Although AP Leamington had been ‘going through a sticky patch’ in October 1973 ‘Norman Foster has emerged as one of the most consistent scorers in the Southern League. Foster, one of seven ex-Rugby Town men who joined manager Jimmy Knox at the Windmill, has hit 11 goals in his 15 outings to date. And Knox is confident that the lanky front runner will make an even bigger impact when the current midfield problems have been ironed out.
Says Knox: “Adrian Stewart was the main striker at Oakfield, Norman filled a secondary role. But he never gave less than 100 per cent and I had no hesitation in bringing him to the Windmill when I was appointed manager of AP.“ And Foster has repaid this confidence with some exciting displays that have established him as a firm favourite with the Leamington crowd. In recent weeks AP’s midfield men have failed to produce their early season form and Foster’s chances have been strictly limited. But he has maintained his enthusiasm and aggression and Knox is certain that Foster will be among the division’s leading scorers at the end of the season.’
Another report stated that ‘AP Leamington manager, Jimmy Knox, is battling to overcome one of the most frustrating problems a manager can face. He is convinced that he has a good side, but knows that they are not playing well at the moment. Most regular supporters agree that Knox has assembled the strongest playing pool at the Windmill for several years and team spirit is high.
But Knox is far from
satisfied with the results this season, especially at home games. “We have had numerous problems in the past
six matches and it has been a worrying time for myself, the trainer and the
players,” he said. “I have had quite a
lot of criticism in the past three weeks and I have criticised the players in
the proper place – the dressing room.”
But Knox is not despondent about the future. “I have been entrusted with the task of
making AP a force in the world of non-league football. I will endeavour to do this, and a few
setbacks does not mean the end of the world.”’
However, Leamington banished their blues in ‘a most emphatic manner with a splendid second-half performance against Redditch United. Going into the game with a string of lacklustre home displays behind them Brakes came good with four brilliant goals in an exciting last 45 minutes. Redditch, who crashed 3-1 to the Leamington outfit in an earlier FA Cup tie, offered genuine resistance during the opening period. They took a 10-minute lead with a Nicky Ingram penalty and caused repeated problems in the AP rearguard.
But Bobby Horne slammed a great equaliser just before the interval and
from then on there was only one side in it.
Left winger Micky Boot, given an orthodox role down the flank, ran riot
with his most impressive display of the term.
He laid on four goals equally shared between Horne and Norman Foster and
finished off the scoring with a firm right footer just before the end. It was a solid display that saw United off.’
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