The Last Waltz 1967.68

The Last Waltz 1967.68

Ex Steelman Jim Rayner scores for Boston at a snowbound Occupation Road

Having escaped relegation by a whisker the Steelmen were charged up to make sure they wouldn’t have a repeat of the previous season with manager Tommy Hadden boosting his squad with a number of new signings. In came Neil Burns and Paul Aldread from Mansfield, Mick Addy from Leeds United, Dick McNeil from Exeter, David Campbell from Wrexham, Jimmy Lofty from Bath City, David Sturrock from Bedford. Quite a few of the old guard had been released including long serving stalwart John Rennie and fan favourite Alex Stenhouse. Rennie had made his debut back in 1958, played in every position including goals, when Larry Wealthall injured his collarbone at Tunbridge Wells. "I was patched up with my arm in a sling and sent back on to play on the left wing" Larry reacalled, "tactic those days was, because there was no substitutes, I could be of nuisance value!" John Rennie's never say die attitude warmed him to the Occupation Road faithful. However, Tommy Hadden decided that after John had made 369 appearances he’d lost his edge, pace, desire to play in goals or whatever. Maybe 10 years of traipsing around the country had taken its toll, who knows? 1967 was the year of the ‘Summer of Love’, Sgt Pepper, Pink Floyd, San Fransisco, Engelbert, the year Celtic won the European Cup. So, everyone was cool. And I assume John was too! ’Peace and love man”.

Two pre season friendlies arranged against Cambridge United and First Division new boys Coventry City had the natives excited. ‘Lets Go To San Fransisco’ may have been on everyone’s mind - the Flowerpotmen were riding high in the charts - but Steelmen fans were crying, ‘Let’s Go To Occupation Road.’

The Coventry game in particular had the added attraction of Corby boy Dick Dighton in the Sky Blues squad. Dick wouldn’t make an appearance but we were all well chuffed for him, and wondering who it was had spotted him making saves up on Studfall Green. How come they didn’t notice me scoring goals past him for fun for starters? Or Bip Wetherell whizzing passed the Studfall shops with the ball tied to his feet? Or Frank Clayton also in goals for the 20 a-side games. Or dwarf Johnny McGrath kicking lumps out of our shins? Well maybe not Johnny to be fair, he was about ten years older than the rest of us and speed and skill were never his best assets.  

The Coventry game had a bizarre twist to the game with their manager Jimmy Hill - later to become famous as presenter of ‘Match of the Day’ and also substitute linesman at Highbury during an Arsenal v Liverpool game which our crowd were at - donated City’s young goalkeeper Martin Clamp to play for Corby when our trialist keeper Peter Butler failed to show.

‘I’m watching you Butler’ (On the Buses) couldn’t resist that pun, informed Tommy Hadden he couldn’t make the game due to an injured finger. Sceptics thought it was he couldn’t be arsed travelling down from Nottingham but whatever, Clamp had an absolute blinder, helping the Steelmen swat the Sky Blues aside in a remarkable 3-0 victory. We never saw or heard of Butler again. Could have been that the former Notts County and Bradford City keeper decided he was wasting his time against staking a claim for the shirt with Alan Alexander still in residence. 

He did however play against Cambridge United in what was described by the E.T reporter as a thriller, ‘a game that augers well for the coming season, a hard hitting attack backed up with an intelligent defence’. 4-3 to the Steelmen followed by the Coventry 3-0 result had the supporters daring to imagine a championship contesting campaign. Just as well they couldn’t fast forward nine months then. 

Riding high in the charts was Engelbert Humperdinck with ‘The Last Waltz’ - a prophetic indicator for the way the season would pan out.

The opening game was away at Cheltenham which was another 4-3 affair, only this time the result went the wrong way!  To the Robins. Helped by a hat-trick from centre forward Wally Gerrard, signed from Berwick Rangers the night before. So good was Wally, the Steelmen signed him later in the year. Sounds like it was a crazy game though, five goals scored in the last quarter of an hour. Another old foe, Wellington was next, and a 1-1 draw at Bucks Head gained Corby their first point of the season. There wouldn’t be many more but making a big impression was Barry Kelcher, soon attracting attention from scouts around the country. The new look side was looking good as the new boys settled in. Alan Alexander was looking as safe as ever, now in his 6th season and having clocked up 261 appearances to this point.

Shame the rest of the team didn’t match his efforts though and league form in the early part of the season was poor apart from a a two legged victory over Bedford in the Southern League Cup, a competition that held a huge amount of kudos which has long dissipated.

Come October we were still looking for our first league victory which didn’t appear to be likely when we lost Neil Burns with a broken collarbone at Nuneaton and had to travel down to Hereford to meet the Bulls and the mighty John Charles again. And sure as hell, it wasn’t. 

Ronnie Moran struggled against King John. What chance did Corby's defenders have?

‘Steelmen never In the hunt’ E.T. told everyone. 

‘Outplayed from the very first whistle’

‘Only a fine performance from Alan Alexander kept the scoreline down.’

Two goals from King John, one that was allowed after he barged into Alexander which the referee didn’t seem to mind, and another from Rogerson gave the home team a comfortable victory to maintain their unbeaten home record.

The performance prompted a rallying call, more akin to the captain of the Titanic, from manager Tommy Hadden, to quell the rising tide of panic; ’All hands on deck!’ Tommy’s bold order was a plea for everyone, players, directors and fans to stick together to get through the crisis that was enveloping the club. 

The following week came the visit of high flyers Weymouth, and signs that Tommy’s cry was falling on deaf ears. Witnessed by the lowest gate of the season, 680, it was clear that many had already left the sinking ship. It was a match where the team surely reached the bottom of the barrel and Weymouth returned home to Dorset with as comfortable a 4-0 victory as they would ever have. 

Described by our erstwhile E.T. reporter. 

‘One of the most depressing displays the supporters have seen for a long time…’

‘Never a moment in the whole sorry affair did the white shirted players look like a football team..’

‘They were without plans either in defence or attack. their one visible aim - the long ball up the field - was worse than useless..’

‘Corby’s lack of method stuck out like a sore thumb..’

As it happens I do remember this game and checking my reliable diary from 1967 the E.T man obviously agreed with my own assessment. ‘Absolutely crap!’ I wrote, and, ‘it pissed down all day too.”

It was clear Tommy Hadden was struggling to keep the team afloat and in desperation he enticed former fans favourite winger Alex Stenhouse out of retirement. Alex with the rocket shot. Tommy was hoping Alex would fire a few cannonballs. Sadly, things continued to spiral downwards. 

Six defeats out of seven during these months saw us languishing at the wrong end of there table. During these depressing times, a distraction from the woes of watching the Steelmen came with a ‘’Package Show’ at Kettering’s Granada. The Who, The Tremeloes, Traffic, Marmalade and The Herd could cheer you up for the price of a 12/6 ticket. Ironically, The Tremeloes were in the charts at the time with ‘Even the Bad Times Are Good’, a platter I doubt was on the playlist of the ever stoic Occupation Road DJ!

The F.A.Cup gave some relief from league troubles when we were drawn at home against old rivals Cambridge City in the 4th Qualifying round. 1905 turned up at Occupation Road for the game which ended in a 2-2 draw. The replay three days later, in front of a crowd of 3077 saw the Steelmen unbelievably win the match 1-0 to set up a home tie against Boston United at home in the 1st Round proper. The fifth time we had  reached the stage.

Boston included former Steelmen favourite from the 50s, Jim Rayner, who scored 19 goals in 22 appearances for us  in the 56.57 season before he was released, surplus to requirements. In truth, I seem to remember a rumour he was released so he could pursue a career in the police force but whether that was true or not he was back here on his old beat 12 years later and scored one of the goals as the Pilgrims made progress with a 3-0 victory on a snowbound Occupation Road pitch. Three inches they reckoned! E.T. said ‘they (the Steelmen) were never in it’, ‘dozens of supporters were leaving long before the end’

My diary tells me..’Saw Corby play Boston in F.A.Cup. ‘They were bloody terrible. they’ve had it for this season!’

A miserable day all round then, exacerbated by the winter weather. Incidently, Jim Rayner had a remarkable goalscoring record. One season scoring 71 goals in 45 matches for Grantham and another when he scored 55 in one season at Boston! He also was a member of Peterborough United's brilliant team of 1960/61 when they walked away with the Fourth Division title at their first attempt. Jim played right half for the Posh which on the face of it, looks ridiculous. But they did have Terry Bly at centre forward who scored 52 himself that year. Begs the question. How much would these guys be worth in the 21st century? Priceless.

A week later I went to Liverpool for the first time, to see them play Manchester City. First of many journeys I would make over the coming decades. Those days we would catch the 7.30 bus to Northampton, the 9.30 train to Liverpool, changing at Rugby, and the return journey would be a similar escapade, eventually arriving back home just before midnight. Long days until one of us could drive and I’ve often reflected; ‘How did we do it!’ And why? But we were young and carefree. Now we are old.. and I like to think, still carefree!

Cracking game it was at Anfield, ending 1-1 which was a point that helped City become Champions that season! 

Winter colds were affecting everybody, my diary says ‘feeling crap, full of a cold’, which all the same, didn’t stop me from turning up to see Corby play Lockheed Leamington in the Midland Floodlit Cup on January 2nd. There’s loyalty for you! Probably made me feel better as we won 3-2. I also wrote a letter to a girl pen pal in Liverpool the diary reminds me. And I do remember, when I received a photograph off her in her reply, I was so disappointed I threw it in the fire! Ugly sow! Back to the drawing board!

Tommy Hadden

January 68’ was a much better month for Corby, some surprising victories over Yeovil Town 2-0 and an even better one over Wellington Town, 5-0. Which came after the announcement that the board of directors had decided it was time for a change, and manager Tommy Hadden was informed that his contract wasn’t going to be renewed in two months time at the end of March. Chairman Fred Deeley told a shocked press conference the news; ‘The club would like to convey their appreciation to Tommy Hadden for his loyalty and service rendered to the club over the years. Tom has done a fine job at Corby and his record bears full inspection. He has always suffered from the lack of money to compete with other clubs in the Southern League and everyone must realise that the poor support, puts the club at a great disadvantage. On average we need around £10,000 a year, which is £200 a week less than similar Southern League clubs. It is hoped a new look may bring increased support.’

So, Tommy had to go! The end of an era. The club stalwart, arguably the greatest manager Corby ever had, I know that doesn’t sound much in the context of what Shankly, Paisley, Clough, Ferguson achieved at a much higher level but nonetheless, the nearest anyone came close to Tommy for Corby was Graham Drury some 40 odd years later. Tommy the ex Airdrie and Stirling Albion full back joined the Steelmen in 1952 and by the time he was fired in 1968 had clocked up 16 years service. Not bad I would say. Where’s the statue?

"Where can ye get a decent clootie dumplin'?"

Rumours were soon spreading about who was going to take over. Brian Boggis at Wisbech Town was a favourite but the directors were clearly trying to project their ambitions and to the disbelief of half the town, Eric Caldow of Glasgow Rangers and Scotland fame was being courted! The rumours caused fervent debate around the town, in the steelworks, the pubs. Caldow, one of Scotland’s and Rangers’ most famous sons, one of the finest full backs of his generation, a blue nose nonetheless that left the green half of Corby aghast! Celtic fans were up in arms! Eric, running a pub ‘back hame’ but still playing at the time with Stirling Albion, was looking to the next stage of his football career, and applied for the Corby job more than likely because of its Scottish connections. He was pictured roaming around the Town Centre with his wife. They were seen looking at a house on the town’s new Lincoln estate. They had lunch with the directors. Then the announcement came; ‘Scotland star gets the job. Caldow to sign a two year contract’.

Some, to this day, have never forgiven or forgotten the decision to employ a hero of ‘The Hun’. ‘The directors alienated half of the club’s support, some never went back!’ - claimed an irate but still passionate Steelman supporter John Crawley.

The supporters however had to wait a couple of months until Tommy’s contract expired and Eric would make his bow. 

A number of trialists were given a chance meantime in the Midland Floodlit competition. Local youngster, goalkeeper John Leneghan impressed, Johnny Avins from Bradford on the wing, Bob Goodwin from Loughborough at full back likewise showed promise. Results in the league continued to be inconsistent though and if the directors were feeling browned off whilst waiting for the saviour Eric to take control, they weren’t helped when they then became involved in a remarkable row with Romford who they were due to play on Saturday February 17th. The game was called off by local referee Ray Baldwin at 10 0’clock in the morning due to a waterlogged pitch. Fred Deeley phoned the Essex to club to inform them of the decision. Pitch unfit. Romford’s chairman wasn’t convinced and told Fred that they were still coming. Fred couldn’t believe his ears, secretary Una Stubbs had contacted the match referee, Mr Bone of Luton to tell him what was happening. Bone had contacted Bill Dowell, secretary of the Southern League. Which still wasn’t good enough for the Romford boys and they continued on their merry way to Corby. Una  contacted the Romford chairman herself whilst they were having lunch in a motorway caff on the M1. ‘Well’ we’re still coming” he informed her. Exasperated, Deeley contacted the police to try and and get them to stop the bus on the M1 and get them to go home. When this failed, an attempt was made to get the BBC to announce the postponement on the radio! 

Fred; "The game's off for chrissakes!"

Well, whether they turned up at Occupation Road or not I’m not sure but the game wasn’t on, Romford had to go back to London, and return a couple of weeks later, which they did, and got beat 3-2!  Star of the show was local amateur John O'Connor making his debut for Corby, scoring two of the goals.

New recruits were enlisted to join the fight against relegation. Experienced goalkeeper Rodney Slack arrived from Cambridge United when Alan Alexander was ruled out with injury. Local amateur John O’Connor made his mark, scoring some valuable goals, as did Wally Gerrard the ex Berwick star who was snapped up from Cheltenham. 

Eric Caldow took over at the beginning of April, making his debut in an admirable 1-1 draw with Barnet. Hopes of avoiding the drop were momentarily restored but six defeats in the  final nine games, including heavy losses against Guildford City away 0-5 and Nuneaton at home 0-6 put paid to those ideas. Engelbert’s ‘Last Waltz’ wailed over the tannoy. A sad refrain. And in my faithful diary I noted after the Nuneaton debacle; ‘Me and Wilf left when it was 5!’ Surprised we stayed that long to be honest! It was obviously the final straw as I see that the two of us decided it was more fun watching Liverpool during the last month of the season. Which included the Reds beating Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford! Sir Roger Hunt and Ron Yeats the scorers. Now I do remember that day!

An ignominious beginning to Caldow’s managerial career it was but the Steelmen were doomed to their fate long before he arrived and to that end, we all waited with bated breathe during the summer to see who he could encourage to sign for Corby. Some more famous Scottish stars? Come the following season the former Rangers man could get the broom out, sweep away the dead wood, start with a clean sheet. The battle cry was ‘onwards and upwards!’ 

Little did we know that 50 years later we would still be waiting to achieve the status we once held all those years ago. In the premier division of non league football.

'Waiting with bated breath...any chance of the Law man comin' Eric?

1966 and all that

1966 and all that

"Where's Harold?"

The country was awash with celebrations following England’s World Cup victory over West Germany. The exploits of Roger Hunt, Bobby Moore, Gordon Banks and the boys had entranced the nation. That is I suppose, apart from our Scottish cousins. Even the Welsh begrudgingly admired their achievement. Might be stretching it a tad there but all the same, overnight, footballers had become like pop stars, feted, celebrities. 

Reflected by an increase in attendances which rose significantly in 1966. Decades before the advent of the Premier League and Sky TV, crowds thronged to see the superstars of the day. T’was the dawn of football becoming showbiz. Glitz and glamour it was but down in the bowels of the football pyramid, clubs were to suffer a backlash. 

Memories of the World Cup for me are pretty scant really. There wasn’t the hype and overkill that there is nowadays and I remember starting shift work for the first time, having just turned 16 and being ensconced into the C.W.Mills in the ‘Works’ a month prior to the tournament. First impression was the Mills  being full of Jocks, Poles, Yugoslavs, Italians..so there was little interest in England’s efforts to win the World Cup. Put it this way, I can’t recall any celebrations, overjoy, hollering. 

The C.W. Mills

The other memory is of the wall next to the Number One Mill daubed with graffiti. FTP, FKB, Boyne 1690 and suchlike. This intrigued me and being a piss taker when nobody was around I grabbed the paintbrush and daubed on the wall..Hastings 1066 and changed 1690 to 1960! Caused an uproar! My workmate was Gavin Vint who wasn’t a shy fellow, Rangers through and through! Luckily he did have a sense of humour. Not like the nightshift manager, an overweight miserable looking old fellow, feeling his name was Wheatley, he used to prowl around the mills during the night, trilby perched on his head, looking as if he’d just woken up, annoyed at having being disturbed from his slumber and always with an eye on us youngsters. He caught me one night when I was writing LFC or something on the wall. “Oy!!” I looked round and saw the menacing Wheatley glowering at me. F—- me! I scarpered off to the canteen. He’d no idea who I was anyway. Another chap who worked alongside Gavin and us was another ‘old guy’ with the dubious nickname of Dainty, a big Celtic supporter. Taking the piss out of him when we were sitting on a bench, a wooden plank on bricks next to the wall, as he finished slinging a lift of tubes for the crane to take away, he turned round and promptly smashed me right in the mug! My head went back, hit the wall, blood streamed down from my nose, stars were circling. Taken off to the wash house to get cleaned up, someone asked if I hit him back…I didn’t answer…just thought to myself.. ‘I know when to stay down!!’ Dainty too was probably miffed at England’s success!

Anyway, I digress. In 1966 the Southern League, the premier non-league division in the country, boasted clubs with ambition, aspiring higher status and dreaming of achieving the ultimate goal of election to the ‘Holy Grail’ of the Football League. Corby was now in that group. In 1966/67 we were looking for no more than consolidation at the top table of non league soccer. Dreaming that one day we might just be playing league fixtures against the likes of Chester, Workington, Stockport County… 

No disrespect intended here but they did sound a whole lot more glamorous than Kidlington, Biggleswade, Barton Rovers. 

Alas it was all but a dream.

The reality of life in 1966 was highlighted in the opening day match programme with Corby’s financial situation compared to our rivals, Wisbech, Romford, Bath, Rugby, Hinckley, Tunbridge Wells, Sittingbourne, Canterbury City and Burton Albion, all of whom were announcing they were in dire straits and considering resignation from the Southern league. “Many clubs are scraping the barrel” Manager Tommy Hadden observed in his notes.

If we were feeling smug by comparison, a reminder that we weren’t too far behind the

se clubs already mentioned came from director Harold Stimson; ‘Many of you may have noticed that our floodlights have recently failed to shine as brightly as they did some years ago. Lack of finance has again prevented regular maintenance and now they require major attention.’ 

Mr Stimson had a point!

Bright lights or not, Vice Chairman Jim Kerr was more sanguine when quoting a comment from a journalist in the Daily Mirror who wrote; ‘Corby has got the potential interest for league football’. 

“What do you think?” asked Jim to his followers, “My fellow directors are more than interested in what you, the fans, think about the present and the future of Corby Town Football Club.”

Well, they didn’t think too much apparently, attendances had never been absolutely brilliant compared to many other non league clubs and a run of early season defeats would see them dip even further. 

The season was kicked off with a home game against Wimbledon on August 20th with a number of new faces in the team. Jimmy Knox who had been recruited along with his pal Les Carter from Lockheed Leamington could play equally as well at centre half or centre forward, just like the great Welsh giant John Charles, ‘King John’, who was now player/manager at Hereford United. Jimmy had been on Tommy Hadden’s radar for years and Tom was well pleased when he eventually arrived at Occupation Road. Les had pedigree having played for Queen of the South and Gateshead and would regale his pals in the Rockingham Arms with tales of his adventures over a pint of Sovereign. Also along for the ride came Les Barratt from Southport, Tony Claypole from Cheltenham, Mick Walker from Rotherham, Joe Gadston from Brentford and Billy Harber from Luton. All of whom, apart from Barratt and Tony never lasted five minutes! Could have been Hadden’s promise of getting them a good job in the steelworks but who knows. 

The core of the Steelmen team from the last couple of years was still in place. Alan Alexander, Alan McBain, Davy Pollard, Alex Stenhouse, Alex Garden, Maurice Goodall, and John Rennie made a welcome return after having a miserable year at Kettering. 

Wimbledon confirmed their status as one of the favourites for the title by comfortably beating us 2-0 in front of a crowd of 1300 which was impressive but still a disappointment for the directors who were quick to moan about the turnout in the next programme. I too was disappointed as it happened. Reading a diary from way back I discovered my comment on the Corby performance as being ‘rudy useless!’ No wonder then that the following week I opted to go to Leicester to watch City play West Ham rather than travel to Cambridge City to see the Steelmen. The opportunity to see the World Cup trophy being paraded before the game by World Cup winners Gordon Banks, Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Matin Peters was obviously also an attraction. It all helped to make a great atmosphere at Filbert Street and a great game it turned out to be with  the Foxes beating the Hammers 5-4. 

As for the Corby fans who followed the team to Cambridge City, they too had an enjoyable afternoon as they saw the Steelmen win 4-1! With Alex Garden grabbing a hat-trick. Didn’t see that coming!

The week after this I was in London with Club Shop boss Wilf and future Steelmen custodian Dick Dighton with other friends, including Frank Clayton, to watch Liverpool play West Ham. A trip memorable for a couple of things, being ambushed by West Ham fans after the game and being bombarded with bricks, bottles, anything that came to hand as we made our way back to the tube station amongst all the scousers. Welcome to the world of ‘Big’ football! A battleground. Other thing was less serious and something you couldn’t do nowadays. Me and Dick posing for a photo outside 10 Downing Street, making out we were popping in to see the PM, Harold Wilson. We stood on the porch first before a scuffer, to use the scouse term for the police, told us to get off! Got the picture though.. as you can see.

Dick, Clive, Wilf and Frank before the Battle of West Ham

Hopes of success soared following the Cambridge result but were soon to be quashed with a succession of defeats, some heavy which saw our confidence, and attendances disintegrate. An ever changing line up didn’t help matters with Gadston, Walker and Harber all giving up the ghost after a few weeks which meant Hadden was on his bike again looking for replacements and soon enough, in came David Partridge from Kings Lynn who was a flier on the wing if you excuse the pun, centre forward Barry Kelcher from Rothwell, who it was rumoured, drove a tractor - lot of bollocks I think - but his uncompromising agricultural style soon ingratiated him to the supporters. Another guy who arrived and shone briefly was a wee ginger haired winger from Scotland, Pat Foley. Pat’s ‘wholehearted’ displays ensured he too was soon a big favourite - but he was gone before you knew it as well! Tommy had found him ‘digs’ at the notorious Brigstock Camp, which probably frightened him to death. Fights and the occasional murder amongst the inhabitants, immigrant steelworkers from north of the border, from across the Irish Sea, the Welsh Valleys and the Eastern Bloc was commonplace. Pat must have thought ‘Bollocks to this’ and ran off, it was rumoured, back up to North of the border. 

Tommy Hadden recalled Pat’s debut for the Steelmen when Dave Tilley and I were writing the 40 Years book in 1988. 

“Pat turned up late for his debut at Occupation Road and when I asked him where he’d been, he told me he didn’t know how to get to Corby from Brigstock and after getting directions, he walked the 5 miles to the ground!”

Pat had played for Alloa Athletic, Falkirk and East Stirlingshire and made 9 appearances for Corby before he went awol which had fans asking for weeks afterwards, ‘Where’s Pat?’ A reference to the popular Stanley Baker/ Tommy Steele film on at the Odeon at the time. ‘Where’s Jack?’ 

Joe Gadston incidentally signed for Cheltenham with the Steelmen receiving a fee of £22.10s. Yes, you read that right! Better than nothing I suppose. As a footnote, he later became a director at Exeter City. Interesting also and I know everything is relevant but this season Liverpool signed a young Emlyn Hughes from Blackpool for a fee of over £66,000. Obviously Gadston wasn’t rated as highly as ‘Crazy Horse’ as he became affectionately known at Anfield but surely Joe was worth more than a measly 22 notes! Begs the question of who it was that negotiated the fee with Cheltenham? Maw Broon in the Tuck Shop?

Knocked out of the F.A. Cup by Cambridge City didn’t do the finances much good and changes were made with some of the high earners at Occupation Road being told they were no longer required. Attracting players of quality was difficult though. Full-time clubs held an advantage as the best Corby could offer was part time wages and a job in the steelworks. Gone were the days when this was deemed a marvellous offer. Particularly if a house was thrown in as well but times had changed. Brigstock Camp was the best they could do at this point, and to be quite frank, its hardly a surprise many footballers declined Corby’s advances.

A run of five defeats and one draw in six league games didn’t bode well for the visit to Hereford in November even though Tony Needham had returned to the Steelmen defence. Tony was up against ‘King John’ - Wales and Juventus legend John Charles - and according to Tommy Hadden, “had a decent game helping to keep John Charles ‘subdued’ in the first half of the game played in atrocious conditions”. Tommy then reflected; “Big John then started roaming in the second half, dragging Tony all over the place and creating four chances for his fellow forwards which were all snapped up.” The Bulls won 4-0. 

“Hereford were much the better team”, conceded Tommy.

Inconsistency was a problem, defeats at Kings Lynn 1-5, Wimbledon 1-6, Nuneaton 1-3 sent the Occupation Road gates tumbling to around the 600 mark. A New Years Day 1-0 victory over Cambridge City thanks to an Alex Stenhouse goal gave rise to optimism for the second half of the season but league form was woeful. 22 points out of a possible 42 ensured a fight to the death to avoid relegation which eventually saw Bath, Worcester, Bedford and Folkestone all take the plunge. Corby’s last home game which was a six pointer, or four pointer back then, was at home to Bedford, a game which was won by the Steelmen 4-1 and sent the Eagles down. A game watched by a young Dale McCann, taken to the game by his dad. Such was the impression the game had on Dale, he’s been an avid supporter and still is to this day up at Steel Park. Think you always remember your first game. Mine was against Barry Town in 58’, like I have said before.

The Midland Floodlit Cup, now in its 8th season had expanded to nine clubs and if nothing else, provided some cracking free scoring games. 73 goals were scored in 16 Corby games alone, which gives you some idea.

To cover those players who had departed for pastures new, a number of trialists appeared in Corby’s MFC games, some making an impression, some not. Dave Mattocks was one who looked good, and for some reason acquired the nickname ‘Wild Bill’ Mattocks after scoring a couple of goals against Leamington. But ‘Bill’ couldn’t be persuaded to sign on. Not even with a free pair of overalls, paint brush and pair of totector boots thrown in. 

An interesting note is that the Steelmen fielded seven goalkeepers during the 66/67 season. Alan Alexander was the number one making 54 appearances out of a possible 64. The other keepers were Robin Paterson, Andy Williams, Bob Inchley, George Flecknor, Derek Skey and our good friend, then aged 15, Dick Dighton who became the youngest ever Steelman when he made his debut at Nuneaton in the MFC. And a great impression he made despite the Borough winning 3-1. Also in the team was Franny Taylor, brother of Rab who sits with us in the ‘Grumpies’ section at Steel Park. Franny, a highly promising midfield player played a couple of games for Corby before deciding to embark on a life of adventure on the ocean wave with the Merchant Navy. Around the same time in fact as another ‘Grumpy’, Danny Coyle. 

Return of the ancient mariners. Franny and Danny team up again with Rab in 2011at the Bristol Rovers F.A. Cup match.

Dick Dighton’s career which was launched at Nuneaton, sailed on and saw him signed by Jimmy Hill on leaving school in the summer, as an apprentice at Coventry City who had just gained promotion to the First Division of the Football League for the first time. Hill was the guy with the chocolate shortbread ‘goatie’, to this day I still call those biscuits ‘Jimmy Hill’s’. Dick would return to make his second appearance for Corby, some 16 years later! 

In between time he signed for Peterborough United after being released by Coventry where he shared duties with fellow youth team goalkeeper David Icke, the guy who went a wee bit bizarre shall we say. In later years Icke would announce on Terry Wogan’s TV Show - during his ‘turquoise period’ - when he wore nothing but turquoise  - that he was ‘the son of God’, which didn’t do him any favours, ‘Jesus was laughed at too’ he told a bemused Wogan to much laughter in the audience. Making a statement that the ‘Moon isn’t real’ also went down well. Dick often said that Icke was ‘normal’ when at Coventry, but there you go. Dick’s sojourn at London Road with the Posh lasted a couple of seasons, somewhat bizarrely he made his league debut when on loan to Stockport, and then Ron Atkinson signed him at Kettering Town. He was a member of their Southern League Championship winning team in 1973. Injuries blighted Dick’s career and he would spend the next few years playing for various sides in the UCL until Matt McIllwain came calling for him to help out at Occupation Road, and become a member of one of the Steelmen’s finest ever sides in the early 1980s. 

Having escaped relegation by a whisker it was clear that changes would have to be considered during the summer months but it was still a shock when the retained list was announced in the Evening Telegraph. Fans favourite Alex Stenhouse was being ditched to much disbelief. However as time would tell..you couldn't get rid of Alex that easy. Just a few months later he was back! Tommy Hadden would be in dire trouble and having seen Alex with his can of paint in the 'Works' where he still worked with Pearce's, Tommy enticed him back. But thats a story for the next season.

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…

Trains and Boats and Planes..in 1965/66

                                                  Trains and Boats and Planes 1965/66

George Jagger firing a shot at Luton's goal in the Cup replay

Though no automatic promotion existed, the Southern League Premier Division was the stepping stone into the Football League. Clubs could apply to replace the bottom clubs on the league ladder who it seemed was always Hartlepools and Chester, but a ‘closed shop’ policy did ensure that any upstarts would be kept out which caused much resentment as you can imagine. Didn’t deter an annual parade of non league clubs trying to gatecrash this select band’s circle and hard to believe nowadays, even the Steelmen applied a couple of times! All to no avail as you would gather! More an exercise in bullshit if truth be told. Only chance was if a club went bust as happened with Accrington Stanley in 1962 who were replaced by Oxford United. Over time of course this would change and and just occasionally the door would open and in stepped Cambridge United, Hereford United and Wigan Athletic from the Northern Premier League which had grown in status to parallel the Southern Premier. It would take a lot longer before automatic promotion became normal.

The summer of 65’ was memorable for South Africa playing England in the cricket series, basking in the glory of Corby's promotion and listening to some great music. The Beatles in their prime, Bob Dylan, The Stones, Byrds providing a great soundtrack. Protest songs were in vogue as the Vietnam War escalated. Barry Maguire’s chilling ‘Eve of Destruction’ struck a chord and if we were all still carefree, this and Hedgehoppers Anonymous’ ‘Its Good News Week’ gave us a dose of reality and fear. 

The number one record at the start of the season was ‘Help!’ by The Beatles. Quite an appropriate choice for the Occupation Road DJ to kick the new season off, as ‘Help’ is what the Steelmen would need if they were to make an impression. 

New faces were required for the upgrade to Premier status which manager Tommy Hadden realised and once again he scoured the country for recruits. Disappointing for Corby fans though was the departure of John Rennie to our rivals Kettering who had gone in the opposite direction to us and been relegated which made the news even more of a surprise and I can imagine it was a move John maybe later regretted.

Arthur Hukin and Tommy Crawley also left for pastures new which was a worry with our source of goals gone, a worry which can’t be overstated as these prolific marksmen scored goals for fun. 164 between them in just a couple of seasons. 

Most teams in the Premier Division boasted a number of stars, many ex internationals. In the early part of the season Norman Deeley (Wolves & England), Eddie Clamp (Wolves & England), Peter McParland (Aston Villa & N.Ireland), Hughie Barr (Coventry & N. Ireland) all added some glamour to Corby’s fixtures. That didn’t brother us though, we had Janos 'Johnny' Haasz, signed from Cambridge United. What was the big deal? Well Hungarian Johnny had actually played with the great Ferenc Puskas! Yes the ‘Galloping Major’ of Honved, Real Madrid and of course the Magical Magyars of the 1950s. Deeley, McParland and co couldn’t match that for all their endeavours! 

It was something of a coup for Tommy Hadden to get Johnny and arriving at the same time came some experience with Tony Needham from Scunthorpe, Chartlie McGlinchey ex Nottingham Forest, Alan McBain from Luton Town, Bob Riley from Leicester City. And we still had ex Republic of Ireland full back Dick Whittaker in our team. Nothing to fear then.

First up was Kings Lynn away and a disappointing start in many ways for despite losing 3-2 the Steelmen lost stalwart defenders Barry Parsons and Whittaker through injury. Three days later the first of the so called ‘glamour clubs’ came to Occupation Road, Yeovil Town. For supporters of a certain age they would remember the Glovers as one of the great ‘giant killing’ sides of F.A.Cup history, their reputation sealed with a famous Third Round 2-1 victory over Sunderland back in 1949. They came crashing back to earth in the 4th Round however with a 8-0 thrashing at Manchester United. But that was a long time ago. Meant little and the Steelmen enacted their own thrashing on Yeovil, 4-1 with McGlinchey helping himself to a hat-trick. Wellington Town were next at the Occy Road ground and two more goals from McGlinchey saw them off 2-1.

The Imp

It’s interesting looking at the programmes, both home and away, and discovering or recalling some of the anecdotes. In the Worcester City Midland Floodlit Cup home game it was announced that Mr Fulton of Rockingham Road had won a Hillman Imp in a Supporters Club draw. And that night they were having a re-draw for another car that hadn’t been claimed. Surely you would have known, or heard from someone that you had won a car! Maybe not.

Carnival Queen Joan Floody hands the keys over to Mr Fulton.

Corby’s directors continued to bemoan the lack of support, indeed interest in the club and highlighted a headline in the weekly ‘Pink Un’ which noted that Bedford’s attendance against Cambridge City in the Midland Floodlit Cup, was ONLY 2273. ‘Bedford Fans Snub Floodlit Football’. ‘Oh how we would like to say that 2273 was our highest gate of the season!’ Chairman Andy Logan groaned.

Yeovil’s programme was always worth reading and in the Corby programme they noted that back in 1945 Kilmarnock’s left half White had taken a penalty SIX times in a match against Partick Thistle. The referee had ordered a re-take after each penalty because Partick's goalkeeper had moved. Finally at the 7th attempt, the referee appeared to be satisfied, White stepped up again, and the goalkeeper saved it! 

Never a dull moment north of the border.

The Steelmen’s form was steady in the early months and unbelievably by the end of October we were sitting on top of the league! Maurice Goodall was fast becoming a hero, a hat-trick against Dartford a week before a 4th Qualifying F.A.Cup game against our old foes from Kings Lynn setting him on the path to legendary status. We dreaded this lot, Kings Lynn, they seemed to be a pain in the arse every time we played them. This time though we turfed them out of the cup, 2-1, much to the delight of everyone. Things were looking up regarding interest in the club with local butcher Jimmy Lees ‘very kindly giving us a supply of sausage rolls and Scotch Pies for the game’. The re-draw for the raffle and that car mentioned earlier was won by Mr McKimmie of Sulgrave Drive, another Hillman Imp. And, according to the programme, yet another Imp was up for grabs in the next raffle. Sounds like they couldn’t get rid of them! And would you believe it..the following week they announced - ‘Yes! SIX brand New Motor Cars in Jackpot Competition’. You’ve guessed it. More Hillman Imps! Tickets for the raffle were only a 1/-. A bob, or 10p in todays language.

The draw for the 1st Round Proper was something of a disappointment when we were drawn against fellow Southern Leaguers Burton Albion. We all wanted a league club! Burton probably felt the same.

As it turned out, it's gone down as one of the greatest games in the club’s history.  ‘Nine goals, a hatful of thrills and incidents galore made this F.A.Cup Tie one of excitement and tension right to the very last kick. Nearly 4000 people saw a game that simmered and eventually reached boiling point. They also saw some wonderful entertainment that was a credit to non league football’ enthused The Steelman in the Evening Telegraph. A 6-3 victory saw us in the Second Round of the F.A.Cup for the first time ever, and rewarded with a home tie against Luton Town who were cup finalists just six years previously. And they had a danger man up front in goalkeeper Tony Read! Tony who was on loan at Corby the previous season to cover the injured Alan Alexander and Larry Wealthall. Converted to centre forward, Tony scored a hat-trick for Luton just a week before the Corby game.

The town was buzzing with cup tie fever but my main memory is of getting a job as an office boy in the Steelworks Engineering Shop on the Friday, starting work on the Monday and as events unfolded, having to ask my boss Allan McBride if I could finish work early the next day so I could get a lift to Luton for the replay after the Hatters had robbed the Steelmen of victory on the Saturday with a dubious penalty to make it 2-2. McBride too was caught up with the fever thankfully, but then again with Steelmen manager Tommy Hadden also working in the Engineering Shop, he could hardly say no to me, could he? Nice bloke was Mr McBride! What a night Luton was. Memory blurs over time, for years I couldn’t remember who’s car and who I was with that famous night...until just a few years back when I got talking to an old pal who had returned to watching the Steelmen at Steel Park. Roy ‘Clanger’ Edwards was telling his pal about the time 'we went to Luton'...I couldn’t believe it. Hadn’t seen Roy for donkeys and he's filling me in on who went with us in his car 40 odd years back. Along with me and Clanger was Stan ‘Snowball’ Watkinson and Ian ‘Bomber’ Wilson. Both characters who were well known in local soccer. Stan as a referee, blind as a bat believe it or not and Ian as a midfield destroyer in the local  amateur leagues. Over 13000 were at Kenilworth Road to watch the replay and see a giant killing act that would live forever for the Steelmen fans who were there. Maurice Goodall bearing down on goal to smash the ball past Luton’s keeper Tinsley to win the game 1-0 sent the Corby supporters into ecstasy. Though we all held our breath when Luton's O’Rourke headed over the bar from a corner in the last minute. What a feeling that was when the ref blew his whistle! 

'Maurice Goodall scoops the ball past Luton keeper Tinsley only for the goal to be disallowed for an infringement'

Incidently, the team played in a different kit for the Luton game, because of the colour clash we borrowed the kit, a sort of yellow with a maroon band in the middle of the shirt reminiscent of Motherwell, from Stewarts and Lloyds. Superstition or not, it was decided to retain the gear for the Plymouth tie for good luck, which obviously didn't work! 

For the first and only time Corby Town were in the Third Round of the F.A. Cup, in the hat with Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and the rest. Who did we get? Plymouth Argyle away! Not exactly what we wanted but a good day out was promised whatever the outcome. 

Celebrations after the victory at Luton

Its hard to recall the thrill of this, we would actually be on the BBC Football Results teleprinter! 

Such was the demand, a ‘Football Special’ courtesy of British Rail was organised, hundreds made the trek by rail, road and even airplane! ‘Trains and Boats and Planes’ a massive hit this year for Billy J. Kramer was an apt song for the Steelmen fans! Our support was also boosted by a bunch of sailors, submariners as it happened, who were in port that weekend. I know this because one submariner ended up as a postman at Corby many years later. Alex Rae hailed from Dundee I think, might have been Aberdeen, forget, but Alex who was as funny as hell, a right comedian, overheard me and Cliff 'Yozzer' Hughes talking about the Plymouth game one morning and butted in to our conversation. 'I was at that game!' he said. Unbelievable. Anyway, for all that, we were hammered 6-0! And a milkman called Bickle scored a hat trick against us. What would have happened if George Jagger's shot in the first minute had gone in instead of hitting the post was a question often posed in the aftermath. Well in all honesty all I can say is they would have probably beaten us 6-1! What people wouldn’t remember about this day though, I doubt it anyway, is that we went out of the Cup at the same time as the holders Liverpool who were beaten at home by Chelsea. Good quiz question I would hazard. 

The 'Football Special' racing through Taunton Station. 

Coinciding with the Plymouth weekend were a couple of events of note. The Saturday morning was the final shift of the Bessemer Plant in the steelworks, which was a sad day for my dad and many others who worked there. Dont know why but in such awful and lousy conditions it's the comaraderie they'd miss I supposed. The Bessemer was replaced by the new 'modern' BOS (Basic Oxygen Steelmaking) Plant which for all the modernisation was equally as manky. Grim place I recall. I worked in the BOS Plant for a day when I was with contractors Shanks and McEwan a few years later. Concreting a platform or something. Forget what it was. It was a shit hole anyway.

Also that weekend, local band The Size Seven released their latest single ‘In Time’. Didn’t make a dent in the charts but it was still an achievement and momentous occasion for the boys, Brian Dowell, George Cumming, Jack Stewart, Billy Geary, Alan Black and Ian Murray. I know, there’s only six names there. Female vocalist Alice Reilly wasn’t required for the recording. 

Both the Luton and Plymouth games have been well documented by club historian David Tilley down the years in features he has wrote for various publiucations. If you can get hold of them they’re well worth reading.

Following the cup run was always going to be tough and the season petered out into something of an anti-climax. Four defeats in the next five league games put an end to any aspirations of league success. Players left, players came, someone called A.N.Other featured regularly, used to confuse us when we were kids, who's that? Funny name! Some made an impact like Jim McNamee, who came and left Occupation Road as something of an enigma. Nobody seemed to know who he was, where he came from and then when he left, to our bewilderment, a few months later he showed up at Tranmere Rovers! He scored a few goals for Corby, including a hat trick against Wisbech and he was in the team at Plymouth. Decent player I remember. Monty Brown a forward from Scunthorpe also promised to be a good signing but then went off the boil. Billy Stark from Luton was another who showed some craft at inside forward before his enthusiasm drained. Tommy Hadden was a fan of Billy's, enthusing in the programme about the former Rangers and Celtic youth player, Carlisle, Colchester and Luton forward; 'He certainly knows where the goal lies.' As one goal in seven appearances testified. Others disappointed like winger Terry McQuade of Millwall and Queens Park Rangers fame. Much was expected of Terry, we'd seen him in the Charles Buchan's Football Monthly.

Local youngsters given an opportunity and impressed included goalkeeper George Flecknor and centre forward Neil McWatt. George ended up in Australia and Neil subsequently ended up 'returning' to Scotland.

Johnny Haasz

And Johnny Haasz? What became of our Hungarian star and pal of the great Puskas? Johnny suffered with injuries, his appearances were intermittent, 32 in all, though he did feature in the cup run, most memorably and unfortunately conceding the penalty, which was deemed 'harsh' by The Steelman, in the 2-2 draw with Luton.  Johnny, had scored 40 goals for Cambridge United the previous campaign, his 8 goals for Corby was a disappointing return from what was expected but his injuries didn't help.

A thrilling campaign it had been and thoughts soon drifted towards the following season. How could you follow that? One of consolidation was the general concensus. One thought in my mind was starting shift work in the Tubeworks C.W. Mills and earning some decent money, £11 a week. And I also have to confess, give us, my mate John Wilson in the Club Shop, Wilf who was a shunter on the steelside, some money to broaden our horizons, and start travelling in earnest to follow the Reds, Liverpool F.C. around the country.Another chapter in our lives. Funny how things go full circle. 50 odd years later, we are back where we started!