Considerable excitement accompanied the build up to the FA Cup game between AP Leamington and Stafford Rangers in November 1975. Roger Draper wrote: ‘AP Leamington’s match with Stafford Rangers sees the Leamington side attempting to make history by clinching a place in the second round of the FA Cup. And following last season’s disappointment against Third Division Southend United, everyone connected with the Leamington club feels this could be “their” year. I am happy to go along with them. To my mind AP have so far failed to produce the football that saw them going 28 games without defeat during that exciting title race last term.’
He continued elsewhere:
‘AP Leamington are looking for “noise” when Stafford Rangers visit the
Windmill on Saturday. Stafford, who went
out in the fourth round of the FA Cup last season in front of 31,000 spectators
are rumoured to be bringing 1,000 fans.
AP Secretary Bill Patrick said: “We have been told that Stafford are
organising a special train as well as 12 coaches. They promise to out shout our fans. We must obviously be thinking in terms of a
1,500 gate and I would like to see the Leamington public rally round and make
as much noise as possible to cheer the lads into the second round.’
Draper also reported, ‘Unwanted striker Bobby Mellor or
defender Doug Griffiths could make a return to the AP Leamington side for the
FA Cup tie with Stafford Rangers. It is
an intriguing situation and Brakes manager Jimmy Knox said: “Regardless of their
respective positions with the club if called upon they will not let us down.”
Knox admitted that he has told Mellor that he is free to
find another club. He joined AP from
Atherstone Town in the summer and has notched three goals. And former England Schoolboys’ captain
Griffiths, kept out of the side by Alan Jones, has said that he is unhappy and
will not settle for a regular place on the sidelines.’
As for the game itself ‘Jones was the name on everyone’s
lips after this gripping cup tie at the Windmill. Lanky Roger Jones was Rangers hero with two
goals and a hand in the third; AP keeper Dave Jones, still suffering from the
painful ankle injury he sustained in training would surely have stopped
Rangers’ last goal had he been fit; and Alan Jones was the pick of a Brakes’
back line with his best performance yet for the club.
Rangers’ Jones exploded into the limelight on three
occasions to steal the right to progress into the FA Cup second round with a
home tie against Halifax.’ After two
headed goals from corners in the 68th minute he picked up the ball
in midfield ‘to let fly with a dipping 35-yard drive which somehow crept under
Dave Jones and into the corner of the net.
That was really the goal which set the 3,200 crowd talking
in this thrilling cup tie. The other
name that sprung to fans’ lips was Mick Keeley.
After a spell in the goal scoring wilderness earlier this season, Keeley
poached both AP goals in the 13th and 86th minutes and
could so easily have had a hat trick.
Had Keeley touched in a Brady cross five minutes before the interval in
what was Brakes’ best move of that half the game would have certainly taken on
a different complexion. Brakes’ supremacy early on in the second half
always lacked finishing.’
