Billy Bests boot laces
President⭐⭐🦐
There will be some interesting stories on here soon, about that evening!.
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Memory Lane 50 Years ago Today- 1971-72 Promotion Season - Wednesday 3 May 1972 - We finish as runners up! - Southend United 2 Gillingham 2
- Thread starter LBBlue
- Start date
Billy Bests boot laces
President⭐⭐🦐
Every trip there from 69 to 77 when i went to them all, inc the 74 Fri night postponed game, were always 'fun & games'!
sufc_statto
Newbie
Apologies for being a day late - I've been away...
Friday October 15, 1971 - Division 4
Southend Utd (1) 2 (Garner 20', 87')
Peterborough Utd (1) 1 (Price 12')
Venue: Roots Hall KO: 7.30
Attendance: 10,695
Southend Utd: J Roberts, R Ternent, A Smith, D Elliott, B Albeson, J Jacques, T Johnson, B Best, B Garner, G Moore, B Lewis. Sub: K.Lindsey.
Peterborough Utd: M Drewery, F Noble, J Duncliffe, D Oakes, B Wright, J Carmichael, O Conmy, P Price, J Hall, R Barker, T Robson.
Match Report
This was the sort of game at Roots Hall on Friday night which sent 10,695 fans away happy. After being behind in the early stages, United fought back to level before halftime, missed enough chances to have won half a dozen fixtures, then climaxed the entertainment with the ultimate in stage management by netting the winner just before the end. But I hate to think what the opinion of the crowd, the largest League gate for two seasons, would have been If Blues had failed to collect both points, writes Alt Smirk
As it was, the victory carried their unbeaten run to eight games and kept them in the top four in the table, still within striking distance of the leaders.
It was 90 minutes which contained just about everything the paying customer could have desired. except perhaps a few more goals for the entire satisfaction of the horne supporters who would not then have been kept on tenterhooks for so long.
It, was those same fans who roared on United and proved they were behind them all the way. Blues needed this encouragement most when they lost the services of Brian Albeson for 20 minutes in the middle of the first half. He went off for surgery to a split eyebrow but gallantly returned, stitched and bandaged.
Only a minute after he left the park Peterborough took ihe lead. They had three players in the box as a centre came over and Peter Price, the division’s leading scorer, applied the finishing touch.
It took Blues only another eight minutes to equalise, when Terry Johnson flicked on a Billy Best through-ball and Bill Garner hammered his shot into the net from the edge of the penalty area.
Before the interval United should have gone at least a couple of goals in front. Garner pulled one shot wide and sent another just over the bar, while in one hectic spell, Garner. Bernie Lewis and Johnson all had shots charged down.
Yet in one of their breakaways, Posh might have taken the lead if John Roberts had not pulled of a great save from a Price header.
Having booked Posh’s John Duncliffe in the first half, Hemel Hempstead referee Jim Bent added Garner to the list seven minutes into the second half and Peterborough’s Brian Wright made it a hat-trick a minute later. All the bookings were for offences which, before this seasons keep-it-clean campaign, would have been ignored.
United’s tale of missed chances continued welt into the second half. Garner miscued in front of goal from a Gary Moore cross, Johnson and Moore had shots cleared off the line, Lewis steered an effort wide of the posts and Best put one wide and hit the post with another attempt.
Again United might have paid the penalty as Posh broke, but Jim Hall’s header hit the post and rebounded into the arms of Roberts.
Then came the clincher with only five minutes remaining. Ray Ternent over-lapped on the left and this time Garner’s header from the centre found the back of the net.
There was no doubting United’s all-round superiority. The winning goal erased memories of many of the lost opportunities but it was really too close for comfort. However, for Blues, it as a case of alls well that ends well!
It was a great aIl-round team victory, especially with the fight displayed for the 20 minutes they were down to 10 men. Ternent was most impressive in the back four, while Dave Elliott and Moore got through a tremendous amount of work in mid-field.
But United’s man-of-the-match was undoubtedly Garner. His two goals, although most important, were coincidental to his all-round performance. He won most his duels In the air and was a constant menace in opening up the visiting defence. Gone, too, was a lot of the petulance as he was always in contention and prepared to give it a go.
It was an individual display which must have added a couple of noughts to any inquiries from the array of scouts who were present.
League Table
Friday October 15, 1971 - Division 4
Southend Utd (1) 2 (Garner 20', 87')
Peterborough Utd (1) 1 (Price 12')
Venue: Roots Hall KO: 7.30
Attendance: 10,695
Southend Utd: J Roberts, R Ternent, A Smith, D Elliott, B Albeson, J Jacques, T Johnson, B Best, B Garner, G Moore, B Lewis. Sub: K.Lindsey.
Peterborough Utd: M Drewery, F Noble, J Duncliffe, D Oakes, B Wright, J Carmichael, O Conmy, P Price, J Hall, R Barker, T Robson.
Match Report
This was the sort of game at Roots Hall on Friday night which sent 10,695 fans away happy. After being behind in the early stages, United fought back to level before halftime, missed enough chances to have won half a dozen fixtures, then climaxed the entertainment with the ultimate in stage management by netting the winner just before the end. But I hate to think what the opinion of the crowd, the largest League gate for two seasons, would have been If Blues had failed to collect both points, writes Alt Smirk
As it was, the victory carried their unbeaten run to eight games and kept them in the top four in the table, still within striking distance of the leaders.
It was 90 minutes which contained just about everything the paying customer could have desired. except perhaps a few more goals for the entire satisfaction of the horne supporters who would not then have been kept on tenterhooks for so long.
It, was those same fans who roared on United and proved they were behind them all the way. Blues needed this encouragement most when they lost the services of Brian Albeson for 20 minutes in the middle of the first half. He went off for surgery to a split eyebrow but gallantly returned, stitched and bandaged.
Only a minute after he left the park Peterborough took ihe lead. They had three players in the box as a centre came over and Peter Price, the division’s leading scorer, applied the finishing touch.
It took Blues only another eight minutes to equalise, when Terry Johnson flicked on a Billy Best through-ball and Bill Garner hammered his shot into the net from the edge of the penalty area.
Before the interval United should have gone at least a couple of goals in front. Garner pulled one shot wide and sent another just over the bar, while in one hectic spell, Garner. Bernie Lewis and Johnson all had shots charged down.
Yet in one of their breakaways, Posh might have taken the lead if John Roberts had not pulled of a great save from a Price header.
Having booked Posh’s John Duncliffe in the first half, Hemel Hempstead referee Jim Bent added Garner to the list seven minutes into the second half and Peterborough’s Brian Wright made it a hat-trick a minute later. All the bookings were for offences which, before this seasons keep-it-clean campaign, would have been ignored.
United’s tale of missed chances continued welt into the second half. Garner miscued in front of goal from a Gary Moore cross, Johnson and Moore had shots cleared off the line, Lewis steered an effort wide of the posts and Best put one wide and hit the post with another attempt.
Again United might have paid the penalty as Posh broke, but Jim Hall’s header hit the post and rebounded into the arms of Roberts.
Then came the clincher with only five minutes remaining. Ray Ternent over-lapped on the left and this time Garner’s header from the centre found the back of the net.
There was no doubting United’s all-round superiority. The winning goal erased memories of many of the lost opportunities but it was really too close for comfort. However, for Blues, it as a case of alls well that ends well!
It was a great aIl-round team victory, especially with the fight displayed for the 20 minutes they were down to 10 men. Ternent was most impressive in the back four, while Dave Elliott and Moore got through a tremendous amount of work in mid-field.
But United’s man-of-the-match was undoubtedly Garner. His two goals, although most important, were coincidental to his all-round performance. He won most his duels In the air and was a constant menace in opening up the visiting defence. Gone, too, was a lot of the petulance as he was always in contention and prepared to give it a go.
It was an individual display which must have added a couple of noughts to any inquiries from the array of scouts who were present.
League Table
LBBlue
Manager⭐
Monday 18Th October 1-0 defeat at Colchester
One of the 5 games that I couldn’t get to – but either 9,609 or 9,807 did depending on which source you read. I could never work out how they got 16,000 in that ground…
Col U had beaten Lincoln 5-2 the previous Friday and we went into the game without two of our main threats with Billy Best missing his only game of the season and Gary Moore missing his 4th start. The other three that he hadn’t started in we hadn’t scored. Gary was very under rated in my opinion. And so we didn’t score tonight.
Peter Hunt and George Duck came into the side for what was for both of them their last first team appearances for the club. Hunt had made his debut as a 16 year old in 1969 and was an England Youth International, and had played the last 22 games of the previous season when Gary Moore was injured. He moved to Charlton, in an exchange deal when Derek Bellotti signed for us, where he played 158 times before having a season at Gillingham. Duck didn’t play another game in the league.
Col U fielded a number of the side that had beaten Leeds in the FA Cup earlier in the year including John Kurila and also had Ken Jones in their side.
We were beaten by a goal from 19 year old Steve Leslie in his first full season - He ended up a one club man playing over 500 first team games for them and was a bit of a nuisance to us over the years.
With no internet, Ceefax etc I probably didn’t know the score until I read it in the paper the next morning.
Our unbeaten run had come to an end with a weakened side
Next up was an away game at top of the league Brentford where we would be back to full strength.
One of the 5 games that I couldn’t get to – but either 9,609 or 9,807 did depending on which source you read. I could never work out how they got 16,000 in that ground…
Col U had beaten Lincoln 5-2 the previous Friday and we went into the game without two of our main threats with Billy Best missing his only game of the season and Gary Moore missing his 4th start. The other three that he hadn’t started in we hadn’t scored. Gary was very under rated in my opinion. And so we didn’t score tonight.
Peter Hunt and George Duck came into the side for what was for both of them their last first team appearances for the club. Hunt had made his debut as a 16 year old in 1969 and was an England Youth International, and had played the last 22 games of the previous season when Gary Moore was injured. He moved to Charlton, in an exchange deal when Derek Bellotti signed for us, where he played 158 times before having a season at Gillingham. Duck didn’t play another game in the league.
Col U fielded a number of the side that had beaten Leeds in the FA Cup earlier in the year including John Kurila and also had Ken Jones in their side.
We were beaten by a goal from 19 year old Steve Leslie in his first full season - He ended up a one club man playing over 500 first team games for them and was a bit of a nuisance to us over the years.
With no internet, Ceefax etc I probably didn’t know the score until I read it in the paper the next morning.
Our unbeaten run had come to an end with a weakened side
Next up was an away game at top of the league Brentford where we would be back to full strength.
sufc_statto
Newbie
Monday October 18, 1971 - Division 4
Colchester Utd (0) 1 (Leslie 78')
Southend Utd (0) 0
Venue: Layer Road, Colchester. KO: 7.30
Attendance: 9,807
Colchester Utd: G Smith, M Cook, B Hall, B Cram, E Burgess, J Kurila, B Lewis, S Leslie, K Jones, P Bloss, M Mahon.
Southend Utd: J Roberts, R Ternent, A Smith, D Elliott, B Albeson, J Jacques, T Johnson, G Duck (D Barnett 80'), B Garner, P Hunt, B Lewis.
Match Report
It was one over the eight for Southend on Monday night! Trying desperately to carry their unbeaten run to nine matches, they were beaten by the only goal of the game, 12 minutes from the end of this local Derby at Layer Road. But this was not the Southend who had collected 13 valuable promotion points in that unbeaten run. They must have been a big disappointment to the hundreds of fans who made the journey and boosted the attendance to 9,807, well over 2,000 more than Colchester’s previous best of the season writes Alf Smirk.
It Would be easy to blame the defeat on to Southend’s enforced changes which brought in Peter Hunt and George Duck to replace Gary Moore and Billy Best, not recovered from injuries received against Peterborough three days earlier. Their absence certainly made a big difference. There was little fire and penetration up front and practically no control in midfield.
Bernie Lewis spent most of the time helping out in the middle of the park, which left United short-handed up front. Consequently, most of the Blues attacks petered out and left Colchester in possession to set up their own assaults.
But so well did the Southend back four play, with skipper Joe Jacques outstanding, that they might well have finished with the one point they would have been happy to settle for.
In fact, for a long time, it looked as though neither side wanted to score, although Colchester went close in the early stages when an Eric Burgess header dropped on top of the crossbar and an in-swinging centre from Mick Mahon hit the far post.
Southend’s best first-half efforts were a Terry Johnson shot which goalkeeper Graham Smith did well to save after a Duck shot had been beaten out and another good Smith save when Bill Garner headed in from a Lewis free kick.
But the game never lived up to its pre-match expectations and went dead and aimless for long periods. A good John Roberts save from Brian Lewis and a Hunt piledriver straight at Smith were two of the few bright spots in the second half.
But after 78 minutes, Colchester got the goal which was to give them their tenth successive home victory and carry their Layer Road unbeaten run to 25 games. They took a quick free-kick on the right and for once Southend were a man short at the back. Cook’s cross from the short free kick found Steve Leslie with plenty of space and time to fire his shot past Roberts.
There were loud Southend appeals for a penalty three minutes later when Garner was pulled down by Smith as he attempted to walk round the ‘keeper, but Barnet referee, Mr. K. G. Salmon, would have none of it.
Southend brought on Dave Barnett to replace Duck for the last 10 minutes as a last despairing gesture but they rarely looked like saving a point.
Colchester were well served by two former Southend players. John Kurila keeping a tight hold on Garner and Ken Jones sparking off many of the home attacks.
The game was decidedly tame and lack-lustre overall, although Alex Smith was booked in the first half for a foul on Lewis.
League Table
Colchester Utd (0) 1 (Leslie 78')
Southend Utd (0) 0
Venue: Layer Road, Colchester. KO: 7.30
Attendance: 9,807
Colchester Utd: G Smith, M Cook, B Hall, B Cram, E Burgess, J Kurila, B Lewis, S Leslie, K Jones, P Bloss, M Mahon.
Southend Utd: J Roberts, R Ternent, A Smith, D Elliott, B Albeson, J Jacques, T Johnson, G Duck (D Barnett 80'), B Garner, P Hunt, B Lewis.
Match Report
It was one over the eight for Southend on Monday night! Trying desperately to carry their unbeaten run to nine matches, they were beaten by the only goal of the game, 12 minutes from the end of this local Derby at Layer Road. But this was not the Southend who had collected 13 valuable promotion points in that unbeaten run. They must have been a big disappointment to the hundreds of fans who made the journey and boosted the attendance to 9,807, well over 2,000 more than Colchester’s previous best of the season writes Alf Smirk.
It Would be easy to blame the defeat on to Southend’s enforced changes which brought in Peter Hunt and George Duck to replace Gary Moore and Billy Best, not recovered from injuries received against Peterborough three days earlier. Their absence certainly made a big difference. There was little fire and penetration up front and practically no control in midfield.
Bernie Lewis spent most of the time helping out in the middle of the park, which left United short-handed up front. Consequently, most of the Blues attacks petered out and left Colchester in possession to set up their own assaults.
But so well did the Southend back four play, with skipper Joe Jacques outstanding, that they might well have finished with the one point they would have been happy to settle for.
In fact, for a long time, it looked as though neither side wanted to score, although Colchester went close in the early stages when an Eric Burgess header dropped on top of the crossbar and an in-swinging centre from Mick Mahon hit the far post.
Southend’s best first-half efforts were a Terry Johnson shot which goalkeeper Graham Smith did well to save after a Duck shot had been beaten out and another good Smith save when Bill Garner headed in from a Lewis free kick.
But the game never lived up to its pre-match expectations and went dead and aimless for long periods. A good John Roberts save from Brian Lewis and a Hunt piledriver straight at Smith were two of the few bright spots in the second half.
But after 78 minutes, Colchester got the goal which was to give them their tenth successive home victory and carry their Layer Road unbeaten run to 25 games. They took a quick free-kick on the right and for once Southend were a man short at the back. Cook’s cross from the short free kick found Steve Leslie with plenty of space and time to fire his shot past Roberts.
There were loud Southend appeals for a penalty three minutes later when Garner was pulled down by Smith as he attempted to walk round the ‘keeper, but Barnet referee, Mr. K. G. Salmon, would have none of it.
Southend brought on Dave Barnett to replace Duck for the last 10 minutes as a last despairing gesture but they rarely looked like saving a point.
Colchester were well served by two former Southend players. John Kurila keeping a tight hold on Garner and Ken Jones sparking off many of the home attacks.
The game was decidedly tame and lack-lustre overall, although Alex Smith was booked in the first half for a foul on Lewis.
League Table
E for B and Billy Best
Coach
What a night. Knighty going garrity...again.
Billy Bests boot laces
President⭐⭐🦐
Bless him, RIP Pete.
Pak66
Newbie
youth clubs ain't what they used to be!
Access to building sites was a lot easier in those days.
Although we lost on the pitch, we certainly won off the pitch.
Those who were there that night know.
My favourite of the night was being told by the police that if we continued with "Knees up Mother brown" that old wooden stand in the home end would collapse!
Access to building sites was a lot easier in those days.
Although we lost on the pitch, we certainly won off the pitch.
Those who were there that night know.
My favourite of the night was being told by the police that if we continued with "Knees up Mother brown" that old wooden stand in the home end would collapse!
Billy Bests boot laces
President⭐⭐🦐
Well, the barrier did during our game there in Nov 69, whilst doing a rendition of 'knees up Mother Brown'. If it hadn't been for our 'big-uns' in The Pak linking arm in arm, there could have been some serious injuries, albeit the terrace was only about 15 steps high.
Oh, & we won 2-0.
sufc_statto
Newbie
Saturday October 23, 1971 - Division 4
Brentford (0) 1 (O'Mara 69')
Southend Utd (1) 2 (Garner 28', Nelmes 46' (og))
Venue: Griffin Park, Brentford. KO: 3.15
Attendance: 14,000
Brentford: G Phillips, A Hawley, A Nelmes, P Gelson, T Scales, B Turner, J Docherty, P Bence, J O'Mara, J Graham, B Ross.
Southend Utd: J Roberts, R Ternent, A Smith, D Elliott, B Albeson, J Jacques, T Johnson, B Best, B Garner, G Moore, B Lewis.
Match Report
Southend stepped up their bid for the Fourth Division title at Griffin Park on Saturday with a performance that suggests they can win it. Blues turned In one of their best performances ot the season to sweep away the old leaders and thrust themselves within a point of the new Ones.
Not even the booking of three players could mar Southend’s delight at what was only their second success at Brentford since the war, writes Roy Collins.
Bill Garner, Ray Ternent and Terry Johnson were all booked between the 80th and 86th minutes by referee Leslie Hayes, decisions that were a terrible injustice to Blues.
The spark of the trouble was a foul on Gary Moore by John O’Mara as the Southend player waited for a corner kick.
But the bookings were just one bad memory in a match littered with pleasant ones for the visitors. At the back, the perception of Joe Jacques and the tackling of Alex Smith protected Roberts from having to make one full stretch save. In midfield, Moore and Elliott were inspiring and tireless prompters, and up front, Johnson, Garner and Lewis pulled Brentford apart with flair and imagination.
A Moore shot after five minutes which passed close enough to Phillips post to be disconcerting was early promise of what was to come, but Southend had to wait until the 28th minute before they got the goal they deserved.
Terry Johnson, who had done enough at this early stage to warrant the attention of two defenders, played a significant part in it. The winger drew his two shadows to the touchline before slipping the ball inside to Smith, whose cross caused havoc in the Brentford penalty area.
Best’s initial shot rebounded off a defender, and three more Southend players “had a bite” at it before the ball was desperately hacked away for a corner. Then Garner rose at the far post to head the kick past Phillips.
A piece of luck brought Southend’s second goal in the opening minute of the second half.
The half was only 30 seconds old when Ternent lifted a harmless cross into the Brentford box and, under no pressure. Nelmes headed past his own keeper.
At that moment, Brentford were out of the game, but a brilliant individual goal by John O’Mara after 69 minutes dragged them back into the game.
To their credit, Blues answered this effort with another attacking wave which might have brought them another two goals.
Twice Bill Garner had the ball in the net, the second a superb effort from a Johnson cross right on the final whistle, but both were disallowed.
League Table
Brentford (0) 1 (O'Mara 69')
Southend Utd (1) 2 (Garner 28', Nelmes 46' (og))
Venue: Griffin Park, Brentford. KO: 3.15
Attendance: 14,000
Brentford: G Phillips, A Hawley, A Nelmes, P Gelson, T Scales, B Turner, J Docherty, P Bence, J O'Mara, J Graham, B Ross.
Southend Utd: J Roberts, R Ternent, A Smith, D Elliott, B Albeson, J Jacques, T Johnson, B Best, B Garner, G Moore, B Lewis.
Match Report
Southend stepped up their bid for the Fourth Division title at Griffin Park on Saturday with a performance that suggests they can win it. Blues turned In one of their best performances ot the season to sweep away the old leaders and thrust themselves within a point of the new Ones.
Not even the booking of three players could mar Southend’s delight at what was only their second success at Brentford since the war, writes Roy Collins.
Bill Garner, Ray Ternent and Terry Johnson were all booked between the 80th and 86th minutes by referee Leslie Hayes, decisions that were a terrible injustice to Blues.
The spark of the trouble was a foul on Gary Moore by John O’Mara as the Southend player waited for a corner kick.
But the bookings were just one bad memory in a match littered with pleasant ones for the visitors. At the back, the perception of Joe Jacques and the tackling of Alex Smith protected Roberts from having to make one full stretch save. In midfield, Moore and Elliott were inspiring and tireless prompters, and up front, Johnson, Garner and Lewis pulled Brentford apart with flair and imagination.
A Moore shot after five minutes which passed close enough to Phillips post to be disconcerting was early promise of what was to come, but Southend had to wait until the 28th minute before they got the goal they deserved.
Terry Johnson, who had done enough at this early stage to warrant the attention of two defenders, played a significant part in it. The winger drew his two shadows to the touchline before slipping the ball inside to Smith, whose cross caused havoc in the Brentford penalty area.
Best’s initial shot rebounded off a defender, and three more Southend players “had a bite” at it before the ball was desperately hacked away for a corner. Then Garner rose at the far post to head the kick past Phillips.
A piece of luck brought Southend’s second goal in the opening minute of the second half.
The half was only 30 seconds old when Ternent lifted a harmless cross into the Brentford box and, under no pressure. Nelmes headed past his own keeper.
At that moment, Brentford were out of the game, but a brilliant individual goal by John O’Mara after 69 minutes dragged them back into the game.
To their credit, Blues answered this effort with another attacking wave which might have brought them another two goals.
Twice Bill Garner had the ball in the net, the second a superb effort from a Johnson cross right on the final whistle, but both were disallowed.
League Table
ozzie
Manager
Remember this game well or at least our supporters.
Brother Grimm took at least two coaches there.Getting on at Roots Hall was also some of the Leigh Comm lads giving poor old Keith.F loads of stick..iirc..
This was at least the second time i was at Brentford.Never felt threatened there,we always seemed to take the place over.They had a great "end".. Royal Oak or Oak Royal end!! maybe after the pubs name?Every corner of the ground was a boozer...which in future years we/Blues fans frequently visited !!That end was massive and normally had at least some Southend fans there but not many,if any Bees lads.
This season we were in the open end,loads of us again.
That old famous song was sung ....
He`s here
He`s there
He`s every F!!king where
Billy Best,Billy Best
Everytime it was sung,the police moved in and threw one or more Blues fans out....
Then after a while,some Southend lad(probably a Leigh Comm lad) started the NEW song....
He´s here
He`s there
We`re not allowed to swear
Billy Best,Billy Best..
Great days,great memories,great lads,great team.
Brother Grimm took at least two coaches there.Getting on at Roots Hall was also some of the Leigh Comm lads giving poor old Keith.F loads of stick..iirc..
This was at least the second time i was at Brentford.Never felt threatened there,we always seemed to take the place over.They had a great "end".. Royal Oak or Oak Royal end!! maybe after the pubs name?Every corner of the ground was a boozer...which in future years we/Blues fans frequently visited !!That end was massive and normally had at least some Southend fans there but not many,if any Bees lads.
This season we were in the open end,loads of us again.
That old famous song was sung ....
He`s here
He`s there
He`s every F!!king where
Billy Best,Billy Best
Everytime it was sung,the police moved in and threw one or more Blues fans out....
Then after a while,some Southend lad(probably a Leigh Comm lad) started the NEW song....
He´s here
He`s there
We`re not allowed to swear
Billy Best,Billy Best..
Great days,great memories,great lads,great team.
LBBlue
Manager⭐
Saturday 23rd October 1971 – We beat league leaders Brentford at Griffin Park.
One of my favourite ever away games. I think I persuaded someone with a car to drive up from Southampton.
We’d played Brentford every season since 1954/54 bar one – 1962/63 when they slipped into Division 4 for one season. Their programme stated that they had played us more times than any other club since the war and there were identical records with each club winning 15 home games 5 draws with 1 away win each. They had started the season incredibly well having gained 18 points from 12 games scoring 29 goals. They then had lost at Reading on the Wednesday evening so we both went into the game on the back of a defeat.
The previous March they had signed an unknown centre forward from Southern League Wimbledon called John O’Mara for £1,500. He was 6ft 3in tall and had already scored 11 goals! Brentford had even sold their star player Roger Cross (yes that one who became our Head of Recruitment under Chris Powell) to Fulham for £30,000. O’Mara, who was 24, went on to score 25 goals in 40 games and was voted Division 4 Player of the Year by the managers. He had a bit of a temper and 5 of the games he missed were because he got a 5 week suspension in February (missing the return match at Roots Hall) -Brentford only got 2 points from those 5 games. The following September, Blackburn paid £50,000 for him. He played only 32 games for them in two seasons when he was released and joined Chelmsford.
Fortunately we were back to full strength. Their defence included Gordon Phillips, Alan Hawley, Peter Gelson and Alan Nelmes who had played nearly 950 games between them for Brentford! They also had familiar foes in Bobby Ross and John Docherty who between them had nearly another 400 games. O’Mara was their star man though and Brian Albeson kept him very quiet.
14,000 were at the game and we played superbly. Bill Garner scored in the first half heading in a Bernie Lewis corner. We got a second very early in the second half when Alan Nelmes lost a cross from Ray Ternent in the sun - it skidded off his head over Phillips. O’Mara got one back but we still missed the best chance before the end.
Our hardest test so far and we came through with flying colours. We were well on our way as good as any in the League. Just 4 points covered the top 11 teams though -it was very competitive and away wins were hard to come by.
We'd got sweet revenge for the "Hole in the Net Incident" in March 69.
This 11 started 9 of the next 10 games.
One of my favourite ever away games. I think I persuaded someone with a car to drive up from Southampton.
We’d played Brentford every season since 1954/54 bar one – 1962/63 when they slipped into Division 4 for one season. Their programme stated that they had played us more times than any other club since the war and there were identical records with each club winning 15 home games 5 draws with 1 away win each. They had started the season incredibly well having gained 18 points from 12 games scoring 29 goals. They then had lost at Reading on the Wednesday evening so we both went into the game on the back of a defeat.
The previous March they had signed an unknown centre forward from Southern League Wimbledon called John O’Mara for £1,500. He was 6ft 3in tall and had already scored 11 goals! Brentford had even sold their star player Roger Cross (yes that one who became our Head of Recruitment under Chris Powell) to Fulham for £30,000. O’Mara, who was 24, went on to score 25 goals in 40 games and was voted Division 4 Player of the Year by the managers. He had a bit of a temper and 5 of the games he missed were because he got a 5 week suspension in February (missing the return match at Roots Hall) -Brentford only got 2 points from those 5 games. The following September, Blackburn paid £50,000 for him. He played only 32 games for them in two seasons when he was released and joined Chelmsford.
Fortunately we were back to full strength. Their defence included Gordon Phillips, Alan Hawley, Peter Gelson and Alan Nelmes who had played nearly 950 games between them for Brentford! They also had familiar foes in Bobby Ross and John Docherty who between them had nearly another 400 games. O’Mara was their star man though and Brian Albeson kept him very quiet.
14,000 were at the game and we played superbly. Bill Garner scored in the first half heading in a Bernie Lewis corner. We got a second very early in the second half when Alan Nelmes lost a cross from Ray Ternent in the sun - it skidded off his head over Phillips. O’Mara got one back but we still missed the best chance before the end.
Our hardest test so far and we came through with flying colours. We were well on our way as good as any in the League. Just 4 points covered the top 11 teams though -it was very competitive and away wins were hard to come by.
We'd got sweet revenge for the "Hole in the Net Incident" in March 69.
This 11 started 9 of the next 10 games.
Billy Bests boot laces
President⭐⭐🦐
I was on one of those coach's & est there were about 20-25 of us Leigh Comm lads on it. As you correctly say, poor old Keith F got some stick!.
The previous time i went there was in 69, to a league cup replay, which ended 0-0 aet, & we were in their end throughout.
So back to this game, i remember our coach arriving there, & as it drove past one of those corner pubs outside the away end, one of their 'top lads' wearing a 'Butterfly' suede jacket was outside with a pint of beer. On seeing us, he tipped it over the pavement, what a waste!.
That day was the exception for Brentford in all my trips there, as they had mustered a more than decent crew.
We stood at the open end ( first & only time we did in the 70's! ), & a crew of them came & stood behind us, led by a couple of big black guys. Yet they didn't have any 'pop's' at us throughout the game, although they left before the end, as we also observed a fair few did from their home end.
Our coach was parked near a playground a few mins walk behind their 'end', & tbh on the walk back, we were very alert, as we expected them to suddenly come charging out of somewhere, or lay an ambush somewhere.
But nothing happened at all, we didn't encounter any of them, whether OB had moved them away i have no idea?.
That was a great game, big crowd & we stamped our promotion credentials for the season with that 2-1 win. Happy days!.
westie
Exile from Cambridgeshire🦐
Remember the game in Nov 68, when we were singing and kicking the back of that stand just like we did in the North Bank at the Hall, not realising it wasn't as well put together. Within a few minutes it disappeared completely out of sight ... oops! To make matters worse we lost 4-0.
ozzie
Manager
BBBL.iwas also at that cup replay,first time.Leigh Rangers manager took a mini bus there,with us all.Mark.Bi.... who became a SUFC apprentice was also in the mini bus.
Still remember that game,ball went through the net,although i was not there.
GILES,i think,(express cartoons,bloody great)made a cartoon,drawing,joke about that goal in the Express.
In it was a cartoon of our manager(E.Sheperd?) saying that was the end of our promotion hopes.
Behind him,in the drawing was another two drawings(in frames)
first was...ball going through the net(end of promotion)
second was ..(drawing)end of the pier
Great cartoon,sadly
Still remember that game,ball went through the net,although i was not there.
GILES,i think,(express cartoons,bloody great)made a cartoon,drawing,joke about that goal in the Express.
In it was a cartoon of our manager(E.Sheperd?) saying that was the end of our promotion hopes.
Behind him,in the drawing was another two drawings(in frames)
first was...ball going through the net(end of promotion)
second was ..(drawing)end of the pier
Great cartoon,sadly
Whispering Bob
Striker
I was there. Fond memories of going to Griffin Park In my formative years.
E for B and Billy Best
Coach
Back of a van, DM's and sta-prest everywhere, plundered our way to Griffin Park.
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