Brakes hit rough patch in 1975

Jimmy Knox tried to remain calm and carry on after a series of setbacks in September 1975. Nevertheless, he ‘was an angry and disappointed man as he watched his side tumble to their first defeat of the season’ losing 1-2 at home to Merthyr Tydfil.  ‘And although Merthyr deserved full credit for their talented, positive display, it is hard to argue with Knox’s caustic summary: “We made it easy for them.”  

Brakes were subdued and sluggish, especially in midfield where Micky Boot never got going and Bobby Horne was unable to repeat the form he showed in the home cup leg against Witney last week.  The strikers were thus denied a good service – and they seldom looked capable of carving their own openings.  Mick Keeley was caught in possession far too often; Adrian Stewart produced his usual admirable work rate, but failed to put away two good chances; and Ivor Talbot scored one superb goal but also fell well short of his true potential. 

One has to look to the back four for any AP heroes.  And here at least there was rich consolation for Knox in the splendid displays of Roger Brown and Tony Bowden.  The two big stoppers have already forged a fine understanding, and but for them, Brakes would have been completely swamped.  Brown missed nothing in the air, Bowden’s covering was first class, and they showed the heart and commitment that was in such short supply among their colleagues.’ 

Brakes went ahead in the 20^th minute, but ‘Merthyr, who showed a refreshing willingness to attack throughout the game, finally claimed their deserved equaliser three minutes before half time.’   Sullivan put Merthyr ahead with ‘a glorious drive into the corner.  Bowden came closest to snatching a point, weaving past four men before he was finally blocked.’

Brakes then suffered a 3-1 Southern League cup defeat at Witney Town meaning that they won 5-3 on aggregate.  ‘This depressing result aroused all the predictable emotions in the AP camp – anger, sadness, frustration.  But the overriding reaction was sheer disbelief.   It is certainly hard to explain Brakes’ defeat. 

For whatever the scoreline suggests, the better side did not win.  Witney again looked a very limited outfit.  They were crude at the back, unimaginative in midfield, and merely hard working up front.  But the Oxfordshire side boast two priceless assets that earned them a flatteringly high league position last term and proved too much for the cup holders this season.  Their noisy enthusiastic supporters kept them alive in the first half when AP were threatening to run riot.  And in the last ten minutes, they produced too brilliant goals from out of the blue.   As in the Windmill first leg last week, the goals were in complete contrast to the general quality of Witney’s play.   But they made all the difference, and provided Brakes with a painful lesson – skilful approach play means nothing if it is not coupled with positive finishing.’  

After Brakes hit the post, Witney went ahead and ‘instantly fell back on their Windmill tactics, blithely booting the ball out of the ground at every opportunity.   Stokes was lucky to stay on the field when he cut down Talbot just outside the box.   Brakes were robbed of a virtually certain equaliser.’   Witney then went 3-1 ahead with ‘a great goal.  But it chalked up a final score that was nothing less than a sick joke.’   Worse was to come.

Brakes put in gutsy performances against Adders

‘Adders Sting is in the Tail’ was the headline in the Courier in August 1975.   ‘Brakes turned in what must be their best phase of attacking soccer this season to go two up against Premier Division Atherstone on Tuesday … and then let victory, and revenge, elude them as the Adders clinically took their defence to pieces. 

Playing a fine brand of open soccer they got off to a sizzling start, with Micky Boot picking up where he left off at Banbury to have a finger in every tasty slice of AP action in this Southern League Cup first round first leg.  Supplying some immaculate through balls to Stewart, Boot terrorised Adders’ shaky defence, who lacked pace in an entertaining first period.  

That rear guard broke after only five minutes when Boot sent a beautifully judged through pass to Stewart who flew past Preston to plant it in the net.  The same movement consistent ly found out Atherstone’s lack of speed on the turn, and Boot, at the heart of everything good, made it two in the 28^th minute when he fired in a low drive which went in off the post – but with Mellor stood offside the referee disallowed the goal.   

There was no whistle three minutes later, however, as Boot hammered a full volley into the top corner after receiving a shrewd cross field pass from terrier Taylor.   Once again, AP allowed themselves to drift out of the picture – a fault which looks like being a fatal error unless corrected this term – and Ernie Hunt pulled back the leeway with a cracking goal just five minutes before the interval.  

Atherstone sensed that the advantage was theirs, and within four minutes of the restart, the scores were level as Vincent got round the back to drive a hard cross which Griffiths bundled into his own net.  As the pace quickened, Brakes lost their hold, and in the 67^th minute, Jennings, surely Atherstone’s find of the close season from Solihull Borough, sold Kavanagh a perfect dummy to cross to substitute Ray Usher who cut inside and left footed it home.

Eight minutes later, Franklin got an all-important touch to push home Adders’ fourth as the disjointed Brakes’ rear guard stood and watched.   John Brady almost made it 4-3 two minutes later as a scorching run took him past five men only to see his angled shot blocked on the line.

The headline for the return leg in the Courier was ‘Gutsy show shocks Adders.’  Brakes lost just 7-6 on aggregate.   ‘AP Leamington went out of the Southern League Cup on Tuesday evening – but not without giving Premier Division outfit Atherstone the fright of their lives.  Trailing 4-2 from last week’s first leg, Brakes – without regular first teamers Doug Griffiths, Roger Brown, Steve Lee and Gerry Kavanagh – began the game as virtual write-offs. 

But in a gutsy display, with 100 per cent effort from the whole side, they shocked Adders to win 4-3 on the night.   Atherstone, unbeaten so far in the Premier League, sparkled at the beginning of each half, but once Brakes steeled they exposed all that was uncertain in the home defence.   Micky Boot, taking over the skipper’s role, kept AP ticking over in midfield and rounded off a perfect display with two set-piece goals that stunned the home crowd. ‘ (681).   The other two Brakes goals were scored by Adrian Stewart.

Knox brings in son to fill a gap in team

After a poor start to the season in August 1975, Brakes staged a recovery with a 2-0 away at Banbury.  The Evening Telegraph reported: ‘Adrian Stewart led AP Leamington to an impressive first Southern League victory of the season at Banbury on Saturday.   Stewart scored twice in the first half as the Brakes midfield, with former Banbury man Steve Lee outstanding, controlled the game.

 Banbury lacked punch in attack without the injured Tony Jacques and their defence often looked shaky under pressure.  AP should have added to their tally in the last minute when home full back Geoffrey Welch handled inside the penalty area but Gerry Kavanagh put the spot kick well wide. ‘  (He never missed a penalty during his time with Knox at Rugby).

The Banbury Guardian said that the home defenders were sometimes guilty of ball watching.   ‘AP Leamington took the lead after 12 minutes when a corner on the left found Adrian Stewart and he had plenty of time and space to lash the ball past Mick Gilkes from ten yards.  Former Banbury player Steve Lee showed some good touches in the visitors’ midfield and it was he who set up the chance for Stewart to make it 2-0 just before half time.   Stewart drifted past one defender and put the ball in the far corner. Gilkes pulled off a good save at the feet of Lee in the second half.’ 

Reviewing the performance by the Brakes, the Courier noted that Stewart had been left on the sidelines by Jimmy Knox in Brakes’ opening home games.  He had been transfer listed after being top scorer in the preceding season, but ‘showed all his old skill in outpacing a slow home defence time and time again.

 In reality Leamington and Banbury were gulfs apart.  Micky Boot, making his presence felt in an especially one-sided second spell, took complete control in midfield to pose all kinds of problems for a weak United outfit.   And up front, Bobby Mellor certainly showed some of the talent that may well bolster AP in future weeks as soon as he and his colleagues have formed a greater understanding.   With Brakes on top after the turnaround, it could so easily have been six – but chances went begging as Brakes’ killer instinct failed them.’

However, the victory gave manager Knox only a brief respite.   Brakes faced a league game at Tamworth, Atherstone at home in the second leg of the first round of the Southern League Cup and then league newcomers Oswestry Town.   ‘But with Dough Griffiths, Roger Brown and skipper Steve Lee beginning one or more suspensions, AP will treading a tricky tightrope to field a side for their next two games.  With only a 15-strong squad, the bans stretch AP to their staff limit – leaving just 12 professionals, including two goalkeepers, available for the two matches.

 Knox has been well aware of the problem for some weeks and although there’s no cash available in Brakes’ coffers for professional additions to the squad, Knox has taken out some insurance by signing his son Steven on amateur forms.   Steven, who plays in midfield, did have a run out for AP last term in their charity game against Westlea Wanderers.  Nevertheless, Knox is still conscious of the need for further cover and is keeping his eyes peeled for more amateur talent.’

Dismal opening to season in 1975

Fifty years ago in August 1975 Jimmy Knox didn’t mince words after AP’s dismal opening to the season.  ‘It was pathetic,’ he said bluntly.   After what has been a bitterly disappointing week for Knox and his squad, they will be looking for better things when they travel to Banbury.  

Having watched Banbury lose 1-0 at home to Witney, Knox said, ‘They were as bad as we were on Saturday.’   That’s some consolation at least, for Knox is the first to admit that Leamington “just played badly” against Cheltenham.

 “I think we worked really hard in the close season and it was disappointing because we were slow in pace and slow in thought … and if you’re slow in those two departments then you’re on to a loser.  We were lucky to get a point,” commented Knox,    As for Monday’s performance [away to Stevenage] Knox felt that apart from the opening 15 minutes, AP didn’t get it together.  “We got bogged down in midfield and as a result we suffered at the back with the lads under a lot of pressure and we suffered up front through lack of service.”  

At least the situation isn’t new to Brakes.   Last term an appalling start – when they collected only nine points from their first 13 home games – virtually cost them promotion.   However, as Knox points out it is early days and Knox firmly believes that the problems can be remedied.  “It’s not a national disaster.  We’ve got two blokes in midfield, Steve Lee and Micky Boot, who are notoriously slow starters.  Both have worked hard and lost more weight in training than anyone else.  I think we will come good.  The blokes still have the right spirit.  They were utterly sick after the two results but their attitudes OK” explained Knox.  Knox says his squad are as fit now as they’ve ever been during his spell at the Windmill.

The report on the 1-1 home draw against Cheltenham stated that ‘After the promise of last season, Windmill fans expected more than they were eventually served in this poor first offering by AP.  As it was Brakes were fortunate to take a point – and it would surely have been a miracle had they collected both points, which, until four minutes from the end looked like incredibly coming.

 In nearly all departments, Brakes showed little of the zest and skill that put them among the top three last term, and indeed the midfield lacked direction, as well as pace. In consequence, their back four were subjected to some remarkable second-half pressure as talented Town pressed for an equaliser.  Skipper Steve Lee put Leamington ahead in the tenth minute with a fine header.’   Cheltenham scored a late deserved equaliser.

Brakes then lost 1-0 away at Stevenage.  ‘Certainly they were well below their best at Stevenage as they dropped their third point in the opening two matches.  Apart from a promising first quarter of an hour and a frantic last ten minutes the Brakes were decidedly second best.   Their main problems were in midfield Steve Lee and Micky Boot were marked out of the game for long periods. 

In consequence Bobby Mellor and Mick Keeley saw little of the ball.  At the back, Leamington had a hard time with Kavanagh and Brady struggling to come to terms with the speed of Mahoney and Aslett on the flanks.   Fortunately Griffith and Brown were in splendid form, and it was largely through their efforts that Leamington stayed in the match.’

 

Jimmy Knox's frustrating summer

Jimmy Knox prepared for his third season as Brakes manager in the summer of 1975.  The headline in one report in the Evening Telegraph was ‘And Knox hopes for third time lucky.’   The report continued ‘Jimmy Knox has started the countdown for AP Leamington’s blast-off towards the Southern League Premier Division – and this time they do not intend to fail.  Fourth two seasons ago and an agonising third last term, Brakes are determined to continue, if not better, the sequence and secure their cherished place in the top grade.   

Confirms success-seeking manager Knox, “We have missed the promotion boat twice, we are working overtime to make it third time lucky.”   Knox, who had led Rugby Town and AP Leamington to the brink of promotion during a mostly-successful five years in soccer management, dropped a semi bombshell when pruning his ranks at the end of last season.  Four players were allowed to leave and two more were made available to offer.

But Knox found pruning to be far easier than replanting and his close season search for new material has been fraught with problems.  “I know the players I want but signing them is another matter.  It all boils down to finance and we are not well off, so several players have slipped through our net.  But I promised that any new talent would be an improvement on that which I let go and it is a promise I intend to keep.  It’s been a frustrating summer but I am confident that we should kick off the season with a squad strong enough to figure in the title race.” 

Two new men have joined the Windmill Ground from Atherstone Town – defender Gerry Kavanagh and striker Bobby Mellor.   And Alan Jones has been picked up after being given a free after a glittering career with Nuneaton Borough.  Says Knox: ‘All three have a considerable experience of Premier Division football and they will do us  a power of good.’   So, look for AP to get off to a flying start and gradually emerge as title favourites.’

The Courier reported: ‘When Brakes manager Jimmy Knox joined the club two years ago, he asked supporters to wait three seasons for him to provide a championship side.    Success came early with the Southern League Cup in his first year, and last year AP missed promotion by two points.   Now on the eve of the new term, Knox is sticking to that prediction.     He believes that the side he has built up – with the addition of four close season signings – is well capable of being “as near as anyone” at the climax.  

His only fear is that he will have enough men on the ground in the opening weeks for AP to successfully launch their attack on the Southern League Division One North.   Alan Jones, the ex-Nuneaton defender, is banned for the opening fortnight, and Graham Adcock, the Loughborough teacher, who is making an attempt to get back into non-league soccer, is on holiday for the first few days. 

 To add to Knox’s problems, three of last term’s recognised team members, Roger Brown, Doug Griffiths and Steve Lee begin suspensions on September 1^st.     Brakes were opening the season at home to Cheltenham Town and Knox was hoping for a crowd of 700 at the Windmill Ground.  Knox was full of praise for the new AP Leamington Supporters Club.

In praise of Jack Edwards

Players like Jack Edwards don't come along vey often and it was good to see this prominent tribute to him in the Non-League Paper today:

Prudent and hard working board underpins pitch success

Just 18 fans turned up to the club's annual general meeting yesterday.   Perhaps that reflects broad satisfaction with the way things are going and there is plenty to be pleased about.  We are punching above our weight in a league where most clubs are now full time or 'hybrid'.   (It was also a hot day with lots of other attractions).   In any event I thought that it was a constructive and informative meeting.

We owe a lot to Hollers.   The meeting was told that he had brought in £250k to the club in transfer fees during his tenure by identifying and developing promising players.

The board have worked hard, have been strengthened and are to be strengthened further.   They put in average of £5k a year each apart from their hard work which helps to reduce the deficit (how large that is depends on how you calculate it and the figures in any one year are distorted by transfer payments including appearance fees and a share of sell ons).  The gross loss in 2024 was £102k.  However, commercial income is on the way up, almost compensating for the £38k we lost in National League funds when we were in Step 3.   This season it will be around £45k.

The club shop is to be put on a new basis to maximise revenue and provide a much better online offer (much needed after the experience a family member had last Christmas).

The whole new stadium saga is complex and uncertain.  There is a regular dialogue with the CEO of the District Council.  The original plan was there to be by 2022, but Covid and a war intervened.   What is clear is that we need the stadium to be a sustainable club in Step 2.  There is a Plan B but it would involve accepting a likely Step 3 status,

Apparently just the planning and procurement work for the new stadium will take one year.   There would be a Coop store and a nursery there and quite probably housing development nearby which would help to defray the cost.  The Council has no real alternative to Harbury Lane for a site for the 'travelling community'.

I asked about what would be the implications of the replacement of the present local government structure by a unitary authority, however constructed, but the honest answer is that no one knows.

A comment from the floor pointed out that comms could have been better on the car parking fees and that January was not a great month to introduce it.   This point was more or less accepted, it being fairly pointed out that sometimes the board got overwhelmed by the number of issues it had to deal with (hence why it is a good idea to increase its size and double up in some roles).

We have made some good signings and I am looking forward to what will be a challenging season.

I suggested to a board member after the meeting that we need some survey data on where supporters actually live.