ON THIS DAY APRIL 18th

ON THIS DAY APRIL 18th 1987

It was Easter Saturday in 1987 and Canvey Island were leading the table by two points from Witham Town. Bowers United were third and trailing by nine points. Maldon Town were in last position a point behind Eton Manor but both had four games to make up on third bottom Brightlingsea United.

Centre Spot that weekend had very little to say with the editor on holiday in Scotland bracing the air along with 440 others as an Arbroath side were defeated 0-1 by Stranraer in a match where a look over the terrace wall produced an intimate view of the North Sea !

One Harry Fisher Memorial Trophy semi-final took place with Eton Manor going down to a 1-3 defeat by Sawbridgeworth Town. The other semi final was a draw between Witham Town and Woodford so would go to a replay on 25th.

Six league games took place with five of the ties being draws, with East Thurrock’s 2 1 defeat of Ford United at Rush Green being the only win. Brightlingsea v Purfleet, Canvey Island v Woodford and Chelmsford City Reserves v Bowers United were all 2-2 whilst Stansted v Brentwood drew 1 1 and it was Burnham Ramblers goalless v Witham Town.

The Division One tables which consisted mainly of our Reserve sides was split and in the North section included Wivenhoe Town, Halstead Town, Coggeshall Town. The South section included the first teams of Intermediate clubs, Southend Manor and Stambridge and the play off between Wivenhoe Town and Southend Manor resulted in a draw so the Championship was shared for 6 months each. There was also a Shield competition in three sections and the C table included St Osyth who were not allowed to play in the League but, nevertheless to their credit and Colin Lamb, produced the best Programme in the League that season.

Spurs keeper Ray Clemence breaks Pat Jennings appearance record with his 1,099 game, 1-0 win over Charlton Athletic. Swindon’s best attendance, 14,302 see their top of the third division table clash with Bournemouth , a 1-1 draw and Rangers are title favourites in Scotland after their 3-0 win against Clydebank.