Albion mistake let Moore out of the door

At least that is the understanding to this day by Moore who was entrusted with the registration forms after manager Don Welsh had agreed to an arrangement that went amiss but had a happy outcome for the player.

It was October, 1948 when Moore presented the paper work to George Skinner at Hastings. On closer scrutiny it was discovered that both parties had signed the wrong form and Moore was not on a temporary arrangement.

Fifty-three years later Moore, Brighton born and bred, said: "The mistake only came to light because I had made a note of the number on the form and thought something might be wrong. The Albion secretary, I forget who it was, had made a mistake and it ended up that I was a Hastings player from that point on and apparently nothing could be done to rectify things."

The embarrassment did not become public knowledge and Hastings received a fee of around £200 for a free-scoring centre-forward whom Albion bought back six years later for £3,000.

As Albion gaffes go it was not on the scale of 1932 when Albert Underwood, the secretary, forgot to apply for exemption from the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup. Albion were obliged to start the campaign in October with a 12-0 defeat of Shoreham.

Moore's playing career was quite remarkable insofar that he became the Brighton player who got away through sheer carelessness. As a 10 year-old at the Brighton Intermediate school at York Place, he was already scoring goals in hatfuls. When selected for Brighton Boys in 1937-38 he was a right-half who liked to go forward.

Geoff Virgo, the Brighton Boys secretary, noted at the time: "Moore was a lightweight and relied on brains rather than brawn. He was a very clever player and never averse to a shot at goal from the edge of the area."

On leaving school he became an apprentice toolmaker and Charlie Webb took him on as an Albion junior. He played in the Sussex Wartime League Cup and Sussex RUR Cup and made his first team debut aged 19 against Clapton Orient in February, 1943.

"I remember the time clearly," recalled Moore. "Carlo Campbell, one of the directors, said I was going into the first team for three games no matter how I played."

A quick learner, Moore's soccer education was hastened by having two great teachers either side of him; Joe Wilson and Frank O'Donnell, the Preston and Aston Villa Scottish international who was in the RAF and guesting for Albion. "I learned a lot from them, but then I was called-up and served in the RAF, mostly in India and the Far East and came out as a Sergeant PTI."

When Moore returned a first team place was hard to command. "It was then that Hastings showed interest and asked about taking me on loan. Things turned out differently, but I had a wonderful time there. I think in something like two and a bit seasons I scored 136 goals in 121 matches.

When I knocked in all five when we beat Headington United 5-2, a recommendation was made to Luton by their scout Hubert Day that they should sign me."

The licensee of the North Road Inn, Brighton, Day was a well-known figure in the talent-spotting world and he had trailed Moore for several seasons. In the season he persuaded Luton to offer him terms, Moore had scored 44 goals out of a club total of 58. The fee to Hastings, then facing bankruptcy, was £4,000 and Moore set out to rekindle his League career with a Second Division club then managed by Dally Duncan who used to live in Brighton. Hastings were pleased. They had had over two years service out of Moore and ended up with a profit of £3,800.

Dally Duncan, who had played for Derby against Moore in the 1945-46 FA Cup-tie against Brighton, was more than satisfied with the deal. Luton found Moore was just the man they wanted to put some punch into the attack.

But, football being the way it was, Luton later let it be known that a suitably inscribed cheque would persuade them to part with Moore. Now Albion were managed by Billy Lane and put in with an acceptable bid saying that it was a form of insurance. But the fact remained that the £3,000 premium need not have been paid if Moore had never been allowed to leave home.

It would be nice to recall that Moore's second introduction to his home town club had a storybook ending. In the one season, 1954-55 he made 51 first team appearances and didn't get on with Lane.

"He wasn't my cup of tea. I remember Daphne, my wife, having to go into hospital to have an operation and I asked Joe Wilson if I could change my training time the once. He said it would be OK, but to check with the manager. So I did and Lane was upset that I hadn't seen him first. It was a Friday and he told me to see him the following day when I would be in the team. But, when I saw him, he crossed me out. Then he put me down for the third team, and crossed me out. So I didn't get a game at all. No, I just couldn't get on with the man and I wasn't the only one."

Just before his 32nd birthday Moore was released to join Bedford Town. Tim Kelly, the old Luton coach, was Bedford's manager and knew that Moore wouldn't let them down.

Nevertheless, it was both a wrench to say goodbye again to Albion. His best pal was Jack Ball and Bernie and Daphne lived in a club flat in Beconsfield Villas with Peter Harburn on the floor above. Later they settled by Preston Park. Bernie was popular with his fellow players and now and again they all had a night on the town.

"Billy Lane arranged for some of us to attend a film premiere at the Savoy cinema and to meet Anna Neagle in person. We all jumped at the chance but Billy never turned up."

With Bedford, Moore figured in their famous FA Cup run of 1955-56 when scoring a late equaliser to force a 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Highbury. Bedford went out 2-1 in the third round replay but not before Bernie and Bedford had enjoyed their share of glory. After a couple of seasons at Bedford, where Moore now lives, he went to Cambridge United and chummed-up with the legendary Wilf Mannion. Bernie stayed two seasons before moving on to play and manage at Potten United. By the time his 38th birthday came round it was time to retire.

"It was then I used by apprenticeship papers and I was sent to college where I got my City and Guilds. For the next 28 years until 1988 I taught metalwork at schools in Bedford," said Bernie. He also ran the Bedford Schools' side for a while but only follows football on television these days and hasn't seen Albion play for ages. Bernie has a brother, Douglas in Brighton who keeps him up to date with cuttings.

Now 77, Bernie is in good health. "I get the Argus every week and so I have been able to forward my congratulations on them gaining promotion. It's always been my club, you know."