second, as his feeble penalty rolled the wrong side of the post in the Wembley play-off shoot out against Torquay. It was a desperate moment. Up to that point I had always thought the play-offs were a good idea. It's amazing how quickly an unpleasant experience can focus the mind, and completely reverse your point of view.

Enough of this gloom and despondency, let's change the mood.

During the 25 years in question, a number of outstanding individuals began and ended their careers at Bloomfield Road, as well as those who passed through on their way to greater things. Here are my top three in no particular order.

I always felt Mickey Burns was underrated, having started life as a winger he already had good skills on the ball, but subsequently revealed an instinct for getting into scoring positions. If his finishing had been more consistent he would have been a phenomenal goalscorer.

Tony Green was one of the best. He had skill, pace, vision and an eye for goal. Who could forget the two brilliant, and totally different goals he was seen to score on Match of the Day in a cup tie against West ham in 1971. It was a great tragedy that injury should cut short his career in its prime.

Alan Suddick was probably responsible for more memorable moments at Bloomfield Road than anybody during the early seventies. In this period I hardly missed a home game, so I was in a good position to judge. On his day there were few to touch him, but his main problem was inconsistency. Some of the goals he scored undoubtedly rank as being amongst the best I've ever seen.

Nobody who was there will ever forget the remarkable Chelsea game during our brief return to the top flight in 1970-71. For 45 minutes we murdered them, a 3-0 lead, a standing ovation at half time, what could go wrong? Even when Chelsea pulled one back early in the second half, we weren't worried. As time passed, and inexplicable substitutions took place, the scores were levelled and the hand of the inevitable beckoned. The spectacular own goal from Dave Hatton which won the game for Chelsea had to be seen to be believed.

May 1st 1971 saw the last Division 1 match at Bloomfield Road. It was a privilege to see a Manchester United side including Bobby Charlton, Denis Law and George Best, in front of a 30 000 crowd. An unwelcome side show was the difference of opinion between John Craven and Pat Crerand which resulted in an early bath for both. In the end though Tony Green's excellent goal earned Pool a well deserved draw after Denis Law had put United ahead.

Reflecting on the unexpected success in the Anglo-Italian Tournaments of 1971 and 1972, will always remind me of two remarkable incidents. Alan Suddick's breathtaking goal against Verona (left) in the 71 Tournament, and the 10-0 demolition of Lanerossi in 72, which ensured that Pool went through to the final for the second successive year. I don't expect to see the likes of these again.

Sometime in the early seventies, Joe Harris, a long standing Pool supporter, composed a new club song. The song was approved by the club, who invited Joe to conduct the assembled masses at Bloomfield Road. Our new choirmaster carried out his duties from a podium in the centre circle, unfortunately the apathy was so total it was embarrassing. It seemed that those supporters who did like to sing, preferred more obscene versions of current pop songs. There was consolation for Joe Harris though, his song was recorded by the Nolans and often played as part of the pre match or half time entertainment!

On a number of occasions on learning which team I support, new acquaintances of a certain age have immediately mentioned the Mickey Walsh Goal of the Season in 1975. As the winning goal, it crowned what had been a marvellous Second Division encounter with a skilful and determined Sunderland side. I had a perfect view from the South Paddock, directly in line with the shot as it whipped past Jim Montgomery's outstretched fingers.

How many people remember the rock festival at Bloomfield Road in the summer of 1975? It was a strange experience to sit on the Kop steps in the sunshine to enjoy the music of Steeleye Span, Roy Harper and Kevin Coyne. Younger readers will not remember these artists, perhaps it's just as well. Where are they now? Did a gig at such a prestigious venue enhance their careers?

In 1980, when Fleetwood Town reached the First Round of the FA Cup for the first time in years, I wondered what the chances of them being drawn against Pool were. The odds were very high yet amazingly it happened. On the day, we witnessed the strange spectacle of Pool playing in light blue shirts at Bloomfield Road, as the supposed 'away' team. Fleetwood, understandably, had opted for the money rather then increased chances of victory on their own ground. The Pool duly saw off the local upstarts with a comfortable 4-0 victory.

Anyway, that's all folks, I can't take any more of this, too much nostalgia is bad for your health.