Knox scouted Sunday League

 

In December 1973 there was ‘only one local player in AP Leamington’s current first team pool – left winger Ivor Talbot.   But Brakes boss Jimmy Knox Is convinced there is a healthy reservoir of talent in the area and is determined to recruit some of the outstanding local amateurs.  “There are a lot of excellent young players in the town and I want them to be part of the future of AP Leamington,” said the Windmill chief. “I intend to run a youth side next season and I am sure that if we can get such a scheme established we will be able to produce a more effective senior side. “  

Knox built a splendid reputation at Rugby Town where he was operating on a shoestring budget and was forced to lean heavily on local talent.  He moulded them into a promotion challenging side and, although financial pressures finally forced Rugby to fold, he remains confident there is a wealth of players in junior football who are capable of making an impact on the Southern League.  

Knox has been a regular spectator at recent Leamington Sunday League matches – and he has been impressed by what he has seen.  “There is a big gap between junior football and the Southern League,” he said.  “But I have seen several players who could make the grade.  I hope to bring some of them to the Windmill.”

‘Two opportunist goals from AP Leamington’s Norman Foster put them in a strong position against lowly Gloucester City at Gloucester.  Leamington made a fine start and after forcing an early corner went on to take a fourth minute lead.  A long penetrating ball from Steve Lee found Foster and caught the Gloucester defence flat footed.    Foster made ground before neatly slotting the ball home past Stow in the home goal.   

After this early setback Gloucester found more rhythm and went close in the sixteenth minute.     A constructive move resulted in Chris Gardner finding himself with plenty of room in front of goal, but the young striker fired over the bar.  After Gardner had gone close again for the City, with a header following a cross from Hargreaves, Leamington broke away and once again the Gloucester defence were caught napping.   A misunderstanding between Williams and goalkeeper Stow allowed Foster to nip in between them and calmly touch the ball home for his second goal. 

 The opening minute of the second half saw Leamington with two chances of improving their lead.   The first fell to Foster but this time Stowe thwarted his effort to achieve a hat trick.   Then Sweenie went close with a long range shot and with Leamington looking at their most dangerous Trevor Hubbard hit the crossbar with a fierce drive in the 61^st minute.   Near the end Jimmy Goodfellow broke through for the third goal.  

  Gloucester scored a consolation goal through full back Vale in the last minute.   AP will have few easier tasks in their league programme this season than the summary disposal of hapless City who could so easily have been beaten by an ever higher margin.’