On This Day

The spotlight was well and truly on the club at the top of the league, Stambridge, as their amazing start to the season was to come to a crashing halt when Manager Danny O’Leary took over at Chelmsford City and played the Greene Brothers, Stead and Butler plus Scottish International Alan Brazil at Worcester City. Sadly the club would never reach the dizzy heights again and after ground issues folded years later.
In the League.

Ford United began to string a few good results together and beat East Thurrock United 1-0 with a goal from Jimmy Prue. Brentwood beat Woodford Town 2-1 whilst Canvey Island drew 3-3 with Burnham Ramblers. Maldon Town got the better of Sawbridgeworth Town 1-0 and Bowers United won 4-1 away at Stansted. Southend Manor, on League Cup duty that weekend were in second place nine points behind Stambridge but with three games in hand, Woodford Town were last with just two draws and two points to their name.

Sawbridgworth Town had been knocked back for floodlights but it was reported that Ron Alder would be able to sort that out – as he did!

Sadly a Division One game at Bowers Reserves had to be played as a friendly when the Match Referee was involved in a car accident. The table also saw Stambridge Reserves in pole position.

The addition to that weeks Centre Spot was a photo of Gordon Brasted, formerly of Burnham Ramblers in his Arsenal kit taken on 18th December 1954 at the age of 31. He was a prolific scorer in the 'A' team before a bad knee injury cut short a very promising career. Gordon was a very popular Chairman and Secretary and when he passed away a Memorial Trophy was played for by teams who had been knocked out at Round One of the Challenge Cup.

There were only two clubs left in the FA Vase second round draw, Burnham Ramblers at Jewson League Harwich & Parkeston and East Thurrock United at Spartan League Brimsdown.

In the Football League Division One, Arsenal won 2-0 at Coventry, AFC Wimbledon drew 1-1 with Southampton and West Ham were in Division Two winning 1-0 at Notts County.

Rob Errington
Historian