Micky Boot was the hero against MK City

No MK Dons in 1975 but in December Brakes faced cash strapped Milton Keynes City in a league game.  ‘Micky Boot’s sheer class paved the way for AP to pick up a win against Milton – but two defensive lapses almost cost Leamington their fifth home win.  Even those lapses of concentration would not have mattered had they finished in the same sparkling fashion as Boot had provided the opportunities. 

His first pass – six minutes after McCarty had fired in a shock sixth minute opener for Milton – was perhaps the most stylish of all.   After a one two with Talbot, the former Arsenak player hit a superb through ball with the outside of his foot, which swerved into Stewart’s path.  Unfortunately, Brakes’ leading scorer smashed his drive against the upright and was unable to direct his header from the rebound. 

After the break, AP kept up the pressure and in the 51^st and 59^th minutes Stewart displayed his pace to out-run Milton’s defence and blast Boot’s passes into the net.  Stand in keeper Keith Batchelor, signed only hours before kick off, had no chance with Milton’s second from McCormick six minutes from time.    But two minutes later Boost hoisted a curling corner for Brown to nod home the winner. ‘

‘One to forget’ was the headline as Brakes made a midweek trip to beautiful downtown Wellingborough, Kettering’s rival for the title ‘rose of the shires’.   ‘The memory of his dull, scrappy encounter won’t linger on for Brakes – but they’ll certainly not forget the valuable two points they earned in their quest for promotion.   

Adrian Stewart slotted in his 23^rd goal of the term to bring his tally to a remarkable seven goals in the last five games, ensuring that Leamington didn’t follow the way of Oswestry and Kidderminster in Town’s mini-revival.    The goal popped up the pace slightly after the break after a lacklustre first half, yet with defences dominant, there was little to enthuse over. 

On a greasy surface, mistakes were legion.  Little went right for either side in the opening half with no one able to get in an on target effort.    In the 47^th minute, Stewart slotted home from six yards Boot’s free kick after Brown had headed on.   Wellingborough hit back, but their finishing denied them an equaliser.  

As the game progressed into the last 30 minutes, Brakes’ extra stamina and especially Stewart’s pace began to show.   Talbot came close with an intelligent shot in the 83^rd minute, and Keeley too had a narrow miss from a Lee free kick.  

AP, though, had a fright four minutes from time as a Kavanagh and Davis mix up almost let in one of Town’s front runners.  Burnham hit the side netting in the 89^th minute as Town desperately strove for an equaliser, but in the final seconds it was Talbot who fired wide after Stewart had set up one of the best chances of the game.

Bailey’s had a big advert in the Courier pressing their fine furniture and tableware.   Shoppers were urged to ask Gary about an account.  I rather liked their coffee shop which was a nice space for meeting young women on a Saturday morning.   Rackhams had an even bigger advert offering the chance to visit Father Christmas in the toy fair.   For ‘his gift to her’ (lingerie) male customers were invited to ask for Sally on the second floor.

Victory over Bedworth

A personal welcome to Rochdale fans today. (Programme notes for FA Trophy game).  On 11 January 1947 Charlton Athletic played Rochdale at The Valley in the FA Cup (winning 3-1).  I still have a copy of the programme.  My father went to the game and then walked up to the hospital in nearby Greenwich where I was born at 7.30 pm.  In those days, of course, fathers were allowed nowhere near the birth and had to wait in a smoke filled room with other expectant dads.  Better, then, to enjoy the relatively fresh air at the football.

At the beginning of December 1975 ’Leamington shook off the disappointment of their FA Cup defeat by Stafford Rangers to score a hard earned Southern League win at Bedworth.   Adrian Stewart clinched the points that kept them among the promotion contenders with a goal two minutes before half time.  

Stewart struck after Bedworth had neutralised a 21^st minute goal by Gerry Kavanagh.  But AP were forced to weather heavy pressure before becoming the first side to win at Bedworth in the league this season.  In defeat, Bedworth complained bitterly that AP were given a goal start by Kavanagh’s penalty.   It was awarded for hands against back four defender Ray Phelps.   But Phelps protested afterwards, “It was never a penalty.  I brought the ball under control with my body.” 

The incident happened a yard within the penalty area, and with no AP player within yards.  But, at that stage, AP had mustered six goal attempts to Bedworth’s one and Kavanagh stepped up to give them a deserved lead from the spot kick,   AP’s lead was short lived as Bedworth equalised after 27 minutes through ex-AP player Tom Sweenie.   Minutes later, only a fine save from Davis denied a further Bedworth goal.  Davis flung his body at a point blank shot from left winger Les Sanders.

Then in the 43^rd minute Stewart stepped into secure AP’s winner. Full back Dennis Taylor made it.  He broke down the right and crossed to the far post where Stewart came rushing in to shoot into the net.  Bedworth lost centre half Clive Lyons early in the second half but AP were content to sit back. 

Alan Jones and Roger Brown were commanding figures at the back, and Davis was called on to save only twice despite the pressure.  And his most anxious moments came in the last minute when he was forced to save at the feet of striker Mark Neale, his team mate in Coventry Sunday Football with Arley Rectory.

Jack Charlton had some rather harsh and patronising things to say about Rochdale in his newspaper column, although there was a more than a kernel of truth what he had to say.  For example, he pointed out that the arrival of the motorways had put the big, glamorous Manchester clubs within easy reach of fans in Rochdale.   

He also noted that north Lancashire was a depressed area.  The cotton industry had dwindled, so there wasn’t a lot of money to spare.  He argued, ‘Progress in soccer today needs money and that comes mainly from crowds, and crowds don’t go to the little clubs for a variety of reasons.    They haven’t a prayer, really, the brave little Rochdales of this world.  Whatever way they turn they run smack into a brick wall: they are the victims of change, trends, modernisation, big business, broadening horizons.’   Rochdale have had their ups and downs, but they are fighting for promotion back to the EFL.

3,200 attend gripping cup clash

Considerable excitement accompanied the build up to the FA Cup game between AP Leamington and Stafford Rangers in November 1975.   Roger Draper wrote: ‘AP Leamington’s match with Stafford Rangers sees the Leamington side attempting to make history by clinching a place in the second round of the FA Cup.  And following last season’s disappointment against Third Division Southend United, everyone connected with the Leamington club feels this could be “their” year.  I am happy to go along with them.   To my mind AP have so far failed to produce the football that saw them going 28 games without defeat during that exciting title race last term.’  

He continued elsewhere:   ‘AP Leamington are looking for “noise” when Stafford Rangers visit the Windmill on Saturday.  Stafford, who went out in the fourth round of the FA Cup last season in front of 31,000 spectators are rumoured to be bringing 1,000 fans.  AP Secretary Bill Patrick said: “We have been told that Stafford are organising a special train as well as 12 coaches.  They promise to out shout our fans.   We must obviously be thinking in terms of a 1,500 gate and I would like to see the Leamington public rally round and make as much noise as possible to cheer the lads into the second round.’ 

Draper also reported, ‘Unwanted striker Bobby Mellor or defender Doug Griffiths could make a return to the AP Leamington side for the FA Cup tie with Stafford Rangers.  It is an intriguing situation and Brakes manager Jimmy Knox said: “Regardless of their respective positions with the club if called upon they will not let us down.”  

Knox admitted that he has told Mellor that he is free to find another club.  He joined AP from Atherstone Town in the summer and has notched three goals.  And former England Schoolboys’ captain Griffiths, kept out of the side by Alan Jones, has said that he is unhappy and will not settle for a regular place on the sidelines.’

As for the game itself ‘Jones was the name on everyone’s lips after this gripping cup tie at the Windmill.  Lanky Roger Jones was Rangers hero with two goals and a hand in the third; AP keeper Dave Jones, still suffering from the painful ankle injury he sustained in training would surely have stopped Rangers’ last goal had he been fit; and Alan Jones was the pick of a Brakes’ back line with his best performance yet for the club.  

Rangers’ Jones exploded into the limelight on three occasions to steal the right to progress into the FA Cup second round with a home tie against Halifax.’  After two headed goals from corners in the 68^th minute he picked up the ball in midfield ‘to let fly with a dipping 35-yard drive which somehow crept under Dave Jones and into the corner of the net. 

That was really the goal which set the 3,200 crowd talking in this thrilling cup tie.  The other name that sprung to fans’ lips was Mick Keeley.  After a spell in the goal scoring wilderness earlier this season, Keeley poached both AP goals in the 13^th and 86^th minutes and could so easily have had a hat trick.    Had Keeley touched in a Brady cross five minutes before the interval in what was Brakes’ best move of that half the game would have certainly taken on a different complexion.    Brakes’ supremacy early on in the second half always lacked finishing.’