Two teams into one was recipe for success
HERE’S a photograph from the May 1975 edition of the Bugle which should bring back a few memories.
The team portrayed were Albion Haden Football Club, formed in 1970 by a merger of Albion Rovers and Haden Rangers. As our report from the time explained: “The success of the club over the last five years has exceeded even the most optimistic hopes of the original founders.
“The club plays on its own ground which is situated in Beeches View Avenue at the rear of the Fatherless Barn estate in Cradley, and has been entirely developed and maintained by the club, building on the foundations laid by the old Albion Rovers club.” Their achievements were indeed impressive: 1970/71: Champions of the WM Metroplitain League.
1971/72: Winners of the Dudley Guest Hosptial Cup.
1972/73: Champions of the Midland Combination Division 1.
1973/74 Winners of the Midland Combination Invitation Cup Winners of the Dudley Guest Hospital Cup. Frustratingly there are no names given in the original piece. But the fellow second from right in the front row looks familiar. We’re pretty sure it’s David James, one of the Bugle’s founders.