Stoke City v Bristol City 1980

Programme of the Week, Stoke City v Bristol City 1980. Here is the latest in our series highlighting football programmes from my collection, where the two teams are due to play each other imminently.

This weekend on 14th September 2019, it’s Stoke City v Bristol City in the Championship. The season is only six games old, but already the two teams are having differing fortunes.

Bristol City have won 3 and drawn 2 of their six games. they sit fifth in the league, 5 point behind unbeaten leaders Swansea City. Stoke City have lost 5 and drawn 1 of their six games and are bottom of the table. Already they are four points from safety, with the worst goal difference in the division.

So what was happening in 1980?

Stoke City v Bristol City 2nd February 1980

Well the previous season, Bristol City finished mid table in Division One with 40 points from 42 games. Stoke City finished third in the Second Division and were promoted to the top division after a two year absence.

So, on 2nd February 1980, Stoke City are 24 games into the season and Bristol City have played 26. Stoke are 4th from bottom of the table with 19 points and Bristol are one place below on 18 points.

The Stoke City v Bristol City match programme has a montage of photos on the cover and cost 30p on the day. On the back cover are the teams and the days other main fixtures. The Stoke side includes veteran skipper Denis Smith; Ray Evans -recently arrived from Spurs and a young Adrian Heath. Up front, Lee Chapman partners Garth Crooks, who would end as leading goal scorer for the season with 14 goals.

In the Bristol City side, managed by Alan Dicks, are stalwarts Gerry Sweeney; Geoff Merrick and Clive Whitehead. Also in the side is Gary Mabbutt’s brother Kevin.

The Match Programme

It is a 36 page programme with nine full page advertisements. There are seven other pages carrying half and quarter page adverts.

There is a page of Manager’s notes from Alan Durban and two pages on the visitors, featuring Chris Garland. But the middle 16 pages comprise Programme Plus (No. 16). This includes football articles as well as features on Johnny Cash and the Vauxhall Chevette!

In front of 14,510, Stoke City won 1-0 courtesy of an own goals in the 55th minute by Dave Rodgers. It’s a valuable three points. At the end of the season, Stoke survive in 18th place on 36 points – one ahead of Everton and one behind Manchester City!

However, Bristol City are 5 points behind Stoke in 20th place and are relegated along with Derby County and Bolton Wanderers.