Do you remember the 1971/2 season?

That was the challenge laid down by Ramsgate-based fan Rick Everitt in a recent Richard Cawley podcast.

My honest answer has to be, no.   In September 1971 I moved to the Midlands to take up a job offer in Coventry and then met a new girl friend.

In the preceding two seasons the Addicks had finished third from bottom in the old second division.  That was not a relegation position way back then.

In 1971/2 things seemed to be going quite well, at least in terms of survival.  Admittedly, the home league gate was down to just over 10,000, the worst figure since 1927/8.   The club had to sell two houses at a profit to make ends meet but the overdraft was nearly £100k.   (£1.17 m in 2026 prices).

Then, a collapse set in.  Our last win was Game 38 in mid-March.  There were a few draws, but our last two matches were a 0-2 home defeat by Millwall and then a 5-0 thumping at Blackpool which sealed our fate.

The Rickster's point is that it could still go pear shaped.  We need one more win for safety or perhaps a few draws.   Let's hope we can get that win against Bristol City tomorrow. 

Roy Hodgson says that his training session went well, although he seems to be under the impression that his first game is on Saturday.

Bristol Live reports: 'Despite the change in the dugout, the Reds will have to continue to deal with the injury issues that have plagued the side over the course of the last two months.

The expectation remains that Rob Dickie, Rob Atkinson and George Tanner will not play again this season while Luke McNally and Joe Williams have also been sidelined in recent weeks, with no exact time frame placed on when they could return to the fold.'

As a client of Hargreaves Lansdown for some 40 years I have indirectly contributed to the considerable sums of money that Steve Lansdown has put into the team, albeit without achieving the goal of promotion.

To be fair, they have got me into a club that, whilst it may no longer be exclusive with 3 million members, is still worth joining.   More importantly, when I was recently accused of money laundering, they came resolutely to my defence.   Still want to beat their works side.