On This Day

The outstanding statistic had revealed itself on Tuesday December 26th 1995 and still relevant to this day as an Essex Senior League record is regarding the Maldon Town v Burnham Ramblers local derby that was abandoned after 2 mins 30 seconds !!!

As the old year was fast approaching its end, so came some very bad weather and only two clubs had been left in the F A Vase with one, Brentwood going out 1-3 to Thamesmead in Kent after extra time thus leaving Canvey Island who would go onto glory and a semi-final place at Tiverton.

Every game on 30th December 1995 was postponed due to the ice. The very sad news came from East Ham United with the passing of legend, Harry Cripps aged 54 at Wanstead, a man remembered with great affection by so many.

Top of the table on 39 points were Romford, now eight ahead of Great Wakering Rovers and Ford United in third place. East Ham United were last on 2 points. Romford now had 19 different goalscorers to their credit and beat Southend Manor 1 0, Hullbridge 6-1 and Eton Manor 7 1. GWR won 3 1 at Stansted with goals by King, Ramsay and Butler. When it comes to well known names, none more so than in the Maldon Town 3 1 win over Ford United as joint leading scorer along with Paul Flack of Great Wakering Rovers and Lee Rush of Southend Manor was Neil Harris, yet another to go on to Football League glory. Another ESL favourite, for Romford, was scoring freely, Steve Portway with Des Charlery equally prolific at Brentwood.

Signing for Ford United was former East Ham United and England Under 18 International, John Varney whilst old Burnham Ramblers and Southend United favourite Bobby Kellard was in the Stansted side.

Finally, Great Wakering Rovers had been given permission to use floodlights with immediate effect – their lux being 198, its just that the icy weather spoiled the opening v Hullbridge Sports that weekend.

In a much reduced professional programme, in the Premier Division, Arsenal were beaten 1 3 by AFC Wimbledon and Bolton lost 1 2 to Coventry whilst in Scotland Rangers beat Hibernian 7 0.