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Season 38. 1970/71
Harrow Borough21 Jul 2023 - 14:57
Season 38. 1970/71
Roy Churchill starting his second full season in charge and was gradually over seeing improvements both on and off the field.
Season 1970/71 is remembered for a unique sequence of matches against Hounslow, who played in the division above Harrow. An ill-tempered pre-season friendly was the first of SIX meetings between the clubs . We were drawn together in the first qualifying round of the F.A. Cup at Earlsmead. Roger Chapman scored the only goal of the match for the Boro, but Hounslow appealed to the F.A. as it transpired that Harrow player Kenny Hore had a suspension outstanding from the previous season. The F.A. ordered the match to be replayed at Hounslow’s ground Denbigh Road. Mick Murphy gave Boro the lead after 37 minutes then the hosts equalised just before half time. Within two minutes of the restart there was more controversy as Wilson of Hounslow clearly scored with the use of his hand but it was unseen by the match officials and the goal stood. The local press described “That really raised a howl of protest from both players and supporters for several minutes and the Denbigh road ground was in uproar” Harrow captain John Wood led by example as he urged the team forward and in the 87th minute Joe Connor scored a deserved equaliser.
The replay was just three days later back at Hounslow. This was described as “violent and ill-tempered affair” with “no less than 40 free kicks in the first 90 minutes” Harrow had finally taken the lead after 85 minutes as Mick Murphy turned John Wickham’s cross into the net, only for former Harrow player John Carter to level three minutes later . The referee struggled to keep control during extra time, numerous players were booked & Roger Chapman was sent off. Harrow’s ten men held out to force another replay.
Hounslow refused to play the 4th game at Earlsmead, so it was played at Southall’s Western Road Stadium. This was a fine football match with Hounslow taking an early lead before Mick Murphy levelled on 42 minutes when he stabbed home the rebound after a mighty shot by twin brother John. Hounslow regained the advantage soon after half time only for John Murphy to score and take to contest to another period of extra time. In the second period of extra time Murphy was fouled as Harrow attacked the referee awarded a penalty to Harrow. Up stepped Roger Chapman but his shot was saved by his namesake Chapman in goal for Hounslow. With one minute of this now 420 minute contest remaining Roger Chapman delivered a corner that fell to John Murphy who turned in the winning goal.
The efforts of the previous fortnight had taken their toll as in the next round Southern League Dartford came to Earlsmead and outplayed an out of sorts Harrow side, winning 7-0.
League form had been very good in the first half of the season and at Christmas the Reds were in 5th place in the league. With home wins over league leaders Croydon (1-0, J. Murphy) and Herne Bay (2-1, Ellerbeck 2) showing the sides improved quality. A young Dave Kemp, later of Crystal Palace and Plymouth Argyle, made his debut during this period. Kemp scored his first goal at Ruislip Manor in a bruising affair on the Saturday before Christmas, Brian Amyes scored the other as Joe Connor was sent off for retaliating after being the victim of continuous provocation from home defenders. His dismissal sparked a ‘pitched battle between both sides’ after which Ruislip’s Griffiths was carried off on a stretcher. The referee choose to take no further action and Harrow held out to win 2-1.
A 4-0 home win over Uxbridge at the end of February in which Tommy Elllerbeck scored two as did Dave Kemp (the week after his 18th birthday)was followed by ten matches without a win. Harrow finished the season in 12th place.
The leading scorers were Tommy Ellerbeck on 11 goals, Mick Murphy with 9 and John Murphy on 8. Goalkeeper Terry Self and defender John Wickham were selected to play for the Athenian League Rep side.
Brian Aymes
Joe Connor
John Wood
Tommy Ellerbeck
Peter Jones
Terry Self gk
John Wickham
Graham Humphrey
David Kemp
David Wheeler
Paul Thurbon
Mick Murphy
John Murphy
Alec Steel
Roger Chapman
Kenny Wild
Kenny Hore
Richard Van Oostrum
Paul Byrne
Jeff Chapman
Rod Bassett
Nobby
John Davies
Tommy Dicks
Brian Eustice
Brian Walker
Derek Archer
Tommy Davern
Gary Evans
Dennis Wren
Micky Doherty
Paul Hind
Ian Jones
Frank Seabrook
Stuart Webb
Frank Lever
John Wheeler
Season 1970/71 is remembered for a unique sequence of matches against Hounslow, who played in the division above Harrow. An ill-tempered pre-season friendly was the first of SIX meetings between the clubs . We were drawn together in the first qualifying round of the F.A. Cup at Earlsmead. Roger Chapman scored the only goal of the match for the Boro, but Hounslow appealed to the F.A. as it transpired that Harrow player Kenny Hore had a suspension outstanding from the previous season. The F.A. ordered the match to be replayed at Hounslow’s ground Denbigh Road. Mick Murphy gave Boro the lead after 37 minutes then the hosts equalised just before half time. Within two minutes of the restart there was more controversy as Wilson of Hounslow clearly scored with the use of his hand but it was unseen by the match officials and the goal stood. The local press described “That really raised a howl of protest from both players and supporters for several minutes and the Denbigh road ground was in uproar” Harrow captain John Wood led by example as he urged the team forward and in the 87th minute Joe Connor scored a deserved equaliser.
The replay was just three days later back at Hounslow. This was described as “violent and ill-tempered affair” with “no less than 40 free kicks in the first 90 minutes” Harrow had finally taken the lead after 85 minutes as Mick Murphy turned John Wickham’s cross into the net, only for former Harrow player John Carter to level three minutes later . The referee struggled to keep control during extra time, numerous players were booked & Roger Chapman was sent off. Harrow’s ten men held out to force another replay.
Hounslow refused to play the 4th game at Earlsmead, so it was played at Southall’s Western Road Stadium. This was a fine football match with Hounslow taking an early lead before Mick Murphy levelled on 42 minutes when he stabbed home the rebound after a mighty shot by twin brother John. Hounslow regained the advantage soon after half time only for John Murphy to score and take to contest to another period of extra time. In the second period of extra time Murphy was fouled as Harrow attacked the referee awarded a penalty to Harrow. Up stepped Roger Chapman but his shot was saved by his namesake Chapman in goal for Hounslow. With one minute of this now 420 minute contest remaining Roger Chapman delivered a corner that fell to John Murphy who turned in the winning goal.
The efforts of the previous fortnight had taken their toll as in the next round Southern League Dartford came to Earlsmead and outplayed an out of sorts Harrow side, winning 7-0.
League form had been very good in the first half of the season and at Christmas the Reds were in 5th place in the league. With home wins over league leaders Croydon (1-0, J. Murphy) and Herne Bay (2-1, Ellerbeck 2) showing the sides improved quality. A young Dave Kemp, later of Crystal Palace and Plymouth Argyle, made his debut during this period. Kemp scored his first goal at Ruislip Manor in a bruising affair on the Saturday before Christmas, Brian Amyes scored the other as Joe Connor was sent off for retaliating after being the victim of continuous provocation from home defenders. His dismissal sparked a ‘pitched battle between both sides’ after which Ruislip’s Griffiths was carried off on a stretcher. The referee choose to take no further action and Harrow held out to win 2-1.
A 4-0 home win over Uxbridge at the end of February in which Tommy Elllerbeck scored two as did Dave Kemp (the week after his 18th birthday)was followed by ten matches without a win. Harrow finished the season in 12th place.
The leading scorers were Tommy Ellerbeck on 11 goals, Mick Murphy with 9 and John Murphy on 8. Goalkeeper Terry Self and defender John Wickham were selected to play for the Athenian League Rep side.
Brian Aymes
Joe Connor
John Wood
Tommy Ellerbeck
Peter Jones
Terry Self gk
John Wickham
Graham Humphrey
David Kemp
David Wheeler
Paul Thurbon
Mick Murphy
John Murphy
Alec Steel
Roger Chapman
Kenny Wild
Kenny Hore
Richard Van Oostrum
Paul Byrne
Jeff Chapman
Rod Bassett
Nobby
John Davies
Tommy Dicks
Brian Eustice
Brian Walker
Derek Archer
Tommy Davern
Gary Evans
Dennis Wren
Micky Doherty
Paul Hind
Ian Jones
Frank Seabrook
Stuart Webb
Frank Lever
John Wheeler
Further reading