Seen this on twitter might be of interest to a few...way way way way way before my time like..

Sadly I am old enough to remember Tony Toms and Len Ashurst one of the top managers we ever had. Those of an older disposition will agree with me some Toms running and fitness muscle build up for the next 3 weks will be good for the likes of Walton Collins Howard Austin.

I'll never forget being right in front of the 'incident' at Man City in 76' involving George Potter and Denis Tueart, Potter 'took him out' for about the 3rd time, then up jumps Tueart who then squares up with George before Tueart throws a head-butt, George goes down and they both get sent off.

That period defined my interest in Pools - I used to go with my Dad to the games from about 71 but never took much interest at first, I just seem to remember running about playing tiggy on the crumbling terraces paying little attention to the football. When Ashurst came when we were stranded at the bottom in what seemed a hopeless position but he galvanised us into a decent, hard-working outfit and we went on a great run I remember to ensure our survival for another year. I remember coming out of some of them games with a real buzz, watching the underdog fight for everything and win. That sort of thing defines not just a love for football and your team but your whole character.

It was real back to the wall stuff, us against the world - a bunch of journeyman footballers in a grey, unfashionable town who wouldn't say die. I went down and met Len Ashurst a few years ago when he was doing a book signing at Pools - a real football man, I have a lot to thank him for.

great post mate.... that's exactly what it feels like

interesting comment made by Toms about plush hotels as well.... maybe a night in a windswept tent will give them the correct siege mentality to want to "kill" the opposition before they would ever let them beat us !!!!!!

I've still got a copy of Tony Toms fitness book....somwhere. I remember Ashursts arrival and the shock of seeing somone who appeared to know what they were doing in charge of the club. Decent managers were like beacons down the years with a smattering of anonymous duffers inbetween. Mind you, we didn't expect much and weren't disappointed.

I was there too Mr Salad. The ref waved the red card over Potter while he was being carted off on a stretcher. A surreal day in my Pools career for a lot of reasons.

I think that was the first day I was able to observe just how disconsolate a town Manchester is. Easily the equal of Leeds.