1973/74 - DIVISION THREE
about the programme
As was now becoming usual, the programme cover design changed for the new season, which saw Albion back in Division Three after a brief flirtation with Division Two. The 16-page programme saw a price increase, from 5p to 7p and ‘League Football’ magazine was again included in many of the home issues, although not stapled in. It was back to a 23-game league season and in addition, there was one game in the League Cup and one in the FA Cup. Off the field, Pat Saward lost his job in October 1973 and his replacement was none other than Brian Clough, who moved to the South Coast in an incredible move by Albion chairman Mike Bamber. Unfortunately, Mr Clough wasn’t one for programme notes so we weren’t treated to his special brand of communication, but it certainly made for an interesting season. We also saw the advent of Sunday football, in response to the economic crisis sweeping the country. Charging to watch the match was illegal so spectators paid the usual entrance price as a subscription to ‘The Dolphins Club’, receiving a membership card and free entrance.
homes and aways - click on image for scan
29 aug 73
v charlton athletic
(league cup 1st rnd)
l 1-2
Albion scorers: John Templeman
Att: 8,452
1 sep 73
v afc bournemouth
l 0-2
Albion scorers: n/a
Att: 9,835
15 sep 73
v charlton athletic
l 1-2
Albion scorers: Barry Bridges
Att: 9,379
19 sep 73
v oldham athletic
l 1-2
Albion scorers: Lammie Robertson (pen)
Att: 6,870
29 sep 73
v watford
l 0-1
Albion scorers: n/a
Att: 7,645
13 oct 73
v halifax town
l 0-1
Albion scorers: n/a
Att: 6,228
20 oct 73
v shrewsbury town
w 2-0
Albion scorers: Ronnie Howell, Ken Beamish
Att: 5,308
24 oct 73
v southport
w 4-0
Albion scorers: Ronnie Howell (pen), Peter O’Sullivan, Eddie Spearritt, Barry Bridges
Att: 6,417
3 nov 73
v york city
d 0-0
Albion scorers: n/a
Att: 16,017
Why the 10,000 extra fans? This was the first game in charge for new manager Brian Clough, one of the highest-profile names in the game and a real coup for Albion chairman Mike Bamber. What could possibly go wrong?
17 nov 73
v chesterfield
d 0-0
Albion scorers: n/a
Att: 14,148
24 nov 73
v walton & hersham
(fa cup 1st rnd)
d 0-0
Albion scorers: n/a
Att: 6,500
28 nov 73
v walton & hersham
(fa cup 1st rnd replay)
l 0-4
Albion scorers: n/a
Att: 9,657
1 dec 73
v bristol rovers
l 2-8
Albion scorers: Peter O’Sullivan, Ronnie Howell
Att: 10,762
26 dec 73
v aldershot
l 0-1
Albion scorers: n/a
Att: 14,769
29 dec 73
v plymouth argyle
w 1-0
Albion scorers: Ken Beamish
Att: 11,181
20 jan 74
v rochdale
w 2-1
Albion scorers: Tony Towner, Ken Beamish
Att: 18,885
Another bumper crowd, this time for the first ever competitive fixture on a Sunday, arranged in response to the three-day week and a ban on the use of floodlights
9 feb 74
v grimsby town
d 1-1
Albion scorers: Barry Bridges
Att: 10,469
23 feb 74
v blackburn rovers
w 3-0
Albion scorers: Ronnie Welch (pen), Barry Bridges 2
Att: 12,120
27 feb 74
v wrexham
w 2-1
Albion scorers: Ronnie Howell (pen), Peter O’Sullivan
Att: 7,510
10 mar 74
v hereford united
w 2-1
Albion scorers: Ken Beamish, Steve Piper
Att: 17,061
20 mar 74
v port vale
w 2-1
Albion scorers: Barry Bridges, Billy McEwan
Att: 9,365
23 mar 74
v huddersfield town
l 1-2
Albion scorers: Billy McEwan
Att: 12,564
3 apr 74
v cambridge united
w 4-1
Albion scorers: Barry Bridges, Ronnie Welch, Billy McEwan, Ronnie Howell (pen)
Att: 9,851
6 apr 74
v walsall
w 2-1
Albion scorers: Barry Bridges, Lammie Robertson
Att: 10,574
15 apr 74
v southend united
l 0-2
Albion scorers: n/a
Att: 12,943
20 apr 74
v tranmere rovers
l 1-3
Albion scorers: Ronnie Howell (pen)
Att: 9,593
friendlies/testimonials
11 aug 73
v crystal palace
(friendly)
w 2-1
Albion scorers: Ken Beamish, John Templeman
Att: n/a
18 aug 73
v portsmouth
(friendly)
d 2-2
Albion scorers: Barry Bridges, Ken Beamish
Att: n/a
3 may 74
v all star xi
(testimonial for joe wilson)
d 2-2
Albion scorers: Brian Powney (pen), Peter O’Sullivan
Att: n/a
