AN ALTOGETHER MORE SPLENDID KIND OF LIFE - 1997-98

23 Seasons watching Maidenhead United

Part 4: 1997-98

With a trophy in the cabinet for the first time in a generation, expectations of a promotion challenge were again raised as Alan Devonshire began his first full season in charge of the Magpies. The change in the dressing room had been followed by a similar one in the boardroom as after Jim Parsons had stood down to become President, he was replaced by Roger Coombs who had previously looked after the club finances along with wife Jean.

However this season was to be the second part of a Star Wars style trilogy and thus the following nine months were to be critically acclaimed if ultimately unsuccessful.

Personally having moved up to London to study for a teaching qualification the season remains fondly remembered, missing only one game due to my sister’s wedding which just happened to be the biggest win, 6-1 at home to Croydon.

As Isthmian Full Members Cup holders the club enjoyed a rare high profile in the town which was capitalised on pre season when a crowd of two and a half thousand flocked to York Road for a friendly against West Ham. That there was still much work to do in converting locals into supporters was illustrated when just 191 turned up to the opening league game against Thame, despite everyone at the West Ham match getting a discounted voucher. Nevertheless a 5-0 win, followed by two more three point hauls in the opening week of the season set out Alan Devonshire’s promotion stall. The final win on a sun blessed day at promotion tipped Romford was particularly memorable for the way the Magpies dominated in a 1-0 win to a backdrop of Phil Tufnell spinning England to a rare Ashes test win on TV in the clubhouse.

Throughout the autumn United’s fine performances often reaped reward with seven league wins by three goals or more but there was also inconsistency. Despite an early lead at Newport, the Magpies went out of the FA Cup at the first opportunity, losing 2-1 in Wales. This score was repeated in the Trophy at Cambridge albeit with the consolation of a goal of the season contender from Mick Creighton, a lob from distance which he modestly ascribed to being too tired to run any further. Likewise a stunning display of attacking play at Leatherhead with Garry Attrell to the fore ended in a 2-1 defeat thanks to a man of the match performance from future Magpie keeper Scott Tarr.

Latest news of United’s promotion bid was now conveyed on my first mobile phone, as having programmed the numbers of all the clubs in the division into the memory, I found myself surrounded at the end of each match as I rang around to gather the results of our rivals.

Once again it was the minor cups which boosted league form. A first County Cup final in 28 years was reached with little fuss whilst the defence of the Isthmian Full Members Cup led to high drama and perhaps ultimately raised the promotion stakes too high due to a backlog of games.

The Cup defence almost fell as soon as it started only for a last minute equaliser at Bromley by Tyrone Houston to take the tie to extra time when Andy Eaton was able to win the game to beat the Premier division club. Next up were promotion rivals Hampton who were swept aside 4-0 just before Christmas at the Beveree, Obi Ulasi producing an astonishing burst of pace to knock the ball along the line, then run off the pitch to clear the linesman, collecting the ball again ahead of the full back. The corresponding league match was a few days later on Boxing Day only to be called off due to the weather. Had it been played, the end to this story may have been very different.

It appeared the Full Members Cup defence had ended for good when the Magpies lost at Leatherhead in the next round, only for the Tanners to be disqualified for fielding an ineligible player. Back in the competition, United won their quarter-final at Carshalton on a Thursday night thanks to a header from Steve Brown inches off the ground.

This set up a semi-final at Hendon in March, then flying high in the Premier Division. Going behind within a minute, United initially struggled to step up to the pace but gradually worked their way into the game, deservedly equalising through Attrell. Magpie hearts were then broken in the last minute when Freddie Hyatt scored the Hendon winner, leaving the players finally out but defiant not down.

This was the first defeat in twelve matches since the Leatherhead Cup loss and so by this time a promotion charge was well under way. This momentum was created by a team settled to Devonshire’s preferred 3-5-2 formation which saw Trevor Roffey in goal, Houston and Ulasi on the wings, Tim Cook now withdrawn into the defensive three alongside a pair from Brian Connor, Luke Evans and Vernon Pratt. “Ambling” Peter Terry, Steve Brown and Attrell filled the midfield, behind Chuk Agudosi and Creighton up front.

There was solid back up too, as shown on an unforgettable night at Billericay in February when despite losing Andy Robertson with a broken arm, Clayton Whittle came off the subs bench to play his part in a fine 2-0 against the eventual runners up. This was the score when Maidenhead again won at eventual champions Aldershot, these clean sheets reflecting the defensive steel that had been added by Cook’s new withdrawn role.

This set up a tumultuous April with eight league games to be played in 23 days. The double was completed over Billericay, whilst Hampton were held to a point at York Road. Hopes were hit by a defeat at Croydon but three successive wins in five days set up the rescheduled return to the Beveree perfectly.

The second of these two wins came at Whyteleafe, with callers to the clubhouse phone told the score by Jonathan Pearce, at Church Road to cheer on his Capital Radio partner and Magpie player coach Tony Gale.

With a final match to follow at relegated Abingdon, United knew a draw at Hampton should be enough to win promotion in third spot. Before a bumper crowd of 564, including Brentford manager Micky Adams who would sign Beavers defender Darren Powell at the end of the season, the teams entered the fray.

I held much stock in the fact that the final song I heard through my headphones as I walked up to the ground was “Nothing Could Stop Us Now” by St. Etienne but it was to no avail as the brave Magpies held on but within touching distance of the final whistle went down to a Francis Vines goal.

Gutted, having applauded the team off, I headed for the nearest pub with my Dad and Bob Hussey. We knew, rightly, that the unlikely set of results needed to now win promotion would not happen.

Yet a few days later at Abingdon the mood was one of celebration as the team notched up a 4-1 win, including a penalty goal given by referee cheerful Charlie Breakspear, deciding not to bother awarding  a spot kick after a defensive handball on the line, giving a goal instead.

This was as fine a squad as I have ever seen in the black and white stripes, typified by the joie de vivre of the way they played. Personified by the boundless energy of Tyrone Houston at right wing back which saw him score eleven goals, it was reflected one last time by the whole team in the final match of the season, the County Cup Final at Wycombe against Reading.

The day started in farce when the team coach failed to turn up leaving the players to travel in their own cars. A very strong Reading line up selected by new manager Tommy Burns took the lead through Neville Roach but in their 57th match of the season United would not be denied.

Midway through the second half Attrell fed Creighton whose effort beat the keeper only to cannon back off the crossbar where Pratt arrived on cue to head home in front of the Maidenhead fans. Then with extra time looming the unlikely figure of Brian Connor stormed forward, collected the ball then fired the mother of all shots from thirty yards into the back of the net to win the Cup.

A bittersweet victory of course given that promotion had been missed by a single point but a second piece of silverware in as many years and a first County Cup since 1970 meant that as I grabbed a lift back to York Road with Vernon Pratt I did so in absolute hope that the good times were here to stay.

With thanks to Mark Smith’s book One For Sorrow Two For Joy for the statistical content of this series.

To read more about this season visit www.mufcheritage.com

AN ALTOGETHER MORE SPLENDID KIND OF LIFE - 1996-97

23 Seasons watching Maidenhead United

Part 3: 1996-97

The summer of 1996 echoed to the refrain of thirty years of hurt, an ailment that persists to this day after Terry Venables’ England team bowed out at the semi-final stage of Euro 96. At York Road the talk was of twenty seven years of pain, a trophyless span dating back to the 1970 County Cup win. The previous season’s run to the semi-final of that competition had like Baddiel & Skinner had done to the nation, raised Magpie hopes that the drought might be ended, with the appointment of a new management team only raising expectations.

The final shortlist for the post provided a good range of options. There was solid non league experience in ex Magpie Jim Kelman, an up and coming manager in Steve Roberts, and a duo of highly respected ex pros in Martyn Busby and Alan Devonshire.

Chairman Jim Parsons, in what was to be his final year at the helm, plumped for the duo of cultured midfielders despite their lack of managerial experience. Busby had been at Feltham whilst Devonshire was even lower down the pyramid at Osterley, although was appointed on the back of winning a Middlesex League treble.

Initially Busby was seen as closer to the number one role, although it was very much a joint enterprise, and both brought with them players who would have a lasting impact on the club’s fortunes.

Another new appointment was that of yours truly into the programme editor role, quite a different experience without an internet connection.

The season began with a bizarre draw with Canvey Island at York Road, Maidenhead scoring whilst Canvey goalkeeper John Keeley left the pitch to retrieve the ball. The referee signalled to the Magpies that they could use a replacement for the throw in, which led to the sight of Keeley standing hands on hips on the touchline as Garry Attrell walked the ball into an empty net.

New midfielder Steve Brown caught the eye from the opening day but most of the terrace talk was about new strike duo Chuk Agudosi and John Ruggins who had rewritten the Middlesex League record books the previous season. The latter, although not short of effort, was unable to make the step up, but Chuk marked his debut with a goal at Molesey on the second Saturday of the season, the first of six strikes in four consecutive league wins, to suggest a promotion bid might be in the making.

However as the autumn leaves fell, so did the league placing, as wins started to become scarce, the wheels well and truly coming off the promotion bandwagon when a 2-0 lead at home to Marlow turned into a 3-2 defeat.

Still the squad continued to improve, left wing back Obi Ulasi marking his arrival with a hat trick in an FA Trophy win against Corby. The defence was shored up by the signings of Francis Duku and Brian Connor, whilst Devonshire brought in ex Hammer team-mate Tony Gale to steady the midfield. By the turn of the year though the Magpies had exited all but one cup competition and had won only two of their last twelve league matches.

Salvation came in the form of the little regarded Isthmian Full Members Cup. Imitating the unlamented Football League version, it was a competition restricted to the top two divisions of the Isthmian League.

The first tie in the competition, at Molesey on the first Tuesday in January, provided a real “I was there” moment, mainly due to everybody being told the match was off due to a frozen pitch.

This was the message left on the main medium to get up to date information about the club, the hotline. This premium rate service was invaluable to pick up the score if you couldn’t get to the game although people didn’t tend to listen to the reports provided by the “voices of hotline” Jon Swan and Richard Jackson for fear of raised eyebrows when the phone bill arrived.

It was Swan who left the fateful message that the game was off but as luck would have it I worked with Richard’s son Keith who heard the news that in fact the game would go ahead. Thus I was one of only four Maidenhead supporters to go to Walton Road (official attendance 50) on that chilly evening to watch an instantly forgettable 2-0 win.

For the record the others were Keith, Richard and Mark Smith, and to this day I will respond to talk of arduous away trips from fellow Magpies with the words “ah yes but did you go to Molesey away in the Mickey Mouse Cup”?

In the next round in February a few more supporters travelled to Premier Division Walton & Hersham to see United cause a Cupset thanks to Steve Brown’s only goal of the game at Stompond Lane. This set up a plum quarterfinal tie at Huish Park, home of the eventual Isthmian League Champions Yeovil Town.

Despite losing their Conference status, Yeovil, then managed by Graham Roberts, were possibly the biggest non league club in the south of England at the time with a fine new stadium.

With supporters cars divided on Anglo-Scottish lines, an afternoon in a local pub was thought to be the limit of the day’s excitement but we were determined to make the most of the occasion, demanding that the Glovers open their away end for us. They did so escorting us the length of the pitch to get there so we could witness in splendid isolation a resolute Maidenhead performance.

Seventeen minutes into the second half Chuk Agudosi got on the end of Garry Attrell’s cross to score in front of us, and then United held on to win a famous victory and passage into the semi-final.

In the meantime league form improved enough to secure a mid table finish of thirteenth, the highlight of which was beating Hampton by the odd goal in seven at the Beveree. There were also two departures of note. Firstly winger Paul Dadson decided to try his luck elsewhere, personally saying goodbye to us on an emotional night on the York Road terraces. This was coupled with Martyn Busby’s decision to stand down, with fortunately Alan Devonshire electing to go it alone.

The Full Members Cup tie was played against Premier Division Sutton United at York Road in front of a bumper crowd of 438. In the early stages the Magpies struggled to keep up with the pace and went a goal behind, but from the moment Francis Duku headed home the equaliser United’s presence in the game grew, taking the lead before half time through Obi Ulasi with Tyrone Houston sealing a place in the final in the dying minutes. The final whistle sparked amazing scenes of celebration as we all ran on the pitch then surrounded the dressing room to cheer our heroes.

Events then took a fairytale turn as our opponents in the final were revealed as last season’s Nemesis Aylesbury United, with the game to be played at Marlow, ironically a club no longer qualified for the competition after their final day relegation which was greeted with glee at York Road when the news came over the PA.

Such was the confidence and power of support at Oak Tree Road that the result never seemed in doubt once Mick Creighton had given the Magpies the lead in the first half. Attrell doubled the score with fifteen minutes remaining and a Duku injury time strike prompted premature celebrations leading to Chairman Parsons being called to the PA to halt the race of young fans to the centre circle led by a thirty something Scot.

Smiles came no bigger than captain Trevor Roffey’s gap tooth grin as he lifted the cup that we would soon be drinking out of as we all celebrated long into the night, the end of the Chairman Jim era and the start of Manager Alan’s.        

With thanks to Mark Smith’s book One For Sorrow Two For Joy for the statistical content of this series.

To read more about this season visit www.mufcheritage.com

AN ALTOGETHER MORE SPLENDID KIND OF LIFE - 1995-96

23 Seasons watching Maidenhead United

Part 2: 1995-96

Ahead of the first league match of the season I took the short walk from Courtlands to Bell Street season ticket in hand and full of confidence that I was about to witness the first steps of John Watt’s team marching to promotion in what was bound to be a glorious 125th anniversary season for Maidenhead United.

Following the promise of the previous season, Watt had been given the resources to sign experienced players from the division above in defender Mark Harrison, midfielder Tony Dell and strikers Paul McKinnon and Colin Tate. An exciting pre season friendly defeat to the Reading team just denied promotion to the Premier League only raised expectations. Ninety minutes later Barking had won 2-0, one of just four three point hauls all season as they finished bottom.

Never mind there was a much anticipated midweek derby to come at falling fast from grace local rivals Marlow. Hopes soared again as scores of Magpie fans flocked to the patch of grass outside the Plough for a pre match pint and a sing song. Final score 3-0 to the home team.

Never mind the following Saturday saw a chance to kick start the season in an FA Cup tie at Thame United. Final score 4-0 and the road to Wembley had reached a dead end in August.

So began the long final act of John Watt’s managerial career, albeit one that almost had a decent climax thanks to one thoroughbred player who was not ready to be put out to pasture. However Garry Attrell did not arrive at York Road until the new year.

In the meantime Mark Smith provided the opportunity to wallow in the club’s rich history with the publication of his first book looking at the seasons since United came into being in 1919. His research also meant a fine looking striped programme boasted a different Maidenhead line up from the past on its cover for every issue.

The FA Trophy provided a flicker of hope when Colin Tate scored his one and only goal for the club in a 4-2 win at Fareham Town. This prompted such delirium in the travelling faithful that the occupants of supporters car two (of two) persuaded pilot Logic, ably guided by navigator Keith Jackson, to make a seventy five mile detour for a celebratory curry in Southampton.

The next round brought a chance for revenge against Thame. After a 5-0 defeat at York Road, Watt was given a rather farcical points ultimatum for the next three league games to save his job. Losing the first 3-0 at home to Wokingham, another local club on the slide, fate left Watt’s job hanging on another trip to Thame, this time the first ever league meeting between the two clubs.

When the hosts took an early lead at Windmill Road, a sacking looked inevitable but the Magpies turned the scoreline around and although Thame equalised, Maidenhead restored their lead within a minute to lead 3-2 at half time. Within ten minutes of the restart the win was sealed with two more goals, the final 30 yard strike from Kevin Brown after his penetrating run from the heart of defence, remains one of the best I have ever seen by a Magpie.

The 5-2 win secured Watt’s job in the short term but a week later normal service was resumed with a 4-0 defeat at the ubiquitously strange location of Barton Rovers. Light relief was then provided by a game in the snow at Aldershot in the Full Members Cup, the result irrelevant as we marvelled at the sight of an orange ball and cheered on the home fans when the referee threatened to abandon the game unless they stopped throwing snowballs.

A red card for Dell at Chesham ended his undistinguished spell in Stripes and he was soon followed out of the door by Tate. McKinnon and Harrison M were retained as their superior quality was clearly evident, as was the presence of the former’s most enthusiastic supporter, father Jock.

New recruits were signed in the form of my former schoolmate Steve Croxford and the legendary Attrell.

This was Garry’s second spell at the club and he soon found a place in the hearts of all supporters with his dazzling wing play. The rumour that he spent his rumoured £35 a week wage over the bar in Stripes after the game only added to his boys own status. His first home game back saw him inspire the team to a 4-1 win over Marlow as the club began to pick up the points required for another season of mid table mediocrity. Safety was assured with a 1-0 win courtesy of a Croxford header in front of an 1800 crowd at Aldershot.

Watt almost went out on a high though with a rare run in the County Cup. Wins at home to Bracknell and away at Windsor set up a semi-final tie at York Road with the mighty Aylesbury United. The previous season they had hit the national headlines with their Duck walk to a third round tie against QPR. Playing a division higher in the Isthmian Premier they had firm Conference ambitions with talent to match but could not handle a rampant Magpie team in the first half.

On the stroke of the interval Mark Harrison gave his team a deserved lead with a spectacular free kick from the half way line which perfectly embarrassed Gary Phillips in the Aylesbury goal grasping fresh air as the ball looped over his head into the back of the net.

Unfortunately as the players walked off for half time, Garry Attrell was assaulted by an opposition player. Clearly still dazed at the restart, Attrell was subbed, depriving Maidenhead of their talisman. The match officials did not see the incident but Aylesbury’s Gary Smith was replaced at half time. Unjustly remaining at full strength the Ducks equalised, Harrison then scored a second from the penalty spot but another Aylesbury goal took the game to extra time.

A measure of revenge was won when Trevor Roffey saved a penalty to take the tie to a replay but the final whistle left a nasty taste in the mouth. This was the cliched one chance to cause a cup shock. The team had proved themselves up to the task and Aylesbury could only resort to foul means to avoid defeat. Writing this article twenty one years later I can still feel the righteous anger coursing through my veins. The replay was lost 4-0 and to this day the very mention of the word Aylesbury will guarantee to raise ire in Magpies of this vintage.

Red mist descended again at York Road before the season ended, this time in rather more light hearted circumstances. The occasion was an Easter Monday derby against Abingdon. Three late goals from McKinnon and Mick Creighton secured a 4-0 win but when scoring his second Creighton picked up an inflatable sheep from a home fan for a rather candid goal celebration. This crossed a line for Colin Fleet in the Abingdon goal and he had to be restrained by his team mates from confronting Creighton. Any hard feelings soon dissipated though and a few weeks later at the return game, Fleet came out of the tunnel holding another inflatable sheep.

The Watt era ended in the calm waters of fourteenth position in Isthmian League Division One. The time was right for a change and appeared to be the cause of some relief for Watt who despite doing his best with limited resources was much maligned by a section of the Magpie support who would make the weekly request: “Resign Watt and take that clown Sweetman with you”. This was his last post but his assistant Derek went onto be a successful local manager lower down the non league pyramid.

With thanks to Mark Smith’s book One For Sorrow Two For Joy for the statistical content of this series.

To read more about this season visit www.mufcheritage.com

Small talk

My small talk q & a from the last programme of the season:

What is your Twitter name?

@EducatedLeftFt

What is your earliest memory of Maidenhead United?

Seeing the glow of the floodlights from my bedroom window in Courtlands.

Where will I find you on a York Road matchday?

Around the ground

What do you like to eat and drink at York Road?

Tea and Mr Kipling’s finest in the boardroom at half time

What is the most memorable match you've seen Maidenhead United play?

Our FA Trophy tie at Blyth Spartans in February 2001. Unforgettable memories on and off the pitch.

What is the most memorable goal you've seen Maidenhead United score?

Tim Cook’s kick in which became an own goal at Aldershot in 1995, Mark Harrison against Aylesbury in 1996, Chuk Agudosi at Yeovil in 1997, Francis Duku against Sutton in 1997, Chris Ferdinand against Croydon in 2000, Adrian Allen against Aldershot in 2001, Mark Nisbet at Kings Lynn in 2007, Sam Collins against Wycombe at Marlow in 2010, Max Worsfold at Thurrock in 2011, Paul Semakula’s winner against Eastleigh  in 2012, Danny Green at Barrow in 2013, and of course James Mulley at Port Vale in 2015

Who is your favourite Maidenhead United player of all time?

Garry Attrell. When he ran down the wing he should have been accompanied by an orchestra playing Mozart.

What has been your favourite season watching Maidenhead United so far?

This one is pretty good along with 2006/07, 2003/04 and 1999/2000 but my favourite would be the epic 1997/98 season for many reasons, chiefly for the very British sense of plucky failure sweetened by the best County Cup win I have seen, beating a very strong Reading side at Adams Park thanks to an amazing goal from an unexpected source.

What is the best ground you've seen Maidenhead United play at? 

Not so much best as favourites are Penydarren Park (Merthyr Tydfil), Sandy Lane (Tooting & Mitcham United), Twerton Park (Bath City), and The Walks (King’s Lynn)

Other than Maidenhead United who are the team to watch in the Vanarama National League South this season?

Maidstone United are the best team I have seen this season, based on their performance at York Road in September.

Other than Maidenhead United's players who is the player to watch in the Vanarama National League South this season?

Anthony Acheampong (Ebbsfleet United) & Justin Bennett (Gosport Borough).

What are your hopes for Maidenhead United for the season?

We’ve done it – 1^st round of the FA Cup and a top ten league finish.

Who is your favourite current Maidenhead United player?

David Tarpey, a Garry Attrell for the 21^st Century. More Beethoven than Mozart though.

What do you love most about York Road?

The first view of the ground as my train approaches Maidenhead, particularly if it’s an evening match.

If you were in charge of Maidenhead United for a day, what one change would you make?

Build a bespoke entrance from platform 5 down the embankment through a back door in the club shop.

What is your favourite Vanarama National League South awayday?

Eastbourne Borough. Decent ground and facilities. Lovely people and we usually win.

If you were in charge of non league football for a day, what one change would you make?

Merge the Conference with the bottom division of the Football League, regionalise them as north/south, then start non league with four regional divisions below that.