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On This Day In History 1st April

We take a look back at some of the matches played on April Fools day, where you at any of these games, share your memories in the comments section below.

Our first trip back into the history books today took a look at the relegation battle against Newcastle United in 1989, but 17 years earlier in 1972 there was an even more desperate game on 1st April.

We started the day in 20th place in the old 22 team First Division, in those days only two went down, but we were only above Huddersfield who were second from bottom by goal average (Don't ask me how that used to work) and Crystal Palace to whom we were travelling to meet at Selhurst Park were a point above us.

Terry Paine had been dropped by Ted Bates a couple of games perviously and remained on the bench, but one good bit of news was that Ron Davies was back after a short spell out through injury.

23,776 including a healthy number of Saints fans were in Selhurst Park that day, but the ground was barely half full, a bigger attendance than the last few seasons but attendances were dwindling at that time.

Bobby Stokes gave us the lead on 28 minutes but Craven equalised for the home side 7 minutes later.

WE regained the lead on 56 minutes when Mike Channon flicked in a goalbound header from Ron Davies and it was Channon again on 69 minutes to make it 3-1.

But back then it was the same old Saints as now and with 10 minutes for go Palace got a dubious penalty after a foul by Denis Hollywood, but Saints held on for the win.

Both sides would stay up with Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield dropping down to the Second Division.

Saints were heading for promotion when Blackburn Rovers arrived on 1st April 1978, but the main talking point would not be the 5-0 win that Saints achieved through first half goals from Tony Funnell, Ted MacDougall and Nick Holmes and then a second half brace from Phil Boyer, but the abuse handed out to Blackburn full back John Bailey.

Bailey had been the villain back in November when he had provoked Steve Williams into retaliating and being sent off and then Peter Osgood receiving his marching orders shortly after for meting out retribution, Osgood never played for Saints again being so disillusioned with the way the game was going.

Therefore Bailey was the villain of the piece before a ball was kicked, he was booed onto the pitch and booed off it and inbetween given many telling reminders of what the crowd though of him both individually and in song.

He would never be able to play against Saints without this vitriol, I have never seen such abuse handed out to an opposition player before or since, although I could be funny and say I have seen us give our own players as much stick lol

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