On This Day

We go back 34 years to find out what was happening in the Essex Senior League and the first news in a 15 team Senior Section was about the current League Champions, Southend Manor who had only won two out of their first five league games but put seven with one replied past Burnham Ramblers at Leslie Field, Paul Flack and Martyn Lawrence both with hat-tricks. Sawbridgeworth Town were leading the table having drawn 1-1 with Stambridge whilst Jimmy Prue was the top scorer with seven. In second place were Brentwood 2-0 winners against East Ham United with Brendan Douglas and John Elwood scoring in the 84th and 87th minute respectively whilst Maldon Town in losing 0-1 at home to Hullbridge Sports were in bottom place having lost all their seven games.

Canvey Island beat Woodford Town 1-0, Concord Rangers drew 0 0 with Stansted, East Thurrock United won 1-0 at Eton Manor, Ford United also won, 2-0 against Bowers United thanks to Paul Jeffery and Martin Chester. Ford United were now looking forward to what was described as the greatest ever FA 2nd Qualifying Round Cup tie for an ESL club v Dartford. This was, of course before Canvey Island and Southend Manor both reached the 4th Qualifying Round in later years.

In 1991-92 we had a fifteen club Reserve Division and newcomers, Concord Rangers were leading from Sawbridgeworth with Maldon Town bottom after five games. Eton Manor were asking for clubs to deal with Reg Curtis or Tommy Lee whilst George Whiting was away – such iconic names of the past!

Finally there was an aside that Vauxhall Motors had withdrawn from the Isthmian League (called Diadora at the time) as they had changed to an 'all weather surface' (What was that we thought at the time) no doubt for Hockey? They were fined £7,500 (equivalent £20,500 + now) Wow!