1971/’72/'73 Season Summary

Captain: John Minchin

My first attempt at being skipper for Harlow came when Ian Gallentree had to have his appendix removed, half way through the 71/72 season. I was asked to take over, things didn't go too badly so I decided to stand as captain
the following season. It was bad news, even before training started I decided to resign, on account of the Bar Manager a certain Mr John Lewis announcing that no after hours drinking would be allowed. I was furious, how could I ask finely tuned athletes to train for hours without a few hours refreshment to sustain them afterwards .So in a very mature and adult fashion decided to stand down.

Things where resolved a few weeks later, when John Hurley made me see sense.
 

So down to training, and coping with the loss of the flying Powell brothers to Bishops Stortford, with Bob Pendleton and Paul Tucker legging it to Upper Clapton, absolute disaster. Decided on a no train no play policy and stuck to it, much to most peoples annoyance. While we missed some players, we did have consistency with the 2nd and 3rd team players and lost on a regular basis, not quite true, probably 50/50.

The trouble in those days was the variation in fixtures, one week Barking the next Old Cooperians. All that got resolved eventually with John Pendleton taking on the roll of fixture secretary.
 

We had some great times though, making new friends with the established players as lots of us had moved to Harlow from all over the country. We always shut the bar at closing time, round about midnight I seem to remember.

Good times and I still like to have drink with John Lewis.
Thanks,
John Minchin.

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