With the world famous Hereford United victory over Newcastle United just a few days away, BN looks back to the 1971/72 season and its two managers.
The resignation of John Charles and the appointment of Colin Addison.
"I was asked by chairman Bill Humphries to become player-manager," recalled Charles in his autobiography.
"I had passed the FA coaching courses and was really thrilled with the appointment."
Charles inspired the players and the fortunes of the club improved so much that the 1970/71 season had the Bulls knocking on the door of the Football League.
Amidst those he signed were Fred Potter, Ken Mallender, Ricky George, Ronnie Radford, Billy Tucker and Dudley Tyler.
Charles was still in charge as the Bulls started the 71/72 season and what a season it turned out to be. But he quit in September.
"I finally quit in September 1971 when the club was lying fourth and challenging once again," said Charles
"I was finding it increasingly difficult to combine playing, managing and running my business in Cardiff, not to mention all the travelling involved in trying to gain Hereford the upgrade to the Football League.
"My job did not begin and end in the Edgar Street dressing room.
"Hereford had a far bigger aim for me, and my main off-the-field duty was to go round all the Football League clubs to persuade them to vote for Hereford when re-election of the bottom club came up."
The players were upset when Charles left.
"He was so much a part of us," noted Ronnie Radford.
"We missed him as a man, a footballer and a friend."
Whilst Charles didn't mention it in his book, interference from then chairman Frank Miles was another factor in Charles's decision to leave.
Joe Wade took over from Charles on a caretaker basis until a new manager was appointed. He was also bothered by Miles' style.
"We were playing at Worcester and Frank came into the dressing room," said Wade.
"Alan Jones was beefing about something. Frank had a habit of coming in and taking over the complaints of the players to the detriment of the manager. I told him to get out."
There were thirty applicants for the job and it was another month before Colin Addison was appointed. He had been playing for Sheffield United and was signed from them for £3,000, a then record fee for Hereford.
Addison was just 31 years old when he came to Edgar Street.
Born in Taunton, Somerset but brought up in York, Addison signed as a professional for York City in 1957.
In his second season he scored 10 league goals which helped York win promotion to the recently created Third Division but the Minstermen lasted only one season before being relegated and midway through the 1960-61 season he was transferred to First Division side Nottingham Forest for £12,000.
Addison was a regular at the City Ground scoring 62 goals in 160 league appearances, before being signed by Bertie Mee's Arsenal in 1966 for £45,000. His time at Highbury was hampered somewhat by injury and, after scoring an average of 1 goal in every 3 games for the Gunners, he was sold to First Division side Sheffield United at the end of season 1967.
In his final season at Bramall Lane with the Blades, and with his playing-career winding down, Addison left to join leading non-league side Hereford United as player-manager.
Addison led the Bulls to, perhaps, their greatest season since they were formed. FA Cup success against Newcastle will always be remembered, but they also had a great season in the Southern League.
However 11 of the 12 players who turned out for the Bulls against Newcastle in that FA Cup Third Round replay on February 5th 1972 had been signed by Charles.
"John left Colin the basis of a good team and Colin had the management skills to take us forward," said keeper Fred Potter.
And Ken Mallender agreed.
"Colin was of a different generation. He had been on coaching courses at Lilleshall. He was a lot more organised than John."
.jpg)
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Charles Quits and Addison Arrives
