Asa Hartford.

[Abattoir Blue]

(Based on anecdotal evidence) I'd suggest there are an outsized number of 40-50 year old men called Asa who were born in the Manchester area.

Only one reason why.

Happy birthday Mr Hartford!

 

[tommybooth]

Had the pleasure of meeting him at junior blues at Cheadle Hulme High School.

 

[petrusha]

My favourite player of that era….but can’t agree about his shooting

I loved Asa as well (though Dave Watson was my personal favourite as a kid). And, to be fair, Hartford did score some brilliant goals from range, for instance in the home UEFA Cup win against AC Milan in 1978/79. However, I know what you mean. His shooting was, to put it politely, a bit erratic.

I always remember that in my early years, my old man and I sat in the North Stand towards the front of one of the rear blocks to the side of the goal (perhaps Block P, I can't recall). There were a few old blokes in there who always used to joke to me that I was taking my life in my hands sitting up there, as it was where all Asa's wayward shots went.

Still a great player, though. Especially in his first spell.

 

[bluegaz13]

I loved Asa as well (though Dave Watson was my personal favourite as a kid). And, to be fair, Hartford did score some brilliant goals from range, for instance in the home UEFA Cup win against AC Milan in 1978/79. However, I know what you mean. His shooting was, to put it politely, a bit erratic.

I always remember that in my early years, my old man and I sat in the North Stand towards the front of one of the rear blocks to the side of the goal (perhaps Block P, I can't recall). There were a few old blokes in there who always used to joke to me that I was taking my life in my hands sitting up there, as it was where all Asa's wayward shots went.

Still a great player, though. Especially in his first spell.

Let’s just say he had lots of other attributes that made up for his shooting.

I would say the season you are talking about was Asa’s best for us (78/79)….yet he was sold at the end of the season and he was in his prime at 28.

He was on our plane to Istanbul from Stansted for the final and was only too pleased to have his photo taken.

My daughter would have been named Asa if she had been born a boy….the cat was christened Asa instead.

Seemed to remember in the derby match that Colin Bell got injured in…that Asa hit the the equivalent of the Silva pass from the 6-1.

 

[NMB]

Let’s just say he had lots of other attributes that made up for his shooting.

I would say the season you are talking about was Asa’s best for us (78/79)….yet he was sold at the end of the season and he was in his prime at 28.

He was on our plane to Istanbul from Stansted for the final and was only too pleased to have his photo taken.

My daughter would have been named Asa if she had been born a boy….the cat was christened Asa instead.

Seemed to remember in the derby match that Colin Bell got injured in…that Asa hit the the equivalent of the Silva pass from the 6-1.

Saw him and shook his hand in CB3 before a derby game recently. Great player and a true gent.

 

[Asa's left peg]

Lovely bloke, back in the day. Heard a story that when Big Mal was trying to force him out he insulted Asa and they had to pull him off Mal.
Those were the days!

 

[Keeper!]

Top player, loved watching him in our shirt.

 

[Bettys Bell]

I feel really old reading this thread . My Dads favourite player.

 

[Tuearts right boot]

I loved Asa as well (though Dave Watson was my personal favourite as a kid). And, to be fair, Hartford did score some brilliant goals from range, for instance in the home UEFA Cup win against AC Milan in 1978/79. However, I know what you mean. His shooting was, to put it politely, a bit erratic.

I always remember that in my early years, my old man and I sat in the North Stand towards the front of one of the rear blocks to the side of the goal (perhaps Block P, I can't recall). There were a few old blokes in there who always used to joke to me that I was taking my life in my hands sitting up there, as it was where all Asa's wayward shots went.

Still a great player, though. Especially in his first spell.

Loved the guy but it's true, his shooting left a lot be desired. Anywhere in the Platt lane end.

 

[Big mals fedora]

He told me to fuck off once!!! Players were doin the pre season training and had just come out of the ground on , presumably, a long run. Me and me mates were running alongside for a couple hundred yards babbling on like kids do, Asa was talkin and we must have pissed him off with our inane drivel, so he said “will you fuck off!!!”. Never held it against him though, still one of my favorites!!