Wonder if this game took place when Mad Mel was our manager?

Wardle got injured in 1990, you're right it was Port Vale away, it was a horrible challenge by Robbie Earle (or Robbie Earle OBE as he is now). I might be wrong but I don't think he ever played again.

I think Watson's first appearance was about 1992.

 

Just looked and Wardle played 9 times for us (88-90) before the double leg break. Left us to go to Frickley but no information on how often he played for them.

Dave Watson is 3 years younger and made his debut in 92. Got injured against Norwich in 98 and never played again retiring at 28. Looks like he was assistant coach at Southampton until last year.

Neither of them made their full potential as players unfortunately.

 

I was in the Ponty, a bloke listening to his radio told me Brighton had scored. When the announcer started giving details of our play off match with Notts County I presumed radio man had got it wrong. Was gutted!

 

do you remember mk2 banger rolling back the years in the Zenith Data and scoring a hatrick. 5-3 against West Brom (I think)

 

we bought Whitehead to replace Butler as Watson wasn’t seen as ready but Whitehead wasn’t an upgrade on Butler unfortunately

 

Whitehead joined us before Butler, he joined in 1990 presumably to replace Wardle whilst Baker was still No.1.

 

I suddenly feel old. Lee Butler retired from coaching in 2022...

 

Keith Borrett (tanoy man) was announcing what date tickets were going on sale for the playoffs.

 

Spot on.

 

Haha. I don't remember all that detail. Quality.

 

Yeah and there's a match highlights video of it, somewhere lol. 'Banger' wasn't the same though was he in that second time at the club.
As for the keepers, I thought Whitehead was one of the 6 new signings in the '91 pre season, was he already with us then while Baker was number 1 ?.
And Butler when he came, was much better than Whitehead.

 

I had a radio in Brewery Stand on my Walkman and heard that Brighton had scored - let those know around me - they couldn't believe it!!

 

Pretty sure Whitehead joined us not long after Machin joined us 1990, think Butler came in during the summer of 91 to replace Baker.

 

I've been trying to get the full game off West Brom fans for years.
Yes Whitehead was one of the 91 summer signings.

 

No, he wasn't. Whitehead was brought in from Halifax in 1990. The 1991 signings were Lee Butler, Charlie Bishop, Steve Davis, John Pearson, Deniol Graham and Gareth Williams during the close season. We then brought in David Currie & Neil Redfearn from Oldham (Redders initially on a month's loan) in the September.

 

Ohh well ne'er mind, I don't think even Phil Whitehead himsenn knows when he joined us, it's a mystery.
As for Sir Redfearn, he wasn't getting game time at Oldham was he, or he just wasn't happy with them, or maybe he was just homesick for a Yorkshire club lol.
Either way though, as it turned out, Mel made an excellent signing there for the club with Neil.

 

I've also always wanted to see the full match as well Ken, on video (there was no dvd then of course lol). But here's the highlights of it at least.

 

Yep you are spot on. I always think Butt's joined us a few week into the season.
I think four of the five summer signings started on the opening day away at Plymouth With Whitehead in the No1 spot a 3-1 loss that started a awful first few games of the season that included 3-0 losses against Sunderland & Watford.

 

Whitehead was fetched in just before transfer window shut in March 1990 along with O'connell, Saville and one or two others who's names escape me ........sithi.

 

Fleming & McCord (permanently).