In praise of Jack Edwards

Players like Jack Edwards don't come along vey often and it was good to see this prominent tribute to him in the Non-League Paper today:

Prudent and hard working board underpins pitch success

Just 18 fans turned up to the club's annual general meeting yesterday.   Perhaps that reflects broad satisfaction with the way things are going and there is plenty to be pleased about.  We are punching above our weight in a league where most clubs are now full time or 'hybrid'.   (It was also a hot day with lots of other attractions).   In any event I thought that it was a constructive and informative meeting.

We owe a lot to Hollers.   The meeting was told that he had brought in £250k to the club in transfer fees during his tenure by identifying and developing promising players.

The board have worked hard, have been strengthened and are to be strengthened further.   They put in average of £5k a year each apart from their hard work which helps to reduce the deficit (how large that is depends on how you calculate it and the figures in any one year are distorted by transfer payments including appearance fees and a share of sell ons).  The gross loss in 2024 was £102k.  However, commercial income is on the way up, almost compensating for the £38k we lost in National League funds when we were in Step 3.   This season it will be around £45k.

The club shop is to be put on a new basis to maximise revenue and provide a much better online offer (much needed after the experience a family member had last Christmas).

The whole new stadium saga is complex and uncertain.  There is a regular dialogue with the CEO of the District Council.  The original plan was there to be by 2022, but Covid and a war intervened.   What is clear is that we need the stadium to be a sustainable club in Step 2.  There is a Plan B but it would involve accepting a likely Step 3 status,

Apparently just the planning and procurement work for the new stadium will take one year.   There would be a Coop store and a nursery there and quite probably housing development nearby which would help to defray the cost.  The Council has no real alternative to Harbury Lane for a site for the 'travelling community'.

I asked about what would be the implications of the replacement of the present local government structure by a unitary authority, however constructed, but the honest answer is that no one knows.

A comment from the floor pointed out that comms could have been better on the car parking fees and that January was not a great month to introduce it.   This point was more or less accepted, it being fairly pointed out that sometimes the board got overwhelmed by the number of issues it had to deal with (hence why it is a good idea to increase its size and double up in some roles).

We have made some good signings and I am looking forward to what will be a challenging season.

I suggested to a board member after the meeting that we need some survey data on where supporters actually live.

Farewell Callum Hawkins

I have always been interested in keepers and Callum Hawkins has been outstanding for us.   He deserves to play at a much higher level, hopefully eventually in the EFL.   Good keepers are not easy to find at any level and our survival last season owed a lot to him.

Some other quality departures have rocked us, but I put a lot of faith in Paul Holleran and his contacts book.  We have just made one signing and I am sure that others with potential are on their way.

Fuming Kmox shreds squad

In June 1975 manager Jimmy Kmox announced a shake up of the AP Leamington team that missed promotion by one point.

Leading scorer Adrian Stewart was placed on the transfer list.    Fellow striker Ivor Talbot is also available for offer and Ernie Wilkinson, Dave Scriggins and Jacob Horne have all been released.    Knoc said: 'I have not made these decisions without considerable thought.  Only next season will prove whether I am right or wrong.'

Stewart scored 26 goals in the season to easily head the club's scoring charts.  He was also the leading scorer in the preceding season.

But Knox said: 'Adrian managed only 14 goals n the league - this was not a good enough return.  We missed promotion by one point and that failure to go up simply boils down to lack of goals.'

'I will listen to offers for Adrian bu if none come along the boy must buckle down and prove he can justify a place in our attack.   He has not made the progress I hoped for and the same goes for Ivor.'

The decision to free Wilkinson and Armstrong is no surprise for both players have strugglef to make any impact after being out through injury for lengthy spells.

But Horne and Scriggins have made over 80 appearances between them this term, reports Roger Draper, with Scriggins scoring 14 goals in AP's late challenge for honours.

Knox is left with 10 professionals - and a lot of hard work to do during the summer to rebuild his attack.  He knows who he wants, it remains for him to get them.

'We just missed out this season, I can't see us failing next term,' he said.

Retained: Dave Jones, Dave Garratt, Dennis Taylor, John Brady, Doug Griffiths, Roger Brown, Toby Bowden, Mickey Boot, Steve Lee, Mick Keeley.   

Play off triumph consolidated!

I meant to put up these reports from the Non-League Paper on last year's play off final before now, but getting married on Friday was a distraction!   Congratulations to the manager and his team, the playesr, the board and not least the fans for everything we have achieved this season.

What is Shakespeare doing at Stratford Town?

I was baffled by the following headline in today's Financial Times: 'Shakespeare makes debut for Stratford FC'.  Did it mean that the Royal Shakespeare Company had signed a sponsorship deal with Stratford Town and that their stadium was to be renamed the Anne Hathaway (following today's simultaneous revelation that she spent time living with the Bard in London)?

I can only think of one Shakespeare actor's son who played for the Bards, and as for the Bardsmen, their language on the pitch is generally industrial rather than 'forsooth' or 'verily'.

One of my favourite chants was when Leamington were leading the Bards 2-0 at their old ground and Brakes fans broke into a chant of 'Two nil, or not two nil'?

It turns out the latest version of As You Like It has a football setting at Messina FC.  Leonato is the club owner, Don Pedro the team manager, Claudio is the man of the match and Beatrice is a football commentator, appropriately wearing Brakes old gold.

The story of Mickey Boot

When I was writing up the 1974/5 season for the programme one name that kept coming up was that of the aptly named ex-Arsenal player Mickey Boot.  He stayed with us for the following promotion season.  Here is a bit more about him at Arsenal: https://arsenalarsenal.net/2010/10/23/i-wonder-what-happened-to-mickey-boot/

Boot later moved to Australia where he played and then took up coaching.

Brakes heartbreak at end of season

AP Leamington finished third in the Southern League Division One North in the 1974/76 season, seven points behind champions Bedford Town and just one point behind runners up Dunstable.  Jimmy Knox blamed the failure to go up by such a narrow margin to lack of goals and subsequently placed leading goal scorer Adrian Stewart (26 goals, but only 14 in the league) on the transfer list, along with fellow striker Ivor Talbot    They also lost the Birmingham Senior Cup at Highfield Road 1-0, Atherstone Town scoring from a penalty.

At the end of the season, manager Jimmy Knox was asked to assess his players.  Tactfully, the Scottish supremo replied:  ‘”If I could, I would have chosen the whole squad as the players that impressed me most.’ 

Getting Jimmy Knox to pick out any of his AP Leamington players for special mention is difficult not to say impossible – he worships the lot of ‘em.  But twist his arm and Knox will almost shed tears talking about his twin centre backs Roger Brown and Doug Griffiths.  Chips off the old block, Roger and Doug have the qualities that made their manager one of the outstanding non-League defenders. 

Skill, bravery, professionalism, love of the game … Brown and Griffiths have total involvement grafted into their muscle-bound frames.  Knox will talk for hours about football – he’ll spend years converting the Leamington public to Windmill Ground watchers.   Players as committed as Brown and Griffiths could make his job easier …. Of Brown, Knox is adamant.  “This boy is still looking for his right level … he is a great performer.  I signed Roger straight from amateur football.   He’s not only made his mark in the pro game – he’s made it in a big way.”

Big is the right description.  At 6ft 2in. [1.88 metres] Roger towers above most of his rivals.  He has the ability to match his physique.  “Roger’s attitude is first class,” says Knox.  “I have bawled him out and talked to him quietly.   He has the ability to match his physique.  Whatever you say or however you say it he is prepared to listen and learn.   I can’t speak highly enough of this boy – he is a perfect professional.”’

In February 1978 Brown was signed by Bournemouth on the recommendation of Harry Redknapp who had played alongside him at Leamington.     He played 63 times for the Cherries and was then transferred to Norwich City.   He was then sold to Fulham for £100,000 where he made 141 appearances before returning to Bournemouth under manager Harry Redknapp and was captain when they defeated FA Cup holders Manchester United 2-0.   After playing in the non-league system at Poole and Weymouth, he was manager at Colchester United from 1987-88.   Sadly he passed away in August 2011 aged 58 after a long battle with cancer.   Rest in Peace.

Doug Griffiths was a former captain of England Schoolboys and had been a full time professional with Wolves and Stockport County.   ‘At 24 he has never played better.  Dougie, the darling of the Windmill’s younger set, started the season out of the side.  He fought his way back and in the second half of the season he has been tremendous.   Knox said: “Doug is a hard man who never shirks a thing.  He would go through a brick wall for his team and has a fantastic attitude.”’

Tough time for Brakes 50 years ago

he Courier reported at the beginning of April 1975, ‘A three point haul [then it was two points for a win] from their Easter programme was what AP Leamington had to show for their weekend efforts.  On Saturday against Corby AP stole a win when home keeper Walker let a 26 yard Talbot effort trickle through his legs. 

But the boot was on the other foot on Easter Monday when AP met Bedworth keeper John Davies.  Amazing acrobatics by Davies in the home goal – who thwarted Brakes in their Birmingham Senior Cup semi-final with Sporting earlier this year – enabled United to keep their recent run of unbroken games intact.  He pulled off two spectacular saves in the space of seconds just from eight minutes before the end of the game – first from Lee and then diving at Talbot’s feet to smother a certain goal.

 In a first 45 minutes memorable only for the handful of defensive blunders at both end, AP rarely showed much appetite for football.  Eades nodded Bedworth ahead in the 17^th minute with a near post header which caught Jones in the AP goal napping.  Keeley pulled Leamington level straight from the restart and amazingly got his name on the score sheet for a second time two minutes before the interval when he turned an innocent looking corner into the net.  

Things livened up during the second half.  Ex-Bedworth player Bobby Horne glanced home a Boot corner within minutes of the resumption, but midway through the half, United, with ex-Brakes’ Tom Sweenie controlling midfield, put their noses in front again.  After a couple of threatening breakaways, Shepherd finally made a decisive move which paid dividends.   The ball was worked to Fisher, who turned it smartly past Jones from 15 yards.   Substitute Scriggens gave Brakes a deserved share of the points in the 68^th minute.   And then Davies shut up shop.’   3-3.

The Courier noted, ‘The next 15 days should do what Easter failed to do – sort out the Southern League North promotion battle.   Virtually all the promotion contenders faltered somewhere along the line over the holiday period and indeed AP’s three points from two away games looked quite impressive in comparison.   Worcester dropped two points in three games, while Cheltenham, who were feared as the “dark horses” only a month ago, perhaps showed their true colours as they managed to haul in only half of the six points at stake.’ 

Leamington were 7^th and nine points behind the leading team (Dunstable) but had games in hand.   ‘Although the next fortnight should ease the confusion at the head of the table, the same period looks like being  a tough time for Brakes     They’re faced with six games, every one vital: including Tamworth at the Windmill tomorrow and away on Monday evening, Dunstable and Enderby.   And those six are quite some build-up to the Birmingham Senior Cup final against Atherstone on Tuesday April 22^nd at Coventry City’s Highfield Road ground.’

Brakes beat Tamworth 2-1 at home and then beat them 1-0 at Kettlebrook.   Leamington were considered to have been lucky in the away fixture after the home side lost top scorer Brian Bates early in the game with a back injury and hit the woodwork twice.    Leamington won the game with a 29^th minute goal which reporters thought was clearly offside.  ‘Bobby Horne latched on to a loose ball and cleverly rounded goalkeeper Peter King and shot into an empty net.’   Brakes needed to take maximum points from their remaining eight games to stand a chance of promotion.

Frustrating away draws for Brakes

Brakes faced table topping Burton Albion away in March 1975 and both sides found the 0-0 draw frustrating.   Roger Draper commented: ‘Brakes must be feelng sick at the surrender of so many senseless points this season.   For the brisk performance against the division’s leaders proves they have the pedigree to bring Premier Division football to the Windmill Ground.   And but for their charitable dropping of needless points they would now be entering the finishing straight of the championship race with a great chance of going up.  This was never a classic.’

The report from the Burton paper complained about ‘a tough uncompromising AP Leamington defence.’   They referred to ‘an amazing scene in the Leamington penalty area just before the interval both Annable and the Brake’s Foster could count themselves very lucky not to be sent off.   The incident came after tempers had frayed following several niggling fouls from both sides.’

Naylor and Annable raced to grab a loose ball, Annable just got to it, Naylor fell down with a leg injury and Foster tangled with Annable.  ‘The first blow came from the Leamington player but he came out on the worst side of the deal but recovered after treatment.   Burton were always in command and pushed forward relentlessly against a Leamington side prepared to pull everyone back and to give away a free kick if real danger threatened.’ 

The crowd of 696 started to barrack one of their players who was said to forge forward ‘like a tank’.  However, a loudspeaker announcement revealed that Stourbridge were losing 2-1 at Tamworth and the crowd started to get behind their team.  ‘Then Leamington almost snatched both points when they were gifted a great chance by a dreadful George back pass.   Foster nipped in but Robinson capped a great performance with a fearless drive.’  Burton had held a special training session in the morning, but this was the first time they had failed to score all season.

Leamington also drew 1-1 away at Bury.  Bury goalkeeper Mel Davies ‘jumped around like a cat on hot bricks, scarcely gathered a shot cleanly, mistimed numerous dashes from his goal-line, and altogether conveyed an air of impending disaster.   Not until the closing stages of the game did Davies at last settle down to something of the form of which he is capable, with a couple of useful saves.

Yet he was beaten only once by Ivor Talbot after 30 minutes when Goodfellow’s right-wing corner was headed down by Bowden, and strangely enough it was Davies’ opposite number Dave Jones who made the most serious error of the afternoon.  With 20 minutes left, Jones advanced from his goal to cut off David Smith’s cross from the right, missed the ball completely, and Barry Gray coolly took advantage to score his 16^th goal of the season. 

Until then Leamington had been the more impressive of two-ordinary looking sides.  Now it was Bury’s turn to put on the pressure and they had a couple of chances to record their first win since January 5’, one created by ‘another faux pas’ by Jones.   But overall a draw was a fair result for Leamington – who surprisingly relegated 27-goal striker Norman Foster to substitute – also had their chances.   Lee missed three good ones.’  Leamington were 5^th in the table, 11 points behind second placed Stourbridge but with games in hand over the two teams immediately above them.

Brakes overcome World Cup player

In March 1975 Brakes played Dunstable Town at home.  ‘Chirpy AP front-runner Dave Scriggins stole the limelight from former World Cup striker Jeff Astle with an ice-cool hat-trick.   And as AP extended their remarkable unbeaten run to 21 matches they came of age as a promotion force.  Now you have to believe it, Brakes are poised to surge on to the Premier Division.  

Trailing by two goals after 38 minutes of Dunstable dominance, the Leamington teams clawed back to be on terms at the interval.   They then punished Town with an explosive second half effort to have the club crowd on their feet.   It was a fabulous encounter with third placed Dunstable seemingly intent on putting the smile back into soccer, displaying a refreshing 10-man attacking formation that is bound to win friends. 

For a time this forward thinking influenced AP’s back four as Astle’s talented threat exposed alarming defensive flaws.  The former West Brom star slammed home the first goal with a 20 yard rocket – powered by his left foot – the foot that won the 1968 cup final but failed to stop the 1970 Brazilians.   And 10 minutes later AP fell further behind when leading scorer George Cleary displayed his ruthless finishing.   

But Brakes refused to buckle under the weight of this fluent Dunstable start and only two minutes into the second half they were ahead on their way to a superb victory.   Teenage goalkeeper Dave Ounsworth was sadly at fault for the first and third goals scored by Mick Keeley and Scriggins but he stood no chance against Adrian Stewart’s defensive equaliser. Scriggins’ second goal on the hour was an incredible effort with the home No.10 running half the length of the field with the Dunstable defence hopelessly caught in the AP half.   

Still Town came back with Astle forcing a mistake that saw Lou Adams pounce to attack a fine goal but AP had the perfect answer in the form of Scriggins’s third goal only a minute later.   This time Scriggins took advantage of a shocking back pass and he cheekily walked the ball into the net with the Dunstable rearguard hopelessly exposed.  “It was magic,” said the scorer who doubled his season’s tally in this one match.’  In case you have lost count the score was 5-3.

Unfortunately, ‘Jimmy Knox’s AP juggernaut shuddered to a halt along the road to glory’,  losing 0-1 at home to league leaders Bedford Town.  ‘But this Windmill defeat after a sparkling sequence of 18 wins and four draws stretching their way back to early December, was less than fair.  Bedford were  subjected to tremendous pressure that produced several amazing close shaves, but agonisingly for the “double average” 719 crowd, no AP goals.  

Three times the ball smashed against the ironwork.   And just to rub salt into the wounds the visitors stole away to snatch the points and virtually seal their claims for a rapid return to the premier division.   It was a frustrating ending for an AP side that has scaled the heights in the last four months but manager Knox took the blow in his stride.  “I suppose we had to lose sooner or later and it doesn’t seem so bad going down against the leader.  With Worcester and Cheltenham also losing, the reverse may prove not to be too damaging.”’

Crucial win in 1975 at Kings Lynn

Fifty years ago in March 1975 AP Leamington faced ‘their biggest test in recent weeks when they travel to Kings Lynn – a side whose consistency during the last three months has catapulted them on to the fringes of the promotion race.  The Norfolk club, like Brakes, are enjoying a successful spell – and in the last 17 games they’ve only been beaten on three occasions. 

AP manager Jimmy Kmox acknowledged yesterday that the game will be tough: “Obviously, it will be hard one.  But they will all be hard from now on. “ Despite Ivor Talbot’s fine game in midweek for the Youth outfit against Leicester Boys’ Clubs – where he scored both goals – Knox is likely to name an unchanged side, providing all players report fit in the morning.  It’s surely this ability to keep a winning side together that has much to do with Brakes’ surge up the table.’

The Kings Lynn paper reported: ‘On Saturday Lynn met a team who matched them stride for stride – and that hasn’t happened very often.   It was Leamington who struck the killer blow in the closing minutes with the winning goal which gave them two points to continue an amazing surge up the Southern League table. While there can be criticism of Lyn n’s overall performance, nothing should detract from Leamington’s play.  They did not get rattled when falling behind to an early goal, but continued chasing and harrying Lynn into mistakes.

In particular Leamington pulled midfield men Boot and Lee into wide positions to keep an eye of Lynn wing men Easthall and Reynolds.  Not very often did Lynn get behind the defences to test reserve keeper Garrett.  It was in the first quarter of the game that Garrett did look shaky.   In the seventh minute he made a nervous attempt at punching a low centre from Rudd.  The ball went straight to Lindsay whose shot was blocked and when Reynolds tried his luck, Garrett finger tipped the ball away for a corner.  

Lynn did take the lead in the 12^th minute with a penalty following a handling offence.  Then it was Leamington’s turn and there were anxious moments in the Lynn goalmouth before Boot slotted in a 21^st minute equaliser with a high low shot.’   Garrett made an impressive reflex save and ‘Any nerves the goalkeeper may have had before now disappeared and he gave a competent display for the rest of the game.    Centre half Brown was booked for a foul on Rudd.   The longer the game progressed the more unhappy Lynn seemed to get in their inability to score.  The points seemed to be shared until Brown went up for a 87^th minute free kick rom Lee which he met with a powerful header which sizzled into the net.’

In the following week Jimmy Knox announced that he was shelving his ‘controversial rota system for goalkeepers Dave Jones and Dave Garret.  Knox is happy with both goalkeepers.  “Jones has the advantage of far greater experience and in recent matches he has played better that at any previous time with the club.   But Dave Garrett is a tremendous prospect.   It is difficult to separate then but that is a problem I am prepared to live with.  I am lucky to have such strength in a key position.”   Ironically, Jones was out of the reckoning due to injury.’

Knox defends Scriggins

Congratulations to Hollers on his 750th game with the Brakes

Jimmy Knox leapt to the defence of Dave Scriggins when he was questioned by Roger Draper in February 1975.  ‘When Jimmy Knox signed Dave Scriggins during the close season the AP Leamington manager enthused that the former Enderby striker “would score a lot of goals.”  But in 31 games the chirpy Leicester-based forward has managed to find the net just once – and that was in his latest appearance in the 4-1 thrashing of Gloucester City on Tuesday.  

Knox is far from disenchanted, however.  “Dave is doing fine,” he says, ‘He has played a prominent part in our recovery this season.” Scriggins played several games in midfield when Knox was struggling to solve his problem department in the middle of the park.  But since switching back to the front, Scriggins has worked overtime to add zest to an attack that had struggled previously.  And Knox is certain the goals will start to flow from a likeable sort who has emerged as a real character in the AP dressing room.

“David started to do stupid things when he failed to put away the goals and this unsettled him for a time. But there has been a steady improvement in recent matches and now that his confidence has returned he will do us a power of good.   Scriggins is currently keeping the fit-again Ivor Talbot out of the side and Knox believes that this fact alone underlines the striker’s worth.  “Ivor is a great player but Dave is in on merit.  He is doing a marvellous job.”

Unfortunately, Brakes did not shine in a home Birmingham Senior Cup semi-final tie with Coventry Sporting. ‘The 1-1 draw ‘was no fluke result.    The West Midlands League fully deserved ther “success” after an admirable 90 minutes of disciplined defence.   For Brakes the game proved frustrating and they will need to raise their tempo if they are to win next Saturday’s replay at Kirby Corner.  They could be in for a shock. 

Sporting ran, harried and tackled their way in a generally disappointing encounter and proved a well-drilled combination capable of containing Brakes’ jaded raiders.’    On 78 minutes Lee saw the Sporting goalkeeper off his line and put a 30 yard free kick over his head to see the ball nestle in the corner of the net.  But five minutes from time Sporting equalised after a cross struck defender Roger Brown for an own goal.

  In the replay ‘Jimmy Knox pulled off a shrewd tactical move’ to win the game.   With the Brakes 1-0 down at half time against a tight-marking Sporting, Knox decided to switch Mick Keeley from the left to the right flank.  And the move worked perfectly.  Quick-running Keeley gave Sporting defender Bob Mundy a “nightmare” second half.’   On 54 minutes a move by Keeley set up the equaliser for Dave Scriggins. .  Then in the 78^th minute Keeley set up the winner for Horne.   ‘Leamington, with Scriggins and Stewart working hard up front, and Boot and Horne dominating midfield, clinched their place in the Highfield Road final through sheer experience.’

Meanwhile at the AP factory management urged supervisory staff to end their strike.   Members of the Association of Scientific, Technical and Managerial Staff went on strike over pay.   Production and despatch had not been affected, but the management warned that the 6,000 other workers at the plant could be affected if the dispute continued.

Brakes boost promotion hopes in 1975

It was a disappointing trip to the land of Gavin and Stacey for Brakes in February 1975 when their promotion bid faltered on a trip to Barry Town.   Perhaps it was the glamour of the setting, but ‘Leamington were far below standard and could consider themselves lucky to gain a point from the lowly Welshmen.   After their convincing midweek game against Cheltenham, no change Leamington expected to pick up at least a point against a team which had notched only three points in the last 13 games. 

 However, several Leamington players took knocks in that fierce encounter and faced late fitness checks.   Far too many of their movements broke down in midfield through faulty passes, but they could perhaps blame to some extent a badly cut-up ground which had dried hard   There was unusual slackness down the centre where Roger Brown could not prevent Barry’s dangerous leader Clive Ayres exploiting the opening. 

But Leamington had the man of the match in goalkeeper Dave Jones , who began with a great save from an Ayres volley in the first minute and was often in motion.    AP soon began to press and a terrific 25 yard drive from Scriggins was only inches over the bar.   At the other end Brady and Brown did well to clear dangerous centres from the left.  In a fast-moving game, there was little to choose between the two sides – but the better chances were coming to Barry. 

There was a measure of luck about AP’s goal in the 35^th minute.  A free kick by Lee was diverted by Bird, Barry goalkeeper Trevor Nott was out of position, and Mickey Boot had only to slam the ball home.  Boot was outstanding in midfield.   Barry deserved the equaliser before the interval from Ayres who easily beat Jones.   AP were unlucky when Stewart broke clear only to hit the bar when the keeper was beaten.’   The game ended 1-1.

On the following Tuesday Brakes ‘bid to extend their unbeaten sequence to 16 matches when Gloucester City visit the Windmill Ground.  Brakes – with 14 wins and two draws behind them – slammed their opponents by three clear goals at Gloucester last month and as well as completing a Southern League double they will be bidding to improve their goal average.’  They won 4-1.  ‘Promotion  seeking AP completed a convincing double with this smooth success last night,  

Brakes also set a club record as they stretched their unbeaten run to a handsome 16 matches – 14 ending in victory.  It is a sparkling sequence and Jimmy Knox’s side are now breathing down the necks of the Division 1 (North) leaders in sixth spot.  Victory was never in doubt from the time Bobby Horne drilled home a powerful shot from 18 yards after only four minutes and despite Gloucester’s brave defence the final margin was fully deserved.    

Horne neatly headed AP’s second goal from a Mickey Boot corner before the interval.  City came back to take advantage of rare hesitation early in the second half but Brakes quickly underlined their command.   Within a minute Dave Scriggins finished off some clever play from John Brady with a far post header.   Six minutes from the end Adrian Stewart met Steve Lee’s inch perfect free kick to place an unstoppable header past Stowe from eight yards fo his 21^st goal of the season.’

Brakes defeat promotion rivals

In February 1975 ‘Brakes shortened their promotion odds with a tireless display which earned them a vital 3-1 verdict over co-hopefuls Cheltenham at the Windmill on Tuesday evening.  And they did it in real style – stunning the visitors with one of the best goals seen by their home crowd all season after ten minutes, and following it up two minutes later with a superb opportunist effort that completely knocked Town out of step. 

 Cheltenham – unbeaten in their last seven league outings – never recovered during the first half, and although they staged something of a revival later on, they rarely shared the same fluidity as Brakes’ frontline.  Mick Keeley repaid some of the record transfer fee Brakes paid Nuneaton Borough with a beautifully-taken goal after ten minutes.  But much of the credit must go to Dave Scriggens, Brakes’ best worker who has received little credit this season – and yet has played an important part in helping manager Jimmy Knox out when injuries have threatened to disrupt AP’s rhythm.   

Scriggens received the ball in his own half, looked around and then reached an inch-perfect 40 yard pass to Keeley, who hit it on the half volley with his left foot into the far corner from 20 yards.   And Stewart’s willingness to chase lost causes saw him notch his 20^th goal of the season 120 seconds later when he chased a cross-field ball with Town defender Julian Lailey, and somehow stretched out his right leg and slammed the ball past a helpless Nigel Berry. 

More than 500 soccer [sic] fans – one of Leamington’s better gates of the term – enjoyed a classic AP team performance.    The goals may have been supplied by Brakes’ lethal striking duo of Stewart and Keeley, but at the back the understanding that has built up between Doug Griffiths and Roger Brown paid immediate dividends especially in the final stages when the visitors threw in everything. 

Brown, who stuck to Cheltenham’s ace goal getter Lewis better than an Elastoplast, won virtually all the high balls and Griffiths swept up perfectly.  Yet Town must have thought they might have saved a point at least when – despite losing goalkeeper Nigel Berry in the 71^st minute after a collision with Brown – Casey pulled them back to 2-1 in the 83^rd minute when he cashed in on a slip up.   Steve Lee conceded valuable possession with a terrible pass, Lewis fastened on to the chance to put in a shot which Dave Jones parried and Casey happily helped home. 

For a spell AP looked jittery, but they gradually raised their game and Town ran out of steam – and the excellent cover they had given to Paul Crowley who donned the keeper’s shirt when Berry left the field, finally crumbled.  By the third minute of injury time, Dave Scriggens set Crowley his first real test with a near point-blank header – but the midfielder rose to it.   

However, two corners later, Keeley was given all the time in the world to set the seal on a tremendous performance with a header into the near corner of the net.   This tussle was a real four pointer against a Town side also poised for a late title run and the action was fast and furious for 98 splendid minutes – referee David Johnson adding to the suspense with a generous helping of injury time.’

Are Oxford City 'southern softies'?

‘There is surely one thing we can all agree on: Oxford is in the south,’ writes Matt Slater in The Athletic.

Yet last season, Oxford City were relegated from the National League (English football’s fifth tier) into the National League North, alongside Brackley Town and Needham Market, two other places on nobody’s list of northern football towns.

“It is weird for a lot of people when they hear we’re in the National League North,” says Mark Neal, the Oxford City supporter behind the Headington Hoop fansite and a committed groundhopper, before pointing out that this is not Oxford City’s first north/south rodeo.

“When we were promoted from the Southern League Premier in 2012 we had to head to the Conference North (the precursor to the National League North) for a few seasons as there were loads of southern teams already at step two.

“I appreciate that there’s a line drawn every season by relegations and promotions, and it’s generally around the Oxfordshire area, but opposition fans do joke about us being ‘soft southern bastards’. And having clubs from South Shields to Oxford City in the same regionalised league is a bit strange.”

Neal and his fellow Oxford City fans have their cost-benefit analysis to make.

"I haven't missed an Oxford City match since 2016 — it's coming up to 500 games now. It's very addictive. Most of our fans were unhappy when we were put in National League North again but, from a purely selfish point of view, I was delighted as it meant new grounds to visit. We had been in the National League South for eight years before our promotion in 2023.

"But being in the North is definitely harder for our club, as we will have one of the lower budgets in the division anyway, and the travel and hotel costs don't help."

But let us finish where we started. With vibes. Are northern clubs different to southern ones?  "Chalk and cheese," says Neal. "The northern clubs are much better supported and they are also much friendlier. This season, we have really enjoyed being in the clubhouses at all these grounds."   [Hopefully Leamington earlier in the season despite the resuky].

Brakes seen as one of three title contenders in 1975

In January 1975 Brakes faced ‘a tough task at Alvechurch in the quarter finals of the Birmingham Senior Cup.  The Leamington club have a proud record in the county’s senior cup competition and are again determined to make the final.  But Alvechurch, great cup fighters and current leaders of the West Midlands League, are a match for most non-league sides in the Midlands.’

 In the event Brakes scored ‘a fine win.  In a superb first half performance, AP banged home two goals in the space of five minutes to send the amateur side reeling.   A Roger Brown header in the 22^nd minute from a Micky Boot free kick put AP one ahead and Adrian Stewart hit home a beautiful 25 yarder five minutes later to stamp the visitors’ authority on the game.’   Alvechurch did get one back in the 47^th minute, but ‘Brakes held out with Jones making a couple of fine saves to thwart the home attack.’

In the league ‘the onus is still on Brakes to keep banking the points.  And manager Jimmy Knox – completely happy at his side’s gritty performance in overcoming West Midlands League pacesetters Alvechurch to progress into the semi-finals of the Birmingham Senior Cup – selects the same side for tomorrow’s encounter against Kidderminster. 

“The team that was good enough against Alvechurch will be good enough against Kidderminster,” said a determined Knox.  Once again it is unlikely that he will decide risking striker Ivor Talbot – who is still suffering the after effects of the gashed ankle he received at Enderby on New Year’s Day.  

Despite the defeat of league leaders Bedford by contenders Worcester, Kmox still rates them along with Cheltenham – and of course AP – as real promotion contenders.  “I told the committee a couple of weeks ago that at the end of the day it would be between Bedford, Cheltenham and ourselves.”  

Surprisingly Knox doesn’t believe that Worcester – whom many Windmill fans reckon to be the best outfit they have seen all season – have enough consistency about their game to really push for the top.  “If any side can get any degree of consistency they’ve got to have a shout when it matters.  It took us 12 games to inject some consistency into our play, but now the players are completely confident.   We know we have to win tomorrow at Kidderminster.  And we have to keep winning, especially when we meet Cheltenham at home a week on Tuesday,” said Knox. 

Already Knox is thinking ahead – and evidence of that was provided when he told me: “If I feel we’re in with a shout in the last nine or ten games, then I will approach the powers that be to see about a player just in case of injuries.   I don’t think that would be the time to start blooding youth team players, although John Woodhouse served us well not so long ago.  I can’t get an experienced player because the club can’t afford it.  But if we get a spate of injuries then another man would be handy

‘Playing in a tricky wind, Brakes won 1-0 at Aggborough, their goal coming in the 44^th minute after slack defending enabled ‘Mick Keeley to run in and ram the ball firmly into the net.’   Kidderminster keeper Keith Ball prevented Roger Brown scoring in the closing stages with a fine save.

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Journos see weaknesses as Brakes make good start to 1975

Brakes made an impressive start to 1975 building on success in the festive season, although doubts continued to be expressed by reporter Roger Draper.  Bedworth United were beaten 3-1 on Boxing Day and this ‘win at the Windmill did Brakes’ league position a power of good, but despite the profit of two more, very valuable points, the way in which it was achieved was far from impressive.’ 

Roger Brown put the home side ahead from the penalty spot on 13 minutes but seconds later an effort from Stewart hit the post.   ‘The home side then entered a sticky phase, and almost allowed their punchless visitors to grab the equaliser.    Dave Garrett had to work hard to make the save.   After shooting straight at the keeper, Bobby Horne made amends in the second half by chipping the ball over him to make it 2-0.   

‘With Leamington again hitting a barren pitch, ex Coventry City and World Cup star Gerry Baker put Bedworth back in the hunt with a well-executed goal 13 minutes from time.’   However, seconds later Stewart made it 3-1 for the Brakes, taking advantage of a neatly headed pass from Lee.

Brakes then faced Stevenage at home.  ‘Two goals down within a mere 13 minutes, Brakes staged a superb recovery to storm to their most impressive win of the term at the Windmill on Saturday.  High-riding Stevenage boasted one of the best records in the league – just 19 defeats in two outings – and indeed shook AP to their roots in the opening spell with some fine soccer in near gale-force conditions.’ 

 The visitors took advantage of the ‘hopelessly exposed home rearguard’ to go 2-0 ahead ‘and things were beginning to look very black for AP.  But Brakes then began to pull themselves together and 12 minutes from the interval managed to reduce the deficit.  A superb right-wing cross from Ivor Talbot found centre forward Adrian Stewart, who smacked a first time attempt into the back of the net. 

Eight minutes into the second period Stewart struck again to put AP back on level terms, and just on the hour Brakes forged ahead with Keeley tapping home a fine Dennis Taylor centre.  The closing phases were then furiously contested as the visitors battled to salvage the result, but with Brown, Taylor and Griffiths superb at the back, and Adrian Stewart having the game of his life, Brakes hung on deservedly to take the points.’

Brakes then went on to beat Wellingborough 1-0 with a ninth minute goal from Stewart to extend their unbeaten run into double figures.  ‘Brakes ruthlessl y laid bare Wellingborough’s defensive limitations – and then conspired to fritter away a bunch of chances with slip-shod, almost farcical finishing. 

And although manager Jimmy Knox was pleased with the result, he must be dismayed by the reckless finishing that allowed Boro’ to stay in the hunt after being given a right Royal run around.   This finishing slackness must place a large question against AP’s right to demand a promotion interest.  But they again underlined their claims with a sound defensive action dominated by powerful Doug Griffiths.   And with Mickey Boot putting in a tremendous 90 minutes, effectively backed by Steve Lee and Bobby Horne, they had a classical dominance in midfield that promises to breathe late life into AP’s challenge for honours.’

The car parking dilemma

There are good arguments on either side about charging for car parking, but I do think it should not have been introduced mid-season at very short notice.  It would have been better to consult the fans on a number of alternatives and then introduce the agreed one in August.

The free bus from 'town' is actually from the station which means that I would have to pay to park there to use it (my mobility is a bit limited but not really Blue Badge).   It also doesn't help the fans who come in from surrounding villages such as Harbury.

I take the point about damage to the training pitch and in the longer run a bus may help with attendances (I am assuming it can't run down The Parade for logistical reasons).

The board may well be right on the substantive issue, but I think that the process could have been handled better .

Battle of the Spas off

A frozen pitch has led to the cancellation of today's game against Buxton, so let's go back to a sunny August 2000 when the revival of the Brakes was under way: