Four meet again in Conference

Cambridge United's relegation from the Football League and Southport's promotion from Nationwide North means that all four sides who were promoted from Division 4 in United's first league season are brought together in the same competition for the first time in more than 30 years.

Hereford's eagerly awaited arrival in league football in 1972 had seemed set to disappoint in October when the Bulls were struggling in the lower reaches of the table.

But a new signing, ironically from Southport, in the form of powerful striker Eric Redrobe had provided the catalyst which turned the season around and saw Colin Addison's men needing a win from the last home game of the season to guarantee a promotion slot.

After a tense battle against bottom-of-the-table Crewe Alexandra, David Jenkins' shot, which was fumbled into the net by goalkeeper Geoff Crudgington, proved enough to send the 12,616 crowd into ecstasy.

While Cambridge were old Southern League rivals, Hereford had met Southport for the first time during that season. The Sandgrounders, with Redrobe in their line-up, won 2-0 at Haig Avenue but Hereford, thanks to Brian Owen and Bill Tucker, shared the honours at Edgar Street in an exciting Boxing Day 2-2 draw.

The Bulls also visited the Abbey Stadium during their early season struggles, going down 1-0 before gaining revenge at Edgar Street with a 2-1 success thanks to goals from Redrobe and centre-back Tucker.

Honours were also shared in the battles with Aldershot with David Rudge's goal winning the encounter at Hereford in November. But defeat at the Recreation Ground in March ended a Hereford run of seven wins and a draw in eight matches.

Football League Division 4 1972-3

P W D L F A PT

Southport 46 26 10 10 71 48 62

Hereford United 46 23 14 11 56 38 58

Cambridge Utd 46 20 17 9 67 57 57

Aldershot 46 22 12 12 60 38 56

Newport Co 46 22 12 12 64 44 56

Mansfield 46 20 14 12 78 51 54

Reading 46 21 10 13 51 38 52

Exeter 46 18 14 14 57 51 50