Knox: 'My head will roll if I fail to improve'

A disappointing season for Brakes in 1972/3 was confirmed when they went down 2-1 to Darlaston in the Birmingham Senior Cup final at Walsall.   Darlaston were described by their manager as a ‘Dad’s Army’ side.   The last league game of the season was away at Barry Town.   ‘Neither side was really impressive and Lockheed’s two goals came after mistakes by Barry’s second string goalkeeper Keith Williams.

 Lockheed always looked the more impressive.   Lockheed dominated the middle of the field with Micky Boot finding plenty of space to get his forwards working but their defence was very hesitant in the early stages.   Denis Walker continually harassed an overworked Barry defence and it was his persistence that led to Barry centre back Terry Davies conceding the first Lockheed goal after 22 minutes.  Both goalkeepers were rarely tested during the match, but Williams gave the game away on 61 minutes when he dropped a ball and Dennis Taylor had the easiest of chances.’ Barry snatched a late consolation to make the final score 1-2.  Brakes finished 15^thin the league table.

‘Lockheed’s success-seeking manager Jimmy Knox released three more players – making a grand total of 10 in five days.  Only six professionals are left but Knox remains calm: “I promised this club a first class team and that is what I intend to give them.  Goalkeeper Bob Steane, full back David Pyle, and striker Barry Whitlock are the latest to drop out as Knox swings into action.   Originally placed on the retain list they were released after Saturday’s shock 4-2 home defeat by local rivals Racing Club Warwick. 

Said Knox: “I wasn’t the most popular person at the Windmill last week, but drastic action was needed.  It will be my head that will roll if I fail to improve the position.’  Knox’s latest announcement means that he must find a new goalkeeper, a full back and three strikers for next season in order to put a side on the park.  The surviving six are full back Dennis Taylor, half backs Keith Shrimpston, Tony Bowden [who subsequently said he could not play] and Ernie Wilkinson and midfield men Tom Sweenie and Micky Boot.’

Unsurprisingly, Knox turned to his former players at Rugby Town to fill most of the gaps.   He signed goalkeeper David Jones, full back John Brady, defender Doug Griffiths, forwards Steve Lee, Jimmy Goodfellow and Norman Foster.   The only Leamington resident added was winger Ivor Talbot from Racing Club Warwick.  ‘Bustling striker’ Trevor Trubbard was brought in from Nuneaton Borough.

‘Craggy manager Jimmy Knox is sure of one thing – better times lie ahead at the Windmill Ground.  Knox, who regards skill as a bonus to hard work, has made it clear that anything Rugby Town did, Brakes could do better. “We have a fine ground and unlimited crowd potential,” he said.  “But now we have got to provide the sort of entertainment that will get the club back where it belongs.”

 Many critics claim that Knox’s tough approach will still fail to stop the slide towards soccer obscurity.  Rather than a trouble shooter, they say, the club needs a miracle worker.  But Knox will have none of this.  “We are professionals and as long as we work to our full capacity, there is no reason why Brakes should not mount a positive challenge next season.”   They were rebadged as AP Leamington in the close season.