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.’