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1976/77 Season

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1976/77 Season Empty 1976/77 Season

Post by HerefordRoman Fri Apr 08, 2016 3:54 pm

Hi,

I am writing an article for the programme on the 1976/77 season. I was wondering if anyone had any memories or recollections of that season, games, players, events etc.
To jog your memory it was the season City finished 4th under new manager Brian Godfrey in the Southern League Premier Division before winning it the following season.

Any memories of that season would be greatly appreciated.

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Post by comrade powell Fri Apr 08, 2016 4:25 pm

Looking back, the most memorable thing about that season was that Godfrey put several of the key pieces in the jig saw that formed the best City team I've ever seen in 77/78. While he had inherited some good players, bringing in the likes of Bourne, Higgins and Gibbs were inspired moves.

Although we finally finished 4th, there was a time when we looked like we could be champions. However, like the present season, we lacked the killer touch which was so brilliantly provided 12 months later by Provan, Jenkins, Wheeler & co. 15 matches were drawn and only 4 saw us score more than 2. (By the way - most of this is coming from the archive at http://www.bathcityfc.com/archive_7677.htm  !)

The highlights for me were the 2 games with the champions, Wimbledon - following our cruel cup defeat to them a couple of years earlier, we became their bogey team and we achieved the double. And of course there was Eric Redrobe (Big Red) - a huge striker who joined us from Hereford. A real character - I remember after a defeat at Bedford a group of us fans were chatting to him in the bar, when he suddenly stopped to light a fag and offer one to each of us!

As the good book says, we under-estimated Barnstaple in the cup and were swiftly dispatched and as usual the Trophy run was forgettable with Andy Leitch putting us out of our misery at Minehead.

The season ended with our debut in the Anglo Italian Cup - I think that was the year LB travelled to Italy to support us, so he can give you 5 000 words on that!
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Post by SteveS Fri Apr 08, 2016 9:28 pm

I thought Richard Bourne, who is just about the best centre back I have seen play for Bath City, was signed by Jack Smith from his previous club Ramsgate. Smith was only manager for a short while but made several key signings before leaving to become youth team coach at Swindon (I think). He then seemed to disappear from the radar.
If only we had Richard Bourne in his prime at Concord tomorrow, great player for us.

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Post by comrade powell Fri Apr 08, 2016 9:59 pm

Yes, you're right Steve. Bourne made six appearances in that previous season. What a partnership he formed with Paul Gover!
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Post by Manchester Romans Fri Apr 08, 2016 10:14 pm

According to Wikipedia, Jack Smith managed Margate after his spell as Swindon's youth team manager. He then ran a tea room and worked as a taxi driver. He died in 2008.

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Post by SteveS Fri Apr 08, 2016 10:37 pm

At that time we had 3 very good centre backs. Besides Bourne and Gover there was Glyn Broom, a true local lad who was born and brought up on the Whiteway Estate.

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Post by LB Sat Apr 09, 2016 9:03 pm

If I remember rightly, Jack Smith came to City as Bert Head's assistant and took over from him for a while - I don't recall what happened to him afterwards but he may well have gone to Margate because I think he had roots in Kent.

As for Richard Bourne, he was definitely signed from Ramsgate and he made his debut in of all things a Somerset Premier Cup replay at Bridgwater in March 1976 - I know because I was one of the few City fans there. I am pretty sure that we put out a mainly youth team, Terry Woodward scoring in a 2-1 defeat. I may be wrong on this, but I am pretty sure that one of the Bridgwater goals was credited to Sir Richard as an own goal.

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Post by Elmore James Sat Apr 09, 2016 9:27 pm

I remember the Wimbledon home win, it was the biggest crowd I'd seen and can recall feeling chuffed that we'd beaten the big club!. Then there were the Anglo Italian cup matches and the evening game v Bari when the whole ground started to chant City, City, City, to drown out a noisy contingent of Bari supporters in the main stand. Still have the program.

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Post by City 'til we're relegated Sun Apr 10, 2016 6:02 pm

Playing in Europe...marvellous, Top of the league and the ground really buzzing, That evening game against rivals Weymouth when it felt like 5,000 were at Twerton Park rather than the 3,300 announced. Every half-time this song seemed to be played...it still reminds me of those days.

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Post by Twerton Park Magic Sun Apr 10, 2016 9:17 pm

Don't use Forum much but did see this thread. Herefordshire Roman - can you please get in touch about this.  I have just acquired a load of stuff about the 1970s including programmes, newspaper articles, photos, stuff re Anglo-Italian.  was planning on some articles for Programme Notes next season. perhaps we could collaborate if you're thinking of next season rather than this?  You can get my e-mail via Martin Powell, or maybe there is some method of sending 'private' messages via web-site??  It would be good to talk!

Great result for the Boys on Saturday at Concord.  Tuesday might is a Big Night with all the leading contenders in action - except us!

At least we have 3 out of 4 games at home, though this does mean direct suffering rather than indirect via Internet etc

Good luck and thanks to Tyler Harvey - expect to see him scoring the winner for Argyle in play-off final at Wembley.  Ah, if I was a betting man instead of a crystal ball gazer.

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Post by HerefordRoman Mon Apr 11, 2016 8:11 pm

I have PM you. Thanks

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