Knox;s quiet revolution

Leamington’s 1973/4 season was reviewed by Ken Widdowes in April 1974.  ‘They savoured the champagne times by following that semi-final win over Borough to clinch the League Cup.  They did it by a comparatively easy win over Bromsgrove at the Windmill Ground after slipping a goal behind on the first leg.  Now promotion is the aim.

 Knox and his trainer Bob Ward have worked a quiet revolution at AP in one season.   There is no reason why they cannot improve on that.  For after a steady start to the League campaign last August, they had a mid-season slump before making a determined bid to catch leaders Stourbridge and Burton.  

A seasoned observer of Leamington’s fortunes over the past years told me: “Knox has made incredible progress for the club, and though they dropped some simple points, the team spirit remained fabulous.  Jimmy Goodfellow was a revelation and Norman Foster, who started the season virtually as third choice striker, netted 38 goals in all competitions.”

AP were dealt a blow this week with the news that Goodfellow has now retired.  He feels the travelling from his Leicester home is getting too much and wants to spend more time with his family.  That leaves a yawning gap in AP’s set up, but it also gives Mickey Boot the chance to show his true potential.  Boot has missed much of the season with a broken leg, but Goodfellow’s retirement blow will be softened if Boot strikes forn.’

‘If they win tonight’s clash with Tamworth, AP will finish in third spot in the table - and that wlll crown a memorable season.’   Brakes had already had an unfortunate 2-1 defeat at Banbury where they conceded two penalties ‘to give Banbury a win they hardly deserved on the run of play  Leamington had the edge in skill and ideas for most of the game.’

Sadly, ‘A typical end-of-season game saw Tamworth snatch victory against highly-placed AP at Knaresbrook on Saturday night.  The goal was one of the few bright moments in a game of wasted energy by players who were unable to produce any kind of possession football.  Neither side showed any flair or interest in a game watched by one of Tamworth’s lowest gates of the season – 223.   Dennis Walker secured the match winner after 33 minutes when he outpaced gioalkeeper Dave Jones in a chase along the bye-line.  Walker turned quickly and screwed the ball into the far corner of the net before Jones could recover possession.

 There were remarkably few direct shots at goal and neither goalkeeper was tested in a game of small entertainment value.   Leamington displayed a surprising amount of energy, but very little thrust or finish.   Though there was a great deal of midfield activity, there was remarkably very little positive attacking play.   Leamington can feel upset with a performance that was far from impressive.’

Brakes did win the Leamington Charity Invitation Cup with a 4-0 victory over Bermuda WMC, goals from Ivor Talbot, Neil Armstrong, Adrian Stewart and Keith Shrimpston. Stourbridge topped the Division One North table with 69 points, followed by Burton Albion 63, Cheltenham Town 56 and Brakes 54.