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.’