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Journos see weaknesses as Brakes make good start to 1975

Brakes made an impressive start to 1975 building on success in the festive season, although doubts continued to be expressed by reporter Roger Draper.  Bedworth United were beaten 3-1 on Boxing Day and this ‘win at the Windmill did Brakes’ league position a power of good, but despite the profit of two more, very valuable points, the way in which it was achieved was far from impressive.’ 

Roger Brown put the home side ahead from the penalty spot on 13 minutes but seconds later an effort from Stewart hit the post.   ‘The home side then entered a sticky phase, and almost allowed their punchless visitors to grab the equaliser.    Dave Garrett had to work hard to make the save.   After shooting straight at the keeper, Bobby Horne made amends in the second half by chipping the ball over him to make it 2-0.   

‘With Leamington again hitting a barren pitch, ex Coventry City and World Cup star Gerry Baker put Bedworth back in the hunt with a well-executed goal 13 minutes from time.’   However, seconds later Stewart made it 3-1 for the Brakes, taking advantage of a neatly headed pass from Lee.

Brakes then faced Stevenage at home.  ‘Two goals down within a mere 13 minutes, Brakes staged a superb recovery to storm to their most impressive win of the term at the Windmill on Saturday.  High-riding Stevenage boasted one of the best records in the league – just 19 defeats in two outings – and indeed shook AP to their roots in the opening spell with some fine soccer in near gale-force conditions.’ 

 The visitors took advantage of the ‘hopelessly exposed home rearguard’ to go 2-0 ahead ‘and things were beginning to look very black for AP.  But Brakes then began to pull themselves together and 12 minutes from the interval managed to reduce the deficit.  A superb right-wing cross from Ivor Talbot found centre forward Adrian Stewart, who smacked a first time attempt into the back of the net. 

Eight minutes into the second period Stewart struck again to put AP back on level terms, and just on the hour Brakes forged ahead with Keeley tapping home a fine Dennis Taylor centre.  The closing phases were then furiously contested as the visitors battled to salvage the result, but with Brown, Taylor and Griffiths superb at the back, and Adrian Stewart having the game of his life, Brakes hung on deservedly to take the points.’

Brakes then went on to beat Wellingborough 1-0 with a ninth minute goal from Stewart to extend their unbeaten run into double figures.  ‘Brakes ruthlessl y laid bare Wellingborough’s defensive limitations – and then conspired to fritter away a bunch of chances with slip-shod, almost farcical finishing. 

And although manager Jimmy Knox was pleased with the result, he must be dismayed by the reckless finishing that allowed Boro’ to stay in the hunt after being given a right Royal run around.   This finishing slackness must place a large question against AP’s right to demand a promotion interest.  But they again underlined their claims with a sound defensive action dominated by powerful Doug Griffiths.   And with Mickey Boot putting in a tremendous 90 minutes, effectively backed by Steve Lee and Bobby Horne, they had a classical dominance in midfield that promises to breathe late life into AP’s challenge for honours.’

The car parking dilemma

There are good arguments on either side about charging for car parking, but I do think it should not have been introduced mid-season at very short notice.  It would have been better to consult the fans on a number of alternatives and then introduce the agreed one in August.

The free bus from 'town' is actually from the station which means that I would have to pay to park there to use it (my mobility is a bit limited but not really Blue Badge).   It also doesn't help the fans who come in from surrounding villages such as Harbury.

I take the point about damage to the training pitch and in the longer run a bus may help with attendances (I am assuming it can't run down The Parade for logistical reasons).

The board may well be right on the substantive issue, but I think that the process could have been handled better .

Battle of the Spas off

A frozen pitch has led to the cancellation of today's game against Buxton, so let's go back to a sunny August 2000 when the revival of the Brakes was under way:

Will local government changes hit stadium plans?

Brakes Trust has asked if the proposed local government reorganisation might lead to further delays in the proposed new stadium.   The leader of Warwickshire CC has proposed a unitary authority for the county with elections delayed until 2027.

For its part the Government might prefer a combined Coventry and Warwickshire authority headed by an elected mayor (not a leader and cabinet as Warwickshire proposes).

Either way the disappearance of the district council might lead to a less favourable political environment for a stadium as projects would be assessed on a county wide basis.

Any proposals will have to go out for consultation and may not be in place until 2028.

Brakes came close to getting a draw (and a replay) in the FA Cup

All the excitement about Leamington’s November 1974 FA Cup tie against Southend United ended in something of an anti-climax.    As the Sunday Express reported under the headline ‘A Fright for Southend’:  ‘Southend claimed their expected victory – but what a fight Leamington put up.  The lowly Southern League side fought back brilliantly after trailing 2-0 at the interval and skipper Steve Lee reduced the arrears seven minutes from time. In the last minute the Southend goal bore a charmed life.

Chris Guthrie, Southend’s £100,000 rated striker [just short of £1m in today’s prices] hammered the first goal after 15 minutes and 20 minutes later Peter Silvester headed a simple header.  But Southend were so lucky in those incredible final minutes.’

The Coventry Evening Telegraph commented: ‘For an hour Leamington failed to make a game of it, overawed and “frozen” by the occasion, and Southend’s two goal lead was established with clinical efficiency.   But the home players eventually got the message – Southend were ordinary folk indeed – and drawing on fresh reserves of energy they plugged away to produce a fabulous heart-stopping finish.

Steve Lee’s 83^rd minute goal brought the game to life and during an incredible late fling Brakes came agonisingly close to snatching a draw.   Three times in a matter of seconds full back Bob Worthington hacked shots from Tony Bowden, Doug Griffiths and Adrian Stewart off the line and Mick Keeley followed up by clipping a shot inches over after brilliantly working a clear opening.  How the ball did not cross the line during those breath-taking minutes I will never know.  But it stayed out and Brakes were forced to pay the penalty for that colourless first hour.  

They were heroes all, however, and despite Arthur Rowley’s uncharitable opinion that it was “easy” Southend knew they had been in a game – they were as good as dead at the finish as the part-timers took control.  Home centre half Roger Brown, classy left back Dennis Taylor and winger Ivor Talbot were as good as anything Southend had to offer and watching managers Ken Furphy (Sheffield United) and Harry Haslam (Luton Town) were genuinely impressed.  But the whole side warrant praise for giving the 2,600 crowd a battle royal. ‘

Then it was back to the league with a bottom of the table clash at Bury Town.    ‘It was Leamington who settled down to look the more dangerous side and worried the home defence with a series of attacks.  Talbot looked particularly dangerous and set up Leamington’s first chance, but Keeley’s shot was blocked.   Both sides played some neat football going forward, but the final pass was missing. Bury had to wait until the 35^th minute before they tested goalkeeper Garratt.’  Half time 0-0.

 Brakes lost 1-0 and ‘On the evidence of this defeat it is not difficult to see why AP Leamington are languishing near the foot of the Southern League first division table.  They have scored just nine goals in 12 league games this season, and they rarely looked adding to that total in this match.  For much of the match, particularly the first half, they looked the more positive side.  Bury exerted more pressure after the break’ and Leamington ‘were all at sea’ when they scored the winning goal.

It all kicks off at FA Cup match

Fifty years ago the build up to the first round FA Cup tie between AP Leamington and Southend United continued.   Having just moved to Leamington, I was relaxing in my newly acquired masionette. 

The game began to attract national attention.   The Daily Mirror reported: ‘Southend will be taking nothing for granted when they travel to take on Southern League strugglers AP Leamington on Saturday.  For the part-timers, who have battled through four rounds to reach the first round proper for the first time, point proudly to the fact they are reserving their best form for the cup matches.  Southend manager Andrew Rowley said: “We will spend the week hammering home to the players to give everything they have.  Complacency can lead to disaster – and we can only blame ourselves if we lose.”’

The Coventry Evening Telegraph stated: ‘Minimise mistakes and assert pressure from the “off” – these will be AP Leamington’s tactics for tomorrow’s historic FA Cup tie against Southend United at the Windmill Ground.   But manager Jimmy Knox has also told players to “enjoy” themselves.  “Let Southend do the worrying,” he said today. 

Knox felt that complacency on Southend’s part was unavoidable.  ‘Knox named his side at last night‘s training session and there are no surprises: Garrett, Brendon, Taylor, Griffiths, Brown, Boot, Scriggins, Lee, Stewart, keeley, Talbot.  Sub: Brady.  Southend are almost certain to be without skipper Dave Elliott, who has been troubled by a thigh strain, and Rowley is expected to name the team that have taken three points from their last two Division III matches.   Webster, Dove, Moody, B. Worthington, Love, Taylor, Ford, Bruce, Guthrie, Silvester, Sub: D. Worthington.   Tickets will be on sale at the turnstiles.  AP are hoping for a 3,000 crowd.’

Memories from 50 years ago can be blurred, but I seem to remember being stopped by a Southend supporter in The Parade after a morning coffee at Bailey’s café and being asked where the ground was.  I did give him the right directions, but I think that he was suspicious.  

When our programme editor Paul Edwards contacted a Southend supporters’ forum for their memories, all they could remember was the fighting.   The crowd was reported as 2,400, fewer than AP were hoping for.  17 arrests were made, 13 adults and four juveniles.  ‘They were all local people who were arrested towards the end of the game said Supt. William Selwyn of Leamington Police.  Supt. Selwyn said that charges had been made under the Public Order Act.’  This was more than the five arrested at Coventry City’s match with Arsenal on the same day and six outside Nuneaton Borough’s FA Cup clash.