Report by SJG

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR

BRADFORD CITY vs WIGAN ATHLETIC

5^th May 1979

FINAL CURTAIN CALL FOR HISTORIC SEASON.

The final game of the season was a re-arranged game that had originally been scheduled for January.

Over 1,000 Latics fans made the Monday afternoon trip, many in fancy dress, to enjoy what was billed as an end-of-season party.

It had been an exciting first season and both sides received a great reception as they entered the playing surface at Valley Parade.

It did not take long to get the party started as in the first minute Corrigan picked up a loose ball and played a cross-field pass to Curtis who made a surging forward run before finding Gore. The Wigan midfielder whipped over a waist high cross and MOORE was on hand to open the scoring with a stooping header.

The Yorkshire side responded well to the early set-back and took control of the game with Martinez and Baines going close before on 23 minutes Baines headed got onto a cross and headed back across goal for JACKSON  to level the scores. The game flowed from end to end and Smith in the home goal did well to save a deflected Brownbill header.

Half Time; Bradford City 1-1 Wigan Athletic.

The second half saw Fretwell limp off and Davids came on as his replacement.

Both sides played some neat and attractive football but the competitive edge was not quite there and the game began to have the feel of an exhibition game.

Both keepers performed well and did their part to ensure that there were no further goals, and the crowd were in good voice as they sang loudly on the terraces and cheered their heroes until the final whistle brought the curtain down on an historic and memorable season.

Full Time; Bradford City 1-1 Wigan Athletic

Scorers; Moore (1); Jackson (23);

Attendance; 3,748

Team; WIGAN (4-4-2)—Brown; Curtis, Hinnigan, Ward, Fretwell; Corrigan, Wright, Gore, Purdie; Brownbill, Moore; Sub; Davids for Fretwell

BRADFORD CITY (4-4-2) — Smith; Podd, Watson, Szabo, Jackson; Wood, Martinez, Dolan, Hutchins; Baines, McNiven; Sub not used; Bailey

Referee; Mr Pat Partridge (County Durham).

The retained list was issued in the days following the Bradford game and all 18 professionals were retained for the following season.

John Curtis was also given a full-time contract following his successful loan spell and his subsequent release by Blackburn Rovers.

Long serving Ian Gillibrand, who had struggled to get game time was to be added to the coaching staff and would attend a number of coaching courses to help develop his tactical skills.