Brakes AGM 'a waste of time'

The annual general meeting of AP Leamington Football Club in May 1976 'was a waste of time - and that's official.'  For with Brakes' boss Jimmy Knox failing to turn up on Saturday for this year's meeting, club president Bill Garner was forced to admit: 'It's vitally important that the manager comes to an annual general meeting.  It's been a waste of time today.'

Chairman Gerry Locke told members that the manager had been stranded in Rugby without transport.  Still some people at least came in for their fair share of praise.

Taking 12 months off from the club because of personal reasons, John Ackerman [whom I hope to see in his care home on Thursday] editor of the AP programme received this praise from Bill Garner: 'He's done a first class job and the club is deeply indebted to him.  We all look forward to his return.'

Another golden boy is Roy Maiden, Brakes' new commercial manager who heard Gerry Locke say: 'I'm sure Roy can really get going and inject some cash into the club.  He's the man for the job and we all wish him well.'

In the absence of Knox, Locke revealed that the club are in the market for three new players to bolster their Premier Division challenge next term.  He said: 'Jimmy is looking for a striker, a midfield player and a defender.  I can't tell you who they are at this stage, but I can reveal that two of them are very well known.'

On the club's financial position, treasurer Eddie Partington said: 'We're only £500 above what we were last year which in my view is a very small increase indeed when you take into account inflation and the rest.'

Brakes feel the pressure

The Coventry Evening Telegraph reported in February 1976: ‘AP Leamington are beginning to feel the pressure as they mount their fiercest challenge yet for Southern League Premier Division status.  Manager Jimmy Knox this week admitted: “It’s to our credit that teams are now only concerned with stopping us but life is becoming more difficult.” 

A haul of 19 goals from their last seven matches would suggest that Knox is being less than fair to his attack and generous to the ability of the opposing defences.  Bur certainly Brakes did find it difficult to master Witney Town’s active rearguard during last Friday’s 1-1 draw at the Windmill, Adrian Stewart’s goal being their only on target effort.   The Leamington side have stretched their unbeaten league record to a splendid 13 wins and five draws to have the supporters cheerfully contemplating the thought of visits from the likes of Wimbledon and Nuneaton Borough next term. 

But Knox is adamant that the hardest hurdles have yet to be overcome.  “The players must realise that from now on every team will be out to beat us.   Fortunately, they have the character and ability to meet the challenge.”    Knox is disappointed by the attitude shown by some opponents.  “I will never asl my players to stop attacking.  I feel very sorry for managers who are forced to adopt such depressing policies”. 

AP joined the rush this week to sign Bermuda and Arley Rectory winger Pete Dawkins.  They put in seven days’ notice of approach and are hopeful that a transfer will be completed.  Says Knox: “Arley came and played a friendly match against us on Tuesday for their big Sunday Cup tie tomorrow.  Obviously, this gave me a chance to see the boy in action and I was extremely impressed.”’

Brakes were hoping to complete a double on Bedworth United to maintain pressure on league leaders Redditch.   ‘However, it will be no easy task.   Despite their modest record, George Awde’s Bedworth outfit are difficult to beat.   They have drawn 19 matches this term and have a disciplined defence.’

It turned out to be a bit of a game of two halves with the Evening Telegraph report which covered the match up to half time much more positive than the Courier report on the game as a whole.   The Telegraph report was headed ‘Bedworth feel AP drive’ and stated that ‘Title chasing AP Leamington dictated their clash with Bedwortb United at the Windmill Ground.  They were worth more than the 2-0 half time score suggested, giving the hard-pressed Bedworth defence a pounding.  AP were the first to show aggression and looked the better side.’  

Their first goal was a simple header from Lee after Keeley worked an opening on the right.   For the second goal, Stewart made use of a midfield mistake, ran 30 yards and rounded the keeper to score.    The Courier warned, ‘The sort of over confidence that allowed Bedworth two late chances could prove costly.’  Ivor Talbot scored the third for Brakes on 65 minutes and ‘it looked all over bar the shouting.’  

However, Bedworth then ‘staged a stunning revival as AP decided to rest on their laurels’, allowing Bedworth ‘the time and space to bounce back.’  In the last 10 minutes the visitors hit the post and bar, threatening to share the points.

Dismal opening to season in 1975

Fifty years ago in August 1975 Jimmy Knox didn’t mince words after AP’s dismal opening to the season.  ‘It was pathetic,’ he said bluntly.   After what has been a bitterly disappointing week for Knox and his squad, they will be looking for better things when they travel to Banbury.  

Having watched Banbury lose 1-0 at home to Witney, Knox said, ‘They were as bad as we were on Saturday.’   That’s some consolation at least, for Knox is the first to admit that Leamington “just played badly” against Cheltenham.

 “I think we worked really hard in the close season and it was disappointing because we were slow in pace and slow in thought … and if you’re slow in those two departments then you’re on to a loser.  We were lucky to get a point,” commented Knox,    As for Monday’s performance [away to Stevenage] Knox felt that apart from the opening 15 minutes, AP didn’t get it together.  “We got bogged down in midfield and as a result we suffered at the back with the lads under a lot of pressure and we suffered up front through lack of service.”  

At least the situation isn’t new to Brakes.   Last term an appalling start – when they collected only nine points from their first 13 home games – virtually cost them promotion.   However, as Knox points out it is early days and Knox firmly believes that the problems can be remedied.  “It’s not a national disaster.  We’ve got two blokes in midfield, Steve Lee and Micky Boot, who are notoriously slow starters.  Both have worked hard and lost more weight in training than anyone else.  I think we will come good.  The blokes still have the right spirit.  They were utterly sick after the two results but their attitudes OK” explained Knox.  Knox says his squad are as fit now as they’ve ever been during his spell at the Windmill.

The report on the 1-1 home draw against Cheltenham stated that ‘After the promise of last season, Windmill fans expected more than they were eventually served in this poor first offering by AP.  As it was Brakes were fortunate to take a point – and it would surely have been a miracle had they collected both points, which, until four minutes from the end looked like incredibly coming.

 In nearly all departments, Brakes showed little of the zest and skill that put them among the top three last term, and indeed the midfield lacked direction, as well as pace. In consequence, their back four were subjected to some remarkable second-half pressure as talented Town pressed for an equaliser.  Skipper Steve Lee put Leamington ahead in the tenth minute with a fine header.’   Cheltenham scored a late deserved equaliser.

Brakes then lost 1-0 away at Stevenage.  ‘Certainly they were well below their best at Stevenage as they dropped their third point in the opening two matches.  Apart from a promising first quarter of an hour and a frantic last ten minutes the Brakes were decidedly second best.   Their main problems were in midfield Steve Lee and Micky Boot were marked out of the game for long periods. 

In consequence Bobby Mellor and Mick Keeley saw little of the ball.  At the back, Leamington had a hard time with Kavanagh and Brady struggling to come to terms with the speed of Mahoney and Aslett on the flanks.   Fortunately Griffith and Brown were in splendid form, and it was largely through their efforts that Leamington stayed in the match.’

 

Jimmy Knox appointed manager in 1973

Would Jimmy Knox join Brakes as manager?   That was the big question fifty years ago.  At the end of February 1973 it was reported:  ‘Jimmy Knox, the man at the centre of a tug of war between Rugby Town and Lockheed, was keeping a discreet silence this week as the fight for his services went on.  Knox is currently player-manager of Southern League Rugby, but Lockheed revealed that he is the man they want to take over at the Windmill ground.  

The Brakes have been without a manager since Geoff Coleman resigned in October and since then committee man Bill Branston has been responsible for training and selection.  When Lockheed asked for permission to interview Knox they claimed that Rugby placed a “prohibitive fee” on his head, and the only comment from Knox was that “I am going to leave the two clubs to work it out between them.  Other than that I am not saying anything.”  But with Town’s football future very much in doubt – they have to quit their Oakfield ground at the end of the season – it may be that Knox will be interested in a move to Lockheed who have no such fears. 

Meanwhile the signing of Micky Boot from Kidderminster Harriers has pleased caretaker manager Branston.  The Brakes paid a “substantial fee” for the former Nuneaton Borough midfield man.  Said Branston: “We can now claim to boasting a superb midfield department in terms of skill and experience.  If Micky and Tom Sweenie can click, I am convinced that Lockheed will start to buzz.  We will have the best engine room in the Southern League.”    Neither Sweenie nor Boot fulfilled the potential they displayed at Leicester City and Arsenal respectively, but they are outstanding players by non-league standards and Branston is convinced they can lead Lockheed into the Premier Division.   Boot’s capture means a stylish boost for Lockheed’s newly-tried 4-2-4 system and Branston said, “I am happier now than at any time since I took over from Geoff Coleman.”’

In early March it was announced that ‘Rugby Town boss Jimmy Knox is leaving Oakfield for the vacant manager’s chair at Lockheed.  He takes charge of his last match for Town in Saturday’s vital Southern League clash with Atherstone at Oakfield, and will join Lockheed on Monday.   The move was announced today by Town director Peter Lutkin who said: “It is a big wrench for us to lose Jimmy Knox, but Lockheed will be gaining a tremendous asset.  He will do well.” 

There has been speculation over Knox’s future since Lockheed parted company with Geoff Coleman before Christmas, but he stayed with Rugby and kept them in the promotion hunt.  But their chances have faded recently, and if they do not beat Atherstone on Saturday, their hopes will have virtually died.’

‘Knox takes over at Lockheed on Monday with the pledge: “Every player at the Windmill will get a fair crack of the whip.” And so ends speculation – for the time being anyway – that half the current Town side will follow their boss to play for the Brakes.    Said Knox: “I have seen Brakes several times this season, but I am not going to prejudge them.    Everyone will be assessed on their merits.   If they come up to my standards, they will continue to play for Lockheed.  I am going with an open mind, and I shall not be bothered with reputations.”’