The departure of Don Howe to West Bromwich Albion in the close season of 1971 was disappointing. With hindsight, it is easy to suppose that Don regrets the decision but I doubt that to be the case; he would probably have more regrets if he had not taken the Albion job. But more on that in a few days time.
As it was pre-season training had to resume, the plans for the defence of the double worked upon and players to returned to their expected levels of fitness.