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.