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.