ARTICLE: Promotion Season Number Nine

[Dressinggown]

This season has been truly special, given that having new owners, a new manager and virtually a whole new squad at the start of the season. I had no idea where we might finish. My major concern was that it might be a relegation battle which if we lost it could have resulted in a free fall of the club, saddled with the debts incurred during the Pace takeover.

From the first few games it became obvious that we would not be involved in a relegation scrap. Our playing style was a breath of fresh air and despite drawing games that we should have won there was a buzz around the club.

Then the results started arriving and we were footballing sides off the park. The game against our local rivals was just the springboard we needed. After that the fans expected us to win every game which we have almost done.

However, I'm not sure it beats 'Jimmy Mullen's Claret & Blue Army' season.

I was in my early twenties at the time with few commitments. Away days were special. Hire minibus from Sensible Price / Intack Hire / Salford / Craig Dickinson etc etc. Pile a dozen mates in and bribe some skint idiot to drive the thing with the promise that we would pay him on the game (tickets not required in those days, thousands were travelling) and a free lunch at one of the many pub stops on the way to the game. Many of our vehicles suffered largely cosmetic damage both inside and out.

Travelling back from Mansfield was an experience when we lacked a windscreen and a number of side windows.

How on earth did we get away with an virtually untouched van at Cardiff ? It was the only match I've been to when I was genuinely fearing that I would be killed by the home mob.

Happy days.

[leelad]

Excellent article CT. Enjoyed reading it.

[JohnDearyMe]

Pleased the article brought some debate and memories for people. A bit longer than my usual articles but I got into ramble mode a bit.

For the 72/73 promotion would you say the team looked another level compared to the other teams in league now (like we've frequently looked under Kompany)? Just wondering what the standard of the other teams was like

[ClaretTony]

For the 72/73 promotion would you say the team looked another level compared to the other teams in league now (like we've frequently looked under Kompany)? Just wondering what the standard of the other teams was like

Us and QPR were streets ahead of the rest. It was a brilliant team but we lacked any depth with the smallest of squads.

[JohnDearyMe]

Us and QPR were streets ahead of the rest. It was a brilliant team but we lacked any depth with the smallest of squads.

Thanks, interesting. I'm guessing that Dave Thomas was a big assest for them when he joined?

[ClaretTony]

Thanks, interesting. I'm guessing that Dave Thomas was a big assest for them when he joined?

Dave Thomas was an outstanding player but he and Adamson Just disliked each other so no surprise he left. He started that season brilliantly too for us.