A Look Into Histories

A LOOK INTO HISTORY TWO HUNDRED AND FORTY ONE

Canvey Island FC 1970-71

Our Programme has special significence as the opponents are Dagenham who were to go on and win the F A Amateur Cup against Skelmersdale United at Wembley on 24th April and Canvey Island would have been highly delighted to have drawn this Essex Senior Cup 4th Round tie at Victoria Road 2-2 on January 16th but would just be defeated 0-1 on 6th March at Park Lane, the 6d Programme giving plenty of editorial news and in particular a report on their previous match away against Vokins at Chislehurst 5-1. The Daggers goal was scored by Phil Fry who had joined from the 1970 Amateur Cup winners, Enfield, along with Tony Bass. John Still was in the side. Dagenham had beaten Slough Town in the Amateur Cup semi-final after a replay with the opposition fielding six of the 1970 Enfield winning side, Tommy Lawrence having taken them over to the Berkshire club.

Dagenham would go on to win the Essex Senior Cup Final against Leytonstone but all this success was not reflected in their Isthmian League form finishing 8th behind champions Wycombe Wanderers and runners up Sutton United.

Back to the Programme and Canvey Island FC in 1970-71, this was to be the final season of the Greater London League who merged with the Metropolitan League to become the Metropolitan London League and the champions were Ford United on 33 points from 18 games, Eton Manor second on 27 points and Canvey third with 25. Oddily enough neither of the top two beat Canvey that season! Clubs in that League in 1971 that are no longer with included Vokins, Bexley, Penhill Standard, Eton Manor, CAV, Byng Road Old Boys, Willesden, Ulysees, Leyton, Royal Arsenal Sports and, of course, it was the original Dagenham club.

A noticeable mention was made of a forthcoming Youth game at Fairview Playing Fields in Rayleigh including Billy Heale who went on to be a First team favourite at Canvey and Basildon United is now a Director of the Park Lane club.