Questions were being asked about AP capabilities

At the end of October 1976 Leamington played Maidstone at home and a Kent paper covered the game: ‘That Maidstone earned nothing from this game for a display that was full of endeavour can only be put down to ill luck, some slick goalkeeping by Leamington’s Dave Garratt and a dogged defensive display by the side who were bottom of the Southern League’s top division before Saturday.  

Desperate clearances characterised AP’s rearguard play.  In the first minute Terry Street found space of the left to streak through the home side’s patchy cover and fire in a drive that Garratt did well to smother.   Garratt was in action again after 12 minutes, flinging himself to tip over a 30-yard free kick from Alan Welsh.  And only an on-the-line header from Brown saved AP as Glenn Coupland tried a narrow-angled shot.   

However, Leamington worked themselves back to enjoy a purple patch midway through the half and almost stole the show.  New signing Harry Redknapp, the ex-West Ham star, made ground on the right but Cleary met his shot fractionally too early and the ball trickled inches past the near post.  Minutes later two examples of perseverance by Stewart almost brought him reward.  He first latched on to a Fraser back pass to blast against the upright and then chased another loose ball to force Derek Belloti to save.   It was Leamington’s Redknapp – Stewart partnership that came nearest to altering the scoreline seconds before half time, with Stewart glancing a sweet effort wide.  

Within three minutes of the restart, however, Stewart made no mistake to nod in Redknapp’s pinpoint corner.  Maidstone lacked real penetration and as their frustrations became more apparent, AP put together the smartest move of the game.   With just ten minutes left, Kavanagh and Keeley combined superbly for Cleary to find space on the far post and head in to make sure for Leamington.   AP Leamington: Garratt, Taylor, Kavanagh, Jones, Brown, Boot, German, Lee, Stewart, Cleary, Redknapp.  Sub: Cleary.  489 watched the 2-0 win.

However, the respite was brief with Brakes losing 0-1 at home to Margate.  ‘Relegation fears became ever-real after disappointing AP dropped these two precious points to another side bidding to escape the lower reaches of the Premier League.   It may be relatively early days still, but Brakes showed little to suggest that they have either the ability, or for that matter the spirit, to get out of trouble.  True, it was an extremely suspicious offside goal that sent them to their third home league reverse of the season, but nevertheless the sooner questions are asked about the present side’s capabilities the better.  

In defence, AP played for the most part in solid fashion – but even then, there were flaws in marking.  But it was in midfield that Brakes really let their supporters down.  In the middle of the park, Brakes appeared almost bankrupt of ideas and upfront there was little understanding or sparkle from the front three in an effort to penetrate Margate’s well-drilled back line.  

Throughout the game Brakes had only a handful of goal chances as passes went astray and moves broke down under pressure.  Only two fine stops from Garratt in the last two minutes saved AP falling further into arrears, although Boot saw a late effort to level scream over Bowtells’s bar.

Knox signs Harry Redknapp

Things were not going too well for AP Leamington in October 1976, but a major and morale boosting surprise was in store.  Brakes were knocked out of the FA Cup in a replay at Bromsgrove Rovers which they lost 2-1 in front of a crowd of 826.  Brakes created plenty of chances, but then failed to score from them.  The defeat meant that Bromsgrove had the attractive third round qualifying match against Nuneaton.  ‘Man of the match for Leamington was Micky Boot who was a tireless worker in midfield.’

The next game was an away trip to Dover, the first visit there with an attendance of 615.  ‘Failure to turn a lot od good midfield football into goals brought defeat for AP Leamington.  Dover showed how it should be done with a goal in each half.  Garratt could not be faulted for the goals and the defence in the main played soundly, while Micky Boot, Steve Lee and Mick Keeley got through a lot of good work with little reward.’

But who was that familiar figure in the crowd as an AP guest?  None other than ex-West Ham striker Harry Redknapp who had just completed a month’s loan with then fourth division Brentford.  Redknapp was living in Bournemouth.  He played in the United States over the summer and had been invited back.   A jubilant Jimmy Knox said: ‘Harry met the players and proved that he was just the type of player as well as bloke we need.’

‘After a week of hectic negotiations, Redknapp, who played alongside World Cup winners Bobby Moore, Geoff Hirst and Martin Peters In the late sixties, signed on Wednesday.  He makes his debut against Maidstone and brings the number of signings manager Jimmy Knox has made in the last three weeks to three.  Redknapp joins home debutants George Cleary and Tommy Gorman in a Brakes outfit that is rapidly gaining a new look.   Knox was understandably “over the moon” about the acquisition of Redknapp, who turned down offers from Brighton and Peterborough, besides Southern Premier side Yeovil, to play for Brakes.   “He’s just the bloke wed need.  He has plenty of class and experience, and has every attribute a good winger should have.   He’ll also be a perfect for Cleary,” enthused Knox.   The manager also believes that not only will Redknapp’s reputation swell the Windmill crowd, “but will also show the people of Leamington that we’re not taking this bottom of the table situation lying down.   It will show them that we’re prepared to go out and, within reason, sign players of big-name quality if need be.”   The whole episode began some days ago when chairman Gerry Locke spotted a newspaper article about Redknapp.  After initial negotiations last week, Knox didn’t believe that he had “a cat in hell’s chance” in getting Redknapp’s name on a contract.’    However, signing for Brighton or Peterborough would have meant moving home while Yeovil wanted Redknapp to train with them three nights a week    AP agreed that Redknapp could continue training with Bournemouth and, if necessary, would travel to Leamington once a week for an AP training session.  There was no signing on fee.  Knox explained that with the increase in gates there was some spare cash and the club had authorised him to go out and spend it.

 

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.