Aggregate victory over Redditch, then to Wimbledon

At the end of August 1976 AP Leamington faced the second leg of their Southern League cup tie against rivals Redditch United.   Roger Draper reported: ‘There is something about the Windmill Ground that brings out the best in Redditch.  Reacting riotously to have Willie Penman sent off, the depleted United ranks pulled off a fighting win to cast a cloud over AP’s first home match.  Thankfully, Adrian Stewart’s two goal salvo in Saturday’s first leg stood the test of time to allow Brakes to edge through to the Southern League Cup second round.  

But it was desperately close call with Redditch making for a teasing second leg against a home side showing a mixture of casual brilliance and lax defence.  Two boobs by the usually sure John Davis sentenced AP to a disappointing defeat.  After last winter’s consistent brilliance, the little man was due a “stinker” – fortunately it did not prove crippling.  Foxed by Roger Shaw’s glancing header which set Gareth Dale up for United’s opening after 30 minutes, Davis was then badly positioned to deal with the killing blows in the second half.  

But in between these fatal errors, AP often looked positive and assured enough to have a large crowd purring with anticipated excitement.  Redditch looked destined for a double defeat when the occasion proved too much for Willie Penman’s mouth.  The experienced Scot said something to the referee and was promptly sent packing – seconds before the interval.   Coming five minutes after a superb equalising goal it promised to prove a disastrous piece of timing.   

Stewart was the man who put Brakes on terms.  Ivor Talbot swapped passes neatly and there was the bustling striker surging through to burst the net.  But Redditch came out fighting and they regained the lead in the 56^th minute when Ralph Punsheon logged over a hopeful punt which Davis squeezing at thin air – the ball squeezing inside the far post.   The home response was swift and sure and big defender Roger Brown fully deserved to be the man on the vital end of the second equalising goal.  

Brown met a corner at speed and Gary Edwards had no chance against the most stunning of headers – a classic goal.  However, Redditch managed to conjure up the perfect answer with Eamonn Pugh doing a carbon copy act at the other end at the other end when non-existent marking and a ponderous movement from Davis allowed a shock result.   (2-3, Brakes winning on aggregate 4-3).

‘The promise made three years ago by Brakes’ boss Jimmy Knox becomes reality tomorrow when AP Leamington travel to take on giants Wimbledon in their first Southern Premier League match.  It’s what everyone at the Windmill has been waiting for and dreaming about ,,, but Knox is optimistic that his side won’t be overawed by the occasion.  “We realise that they have won the league for the last two seasons – but they’re only human like everyone else, “commented Knox.   There’ll be no backing down by AP, or playing for a point stuff.  

Knox is adamant that Brakes will play their normal game, attacking in possession and defending when they don’t have the ball. The cup tie against Redditch left Brakes unscathed, leaving Knox to pick a final 12 from his tiny 14-man squad.   Knox is also trying to add to his quad.  “It’s a long, long season and I need more cover in midfield and defence,” he said.  But so far he has had no luck.

Draper praises Knox as AP get first win 1976/7

Roger Draper wrote in the Coventry Evening Telegraph in August 1976: ‘When Jimmy Knox joined AP Leamington as manager he set a three year target to win promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern League.  Knox was spot on schedule … last season he saw Brakes power to the top grade with some stunning soccer.  

Now the gravel-voiced Scot must seek fresh fields to conquer.  The prospect does not frighten him: “AP are in the Premier Division solely on merit.  I have no hesitation thar we shall survive, the people of Leamington are in for a treat,” he said.  Optimism is one of Knox’s greatest assets.  Behind the steel frame of the seemingly unflappable manager there is a secret side to man who has suffered serious ill health directly because of his commitment to the club. 

He will not thank me for saying this … but Knox has given far more than was asked for.  AP Leamington will survive after he has gone.  In the meantime he is determined to give them the greatest possible basis for future success.  However, nothing comes easy and Knox’s pre-season plans have been fraught with disappointment.   Premier Division footballers don’t come cheap … to cash-conscious AP this has proved a tough obstacle. 

 Knox remains hopeful, “I feel that it is a myth that there is a terrific gap between the First Division and the Premier Division.  I have played in both and as far as I am concerned we shall be all right.”   In Knox’s book, all right means they are destined for a sparking future.  

He’s a born winner and his present AP squad have bags of grit and a fair amount of skill.   The combination should at least mean respectability.  Striker supreme Adrian Stewart is the ace card.  Last season brought a staggering 45 goals.  Knox feels that the best is still to come from the level-headed AP star.  

With defender Roger Brown’s towering talents at the back and midfield supremo Micky Boot pulling the strings, Brakes have strength in key positions.  The club have attempted to meet the challenge off the field, the players have the ability to do well on it … time will tell whether the mixture is right.  Under Knox there should be no problems.’

AP’s first competitive game of the season was away to Redditch in the Southern League Cup.  Given the drought, the pitch at the sun-baked stadium was ‘surprisingly green but played hard and fast.  AP Leamington were in trouble from the start against an attacking Redditch.  But Redditch failed to hammer home the chances with both sides playing relatively cautiously.  And the Leamington defenders must take credit for controlling a tenacious Redditch side.  

Bright Brakes took advantage of their chances.   Adrian Stewart was back in business to earn the man of the match tag with goals in the 35^th and 70^th minutes.   The first goal came after a fine run by Mark Keeley.  He pelted down the left flank to provide Stewart with a clear look at goal.   Stewart’s other effort came when he emerged out a scramble near the edge of the box to hammer home.  

Jubilant AP box Jimmy Knox commented: “We simply outplayed them.  We didn’t make the same mistakes two seasons running.”’

More seek season tickets in 1976

Brakes started their season 50 years ago with away and home fixtures against Redditch in the Southern League Cup.  The Courier reported. ‘Young Alan Pollard, signed last weekend by Brakes boss Jimmy Knox, will make his debut tomorrow against Redditch.  And [the writer stated] it’s my bet that Pollard, who has a vast Southern League experience with Banbury United for a 21-year old, will form a match winning partnership with Micky Boot and Steve Lee.  It’s a remarkable about turn.  Pollard, who moved to Chipping Norton at the start of the season, has swopped places with AP’s Phil Lines, who has now rejoined the Hellenic League side. 

Pollard, who gave Knox a scare last Friday evening by dilly-dallying over the move, has played more than 100 Southern League games for Banbury. And Knox believes that he could make all the difference to AP’s side.  The third midfield spot was the problem one last term, but Knox believes that should Pollard play to his true potential, then Brakes’ problems will be solved.    “He’s more mobile than Lines,” said Knox.  “He can hit short balls as well as long balls, and although he may not be as strong in the tackle as Lines, he’s a bundle of energy and he’ll do us proud,” said Knox.   

Pollard’s career with Banbury hit a stumbling block last November when he broke his leg at Cheltenham.  Towards the end of the season, he put on weight, but earlier this close term joined Chipping Norton, shed some weight, and turned in a couple of eye-catching displays.’

At the back keeper John Davis is pretty definite to play between the posts and Knox selects from five for the back four as Roger Brown is in doubtful with a badly bruised calf of his left leg.  The midfield looks to pick itself, and up front Knox names five: Adrian Stewart, Mick Keeley, Ivor Talbot, Stewart Gallagher and Johnny Dyer whom Knox decided to sign on a monthly basis. 

After a gruelling session on Tuesday evening, Knox decided not to sign ex-Hereford forward Dave Taylor, who has been on trial for the past few weeks.  The Windmill chief will select his final 11 today [Friday] from the side’s last workout last night [Thursday] from: John Davis, Dennis Taylor, Gerry Kavanagh, Doug Griffiths, Roger Brown, Alan Jones, Micky Boot, Allan Pollard, Steve Lee, Adrian Stewart, Mick Keeley, Ivor Talbot, Johnny Dyer, Stewart Gallagher.   

Last season, AP played Redditch off the park for 65 minutes in their away league encounter, and no doubt that match will be uppermost in the Brakes side’s minds.  Even though Knox is a little concerned about the state of the Redditch pitch – in view of the drought – he’ pretty confident about the outcome.’

Already there’s a lot of interest in AP Leamington’s forthcoming season among the townspeople.  Chairman Gerry Locke reports an increase in the number of people asking for season tickets.   In an effort to translate that enthusiasm into gate receipts, AP have been busy making improvements to the ground.  A badly needed new toilet block has been built, new turnstiles constructed, a new dugout for team officials put up, and in the pipeline is a brand new supporters club.  It isn’t expected to be completed for the start of the\ season, but once a licence has been acquired, work should race along.’

After a year away

I didn't see any Leamington games last year as I was downsizing from a house I had lived in for nearly 50 years and Saturday was the day when family members were most readily available to help me with the task of clearance.

Last night I took my wife of fifteen months to see the Brakes for the first time.  She was impressed with how friendly everyone was and enjoyed the banter.  She thought Ansty had brought their own referee.  How did we get three yellow cards and they received none?

She wasn't impressed with the standard of play and I thought that it was s step down. from the National League North.  They seemed like a team of strangers and as Jim Scott noted in the programme they are still getting to know each other.

The ball went so high in the air that I thought that air traffic control should be notified.   Admittedly we do have Kettering coming on Saturday and they will be bringing a scale model of their space projectile Rose of the Shires.  The original plan was to send this to Uranus in the hope of finding intelligent life there as there is none in Kettering, but now it is going to be sent to one of the moons of Uranus.

Football 101: keep the ball on the ground and pass to one of your own players, don't hoof it aimlessly.

We lived a charmed life in the first half and only Ansty's failure to be more clinical saved us from conceding.  The new keeper doesn't cope with pressure that well, but it is early days.   To be fair to Ansty, they are a tough side and passed the ball well.

Then early in the second half a great long pass across the field reached our No.2 and he was able to set up Rea to score.   Unfortunately, Ansty equalised from a scrambled goal and then it was a case of hang on for a point.

Ansty charm merchant left back Oscar Tonge abused the lino in no uncertain terms after the ball hit him in the face but the limp referee did nothing,

No real standout players in my view or those around me.

My wife thoroughly enjoyed herself and will come back.

Attendance 552.