In this additional feature for Talking Bull we look back affectionately at some of the music that has been played at Edgar Street via the PA Box over the years.

In recognition of the late great Don Cooke we are calling this archive “Don’s Discs” and we are sure many, many Hereford supporters will recall his voice, as well as his music. Don operated the public address system at Edgar Street for the best part of 25 years.

So, today we head back to the early 1970s and Pepper Box by The Peppers. The French based instrumental band consisted of Mat Camison,Tony Rubio and Pierre Dahan who produced just one album, ‘A Taste of Honey’, from which the space rock, disco funk instrumental “Pepper Box” became a one-hit wonder in the UK singles chart, peaking at Number 6 in 1974. It has a pop/funk baseline, some handclaps, and a persistent Moog synthesiser whine.

Released on the 26th October 1974, Don gave this track quite an airing at Edgar Street, and its high-pitched sound probably helped remove ear wax as it wailed away across the Meadow End terraces.

John Sillett had become the Hereford United manager in the summer of 1974 and, by the time Don played this at Edgar Street for the first time in early November, the Bulls new look squad was getting to grips with life in League Division Three. With Huddersfield now riding high in the Premier League it is difficult to image the Terriers were a struggling outfit. But relegation loomed for Huddersfield and they were destined to finish rock-bottom that season.

2/11/1974 v Huddersfield Town. The Bulls drew 1-1. Attendance: 7,474.

Line Up: Tommy Hughes, Steve Emery, Tony Byrne, Billy Tucker, Dave Rylands, Dave Rudge, Terry Paine, Dudley Tyler, Eric Redrobe, Dixie McNeil, Paul Lee. Sub: Barry Silkman.

Sillett described the draw as “a point lost rather than one gained”. The Bulls dominated the first half but only had one goal to show for their efforts. A Terry Paine corner dropped to Dixie McNeil in the penalty area who smashed the ball high into the roof of the net in the 7th minute. However, the elusive second goal failed to materialise and Alan Gowling ran through a hesitant back line to net under the diving body of Tommy Hughes in the home goal. Attendances remained high that season, averaging 7,231 at Edgar Street.

The Bulls went undefeated at home between the 18th of September and 8th March 1975, and eventually finished the season 12th. Dixie McNeil ending the campaign as the country’s leading goal-scorer, hitting the back of the net 32 times from 48 starts in all competitions.

f you have a favourite song you loved hearing at Edgar Street, let us know here at Talking Bull email us:

editor@talkingbull.org 

By Editor

Lifelong Hereford supporter who has endured the rise and fall of the club through progressive generations. Sports journalist, broadcaster and commentator who will never forget his Edgar Street roots.

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