The last Peterborough United team to win a title did so on the back of an outstanding home record and the 1973-74 season skipper believes it could happen again

Just as well as Posh were third from bottom and staring a re-election campaign in the face, although they had just appointed a charismatic manager in Noel Cantwell who made striker John Cozens his first signing from Notts County.

And 18 months later skipper Cozens was celebrating a Fourth Division title with his team, a success built on an awesome home record of 19 wins and four draws from 23 matches at London Road.

It remains the only time Posh have ever completed a League season without losing a home game, although the current side are also using outstanding home form (P13 W10 D2 L1) as a launchpad for their own promotion push.

“We had so much confidence in our ability we fancied we could beat anyone, anywhere, but especially at our place,” Cozens stated. “We had great players and great support and that was a key to us winning most of our games at home and lifting the title.

“We nearly lost the unbeaten record in the last game against title rivals Gillingham as we fell behind, but we had 17,000 fans urging us on and I was lucky enough to score twice as we won 4-2.

“They were great times. When I signed I had no idea where Peterborough was or how they had been getting on in the league. Two weeks after I signed for Notts County they signed Tony Hateley who was an international so I was just fed up not playing and when I met Noel in a Coventry hotel I signed without asking too many questions.

“It proved a great decision. Our home form got us up and the way the current Posh team playing at London Road it could happen again. I hope so anyway.”

Posh won the title with 65 points (it was two points for a win in those days), 42 of which had come from home matches.

Tbey finished three points clear of Gillingham who were also promoted along with Colchester United and Bury. There were no play-offs in the 1970s.

Posh conceded just 10 goals in 23 home matches which remains a club record.

The biggest Posh wins were 5-1 v Doncaster Rovers and 4-0 v Crewe Alexandra.

BEST POSH HOME RECORDS (all converted to three points for a win)

63pts 1973-74

(W19, D4 L0)

57pts 1960-61

(W18 D3 L2)

52pts 1977-78

(W15 D7 L1)

51pts 1964-65

(W16 D3 L4)

51pts1981-82

(W16 D3 L4)

Last season Posh picked up 39pts from 17 home games (48pt pace), but had many soft looking fixtures still to play and this season Posh have 32pts from 13 home games which would mean 57pts (23 games) if the current pace is maintained. Posh have tough home games to come.