One Of Our Buses Is Missing.

One Of Our Buses Is Missing.

One of the most memorable days in Corby Town’s FA Cup history was on October 16th 1982 when the Steelmen travelled to high flying Kidderminster for a Third Qualifying Round tie. This game occured during the infamous reign of Colin Clarke as Player/Manager. An inspired move by the board of directors, getting Clarke to leave Kettering smacked of ambition. A charismatic figure, bellowing like a bulldog, he certainly added a bit of colour to the place. Assembling a half decent team, Corby gained promotion to the newly reformed Premier Division and the crowds were improving all the time. 

Player/Manager Colin Clarke bellowing once again..

The Kidderminster game came about as a result of knocking out Halesowen Town and Bedworth United and with only one defeat all season this game caught the imagination. A good following from Corby was guaranteed, on the day hundreds made the trek across to the West Midlands. Corby folk have never been slow to recognise when a good day out is in the offing. Buses were chartered by several watering holes around the town and with kick off approaching the Corby crowd were doing their team proud. Topped up with ale, the Corby choir was in fine voice with various renditions of popular songs booming out of the cowshed of a stand. Two young police constables, obviously inexperienced, panicked and nearly lost control. Although there was a lot of noise there was never a hint of any trouble but unfortunately one of the young officers couldn’t see that the crowd was only extracting the urine. Common sense happily prevailed and once the game was underway everybody calmed down and concentrated on the game. With Billy Best away on holiday Corby’s team showed one change with Richard Paterson taking his place.  Team; Dick Dighton, Derek Walker, John Peacock, Andy McGowan, Richard Paterson, Colin Clarke, John Flanagan, Cass ‘Hamish’ Knight Roy Clayton, Elwyn Roberts and Charlie McGowan.

Dick Dighton showing how he became known as The Flying Postman.

The game was only three minutes old when Kidderminster caught Corby cold, Phil Mullen heading home after Clarke twice fumbled attempted clearances. Far from dampening the spirits of the travelling fans the noise intensified as Corby fought back. Efforts by Andy McGowan, Clayton and Paterson went agonisingly wide while Dighton was only called upon about twice. Advice was being given to the Corby team by many of the fans singing ‘Pass the ball down the left hand side’ - their version of of a reggae hit at the time. It was a reference to get the ball to John Flanagan and his famous left leg. At half time, the score remained the same with Kidderminster having a 1-0 advantage. During the interval the talk was about the number of fans who had travelled from Corby. Remembering this was the year of the Falklands War, a famous quote from a newsman was “I counted them all out, and I counted them all in”, referring to the number of Harrier jets leaving an aircraft carrier. A similar line was mentioned at Kidderminster which referred to the number of buses to have left Corby. One was missing! It was during the half time break the biggest cheer of the afternoon went up when the rogue bus turned up. Apparently there'd been a misdemeanour in a Market Harborough Off Licence en route which caused the delay.

The second half got underway with the Corby support bolstered by another 50 or so supporters. Corby fought hard for the equaliser which duly came in the 66th minute. A free kick on the edge of the area usually resulted in a goal when John Flannagan was about and this was no exception as a beautifully dipped shot from Flanny sailed over the wall and the keeper. 

John Flanagan wins the raffle, a fortnight in Mablethorpe

Just four minutes later Kidderminster keeper Parry fumbled an Elwyn Roberts shot and Cass Knight prodded the ball home to give Corby the lead and send the visiting supporters into raptures.  The atmosphere was electric and the game was boiling up by the minute. Two minutes from time the game did finally boil over. Harriers’ John Horne climbed all over ‘Hamish’ Knight and they both went down in a tangle of arms and legs. The referee took drastic action and sent them both off. It was soon forgotten though when a Charlie McGowan thunderbolt rebounded off keeper Parry and Roberts swept the ball home to kill the game stone dead. Corby triumphed 3-1, a memorable afternoon that had everyone singing in the rain.

'Hamish'

On the following Monday there was an announcement that had ominous undertones. ‘Board members Arthur Pitcher and Mick York are seeking re-election at tonight’s AGM at the Supporters Club’.

But the main topic was; ‘How to trim the expenditure’, ‘How to cut back on expenses’ and ‘how to improve on the £14,000 accumulating deficit’. After the next round of the FA Cup was over ( the disastrous Holbeach game), we were all to find out. 

Elwyn Roberts

And so was Colin Clarke…