VISITING DAMSON PARK . . .
EASTWOOD TOWN
T
Although Eastwood Town had a Football Club of that name operating in the Notts Alliance in 1921, its existence lasted only two years and it was 1953
when the present Club was founded. On the 29th August of Coronation year, Eastwood Town beat Bilsthorpe Colliery 4-1 to start their voyage, again in the Notts Alliance. Norman Wade had the honour of scoring the first goal. In eight seasons, Eastwood’s Notts Alliance record was:
PLAYED WON 216
162 27
DRAWN LOST FOR AGAINST 27
904 305
And the points total of 351 reflects the reward of only 2 points for a win. One title, 6 seasons as runners-up and once third was a proud record. Similar success was enjoyed in the Central Alliance and East Midlands Regional Leagues and some impressive F.A. Amateur Cup runs established the Club as the Midlands’ leading non-professional Club. The record home gate of 2723 was set in Feb 1965 against Enfield in an Amateur Cup tie. One notable scoring feat in the 1963/64 Central Alliance season saw no fewer than 6 “Badgers” achieve double figures in league and cup-goals. Brian Richardson, whose son Mark was also a hot-shot striker, hit a remarkable 82 goals, Alan Boardman got 30, John Wilmott weighed in with 18, Roy Gillott contributed 14 and Pete Berry and Fred Jepson completed the amazing record by grabbing 11 and 10 respectively. Their aggregate total was 165 and, believe it or not, another 12 players contributed another 33 goals between them. Can anyone imagine such an achievement today?
The “Badgers” professional career began in the famous Midlands Counties League in 1971 and progressed via the Northern Counties (East) to the N.P.L. In 1999, the “Badgers” reached the F.A. Cup 1st round losing narrowly at Exeter City.
After 16 years in the NPL, Eastwood suffered their first ever relegation but bounced straight back in 2003/2004 with a
8 VISITING DAMSON PARK
treble of NCE runners up spot, Presidents Cup winners and County Senior Cup winners - not to mention a last 8 finish in their first ever F.A. Vase campaign.
Back in the NPL, Eastwood finished sixth in Season 2004-2005, narrowly losing to AFC Telford in the play off Semi Finals. A great run in the F.A. Trophy saw the club enter the 5th round against a strong Hereford side. Many felt Eastwood were “robbed” of a sensational victory when Hereford were gifted a last gasp penalty equaliser by a refereeing decision unanimously agreed to be “incomprehensible”.
2005/2006 and with the Badgers sitting forlornly at the bottom of the table, former Manager Bryan Chambers resigned and Chairman Keith Smith had no hesitancy to appoint Assistant Manager and Academy director Paul Cox into the helm. It took them until December 15th to leave the foot of the table, but a tremendous run over the remainder of the season saw them finish only four points and one place outside the play-off’s. One consolation was the Badgers regained the Nottinghamshire Senior Cup they had lost twelve months earlier beating Sutton 3-1 in an entertaining final.
With optimism around the club at it’s highest for many a season, Keith Smith challenged Cox to get the Badgers promoted at the first time of asking, a challenge that would prove to be ultimately successful. Finishing third, the Badgers secured a home tie in the play-off’s by beating highly fancied Bradford Park Avenue. The final took Eastwood to Rock Ferry, the home of the runners up Cammell Laird. One down, the Badgers were only 8 minutes from defeat before a late flurry saw them score twice without reply to go into the UniBond Premier for the first time in their history. The Badgers capped off a fantastic season by avenging their defeat at the hands of Arnold two years earlier, beating them on penalties to retain the Nottinghamshire Senior Cup.
Eastwood had a steady start to the following season holding their own against a backdrop of budget cuts due largely to the failing health of the Chairman. October 2007 saw the arrival of Robert Yong as Chairman of the club. The ambitious entrepreneur raised expectations within the club targeting Blue Square Premier football within 5 years. An influx of quality signings boosted the playing squad and gave the club the opportunity to progress. The Badgers finished off in a very creditable fourth place, losing in the play off’s to the eventual winners Gateshead.
This season Paul Cox accepted the Chairman’s invitation to become the club’s first full-time manager and was joined by his long term friend and mentor John Ramshaw in signing a four year contract.
Since his promotion from Assistant Manager to Manager in October 2006, Paul Cox has led the club to four County Senior Cup finals, being victorious on all three occasions before tonight. The Badgers victory over Ollerton last April saw them win this magnificent trophy a 13th time in just over 25 years, after waiting nearly 25 years for their first success. In addition Cox has also won the UniBond Premier Championship, Promotion to the UniBond Premier, The
UniBond Challenge Cup and the UniBond Premier play-off’s at the first time of asking at the highest level of the pyramid they have ever played at.
The serious squad assembly in the close-season is testimony to Rob’s keen determination and huge commitment. Season 2008-2009 was truly memorable as victories over Kidsgrove, Lincoln Utd., Harrogate Town, Wrexham, Brackley and (famously) the then unbeaten Wycombe Wanderers took the Badgers into the F.A. Cup third round. A narrow 2-1 defeat at Kettering ended the
Club’s historic run On the 25th April 2009, Eastwood achieved the first stage of these objectives when victory over Ossett Town in front of a capacity crowd ensured the Badgers won the UniBond Premier A serious consolation was winning the Unibond (Premier) title and automatic promotion to Conference – North – halfway to Chairman Rob’s goal in less than 12 months.
VISITING DAMSON PARK
9
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19