Knox makes signing in attempt to boost squad

AP were bottom of the Southern Premier League in mid-October 1976.  Beleaguered Brakes manager Jimmy Knox made what he hoped would be a key signing 50 years ago.   ‘George Cleary, the ex-Bedford and Dunstable striker, signed for Brakes as manager Jimmy Knox found himself faced with a “playing-strength” crisis.  Knox beat off challenges from both Wimbledon and Cleary’s former club Bedford to recruit the 28-year-old player at a time when AP’s number of fit players reached a frightening low of 13, including two keepers.  Cleary is renowned for his intuitive goal scoring. 

Knox had already begun dealings to attract Cleary to the Windmill last week, but on Saturday was far from optimistic about winning the “highest-bidder’s” race for the striker’s signature.  However, Cleary ruled out Wimbledon because of the travelling involved and decided against rejoining his home town club Bedford.  “I’m delighted we’ve got Cleary,” Knox commented.  ‘He should do us a power of good.” 

Knox is also seeking to sign another player in an effort to strengthen his side, which has been weakened with the departure of Stewart Gallagher to VS Rugby and an injury to Allan Pollard.  Knox already appreciated the need to bolster his squad, which is still looking for its first league win, before Pollard cracked his fibula in training last week.  Knox has submitted seven days’ notice of approach on the player concerned and is hopeful that Pollard will be playing within a month. 

These developments may ease Knox’s immediate problems over playing strength, but AP aren’t out of the wood yet.  Knox believes that a result would do his side a power of good, and although he is satisfied with the team’s effort, notes that two or three players’ poor form is having its effect.’

Brakes drew 1-1 at home with Bromsgrove Rovers at home in a FA Cup second qualifying round game in front of a crowd of 722.   Steve Lee ‘hit his best form after the interval to spur Brakes on and leave Bromsgrove hanging on grimly.  To cap an outstanding second half Lee netted the all-important equaliser to cancel out Bobby Hope’s 15^th minute headed opener.   

AP’s after-the-break display just about made up for the bitter disappointments of the first 45 minutes, which gave Knox cause to describe it as the worst he had seen in his time at the Windmill.   Leamington began brightly enough and looked to be inching into command when Hope sneaked in to nod in Kenning’s free kick. But that out-of-the-blue goal appeared to rock AP completely and they surrendered territory and possession readily to allow Bromsgrove to paint a glowing picture of their attacking skills.  The home side’s forays were few and far between and never threatened again until after Knox’s half-time lecture.  

Whatever was said did the trick, and Leamington returned to play some of their most inventive soccer so far this term – with only poor finishing failing them.   Lee was forever in the thick of things and after his 51^st minute left-footed drive that screwed in from the edge of the box, came nearest to translating Leamington’s new-found supremacy into a real advantage.   Rovers’ Lawrence, who has already attracted interest from Sheffield United, was called on to supply some of those skills – punching out a fierce Brown header and getting down superbly to smother Talbot’s drive four minutes from time.’

Another defeat for Brakes

AP Leamington’ woes continued 50 years ago in the early autumn of 1976.  Having at best drawn matches, they went down 2-0 away to Burton Albion.  ‘Brakes may be renowned for their slow starts in seasons past, but on this showing, it is going to be a long time before they win their first Premier Division game.   

AP manager Jimmy Knox was as aware as anyone that Leamington never got going until the last ten minutes – and even then, Burton’s defence never seemed like folding.  Indeed, AP looked at their most dangerous only when skipper Roger Brown moved up front to supply added height and it was he who was involved in two of three Brakes’ moves that deserved goals.  

AP’s so-steady rearguard of last term looked uncharacteristically jittery in the opening half and it was no surprise that Burton went in at half time 2-0 ahead.   Leamington gave no indication that they were going to surrender so meekly – and indeed had the ball in the net after 11 minutes.  Brown went forward to head on a Lee free kick, but Keeley who nodded the ball home, was ruled marginally offside.   

With the talented Moore getting more involved, AP were forced to take a back seat.  Garratt tipped a deflected shot on to his right-hand post.   From the corner, the ball ran out to Spinner, who had time and space to pick his spot before shooting low and hard into the corner through a ruck of players.  Moore was allowed to wriggle inside and let fly two minutes after and the former Manchester United player was behind Albion’s second in the 33^rd minute.  He broke down the left and hoisted a far-post cross that eluded Kavanagh for Fearn to hook in.   

Burton continued to make all the running but AP were unlucky not to pull one back just before half time.  Lee crossed and Talbot did well to get in a volley – but Alcock was in the right spot to deny Brakes.  AP gained a lot more possession throughout the next 30 minutes but without ever really threatening to cut the deficit.   

Only in the last ten did they show anything like their best.   Brown had a super header stopped by the well-positioned Gregg.  Stewart went close with an acutely angled effort, and then in the last seconds a Boot drive was blocked by Hallsworth.  But hat was virtually the sum total of Leamington’s offering on a greasy surface that was never conducive to fast, attractive soccer.’  Attendance 738.

Brakes had a chance to redeem themselves with a trip to Hillingdon Borough who had lost all their matches and were two points adrift of AP at the bottom of the table.  Nevertheless, Hillingdon managed to secure a 1-1 draw at the Monday night game.   ‘Leamington had the man-of-the-match in striker Adrian Stewart whose deceptive pace and tantalising runs caused the Borough defence no end of trouble, but unfortunately his finishing did not match his approach work and although he did net his side’s goal, he also let countless other chances go begging.   

Play evened up after the break but the best chances still fell to Leamington.  With 65 minutes gone Borough conjured up an equaliser out of the blue.   Pearce’s low centre caused panic in the Leamington goalmouth and with the defence failing to get the ball away John Griffiths and stabbed it in from close range.’

'Bull elephant' sent off in FA clash

‘It’s going to be a long hard winter for AP Leamington.’   This was the view of the Coventry Evening Telegraph after Brakes went down 1-2 at home to old rivals Nuneaton in September 1976 in front of 833.  ‘For on the evidence of last night’s clash with Nuneaton Borough they have a lot to do to bridge the gap between First and Premier Division Southern League football.’

 In its report the Courier reckoned that ‘Davis was at fault when he failed to retrieve a headed back pass from Brown.   In sharp contrast to the first half, Leamington enjoyed all the play after the break and the turning point came when Borough keeper Knight made a miraculous save to thwart Boot’s 66^th minute rocket.’ 

After this blow against their old rivals, Brakes failed to redeem themselves against Rothwell Town in the FA Cup first qualifying round.   ‘AP Leamington rarely showed Southern League form against their United Counties League opposition and can be thankful the home club’s strikers had an off day.  Unbeaten so far this season, Rothwell never gave up trying and Brakes almost gave away a first-half match winner when Mickey Boot made a hash of a back pass to goalkeeper Dave Garratt.  

But shabby finishing from both sides kept scoring chances at the premium although Rothwell keeper Coe brought off two splendid second half saves against Keeley and Dyer.  Talbot, Stewart and Pollard always threatened for Leamington.  Roger Brown played a hero’s role in defence and also came close with a first half header following a fine corner from Talbot. 

But there were few highlights in a fast-playing game which became a niggling affair during the final 20 minutes.  It was perhaps defenders Marlow and Coe who were chiefly responsible for checking AP’s increased efforts after the interval.  Yet the Southern League club threw away their best chance in the dying minutes when Dyer fumbled as he connected with a low centre, to give Rothwell the deserved replay.

For the replay, Jimmy Knox promised the United Counties League side ‘a warm welcome’.   Rothwell were ‘well worth their draw’ but the Windmill Ground should prove their undoing.   Knox explained. ‘We found it difficult to show our true form on a sloping pitch but Rothwell will find out how really good we are tonight.  We are looking forward to it.’

 In the event Rothwell proved to be tricky opponents in front of a crowd of 596.   ‘It took Brakes 75 minutes to break the spirit of plucky Rothwell and only then by an own goal when the visitors had been reduced to ten men.   Brakes threw everything at the would-be giant killers, but just when it seemed that Rothwell would force extra time, Stewart broke free on the left and fired in a low cross that makeshift centre back Geoff Crick turned past his own keeper.  

Doug Smith made doubly certain of their right to meet Bromsgrove in the next round when his diving header found the target just seconds from time.    With the help of a lot of luck and some sloppy finishing it began to look as if Rothwell might deny Brakes a goal and snatching one themselves as frustration increased in the AP camp.    Giant centre back Mulvihall fouled Stewart once too often.   Sensing that Rothwell were in danger on 60 minutes he raced across half the width of the field and careered into the advancing Pollard like a bull elephant.  The dismissal was inevitable and with it went Rothwell’s chance.’

 

Knox in positive mood despite Yeovil defeat

 n their first home match in the Southern League Premier Division in 1976 Brakes lost 0-1 to Yeovil, then seen as non-league giants.   Defeat came in the last five minutes when Garratt who hadn’t had one on target ball to deal with in the whole match missed a hopeful cross from Thompson.  

‘Disappointed but not dismayed after Tuesday’s shock defeat, Knox nevertheless thinks his side is good enough to finish in the top ten.  Knox, always more of a realist than an optimist, made that judgment after the match against Wimbledon [a 0-0 away draw] and was by no means shaken from his views after Tuesday.  “We’ve played the teams who were first and second in the league last year.  They were good competent sides, but I don’t feel we were out of our depth.  I was just a wee bit concerned that the lads would react.   It was expected that they would play well against Wimbledon, but I’ve nothing but praise for the way they played against Yeovil.  They did more than enough to get a point which they didn’t get.” 

Knox is obviously happy with AP’s form – although he never had any real doubts about the side’ s capabilities.  But that must be one of the factors that will persuade Knox to sign a further two year contract (with an option for another 12 months) in the very near future’.  “The chairman and I have talked about the contract for two or three weeks now and I don’t see any difficulties.”  

Three years ago. he pledged Premier Division soccer – now how does the Windmill boss see the next few years ahead of him?  “We will have to see, in the Premier Division it’s an awful tall order to say we’ll be at the top.  But one thing’s certain, we will still be in the Premier.  Things are beginning to happen at the club, especially at the financial level, and that’s where we need to add a better class of player to the squad.’ 

‘Away from league issues Knox is looking for a run In the FA Cup – the football money spinner.  But this time, AP have to win five games before they reach the first-round proper, and the trail begins tomorrow at the Windmill when Leamington take on Midland Combination outfit Moor Green in the preliminary round.  With Ivor Talbot, Mick Keeley and Micky Boot all recovering from wounds received as a result of ferocious tackling, Knox is unlikely to name a final 12 or 13 until Friday evening.   And with everything sorted after a travelling mix up “lost” John Davis, Knox isn’t likely to choose who plays between the posts – Davis or Dave Garratt – until just before kick-off. 

The feeling at the club was one of slight disappointment on Tuesday with the 695 gate.  It had been hoped that AP’’s first league home appearance after an excellent result at Wimbledon would swell the crowd to around 1,000.  Chairman Gerry Locke was one who had hoped for such a number.  He said: “We’re only a young club in relative terms, but the club has a lot of things going for it and we want the people of Leamington to help us grow.  My personal target is to see us finish in the top eight and in the next three years I will be disappointed if we’re not an established side in the Premier Division.”

When Gainsborough Trinity were in the EFL

During their relatively brief stay in the Football League, Gainsborough Trinity met some of the top teams in English football.  In October 1906 they entertained Nottingham Forest for the first time in the league (they had met in the FA Cup).  It was noted, ‘The Lincolnshire club have a very useful side at their command and they were strong enough to get the upper hand of the “Wolves” on Wednesday, and establish themselves well up the table.  It was a beautiful afternoon, and Forest’s visit created considerable interest, 5,000 people, which is an abnormal gate for Gainsborough, being present.’   Forest ‘had the advantage of the slope’ on a ‘very rough’ pitch and scored the opening goal.  

Gainsborough then started to play long ball, sending high balls into the box.  ‘The football was very poor on the whole, the ball being a great deal in the air.’  When there was play in midfield, it was ‘of the crudest description’.    However, the style of play clearly unsettled Forest: ‘Forest tried hard but could make little of the quick rushes of their opponents who were content to proceed by haphazard methods.’  2-1 ahead at half time, Gainsborough won 3-2.

 At Christmas 2010 Gainsborough found themselves at Stamford Bridge playing Chelsea.  Described as ‘the wooden spoonists of the Second Division’, they were spending the holiday in London with a Boxing Day match against Clapton Orient.  ‘A comparatively small crowd of not more than 12,000 people witnessed the match, which was played in dull and depressing weather.  The turf, which was much cut up, provided very heavy going.’   

The visitors had a couple of early shots on goal, but ‘this was the end of the visiting team’s enterprise.  Chelsea quite monopolised the remainder of the play.  They rained in shots from all positions and all directions, but the Gainsborough defence was as firm as a rock, and Robinson’s goalkeeping was remarkable.  He saved a dozen shots in as many minutes.’ 

With Robinson exhausted, Chelsea almost scored, but a defender was able to clear off the line.  Despite receiving a leg injury, Robinson was ‘quite invincible’.  With the score 0-0 at half time, Robinson ‘received an ovation for his splendid goalkeeping.’  However, his injury troubled him more in the second half and Chelsea won 3-0.

Back in the Midland League at the end of the First World War, Gainsborough decided that wartime experience was the key to success: ‘It is questionable whether any club will number more soldier players in its ranks during the coming season than Gainsborough Trinity.   Recognising that football form is just now something of an unknown quantity, the executive have decided to pin their faith largely to local players of known cleverness prior to enlistment, but whom Army training and Army football has developed almost out of recognition.   One thing is certain: Trinity will be able to put down a fast and tricky forward line.  Gainsborough has always been known for its team-building capability.’

Three keepers had been hired with the favourite possibly being A. Pashley who ‘played in goal for the Royal Engineers and was one of the team that won the Army Cup.’  At full back Harry Hallam was an old Trinity player ‘who was soon snapped up by the Royal Artillery crack team for whom he did good work.’   None of the recruited players had been in the Navy, which offered fewer opportunities for football, but half back S Fenton had played for the Birmingham R.A.F. team.

Brakes shock Wimbledon and Garratt is the hero of the hour

Brakes faced the toughest possible Southern League Premier Division baptism at Plough Lane on Saturday.  The prospect does not worry them.  

Said manager Jimmy Knox: “We are in the top flight on merit and are capable of giving anyone a run for their money.  Wimbledon will be more concerned about our unknown quantity than we are about their known strength.   It’s the perfect start,’   

The summary report in the Coventry Evening Telegraph stated: ‘Leamington shocked Wimbledon supporters by holding the home team to a goalless draw.  Dons, who hit 74 goals last season and are seeking their third successive Southern League championship, failed to open their goal account.   It was refreshing to see Leamington playing attacking football away from home.  But their fine spirit deserted them in the final period when, playing for a point, they fell back on defence.  Fortunately, Dave Garrett made a string of magnificent saves and set the seal on his fine performance with a penalty save in the 90^th minute.’   A local newspaper report from the area praised AP’s ‘stubborn defence’ and said that they could be a surprise package of the division.

The Courier reported: ‘Dave Garratt should have been playing a leisurely game of cricket on Saturday but instead found himself repelling wave after wave of Wimbledon attacks.  Garratt, injured for most of last term, and having played only 45 minutes of a pre-season friendly since the end of May turned in a brilliant show – included one in which the Dons’ own Dickie Guy, who denied Leeds two years ago, said he would have been proud of.  

Yet until 11 am that morning he had no notion he would be playing at Plough Lane.  It was only when John Davis failed to appear for the trip south that manager Jimmy Knox called up second choice Garratt … and what a game he had.   In the first ten minutes he achieved what he set out to do – have a great start.   In the fourth minute, he safely took a Cooke flick-on, and got down superbly to block a Connell drive, as Brakes took time to get into gear. 

But it was really in the second half that the AP keeper distinguished himself.  Kent referee Don Jackson (the match was featured in the Thanet Times) awarded an innocuous penalty after Alan Jones beat Marlowe in the air fairly and squarely.  However, Garratt put justice back on the rails when he flung himself to the right to parry Holmes’ spot kick.   In the closing 15 minutes, Wimbledon really stepped up the pressure and Garratt excelled himself, denying an Edwards blockbuster in the 80^th minute, helping his own defence hack away a goal line scramble five minutes later, and then stopping Tilly in the last minute.   

Probably Garratt’s save of the day came in the 86^th minute when Dons looked like breaking through.   Marlowe nodded in a fast and low header from ten yards.  However, Garratt pulled out a tremendous reflex save to parry and save AP.  

The Windmill outfit never looked out of their depth and had many chances to shock the top Premier Division outfit.  Talbot went close with a far post header; Keeley had a fierce volley blocked; and Stewart brought out the best from Guy in a run from the halfway line.   Finally, perhaps it was fitting for a game marred only by some astounding refereeing divisions that the final whistle should be blown when Stewart had broken through and was running towards the home goal.  Attendance 1225.’

Aggregate victory over Redditch, then to Wimbledon

At the end of August 1976 AP Leamington faced the second leg of their Southern League cup tie against rivals Redditch United.   Roger Draper reported: ‘There is something about the Windmill Ground that brings out the best in Redditch.  Reacting riotously to have Willie Penman sent off, the depleted United ranks pulled off a fighting win to cast a cloud over AP’s first home match.  Thankfully, Adrian Stewart’s two goal salvo in Saturday’s first leg stood the test of time to allow Brakes to edge through to the Southern League Cup second round.  

But it was desperately close call with Redditch making for a teasing second leg against a home side showing a mixture of casual brilliance and lax defence.  Two boobs by the usually sure John Davis sentenced AP to a disappointing defeat.  After last winter’s consistent brilliance, the little man was due a “stinker” – fortunately it did not prove crippling.  Foxed by Roger Shaw’s glancing header which set Gareth Dale up for United’s opening after 30 minutes, Davis was then badly positioned to deal with the killing blows in the second half.  

But in between these fatal errors, AP often looked positive and assured enough to have a large crowd purring with anticipated excitement.  Redditch looked destined for a double defeat when the occasion proved too much for Willie Penman’s mouth.  The experienced Scot said something to the referee and was promptly sent packing – seconds before the interval.   Coming five minutes after a superb equalising goal it promised to prove a disastrous piece of timing.   

Stewart was the man who put Brakes on terms.  Ivor Talbot swapped passes neatly and there was the bustling striker surging through to burst the net.  But Redditch came out fighting and they regained the lead in the 56^th minute when Ralph Punsheon logged over a hopeful punt which Davis squeezing at thin air – the ball squeezing inside the far post.   The home response was swift and sure and big defender Roger Brown fully deserved to be the man on the vital end of the second equalising goal.  

Brown met a corner at speed and Gary Edwards had no chance against the most stunning of headers – a classic goal.  However, Redditch managed to conjure up the perfect answer with Eamonn Pugh doing a carbon copy act at the other end at the other end when non-existent marking and a ponderous movement from Davis allowed a shock result.   (2-3, Brakes winning on aggregate 4-3).

‘The promise made three years ago by Brakes’ boss Jimmy Knox becomes reality tomorrow when AP Leamington travel to take on giants Wimbledon in their first Southern Premier League match.  It’s what everyone at the Windmill has been waiting for and dreaming about ,,, but Knox is optimistic that his side won’t be overawed by the occasion.  “We realise that they have won the league for the last two seasons – but they’re only human like everyone else, “commented Knox.   There’ll be no backing down by AP, or playing for a point stuff.  

Knox is adamant that Brakes will play their normal game, attacking in possession and defending when they don’t have the ball. The cup tie against Redditch left Brakes unscathed, leaving Knox to pick a final 12 from his tiny 14-man squad.   Knox is also trying to add to his quad.  “It’s a long, long season and I need more cover in midfield and defence,” he said.  But so far he has had no luck.