This game took place in the middle of the fuel crisis. Protesters unhappy at the heavy taxation on fuel had blocked depots across the country. As a result panic buying started and on the day of the game over 3000 petrol stations across the country were closed because they had no petrol left to sell. Therefore a trip to Blackburn by car was a risky proposition for many Hornets fans. However those who braved it were rewarded with a wonderful win.

Having negotiated the dangers of a sleepless night panicking at the prospect of having to ditch my car in darkest Wolverhampton (the geographical point I estimated my car would run out of fuel, assuming a steady speed of eighty miles per hour from London to Blackburn and back), we actually found that the best way to get through said crisis was to ignore it. Potentially hazardous, I concede, but somewhat necessary given the mass hysteria that seems to accompany anything vaguely out of the ordinary in this country. With Elvis Mark’s ‘billy can’ safely secured in the boot, and a gentlemen’s agreement to stop everywhere where petrol appeared to be on sale, we set off in trepidation. And, as if by magic, we arrived at Ewood Park.

…We don’t know if we’ll get home….”The spirit of Dunkirk,” Fincham said. Whatever, the spirits of fuel and transport were in our favour. Food at Toddington, fuel at Rothersthorpe, and arrival at the Fernhurst at 5pm. Four hours, not bad for V**xh*ll! The Fernhurst, a fine “Star Lodge” establishment offering ridiculously tasty food and cheap beverages. An up-market Harvester, the stuff of awayday dreams. This was to be a night to remember.