The Goldstone Wrap

Backpass Magazine is a fantastic read for anyone who loves football culture of yesteryear. Priced £3,95, the magazine has been going since the summer of 2008. The current issue, issue 27, with cover star Liverpool’s Roger Hunt, features the Steve Foster photo above in the glorious Highbury sunshine in April 1983. It also includes a two page interview with Fozzie. He says:

I started there under Alan Mullery. He was followed by Mike Bailey, a lovely man and manager who was sacked for not smiling enough! Jimmy Melia took over and that’s when everything started to take off, especially with the FA Cup run.

There is a mistake in the interview as Foster appears to suggest that Albion finished 13th under Mullery in 1982 before becoming defensive under Bailey. That high finish was, of course, under Bailey. However, this does not take away from the fact the interview is an enjoyable read with Foster characteristically forthright in his views about managers and players.

Anyway, I won’t spill the beans as this magazine is in some newsagents despite problems with the barcode restricting supply.

Brighton have been very well served by the magazine over its 27 issues:

Issue 1 has a short article on Bristol Rovers’ Bannister and Warboys, the nemesis of Brighton in 1973 in the 8-2 defeat

Issue 2 has a short article on how Brighton got the Seagulls nickname, and a summary of the 1982/83 season with a review of the FA Cup Final. Also mentions the club ‘unveiled plans for a new £7 milion stadium to be opened in 1985. They are still waiting!’

Issue 4 has memories of Norman Gall and a feature on the Leatherhead Lip giantkillings

Issue 5 has an interview with Jim Walker

Issue 7 has an interview with Mel Hopkins although there is no Albion references other than a photo of Hopkins

Issue 10 has reviews of the Peter Ward and Martin Chivers biographies, an interview with Peter Ward, and Mike Tiddy obituary

Issue 13 has an interview with Jimmy Melia, a feature on the famous ‘penalties’ match with Crystal Palace in 1988/89, and a Bobby Smith obituary

Issue 14 has an Alan Davies retrospective with comment by Gary Stevens. Also, a Mel Hopkins obituary

Issue 15 has interviews with Ian Goodwin and Gerry Ryan

Issue 16 has an interview with ex-Albion coach Ray Crawford

Issue 17 has a flashback to the epic cup tie between Brighton and Walsall in 1969/70

Issue 18 has a Ken Beamish interview and Goldstone retrospective

Issue 19 has a Bernie Gallagher obituary

Issue 24 has a retrospective of Southern TV’s football coverage and the Preston days of Alex Dawson – only a very brief Albion mention in each plus a photo of Dawson in a Brighton shirt

Issue 25 has a feature on Brighton & Hove Albion kits and an Ernie Machin obituary

Issue 26 has an interview with Brian Horton

Issue 27 has an interview with Steve Foster

Issue 28 has a short article on Spencer Vignes’ ‘A Few Good Men’ book

Issue 29 has a synopsis of the John Shepherd book, an article on the 2-8 defeat to Bristol Rovers, and obituaries of Tony Grealish and Freddie Jones

Some back issues are still available. Get them from their website before they go! Digital back issues will be available soon.