1978/79 - division two
about the programme
Another iconic image for the 78/79 cover. Peter Ward Ward is pictured dancing through the Blackpool defence in the final game of the 77/78 campaign, in front of a packed East Terrace. Fans were faced with another price increase, from 15p to 20p, but we got an extra 8 pages, in ‘landscape’ style. A very readable programme contained the usual news from around the club, profiles of the opposition and statistics, but we were also treated to a quiz, ‘Referee’s corner,’ ‘Where are they Now’ and ‘Personality Parade’, which featured members of the playing and backroom staff. Two extra programmes were required for a League Cup run that took Albion to the 5th round, but just one for the FA Cup, that saw us knocked out in the third round.
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22 aug 78
v cambridge united
l 0-2
Albion scorers: n/a
Att: 21,548
26 aug 78
v sunderland
w 2-0
Albion scorers: Peter Ward 2
Att: 19,885
29 aug 78
v millwall
(league cup 2nd rnd)
w 1-0
Albion scorers: Peter O’Sullivan
Att: 16,748
9 sep 78
v oldham athletic
w 1-0
Albion scorers: OG
Att: 19,735
30 sep 78
v preston north end
w 5-1
Albion scorers: OG 2, Gerry Ryan, Peter Ward, Paul Clark
Att: 19,217
7 oct 78
v crystal palace
l 1-3
Albion scorers: Brian Horton
Att: 33,685
14 oct 78
v fulham
w 3-0
Albion scorers: Gerry Ryan 2, Brian Horton
Att: 24,606
28 oct 78
v west ham united
l 1-2
Albion scorers: Peter Sayer
Att: 32,634
7 nov 78
v peterborough united
(league cup 4th rnd)
w 1-0
Albion scorers: Mark Lawrenson
Att: 21,421
11 nov 78
v wrexham
w 2-1
Albion scorers: Gerry Ryan, Brian Horton
Att: 19,659
21 nov 78
v millwall
w 3-0
Albion scorers: Gerry Ryan, Malcolm Poskett 2
Att: 19,408
2 dec 78
v orient
w 2-0
Albion scorers: Brian Horton (pen), Peter Sayer
Att: 16,691
16 dec 78
v luton town
w 3-1
Albion scorers: Brian Horton (pen), Andy Rollings, Peter Sayer
Att: 16,252
26 dec 78
v cardiff city
w 5-0
Albion scorers: Gary Williams, Teddy Maybank 3, Brian Horton (pen)
Att: 20,172
30 dec 78
v newcastle united
w 2-0
Albion scorers: Malcolm Pocket, Peter O’Sullivan
Att: 25,812
9 jan 79
v wolverhampton wanderers
(fa cup 3rd rnd)
l 2-3
Albion scorers: Mark Lawrenson, Gerry Ryan
Att: 25,217
20 jan 79
v stoke city
d 1-1
Albion scorers: Malcolm Poskett
Att: 23,076
3 feb 79
v leicester city
w 3-1
Albion scorers: Teddy Maybank, Peter Sayer, Peter Ward
Att: 19,973
17 feb 79
v crystal palace
d 0-0
Albion scorers: n/a
Att: 23,795
3 mar 79
v burnley
w 2-1
Albion scorers: Brian Horton (pen), Mark Lawrenson
Att: 19,402
17 mar 79
v sheffield united
w 2-0
Albion scorers: Mark Lawrenson, Gerry Ryan
Att: 20,091
31 mar 79
v notts county
d 0-0
Albion scorers: n/a
Att: 21,398
13 apr 79
v charlton athletic
w 2-0
Albion scorers: Paul Clark, OG
Att: 30,859
16 apr 79
v bristol rovers
w 3-0
Albion scorers: Brian Horton 2 (1 pen), Teddy Maybank
Att: 23,204
28 apr 79
v blackburn rovers
w 2-1
Albion scorers: Teddy Maybank, Andy Rollings
Att: 26,141
5 may 79
V newcastle united
w 3-1
Albion scorers: Brian Horton, Peter Ward, Gerry Ryan
Att: 28,425
Albion travelled to the north-east knowing a win would mean promotion to the top flight for the first time in our history. Roared on by 10,000 Albion fans, we stormed into a 3-0 lead by half-time. Absolute scenes at full-time were followed by a joyous trip back on the Seagull Special, with the players joining in the celebrations.
friendlies/testimonials
12 aug 78
v queens park rangers
(friendly)
w 2-1
Albion scorers: Andy Rollings, Teddy Maybank
Att: n/a
27 jan 79
v chelsea
(friendly)
postponed
This match was arranged as neither club was involved in the FA Cup 4th round. Unfortunately, cold weather meant a postponement. Around 2,000 programmes survived, including this one!
16 may 79
v portland timbers
(Friendly)
w 2-1
Albion scorers: Teddy Maybank, Peter Sayer
Att: n/a
3 Jun 79
v san diego sockers
(friendly)
D 2-2
Albion scorers: Peter O’Sullivan, Malcolm Poskett
Att: n/a
