Old Plymouth v AFCB programme is another for the collection

I can see I have started something here with old programmes. When everyone in the family knows that you are an AFCB fan, they kind of know that the addiction needs feeding now and again. So when my brother-in-law and partner went down to Plymouth for a weekend and they visited a car boot sale, it was rather lucky for me that they saw a guy selling old football programmes, and among them just happened to be one AFCB v Plymouth Argyle match programme from Friday 12 April 1974.

The front cover artwork does not carry a name,
but I imagine a graphics company
such as Peter Grainey was involved. Perhaps
one of you knows?

I am told that it did cost my brother-in-law more than the cover price of 10p to buy, but whatever he paid I am pleased that he picked it up for me.

The mid-1970 covers are some of the most iconic that AFCB have ever had. The back cover of Cosy Coaches was drawn by Mr Peter Grainey and I believe the business is still going in Castle Lane West. Apparently Martin Grainey of Peter Grainey Graphics did the artwork for Led Zepplin's 1975 concerts at Earls Court, London.

While spotting a youthful Harry Redknapp on page two I was soon drawn to the players who took part in this match which include Paul Mariner who had been signed from non-league Chorley and was in his first league season. He who went on to become an England international and league winner with Ipswich Town. 

By complete coincidence, the programme has a From the Chair lead column in which assistant Cherries manager, Reg Tyrrell had been dismayed by the low turnout of of 2839 for a testimonial match for Arthur Cunliffe, Tommy Mitchinson and John Meredith, and he implored Bournemouth supporters to come to the next testimonial that would see the late Sir Bobby Robson bring his Ipswich Town side to Dean Court on 30 April 1974.  Paul Mariner was to join Ipswich Town just two years later in 1976.

Harry Redknapp in his prime at AFCB.

Another Plymouth player who must have been well-known to the crowd was their goal keeper Jim Furnell. Jim Furnell had played for Arsenal in goal in the 1968 League Cup final against Leeds Utd. The Plymouth team were managed by Tony Waiters at the time.

Plymouth Argyle team in 1974.

Bournemouth's side included a Bobby Howe as well as Harry Redknapp but it was all a bit before my time as a supporter. What I was interested to see was that Bournemouth were top of the Football Combination League at the time, while in division 3 they were lying in a healthy sixth place compared to Plymouth's 19th position. Bournemouth had lost the earlier November fixture between the two sides at Hope Park by 2-0, and in this match they drew 0-0. Bournemouth ended the season in 11th place and Plymouth finished 17th. Trevor Hartley was managing the Cherries and he had a brief spell in 1987 at Spur's caretaker manager.

Beauty pagants were all the rave!

AFCB Team in April 1974 - looks like there is still a place for one of us to be the sub.

Some of the advertising in the programme was a bit risque in that Alan Dee was suggesting that you beat the cold with one of his sweaters but used a nude lady cuddling up to a fire to prove the benefits of his sweaters, while on page three it was that period in history when Miss AFC Bournemouth was a prized competition with a cash prize (no figure given), and the chance to be a guest at the Maison Royale or the Dormy Hotel - but just for an evening out!

Not sure about the lady on the beat the cold advert.

Well that's the end of my review for this programme, but keep looking our for the past match programmes in the MatchDay programmes this season and see what you can find out about past players and our club. If you have a copy of the Rotherham home programme from this season you'll find the 1973 AFCB v Rotherham programme inside and it is interesting to compare it to the Plymouth programme here just one year later. If you did not pick up that programme AFCB has put it free online today. In 1973, it seems that the Bay City Rollers were the band to follow as the AFCB programme covers then bare a resemblance to the Scottish band's look, even if it took another year before they started getting hits.

AFCB covers from 1973 went a bit logo mad with the
the then fairly new crest. This programme can be
 found in the Rotherham MatchDay programme from
 this season and AFCB has put that programme online today free.

Our trip to Portman Road

Stephen and Robert catch up with Sir Bobby Robson.

We set out nice and early for Ipswich from Redhill at 9am because we had read that it was a special family down with a fun park and lots of things going on for the kids and adults around the ground from 11am. It did not take long to go around the M25 and under the Dartford Tunnel before heading up the A12. A quick stop at the services just outside Colchester was the only brief break and by 11am we were driving up to the ground and chose to park in the car park opposite the ground for £4.60 all day parking.

Peter  stands at the feet of the great man.

Robert immediately spotted a statue in front of the main stand and we headed over to take our picture with Sir Bobby Robson. We then decided that we should walk around the ground having seen the family entertainment event around the back of the stadium. It took a fair while to visit all four corners of the ground and we took a few photos as we went on our way round.

When we found the family fun area, Robert and Stephen headed straight for the bouncy castles and they were pleased to receive their Ipswich gift pack mainly because it contained a cream egg! While I took the extra goodies back to the car the boys found a few more things to play on. Robert and I had a go at the Bucking Bronco and  Stephen decided a human table football game was more for him. Robert and I also had a go at shooting balls into the pockets at the penalty shoot out and sadly I have to say we scored no points from six shots! Still more cream eggs were handed out so I don't think the boys minded too much.

Robert hangs on.

See, I stayed on for at least 20 seconds.

Robert goes close to scoring.

Oh no - Cherry Chimes keep him off the pitch!

Stephen decides to play goalie.

Enjoying the sun - not sure why Robert has his hood up?

We then headed off to town to get something to eat and we chatted to a few Ipswich fans who were more concerned with who we were playing next than anything else. When I said Forest and Millwall they winced, but I said I was rather looking forward to the remaining games. Somehow I don't think Burnley will do Ipswich any favours when they play them.

Robert with Sir Alf Ramsey.

Once we had taken some more pictures with Sir Alf Ramsey''s statue and visited the club shop which was opposite the statue on the corner of Portman Road we decided to head for our gate. Our gate 14 was of course closed, so we had to go in via gate 15. We were not searched that vigorously and soon found ourselves in the Family Lower Tier of the away stand. The main AFCB fans were directly above us and had paid almost double the price for the privilege! At least they had a roof although it did not cloud over until late on.

I started taking photos and was of course approached by not one but two stewards who must have thought I'd never been to a Championship match with a camera before as they informed me as usual that no pictures were to be taken during the game. I think I would have about £20 this season if I had collected a quid every time a steward said that to me - I guess they don't have much to do and it makes them feel important.

There are more photos of the AFCB supporters on Match Day Gallery.

Gate found.

Ipswich players came out with 40 minutes or more before kick off, but AFCB's players left it until 30 minutes to go which was a bit later than usual. I chatted to Steve Cook AFCB's official photographer for a bit before letting him get on with his work. We had brought three blow up bananas and they were inflated just before kick off and I gave one to a lad whose family I often see in the family stand. His brother Matt was a mascot for the day.

Is someone facing the wrong way?

Talking of Mascot's we all gave Cherry Bear a high five as he passed us by and he was joined by several other mascots who lined up to have a sprint over half of the pitch before kick off. Cherry Bear did not disgrace AFCB finishing second in a photo finish to Nando's macot. Better luck next time! A short video of the race is on Robert and Stephen's corner - I wasn't that well positioned though to get a great view.

The game itself was very enjoyable to watch as the sun was shining for most of it and AFCB were playing particularly well, until Ipswich went and spoilt things by scoring. It was right to the side of where we were seated and we couldn't believe how easy it was for the ball to come right across the Bournemouth box leaving a virtual tap in for Anderson. But the team recovered well and the Ipswich crowd were soon silenced when Cookie put away his acrobatic overhead kick to level things up.

Team photo.

Double huddle.

I had a sneaky feeling that the game would be a draw and while Ipswich went ahead I couldn't see them holding on to their lead which they took again from a set-piece. Sure enough Matt Ritchie pulled things back to 2-2 from a free kick with just 10 minutes remaining. While a draw was probably better for Ipswich than for the Cherries we were pleased that the team had played so well and just about kept their play-off hopes alive for another week.

As we made our way out and found our car we had to endure about a 40 minute slow escape from the parking space to the A12 but we soon got going once we had made it to the town's outskirts. It was a great day and well worth the drive up to Suffolk. Now we have one last away day at the Den to go.

See you soon fellas.

All Departments has released Kangaroo Court Easter Round up - visit All Departments' website or scroll down the right hand panel of Cherry Chimes to find the podcast.