Knox in 1973: 'now we can get the club back on his feet

Brakes started their 1973/4 season with a home fixture against Wellingborough.  ‘Jimmy Knox breathed a sigh of relief after seeing his eight-change outfit come through to beat Wellingborough with two late goals.   Confessed Knox: “I am glad that one is out of the way.  Now we can get down to the job of putting the club back on its feet.”   But this satisfactory performance would suggest that AP are poised to leave behind their lean days.  This side, heartened by a first minute goal, chased themselves into the ground with a fire and enthusiasm rarely seen last season. 

They hit the Wellingborough woodwork three times, saw two shots cleared off the line, and generally buzzed around with refreshing honesty.  Hubbard headed Brakes into their early lead and it was another header from the same player that set up Foster’s first goal after Brian Etheridge and Keith Shrimpton’s own goal had put the visitors in front.    And with the minutes ticking out, the impressive Foster outpaced the Wellngborough defence and beat the keeper for the winner.

Away at Corby, the home side ‘were desperate for points with two defeats in their first two games, but both sides looked evenly matched in the early stages.   Corby almost went ahead in the sixth minute, but Gully’s shot was skilfully pushed round the post by Leamington keeper David Jones.   Foster had an opening for Leamington, but he aimed his shot from just inside the box straight at Peter Walters.  

Both goalkeepers were kept busy.   Jones robbed McGowan as he steamed in towards goal, and Walters saved well from Robbie Horn.   Foster scooped the ball over the bar from close range after 19 minutes when he might have scored, and Burns was forced to clear off the line from Stabbard as Leamington got into their stride.  

 But the Steelmen looked hesitant in front of goal – giving the visitors’ defence ample opportunity to cover.     Despite their early lack of form Corby were unlucky not to lead at half time after Dick Walpole saw his shot hit the near post when he lashed the ball over the diving body of Jones three minutes before the interval.   Walters pulled off a rather lucky save shortly after the interval when he stuck out a foot to cut a fierce shot from Hubbard.  

And it came as no surprise when Doug Griffiths put Leamington ahead after 53 minutes when he slammed the ball from close range into the roof of the net at the second attempt after Walters had blocked his first shot.   Leamington won by the single goal.   Brakes: Jones, Shrimpton, Brady, Griffiths, Withington, Boot, Horn, Hubbard, Lee, Forster, Goodfellow.  Sub: Taylor.

 

Brakes 'the team to watch' in 1973

 

The Sports Argus declared in August 1973 that AP Leamington were ‘the team to watch.’  A special feature was headlined ‘The brakes are off at Leamington.’  ‘Even though the title of the Southern League Division One North team has changed, the ambitions remain the same, the championship and possible membership of the proposed new National League.  

There is much that is new about the club.  A new strip … Manager Jimmy Knox recruited at the back end of last season from the now defunct Rugby side … eight new players who came over with him.   And that is not all – a bright new image is being sought after a period of what chairman Gerry Lock describes as “being a little in the doldrums.”   One link with the past that is unlikely to weaken is the nickname.  “We have always been called The Brakes.  I do not see why that should not stay.“ 

Like every other club chairman he often has rosy dreams of the future, but he knows that even dreams must have a sound backing. “There is no end to what we can do with good support and a good team on the park.   One has to have a winning side to pull in supporters in volume.  Well, we have had a fair start, five points from the first three matches.  The first home game packed in 286 supporters, the second 401.  [Our first home game this season had an attendance of 402].   There is good potential in the district provided there are good performances on the field.   Prime target for AP is a social club, an amenity they do not yet boast.  But in keeping with the progressive trend, it is a top priority and there will be no money worries.   Mr Lock explained that aid would come from AP Leamington Football Assistance Club, “one of our fund-raising activities. “  

His tributes go to the men who make up the club board: President, Mr W. Garner, who is a director of the company Automotive Products Limited; vice-chairman Mr L. Timms; secretary, Mr W.C. Patrick; treasurer Mr E. Pagilton, the 11-man committee and their wives who have willingly given up leisure time to help.’ 

 If his name were not enough, manager Jimmy Knox could not deny the country of his origin.  So thick is his Scots accent you could cut a hole in it and scramble through.  Now for the qualification: “There is  a lot of work to do yet.  Three or four matches do not give any great guidance, but the signs are encouraging.”  In spite of the good start in the three opening games, Jimmy says: “I do not think we have played particularly well.  I know from experience that these players can do a lot better.   I a m not, however, going to be critical and after ten or twelve matches we will know if they are going places or not.  They are really keen to do well.  We want to do something for this club.  They are so ambitious and it is up to us not to let them down.’

 

Knox had his critics 50 years ago

Fifty years ago Jimmy Knox was preparing for his first full season in charge at Leamington, but some had their doubts.

‘Anything Rugby Town Did’ was the headline in the Coventry Evening Telegraph’s preview of AP Leamington’s 1973/4 season.  ‘AP Leamington’s craggy manager Jimmy Knox is sure of one thing – better times lay ahead at the Windmlll Ground.   Knox, a professional who views skill as a bonus to hard work, enjoyed a successful spell at the helm of the now defunct Rugby Town.   And he has made it clear that anything that Rugby did, AP Leamington can do better.   “We have a fine ground, and unlimited crowd potential,” he said.   “So now we have got to provide the sort of entertainment that will get the club back where it belongs.”   AP Leamington  - they dropped the Lockheed title during the close season – have been in the doldrums for a number of seasons.

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 requires 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 this season.   The 37-year old Scot surprised a lot of people when he kept only six players at the end of the season – defenders  Dennis Taylor, Ernie Wilkinson, Keith Shrimpton and Tony Bowden, plus midfield pair Micky Boot and Tom Sweenie. But he knew the men he wanted to improve the team, and although suffering a few setbacks, has signed eight players.   Bowden has since said he will be unable to play this season, but Knox is still convinced that AP are poised for a concerted push. 

Not surprisingly he has relied on the people who did so well for him at Oakfield.   He has signed goalkeeper Daniel  Jones, full back John Brady, defender Doug Griffiths and forwards Steve Lee, Jimmy Goodfollow and Norman Porter.  Add to these Racing Club winger Ivor Talbot, the only Leamington player at the club, and bustling striker Trevor Tubbard from Nuneaton Borough, and it can be seen that AP have the makings of a powerful squad.’

The fixture list saw AP kick off their Southern League Division 1 North campaign with two home games.   They were to meet Wellingborough at the Windmill Ground on August 11^th, followed by King’s Lynn on August 14^th.   They were away at Corby on August 14^th and then were due to play Kidderminster in a home and away fixture in the Southern League Cup.  They had to visit Redditch in the preliminary round of tbe FA Cup and would then go to Bedworth in the first qualifying round.  The winners of that clash could meet Hinckley Athletic, Stourbridge, Alvechurch or Halesowen.   Brakes had a bye in the first round of the Birmingham Senior Cup.

A pre-season friendly against Oldbury United on 4^th August saw Brakes win 2-0.    Jimmy Knox selected from Jones, Taylor, Brady, Shrimpton, Griffiths, Wilkinson. Hood, Lee, Goodfollow, Hubbard, Foster and Yalbot.   Any fans going on holiday were urged in an advert to stop their home being ransacked while they were away by fitting Chub locks, illustrated by a grinning burglar with his bag of swag.