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Those Were A look back at the history of the proud Terriers |
And unto us ... 1978-1979?
Posted: 23/11/11
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Welcome
to next instalment of "Those Were The Days" This is Part 6 of Huddersfield Town in the 1970's. Read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.
Just before Grease became the film of the summer chased hard by Jaws 2. With Summer Nights from the film also a massive hit in ’78 Tom Johnston was announcing his retained and transfer list. Always something Town fans looked out for after the end of the season. I was especially saddened to see on the list and therefore on their way out of Leeds Road names such as Arnie Sidebottom and Alan Sweeney. Though he was our top scorer somehow Mr Johnston deemed Mick Butler surplus to requirements and off to the south coast and Bournemouth he went. Whilst our former Youth Team skipper had now cemented his place in the Town team as over the past two seasons Peter Hart had missed but 7 games. His defensive partner in that side Martin Fowler had found it progressively more difficult and was now on his way to Blackburn Rovers. Yet neighbours Halifax Town caused me the greatest distress when they took the ball playing Kevin Johnson from us. He did cost them more than double what we paid for him by writing a cheque out for £25,000. In an altogether too short a stay at Town a little under two seasons he had scored 23 goals and made 85 appearances. What the statistics can not show is his supreme ability on the ball and the wonderful skills and entertainment he provided the Town crowd. Though we would not want to get back to the record number of players used, 33, as in the 74/75 season. With 7 out of the door including three out and out strikers (Eccles and Goldthorpe were the other two) Town fans expectations was for players coming in now. Other than winger Paul Bielby in an exchange deal for Goldthorpe first man in was York City centre half Chris Topping who cost us £20,000 before centre forward Peter Fletcher joined from Stockport County. Mr Johnston finally landed a player who he had previously tried to sign when Keith Hanvey joined us from Grimsby Town. This move had looked likely to be settled by a transfer tribunal until the very last day of negotiations. Hanvey came to Town as a midfield man thought he had played up front also. Another newcomer to the Town ranks was Raymond Chappell. Who though he had no number on his back, or a shirt, covered every blade of the Leeds Road turf. Literally, for Mr Chappell was our new groundsman, With what money was available going to the manager for playing resources very little found its way onto the field by way of the playing surface and one that now was to be shared by the Fartowners. But Mr C along with his flat cap virtually lived at the ground as he nurtured and developed his new ‘baby’. The very foundations were lifted upon which he personally laid the brand-new turf. Leeds Road looked a picture the surface immaculate as Town took to the field on August 19th for our first match of the new 1978-79 season. Only 2,838 certainly one of them, swooned at the lush green swath, sadly the on field view was less appealing as we played out a 0-0 draw with Crewe. The following Tuesday brought our first away game and defeat at Darlington 0-1. Friday night the season not yet a week old and a further loss at Scunthorpe 1-3. New signing Hanvey playing in mid field having opened his account for Town. A win that took the home side top with us in 19th place having a solitary point from three played. Far from the start we would have hoped for but only three played and with the new signings needing to gel, as they say, no time to panic. We may not have panicked but big changes occurred. Most unexpectedly the day after our Friday night fixture at the Old Show Ground Manager Tom Johnston decided with his 60th birthday looming the time had come for him to retire. Step forward, Michael (Mick) James Buxton. Town in the 1970s will continue in further Those Were The Days articles ... We hope you have enjoyed our "Those Were
The Days" articles, and find them an interesting look at some special
memories of Town through the years. Memories that will not, and can not be
forgotten - and memories only our beloved Town could have created Email your memories and comments on this article to twtd@thisisthebarmyarmy.co.uk Did you know that this is TWTD 36? For all
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