FA CHALLENGE TROPHY - WEMBLEY 1980


Back row: Keith Wild (trainer), Jimmy O'Connor, Harry Pollitt, John Salter, John Fitton, Kevan Keelan, Dave Vaughan, Vinny Garmory, Bob Murphy (manager), Jock Anderson (physio). Front row: Tony Grimshaw, Kevin Gorman, Ian Smith, Leo Skeete, Dave Moore, Alan Brown, Mark Smethurst.

' WE'RE ON THE MARCH WI' MURPHY'S ARMY. . . '
Ian Smith scores past Alex Stepney in the 5-1 third round victory at Altrincham
Mitcheson of Blyth Spartans heads past his own keeper in the quarter final against Blyth Spartans at Seel Park

Kevin Gorman turns in jubilation after scoring against Boston United in the first leg of the semi final
Boarding the coach for Wembley
Manager Bob Murphy and captain Leo Skeete lead the Mossley team out at Wembley against Dagenham
Leo Skeete meets the Tom Finney
Leo Skeete meets the Dagenham captain before the big kick off
Leo Skeete creates an early chance with John Salter in support
Kevan Keelan goes close with a header
Keelan heads goalwards again
Leo Skeete powers a typical header...
...and hits the post with another

Ian Smith scores Mossley's spectacular Wembley goal... click on picture to see larger image
...and wheels away in celebration
Harry Pollitt fires just over
The final whistle ...oh no!
We've lost and no-one can quite believe it...
...least of all the fans

The team return on an open top bus
What a reception on the market ground!
Bob Murphy salutes the fans walking tall from defeat

THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY

Round Opponents Venue Result Att. Scorers
1st Round Spennymoor United home won 3-1 657 Smith-2, Skeete
2nd Round Boston FC away draw 0-0 338 -
Replay Boston FC home won 6-3 530 Skeete-3, Smith, Moore, Gorman
3rd Round Altrincham away won 5-1 2525 Moore-3, Smith-2
Quarter Final Blyth Spartans home draw 1-1 2427 own goal
Replay Blyth Spartans away won 2-0 3402 Smith, Moore
Semi Final (1) Boston United home draw 1-1 3408 Gorman
Semi Final (2) Boston United away won 2-1 4590 Keelan-2
FINAL Dagenham Wembley lost 1-2 26000 Smith

 

THE WEMBLEY TEAM

John Fitton
goalkeeper
Signed in 1974 from Skelmersdale United.
Previously played for Oldham Athletic and Rochdale.
Currently involved with Chadderton FC

Alan 'Bomber' Brown
right back
Signed in 1971 from Bradford Park Avenue.
Still works for Manchester MBC,
continued playing local football into his 50's.

Dave Vaughan
left back
Signed in 1977 from Boston FC.
Tried his luck in management with Burton Albion and
Matlock Town but is now no longer involved in football.

Kevin Gorman
midfield
Signed in 1978 from Droylsden.
Previously with Barrow, Horwich RMI and Bacup Borough.
Lived in Lydgate and was still to be seen jogging
the roads of the locality until relocating to Aberdeen around 2004.

John Salter
central defender
Signed in 1979 from Southport for a £1,000 fee.
Previously with Blackpool and Workington.
Emigrated to South Africa. Current whereabouts unknown!

Harry Pollitt
central defender
Signed in 1973 from local park football.
Retired from palying after the final.
Lives and works in Manchester.

Ian Smith
striker
Signed in 1977 from Mexborough Town Athletic.
Previously with Boston FC.
Now coaches a junior team in Sheffield.

Dave Moore
striker
Signed in 1974 from Radcliffe Borough for £100 fee.
Previously with Manchester City and Stalybridge Celtic.
Still resident in Manchester

Leo Skeete
striker
Signed in 1975 from Rochdale.
Previously with Burscough and Ellesmere Port Town.
Now settled back in his native Liverpool and is an
Everton season ticket holder.

Jimmy O'Connor
midfield
Re-signed in 1978 from Droylsden.
Also played for Bury, Macclesfield Town and Runcorn.
Now a North Wales businessman and a director of Rhyl FC

Kevan Keelan
striker
Signed in 1979 from Australian Club Newcastle for a £375 fee.
Previously with Stalybridge Celtic, Radcliffe Borough, Northwich Victoria and Buxton.
No longer involved in football after managing Ashton United, Mossley and Stalybridge Celtic.

Phil Wilson
substitute
Signed in 1980 from Altrincham for a club record £3,500 fee.
Previously with Tranmere Rovers and Runcorn.
After successful spells in charge of Stalybridge Celtic and Southport
he has recently taken over as manager at Lancaster Cirty.

 

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