Hartlepool(H).13/03/76.

For me the content and quality of our mid 1970s programmes speaks volumes for the state of the club at the time: doing its' best but struggling on a diminishing turnover in the face of mounting public apathy. We did well to keep going and to remain aloof from the foot of the table. If you'd been around in the 1960s, it was all very much of a letdown and a comedown. If you hadn't, it was a great introduction to the realities of supporting Torquay United. I tend to look back on it as Plainmoor in low-gear and possibly not unlike the 1930s when the novelty of League football had started to wear off.

So I'm afraid I find the programmes from then a little dull. But I always smile when remembering that a mate of mine did most of the design work before attempting to sell the things at Plainmoor. And, considering he's still in the design business, it stood him in mightily good stead.

Looking at the 75/76 Hartlepool edition, the most interesting story is about Ray Spencer. He's another of those names of which I've barely heard; a fringe player from the days just before I was old enough to be really interested.

Meanwhile Dave Easton has progressed to being club secretary. C.Hatherley is still in Accra. Just what was he doing there?

And what would we have done without Face in the Crowd competitions? They're a wonderful record of who went to football and how they dressed for the occasion.