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Sporting memories: Mullery makes immediate impression

A look back to the 1976-77 campaign when Peter Ward's goals fired Albion to promotion.

By Luke Nicoli • 29 May 2020

Middle left: Peter Ward; Right: Alan Mullery

At care homes and social clubs throughout the county and beyond, sporting memories mornings help to improve the wellbeing of people over 50 through the power of sport, by sharing photographs, articles, memorabilia or talks.

Some participants live with dementia or have memory problems, while others have experienced depression, live alone or are dealing with ongoing health issues. Given the current coronavirus pandemic such events remain on hold, so each Friday we’ve been bringing some Albion sporting memories of our own, continuing with Alan Mullery’s successful first season in the hot-seat…

With Peter Taylor leaving the Goldstone to be reunited with former sparring partner Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest, Albion were left to find their sixth manager in just eight years.

Mike Bamber targeted recently retired Alan Mullery, and the former England, Tottenham and Fulham great was appointed on 16th July 1976 – less than 24 hours after Taylor’s resignation had been announced.

The 34-year-old inherited new defensive arrivals Chris Cattlin from Coventry City and Graham Cross from Leicester City, likewise a new assistant – George Aitken – from Grimsby Town.

Mullery’s energy and enthusiasm was like a breath of fresh air throughout the club and a four-game unbeaten start to the Division Three season saw the side sitting pretty at the top of the table.

Middle: Peter Ward in action at the Goldstone in early 1977.

The form continued into September, with the Match of the Day cameras present for a 7-2 victory against York City at the Goldstone, and Mullery was rewarded with a new four-year contract and a Manager of the Month award.

October witnessed another high-scoring victory, with Peter Ward scoring four times and Ian Mellor grabbing a hat-trick as Walsall were beaten 7-0 – although Mullery needed to dish out one of his famous ‘rocket’ team-talks at half-time when the scoreline was, incredibly, goalless!

Both strikers were earning rave reviews and as we turned into 1977 Albion consolidated its first-place position – but at the other end of the pitch, goalkeeper Peter Grummitt sustained a knee injury against Tranmere on 5th March which would end his league career.

Bottom right: Chris Cattlin; Middle top: Peter Ward scores his 35th goal of the season at Swindon; Middle bottom: Peter Grummitt.

Replacement Eric Steele came in to make his debut in a 3-1 defeat at promotion rivals Crystal Palace – the fifth encounter between the sides that season – but the composure had been regained by the time new leaders Mansfield Town came to the Goldstone on 2nd April.

Indeed, goals from Ward (2) and Gerry Fell secured a 3-1 win as the side returned to the top of the table. Promotion fever was now sweeping the Goldstone and the Seagulls remained at the summit following a 3-2 win against Sheffield Wednesday on 3rd May in front of 30,756 fans at the Goldstone.

With just two games remaining, both away from home, could the side maintain its composure to win the championship? Sadly, a 2-1 defeat at Swindon Town was followed by a 1-1 draw at Chesterfield.

Top left: Eric Steele; Centre: Peter Ward at the Goldstone; Bottom right: Gerry Fell scores against Crystal Palace in 1976.

It left Albion three points behind Mansfield Town but two points ahead of third-placed Palace.

Still, it was a tremendous first season for Mullery while Ward secured his place in Albion’s history, with 32 league goals and 36 overall, eclipsing both Hugh Vallance and Arthur Attwood respectively. Ward also ended the campaign as the leading scorer in the entire Football League.

Star man: Peter Ward

One of Albion’s most loved sons, ‘Wardy’ was signed by Peter Taylor from non-league Burton Albion in May 1975 for around £4,000.

He had to wait until March 1976 to make his debut and fans saw a sign of things to come as he netted with his very first touch in a 1-1 draw against Hereford United and all in front of the Match of the Day cameras.

As Albion went on to win two promotions under Alan Mullery he became one of the hottest properties in football, and having netted 16 top-flight goals in his debut First Division campaign he joined Nottingham Forest in October 1980 in a reported £450,000 deal.

Middle top: Fred Binney and Peter Ward at the Goldstone; Middle bottom: Ian Mellor in action; Right: Graham Cross.

After failing to settle at the City Ground, he spent time on loan at NASL side Seattle Sounders before returning to the Goldstone in October 1982, where he netted three goals in 20 appearances prior to his return to Forest.

He went back to the States to see out his career and now, as a long-term resident of Florida, the former England international can look back on an Albion career that yielded 227 appearances and 95 goals in his two spells with the club.

Did you know?
It is widely regarded that the rivalry with Crystal Palace really took off during the 1976/77 season following an FA Cup first round, second replay at Stamford Bridge.

With Palace leading 1-0, Brian Horton tucked away a penalty only for referee Ron Challis, who had already disallowed one Albion goal, to order the kick to be retaken due to encroachment. Horton’s second attempt was saved and Palace held on for victory.

An extremely aggrieved Alan Mullery confronted Challis at the final whistle and he then had a run-in with Palace fans as he walked up the tunnel, resulting in a £75 fine from the FA.

With thanks to club historian Tim Carder and Ian Hine [www.seagullsprogrammes.co.uk] for images