After narrowly avoiding what seemed a certain relegation to the
conference in season 1989/90, Pool set out on season 1990/91 with
hopes of a less eventful campaign and a midtable finish at best. But with Cyril
Knowles at the helm and Garry Gibson in the chairman's hot seat, Pool
were about to embark on one of the most succesful season's in the
club's history. We look back at the season Joe Allon and Paul Baker
blasted Pool out of division four and into division three.
Chesterfield 2 Pool 3. Promotion favorites Chesterfield were brought
back down to earth on the opening day of the season. Pool were 3-0 up after
just 47 minutes through Tupling, Baker and Fletcher, but lost defender
Mick Smith through injury just before half time, allowing the home side
to pull two goals back after the break. Pool though held on. Chesterfield
1 Pool 2. Pool went back to Saltergate to player Chesterfield again,
this time in the league cup. Joe Allon scored his first of the season in the
40th minute as Pool lead 1-0 at the break. Chesterfield equalised but Brian
Honour wrapped up the win for Pool with an 81st minute goal. Pool 0
Cardiff 2. 2800 fans turned up at the Vic for Pools first home game of
the season. Two goals in three minutes after the break saw all three points
go back to Wales. Gillingham 3 Pool 0. Pool's defence looked fragile
without Mick Smith playing at the back. Paul Baker was left on the bench due
to a lack of fitness and Gillingham took advantage to record a comfortable
win. Pool 2 Chesterfield 2. Pool brought in Andy Duggan and Andy
Harbron for this second leg league cup tie. Pool were 2-0 down at the break
and the pair were replaced at half time by Brain Honour and John Tinkler.
Goals from Joe Allon and Paul Baker clinched a tie against Totteham Hotspur
in the next round of the Rumbelows Cup.
Pool 2 Rochdale 2. 5725 fans turned out for a windswept match
with the Dale. Vouchers were being handed out to give priority for home leg
with Spurs, hench the impressive gate. A goal from Paul Dalton and an own
goal saw the game end in a 2-2 draw. Carlisle 1 Pool 0. Pool's poor
start to the league season continued. Eric Gates beat Rob McKinnon
and shot into the corner of the net to take the three points for the
Cumbrians. Tottenham 5 Pool 0. 19760 fans saw Totteham put five past Pool in this
first leg league cup match. Paul Gascoigne scored four and Gary Lineker
collected the fifth. 2000 Poolies made the journey to London and made
sure they enjoyed themselves as did Cyril Knowles on his return to
the club were he made his name. Blackpool 2 Pool 0. Pool's league
campaign had got off to a terrible start. Ten men Blackpool easily
held on to a 2-0 lead after Phil Honour was sent off for a professional
foul on Joe Allon. After this defeat Pool lie 23rd in the fourth division.
Pool 1 Aldershot 0. Pool's second league win of the season came
just in time to stop them going bottom of the league. Joe Allon scored the
only goal of the game in front of 1916 fans.
Pool 1 Maidstone 0. In a game which Joe Allon suffered a burst
blood vessel behind his eye! a Paul Dalton goal was enough to give Pool
their second home win on the trot. Pool 1 Spurs 2. In front of
9631 fans Pool battled hard to match the stars from the smoke. Paul Stewart
scored twice for Spurs. But the goal of the night was a 25 yard drive
for Paul Dalton. Don Hutchinson was the star of the show, inspiring
chairman Garry Gibson to send video's of the game to every first and
second division club in England in a bid to sell Hutch and raise much
needed cash. Doncaster Rovers 2 Pool 2. Joe Allon turned down the
chance to go to Scarborough on loan. Cyril Knowles suggested the move to
Allon in what was one of the masterstroke's of the season. Allon responded
by forcing an own goal and scoring himself as Pool grabbed a point.
Pool 0 York City 1. The John Bird jink struck Pool again. This was
the sixth time Bird had faced his former team and won the game. Ian Helliwell
scored for City. Wrexham 2 Pool 2. Mick Smith scored his first
goal for six months before Wrexham hit two. However Pool's spirit was
starting to show through and Don Hutchinson grabbed an equaliser 14
minutes from time. Pool 2 Peterborough 0. The 23rd of October
saw Pool polish of Posh with ease. Goals from Joe Allon and Paul Baker
pulled Pool upto 13th in the fourth division.
Pool 2 Hereford 1. Joe Allon and Paul Olsson put Pool clear
but Hereford pulled one back and hit the wood work twice as Pool held on
for another three points and 10th place in the fourth division.
Northampton 3 Pool 2. Theo Foley's men picked up the three points
but not without a battle. Steve Fletcher and Paul Baker were on the score
sheet for Pool. Darlington 0 Pool 1. The first of the season's
derby games saw Pool run out victorious. Joe Allon got the goal after
a mix up between the Darlo keeper and defender in the 22nd minute.
5713 fans watched on as Pool sat in 12th position in the fourth division.
Runcorn 0 Pool 3. The first round of the FA cup saw a convincing
win for Pool at non league Runcorn. Joe Allon's first senior level
hat trick secured a second round berth for Pool. Pool 2 Scarborough 0.
Following Don Hutchison's big money move to Liverpool, Pool notched
up another win, their third in succession. Paul Baker and John Tinkler
got the goals. Huddersfield 1 Pool 4. The Leyland DAF cup saw
Pool in full flow. Two goals from Paul Dalton, and a goal a piece for
Joe Allon and Paul Olsson halted Huddersfield's run of six games without
defeat. Torquay 0 Pool 1. 1st of December on the South coast
and Pool were now beginning to look serious candidate's for third division
glory. Top of the table Torquay were shot down by another Joe Allon goal,
Joe's eighth in as many games. Wigan 2 Pool 0. Second round of the
FA cup saw Pool come up against a classy Wigan side who never looked in
trouble and ran out comfortable 2-0 winners. Pool 2 Lincoln 0.
Another home win and more goals from Allon. Joe doubled up with goals
in the 15th and 17th minutes. Pool 0 Bradford 4. The Leyland
DAF cup again. This time third division Bradford dished out a footballing
lesson to Pool and left the North East after an impressive performance.
Burnley 4 Pool 0. Andy Davies was sent off for two bookable
fouls and Pool suffered their second 4-0 defeat inside four days.
Halifax 1 Pool 2.
Back to winning ways for Pool with the first game of the new year.
Allon again hit two as Pool came from behind and could have had many
more. 7th in the division. Cardiff 1 Pool 0. A disappointing
result for Pool as they looked to make the step up from play off
hopeful's to automatic promotion places. Pool 2 Chesterfield 0.
Chesterfield must have hated playing Pool this season! after five weeks
without a home game goals from Joe Allon and Steve Tupling made sure
of the three points in front of 2134 people. Bradford 3 Pool 2.
Pool were drawn to meet Bradford again in the Leyland DAF cup and this
time gave them a fight. Goals from Paul Baker and Joe Allon had City
worried until a goal nine minutes from time ended Pool's resistence.
York 0 Pool 0. Again Pool could not get one over on former boss
John Bird, but at least a point travelled back up the A19 with the
Pool team this time. Pool 3 Stockport 1. Ex-Pool centre-half
Paul Williams returned with a goal to give Stockport the lead, but Pool
hit back and goals from Joe Allon (2) and Paul Baker sealed a win against
one of the promotion chasing rivals. Pool 4 Carlisle 1. Rampant Pool
boosted their goal difference against a Carlisle side with problems.
Joe Allon again hit two with Jackie Honour and Paul Dalton also
netting in a fine attacking display. Scarborough 2 Pool 0. Eight
inches of snow had to be cleared from the pitch before this game could
go ahead. Pool looked rusty after not playing for eleven days and were
well beaten. Pool 0 Darlington 0. Pool's closest rivals turned
up at the Vic looking for sweet revenge after Pool won at Feethams.
However it was not to be as the two sides battled away in typical derby
fashion but niether side could manage a goal. 6100 watched on as the
game ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Scunthorpe 2 Pool 1. Pool were on
top from the start but could not take their chances. The Iron finally came
good and won the game to boost their impressive home record. Joe Allon
scored Pool's consolation.
Tragedy struck the club before the home game with Torquay. Cyril Knowles
Pool's inspirational manager had been taken seriously ill and was rushed
to hospital with a suspected brain tumour. Cyril went on to have
three seperate operations on the condition which was later to take
his life, Cyril will never be forgotten by the Pool faithful and is
still remembered as one of the best managers ever to have been in the
Pool hotseat. Pool 0 Torquay 0. The Gulls took a point
back down south but Pool should have made sure they got nothing. Joe Allon
miss kick from just a yard out with the goal at his mercy. A miss which was
to prove costly come the end of the season. Chairman Garry
Gibson caused a storm of protest as he put chief executive Alan
Murray in caretaker charge in the absence of Cyril Knowles.
Lincoln 3 Pool 1. A poor display from Pool was well punished
by Lincoln. Alan Murray's first game in charge of the team did little
for the confidence of a side still shocked by the illness of Cyril Knowles.
Aldershot 1 Pool 5. Paul Dalton scored a hat trick and dedicated
the win to Cyril Knowles. Joe Allon also scored as Pool led 4-0 after
23 minutes. John Tinkler wrapped up the scoring in the 60th minute.
Pool 1 Blackpool 2. A last gasp goal saw Blackpool steal all three
points form Pool as they continued their surge up the table, at Pool's
expense. Maidstone 1 Pool 4. A second half goal blitz gave Pool
another resounding away win. Two special goals from Honour and one a piece
for Dalton and Baker made for another great journey home. Pool 2
Walsall 1. Pool lead 2-0 at the break after an Allon brace set
them nicely on their way. Walsall came back into it in the second half
and pulled a goal back, but it was too late in the game to worry a
confident Pool. Stockport 1 Pool 3. Pool produced their third
impressive away win on the trot. Joe Allon hit two which broke the recond
for the most goals scored in a season by a Pool player. Paul Baker added
the third. After this game Pool were 6th in the third division as March
ended. Pool 0 Burnley 0. A blustery afternoon made for difficult
conditions at the Vic and chances were few and far between. A point a piece
always looked on the cards as the conditions beat both teams. Walsall
0 Pool 1. A fourth away win on the trot for Pool, but in controversial
circumstances. A late Joe Allon goal settled it. Walsall claimed their
keeper was fouled as he fell after collecting a cross from Brian Honour.
Allon pounced and rammed the ball home. Pool 2 Scunthorpe 0.
Two goals in two minutes broke Scunthorpe's resolve. Dalton and Baker
fired home against a side still chasing a play off place. Pool were now
5th in the fourth division. Pool 2 Halifax 1. Alan Murray blasted
his team after this match. The result was right but the display lacked
the commitment he wanted. Goals from Paul Baker and Joe Allon (four
minutes from time) settled the game in Pool's favour. 4th position.
Pool enter the final furlong of the long hard season well positioned for
a play off place and perhaps even an automatic place. Pool 1 Doncaster
1. Billy Whitehurst was sent off for an outrageous swing of the boot
in the first half. But Doncaster went ahead and looked like hanging
on. However John MacPhail scored with a header to earn a valuable point.
Pool 2 Wrexham 1. Lowly Wrexham were hit by a quick one-two as
Allon and Baker claimed the goals in quick succession. It was not
plain sailing though as Wrexham pulled one back, though Pool undoubtedly
deserved the win. Rochdale 0 Pool 0. A Pool team missing the in form
Brain Honour through suspension as well as Tinkler and Bennyworth
through injury fought hard and were happy with a point. Position 5th.
Peterborough 1 Pool 1. The promotion clash saw Pool go ahead with a
good finish from that man Allon. But Peterborough levelled from the
penalty spot after a harsh decision against the returning Ian Bennyworth.
Pool 1 Gillingham 0. With the wind behind them Pool took full
advantage and Joe Allon hit the only goal of the game. In the second half
Pool again dominated with loan signing Kevin Poole having very little to
do in the Pool goal. Position 3rd, the first time that Pool had occupied
an automatic promotion place. Hereford 1 Pool 3. A superb display
saw Pool's final away day end in yet another victory. Two goals from Paul
Dalton and one from Paul Baker produced Pool's first ever league win
at Hereford. It also setup a blockbuster finale as Pool would met
fellow promotion chasing side Northampton at the Vic on the final day
of the season.
Pool 3 Northampton 1. The day the Vic celebrated.
45 minutes before kick off at the Vic was just about full! 6957 fans
turned out to see if Pool could clinch automatic promotion to the third
division. Whether Joe Allon would play was the only germ of concern.
Pool's goalscoring machine was notably absent from the pre-match warm
up, fuelling fears for the ankle injury which forced him out of training
in midweek. Pool marched out to a ticker-tape welcome with Joe hiding
his hobble at the rear "I would have played on one leg" he later
claimed. The tension in the ground was eased as Paul Dalton opened the
scoring in the 17th minute. Keith Nobbs sent a long ball upfield which
caught the Northampton defence out. Olsson and Dalton both ran
for it and Dalton reached it first, controlling the ball well. He kept
his head and took the ball round the keeper before rifling home. In the
last minute of the first half Northampton pulled level. Trevor Quow
met a corner and fired the ball confidently and powerfully into the net.
In the second half it was the front pair of Pool who yet again delivered
the goods in style. In the 57th minute Joe Allon hit his 35th goal of the
season. McKinnon's corner was headed in Allon's path and he muscled his
way in the slam the ball home. Three minutes later the Vic saw chaotic
scene's as Paul Baker put Pool 3-1 up. Baker chased a long ball from John
MacPhail and with the Cobblers keeper off his line Baker sent a delightful
lob over his head and into the net. There was still 25 minutes to play
when the PA man lost his self restraint and relayed news that both
Peterborough and Blackpool were both trailing. Rob McKinnon gave a
clenched fist salute, then chased and tackled like a man possessed
right to the final whistle. When the final whistle was blown thousand's
of fans invaded the pitch in celebration. The fans already knew that
the win was enough to ensure promotion and the party began. The players
came back out for a lap of honour, proceeded to give their shirts away,
and were stripped to their briefs as again the celebrating Poolies
partied on the pitch. A rousing rendition of 'Nice One Cyril' echoed
round the Vic as the missing guest was not forgotten. The party
would continue on until the early hours of Sunday morning. A day which
went down in Pool history and will never be forgotten by the 7000
fans who partied away.
Pool missed out on the championship by just one point. Rival's Darlington
took the title with Stockport County finishing second.
