Coleman quits as Lockheed boss

At the end of October 1972 Lockheed Leamington accepted ‘with regret’ the resignation of manager Geoff Coleman.  ‘A former Lockheed player, Coleman has been at the helm of the club since March 1969 when he replaced Syd Ottewell.  He was with Northampton for five years and moved to Lockheed as a player and was then at Rugby and Redditch.  

During his three-and-a-half years in charge, Coleman has guided Brakes to Birmingham Senior Cup victories in 1969 and this year, but the side has struggled to make an impact at the league level.  He started the season “with a powerful squad capable of pushing for the title”.  But a dismal slump has brought the team seven successive defeats and eleven games without a win.  And 11 points now separate them from the Division One (North) leaders.

Coleman admitted to being “shocked” by the club’s form.   “I honestly feel we are capable of a lot more.   But perhaps a new man can introduce fresh ideas to bring about an improvement.”  He says he would like to remain in football – “it is part of my life and not just a job” – and intends to keep in touch with the non-league scene.  It is understood that Lockheed will be looking for a player-manager. ‘

‘Coleman admitted “I made mistakes – but I have learned from them. “  And he insisted: ‘I did not get the success I promised.”  So the likeable Brakes boss decided to quit.  “It was in the best interests of the club and myself.”  He says: “It was an accumulation of problems which prompted my decision, but I firmly believe this club has the players with the talent to rise to at least a middle-order spot this season.”   

Coleman has seen his hopes and ambitions disintegrate in just over three months.  After building a side with potential at the end of last season he brought in five new players.  “And that was my first mistake – one that I shall never repeat.   We had built a tremendous team spirit, and with all the new faces at the Windmill ground, it was difficult to maintain it.    It is one of those things for which you cannot legislate.   But I will not do it again.  I now believe that once you have built team spirit, you can forsake a little skill within the squad.   That’s not to mean you shouldn’t get better players when the occasion demands, but five was too much.  

My second mistake was to try to do too much on my own.    I felt I was getting too close to the players, and I wanted to get away a little, and appoint someone to do the coaching.”   But Coleman’s plans were again smashed - even before a ball was kicked.  He had all but persuaded Harold Cox, a former Nuneaton Borough skipper, to join him at the Windmill ground, but Cox decided to join Tamworth as manager.  “That decision was a big disappointment to me.  Harold would have been the ideal man.  But when he joined Tamworth, I was left alone.  Our trainer, John Williams, was a big help, but all too often he had too much work on his hands in tending to injuries”’.

‘Apart from two Senior Cup wins there has been little success and Coleman takes his fair share of the blame.  “I don’t blame the players.   They don’t lose on purpose.   What they need is confidence in themselves.”  And so he leaves Lockheed – without entering into slanging matches, quietly, and with respect.   Now the way is open for a go-ahead boss who can woo back the crowds at Lockheed and bring them success.’

 

More woe for Lockheed 50 years ago

Lockheed’s poor start to the season in October 1972 continued.  ‘The gloom deepened at the Windmill Ground this week when Lockheed lost their last chance of salvaging something from their disastrous season.   For Lockheed – holders of the Birmingham Senior Cup – crashed out of this season’s competition with a 4-0 defeat at Rugby Town.  

Now with three-quarters of the season still to play, Brakes face the daunting prospect of being out of the FA Cup; out of the FA Trophy; out of the Southern League Cup; out of the running for promotion.   It’s a catalogue of catastrophe.  They are nine points adrift of the leaders of the Southern League First Division North, have gone nine matches without a win, and lost six in succession.  

So what’s gone wrong?  At the start of the season manager Geoff Coleman reckoned he had assembled the strongest squad since he took over at the Windmill.  And he thought that the team had matured sufficiently for him to introduce a more adventurous policy.   But some of his senior players failed to produce their true form, defeat followed defeat and confidence drained away.    

Though the Brakes showed more fight in their games against Ilkeston Town and Gloucester City, they were unable to halt the slide. There are undoubtedly some talented players at Lockheed, but now they face the uphill task of learning to believe in themselves again.’

For the away match to Gloucester City Coleman brought in former Atherstone men Roger Hambridge and John Moreton.   ‘Gloucester City, struggling second from bottom and in the heart of a domestic upheaval, seemed to present a likely opportunity for at least a point for Lockheed.  But at the interval the visitors were trailing by two goals.  Gloucester’s intentions were made known in the opening minute when centre forward Stevens picked up a good ball from Bird only to have his shot blocked.   

Lockheed hit back immediately with shots by Whitlock and Sweeney but the keeper Miles dealt comfortably with both.  Bowden was called on three times in as many minutes to save Lockheed’s goal.  Bowden cleared a shot from Stevens but in the 31^st minute Gloucester went ahead.  Corr took up a pass from Hargreaves and lined up for a centre to Stevens and squeezed the ball past keeper King to give Gloucester the lead.  In the 46^th minute Corr made all the running and beat two men in the penalty area before slipping through the ball that Hargreaves slipped in.’   Keith Jones scored for Brakes in the 74^th minute but the final result was 2-1.

House hunters were told to ‘expect to pay more £2,750 more (£29,000 in today’s prices) for an average three bedroom semi-detached house in the Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth areas than they would in Coventry.  And in the more exclusive detached range, with five bedrooms or more, the difference would be as much as £30,000 (£318,000).   Figures put the average price of a three bedroom semi in Coventry at £6,500 (£68,600), £1,500 more than the Midland average.  But in the Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth areas the same semi averaged £9,250 (£97,700).  Detached homes with five bedrooms or more in Coventry were listed at £15,000 (£158,300), compared with up to £45,000 (£475,000) in Leamington.’  However, a three bedroom semi  in Nuneaton would set you back just £5,800 (£61,200).

Lockheed in trouble 50 years ago

Difficult times for Lockheed 50 years ago (originally written for the Leamington programme)

September 1972 was not a happy time for Lockheed Leamington.   ‘Lockheed boss Geoff Coleman launched a scathing attack against his side following a succession of poor home displays.  Coleman, who has seen Lockheed take five points out of six on opponents’ grounds, said he was “absolutely and utterly sick” after Saturday’s 4-0 slump against Bromsgrove Rovers.   Brakes have yet to win any of their six home games – four have been drawn – and the Leamington public have been quick to show annoyance at the standard of football being served up at the Windmill.  

The Lockheed manager, determined to lead the club to respectability this season, asked the fans for more support before the Bromsgrove game.  He wrote in the programme: “Encouragement and not criticism is the best way to help the players.”  But he reacted swiftly to the dismal display when he commented in Tuesday’s programme for the Ilkeston Town game: “I asked you to give the players a little help in finding some confidence to produce the form we have shown in away games.  After Saturday’s match, I can only offer an apology for the effort we produced.”  Coleman has been trying desperately to keep Brakes among the leaders in the Southern League Division 1 North, but unless they produce the home form to match their potential they will not be in a position to woo back the fans.’

The club was, however, suffering from a glut of injuries.  ‘Before the season manager Geoff Coleman reckoned his squad to be the most powerful group collected at the Windmill Ground for several seasons.  Hectic pre-season bargaining had attracted more men to the Leamington club, while 12 of last season’s squad had been retained.  Confident Coleman was even able to allow reserve centre half Kevin Vale to go on loan to Tamworth as Brakes set course for respectability.  

But in the space of five weeks Coleman has seen his squad severely depleted by illness and injury and he admits he may have to look for new material.  Goalkeeper Bob Steane, full backs Mel Davis, Steve Sherry and Mark Cartwright, defenders Keith Shrimpton and Ernie Wilkinson and forwards Tom Sweenie, Bill Salmon and Keith Jones have all be injured to stretch Lockheed resources to the limit.  And reserve goalkeeper John Davies drifted out of the scene after failing to make the team.  It was this latest blow that gave Coleman his biggest worry.  For the Nuneaton Borough cup tie he was forced to play Steane, although the goalkeeper was severely handicapped by a thigh injury.  “I wanted John to play but he elected to play with Dunlop and my other choice, Pat Brady, decided to remain loyal to Bulkington.  It placed a heavy burden on Bob – one that he should not have had to suffer,” said Coleman.’

Brakes didn’t get any joy at home to Grantham.  ‘Former Lockheed winner Dennis Benskin rocked his old club with two superb first half goals.  In the 11^th minute Benskin beat Brady with a stunning 20-yard drive.  Twenty-one minutes later, with Grantham now well in command, he chased a delightful through ball and shot home from the edge of the box.  Lockheed, who were seeking their first home win of the season, were unlucky not to cut the arrears when Jessop hit the post with a good header.’ However, the home side’s misery was complete when Grantham made it 0-3 in the second half.

Brakes manager Geoff Coleman was in growing despair at the beginning of October 1972 after a poor start by the club to the season.  The manager realised that Lockheed could not ‘afford to stay among the also rans.  For fans, right from the top of the Football League to the non-league world, demand success.  Brakes manager Coleman is to change his thinking in an effort to get results.

The Brakes’ boss has sacked three of his players – Ernie Wilkinson, Phil Salmon and John Brady.  And he is considering releasing three more.   He said “Men of their ability should be outstanding at this level, but this season they have failed to show anything like their real form.  I am simply cannot afford the luxury of paying men who cannot earn their keep.  I need men who can produce the goods, even if it means cutting out some of the frills.”  

Coleman signed Wilkinson, the former Arsenal and Nuneaton Borough defender, to add class to his back four.  And Salmon, popular during his spell at the Windmill Ground, rejoined Brakes from Gainsborough Trinity with an enhanced reputation as a maker and taker of goals.  Wilkinson has played in 11 of Lockheed’s 13 matches this term, captaining the side twice.  Brady failed to score in four games.  “None of them will be picked again unless injuries force me into it,” added Coleman.  Brakes are 14^th in the First Division table, and unless they can make a startling transformation in their play, they cannot hope to rise.’

Unfortunately that startling transformation was not evident away to Ilkeston Town on the first Saturday of the month.  Before the game it was reported that ‘Lockheed will be looking for Southern League points, but will be hard pressed to get a draw.  According to the match report in the Evening Telegraph, ‘Ilkeston opened the scoring after seven minutes from a free kick situation.   Guilson hit the ball to Ball who shot hard and accurately to score Ilkeston’s first goal in five matches. After 19 minutes Sweenie went close for Lockheed.  He beat Ilkeston’s player-manager Waller just inside the area and shot wide, sending goalkeeper Piggot sprawling.   Brown ran past the Lockheed defence but was halted by a fine diving tackle from Bowden.  

It took Lockheed until the 37^th minute to draw level.  Sweenie controlled a bouncing ball well, shot on the turn and goalkeeper Piggot was well; beaten by a ball that rocketed into the back of the net.  Ilkeston at first looked the better side, but after half an hour Lockheed settled down and repeatedly had the home side in difficult situations.’   Unfortunately, they could not maintain their improvement in the second half and lost 3-1.