What treasures from “B” in the programme collection await us today ?
Two from Burton, birthplace of Bass, Pedi, beer in Balti houses and seemingly all your favourite #PubMen.
I can find absolutely NOTHING about the Brewer’s match against the Saudis in THAT summer of ’76, so I can only hope The Wickingman can enlighten us as to the score, VAR controversy, the Saudi post-match party at the Coopers etc etc.
For your shilling you get 4 pages; a picture of a suave Jimmy Hill and team, team sheets, advert for Plasplugs (?), and this bit of context for the Saudi visit.
“Strange food and customs” in Coventry ? Whatever can they mean ?
30 years on, the Albion had a shiny 48 page programme for the arrival of another set of famous visitors for the biggest game in their history so far.
This time, there’s ample recognition of Burton’s contribution to the CAMRA cause;
but arguably its most famous drink is rather less controversial.
That night in 2008 Cambridge escaped with a lucky 2-2 and went on to deny Burton their inevitable League place under Clough Jnr. For a season.
I celebrated with a Bass in Balti Towers. You’ll know the pub.
This week Nigel left Burton to save the club from financial ruin. Like his dad, one of the greats.
retiredmartin 
No idea what the score vs Burton was, but reminded about fascinating piece from the Jimmy Hill – Saudi saga that read last year: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47258619 .
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Horrifying.
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Such kindness, I can’t cope with it in lockdown ..
Plasplugs. Plastic wall plug makers, one of the first I believe. Have a few left in my shed. Probably acquired in one of my dad’s famous swap deals.
1976 – no idea, like many current Albion supporters of my vintage I was a Leeds fan with occasional trips to Eton Park.
Famous visitors. .now you’ve spoilt the nice stuff. Cheating dying goalkeeper is my recollection of the leg at a small town near Histon.
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Ha, I remember that now. You were robbed, just as you nearly were a year later when Sir Roy attempted to gift us the League with his end-of-season collapse.
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Still get the shivers about the Sir Roy period.
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Roy was my favourite manager ever. Liked Pellegrini, and Mr Hodgson has similar qualities, but I was willing him and Burton over the line in 2009.
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In 1989 Scotland hosted the Under 16 World Cup. After a semi final win over Portugal at a packed Tynecastle (29,000), the final was against Saudi Arabia at Hampden in front of 58,000. Many in the Saudi team looked to be in their early 20’s, some with full beards, and after a 2-2 draw beat the Scottish youngsters 5-4 on pens. This flagrant cheating is remembered by many here so I sincerely hope Burton won.
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You bear a grudge, you really do.
I’ve just checked the squads and all those Saudi lads played at Burton in 1976 as exceptionally talented 3 year olds.
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Trust pubmeister enjoyed the BBC programme on Stone Skimming the other night. A sport (the times a participant referred to it as a hobby and then either hastily corrected themselves or was scowled at by someone else were legion) in which persons of Scottish persuasion appear to excel. Recompense for all the failures at football.
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