[Bierzo Baggie]

Anybody out there with good memories who can draw any parallels with the 1985-86 season?

Johnny Giles was manager for the second time and although Cyrille Regis had been sold to Coventry with Giles there was a hint of optimism at the start of the season. There always is!

Remember going to Goodison for the first away game of the season. Everton were league champions and they’d just reinforced with Gary Lineker so it was no surprise to lose 2-0. What was a surprise were the 8 consecutive defeats that followed.
This record may well be beaten this season.
A reluctant Nobby Stiles took over, on account of him being Giles’ brother-in-law. The experience of managing Albion at that time almost gave him a nervous breakdown.
And then Ron Saunders.
Shudder.

So, this ain’t gonna cheer anybody up but just wondered what memories some of the oldies might have of that season. I remember…
The “No Smoking” symbol as the shirt sponsor (what was that all about?)
Homes gates of 7 or 8 thousand.
George “mother Reilly” being brought in to score the goals which would supposedly save us from relegation.....
And of course we finished last

[Zinman]

I remember the joy at actually winning a game....I think it was at home to Watford around Christmas?
And Wolves being relegated to the 4th division - I worked with a Wolves fan (who was one of the 2-3000 that attended games) and I almost felt sorry for him.

[silverbaggie]

Yes Zinman the Watford game was just before Christmas and, was only our second win of that miserable season.

Our first win was in a local derby against the Blues when we won 2-1 at home. Both of our goals were scored by players whose surnames began with the letter V........................................any guesses?

We only won four matches all season including doing the double against Birmingham.

[Imre varadi]

I can remember that season when you had that wank no smoking symbol on the kit i was hoping we would play you every other week you were that shit !

[bomberbrown1968]

I remember that season, season ticket holder and it reminds me of this season. Before the matches we were almost resigned to losing because it was such a habit.

When Saunders came I seem to remember a bit more fight but still losing. Think we lost the last couple at home one of which was Liverpool 3-2 possibly, but fought for every ball and gave them a real game. Now we just surrender that's the difference.

I'd go with Varadi and Valentine as the scorers ??

[silverbaggie]

I remember that season, season ticket holder and it reminds me of this season. Before the matches we were almost resigned to losing because it was such a habit.

When Saunders came I seem to remember a bit more fight but still losing. Think we lost the last couple at home one of which was Liverpool 3-2 possibly, but fought for every ball and gave them a real game. Now we just surrender that's the difference.    

I'd go with Varadi and Valentine as the scorers ??

Spot on Bomber!!

WE beat Blues (twice) and Watford plus one other team that season.

Any takers???

[turkeydinner]

I remember the "No smoking " sign!

Didn't Ron Saunders bring in a load of Ex Villa players like Des Bremner and Tony Morley?

Think you had Garth Crooks and Mickey Thomas about that time also

[4evaabaggie]

Thanks for bringing back the nightmares

I worked part time in a pub in Telford ...... at the start of the season I made a friendly bet with a customer ...... every time Albion won he would buy me a chocolate bar and every time we lost I bought one for his granddaughter ....... I think she now has type two diabetes

We were relegated, I left Telford to go to work in London ....... or was it to hide from social services, child cruelty causing obesity .......

[Bierzo Baggie]

I remember that season, season ticket holder and it reminds me of this season. Before the matches we were almost resigned to losing because it was such a habit.

Yeah, that’s what I thought.

Seem to remember the season started with optimism after achieving mid-table respectability in 84-85 and we still had a few decent players. Steve MacKenzie was there, Gary Owen was probably still there, Ally Robertson was captain. Steve Hunt in midfield was an England international. Garth Crooks looked like a decent signing at the time too.

Then they started losing and it just wouldn’t stop. It’s the season in my memory that most resembles this one.

We also had a future England striker on the books whose goals could have got us back into the top flight but Ron Saunders decided that he wasn’t good enough for the second division and the local lad ended up saving Wolves instead! That was a bout as painful as seeing Wolves doing so well now.

16 years in the wilderness followed, just hope that history doesn’t repeat itself..

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

This video pretty much sums up that season. Pay particular attention to the quality defending at 18 seconds and the quality striking at 44 seconds.