The following article appeared in the programme for Racing Club Warwick v Causeway United on 28th March 2006.
Is it possible to smell title winners? If so, the aroma of the next Midland Football Alliance champions lingered strongly in the air at The Scholar’s Ground, Chasetown on Saturday. Nobody can dispute that Chasetown have had one hell of a season this time around, taking pride of place in the FA Cup and then having to play catch up with all the other teams in our league having played half a dozen less than most and being in tenth place at Christmas. With the Midland Alliance title chase having turned into a four horse race of late following Malvern’s stumble of Devon Loch proportions, Chasetown couldn’t afford to relax against Racing Club and looked impressive from the off with Dave Egan giving The Scholars a two-goal lead inside the first half hour. Travelling Warwick fans with memories of the recent trips to Stourbridge and Loughborough still fresh in the mind feared the worst. And then something strange happened. Chasetown took their foot off the pedal and Racing Club began looking more solid at the back. In the second half there was really only one team in it (Racing Club!) and, when James Wood pulled one back on the hour following excellent approach work by the newly invigorated Jam, Chasetown began to look distinctly nervous. Alas our heroes didn’t turn pressure into goal scoring chances and finished vanquished at 2-1. Highly respectable in the circumstances but we were left pondering the “if onlys”. Chasetown are surely not looking forward to their visit to Townsend Meadow on the last Wednesday of the season, especially if they need the points for the title.
So what next for our boys? If we fail to beat Causeway United tonight then we will equal our longest winless streak under Marcus (four defeats and two draws in September-October 2004). Racing Club’s current form reads one win in nine games (and that against Rocester - with all due respect to the Romans we expected nothing else) and Marcus, rightly has decided that enough is enough. With one eye on next season, now is the time to try new players and formations. Inevitably changes bring departures and we wave a fond farewell to stalwarts Marcus King, Leon Thomas and Tom Cudworth.
Tom Cudworth appeared in Racing Club’s colours 99 times (95 plus 4 as substitute) and I was only asking Pat Murphy at our recent away game at Loughborough Dynamo whether the Club was going to mark the occasion of his 100th appearance – a case of not counting the chickens I suppose since that turned out to be his final game for the club! Tom gave the club fine service, making his debut appearance in Marcus Law’s first game in charge away at Ludow Town in October 2003. Perhaps a little controversially Tom has decided to join that team from Harbury Lane and, with Racing Club due to visit within two weeks to collect three points, the stage is set for secret weapon Tom to score an own goal winner as a thank you farewell to Warwick (please?). I can hardly wait to see what Robert Betts will make of Tom if he lingers a little too long on the ball on April 8th!
Marcus King was certainly a fans favourite during his time with Warwick. What Marcus lacked in height he made up for in endeavour and is the only player I can recall who turns out complete with his hearing aid (Racing Club players and staff occasionally had to look for a lost earpiece at the final whistle!). Whilst never being an automatic choice under Marcus probably due to the form of Scott Lower, Marcus did make 72 appearances (54 plus 18 as substitute). His debut was in Marcus Law’s second game in charge at home to Westfields in October 2003. My personal Marcus King highlight was the night of the Polymac Services Cup Semi-Final First Leg last season when, with the clock ticking down he entered the fray and uncharacteristically went on a surging run into the box before slotting the ball home for a priceless first leg 1-0 lead. Marcus King’s final appearance was an unhappy one – our 1-6 reverse against Stourbridge last month.
With the departure of Leon Thomas, Racing Club are going to have to find a new scorer for our tilt at the Polymac Services Cup next season. Leon has scored Warwick’s last four goals in the competition, all three of our goals in the two-legged final last season against Oadby Town plus another at home to Biddulph this season. Leon managed 87 appearances for Warwick (68 plus 19 as substitute) also making his debut in that game against Westfields in October 2003. His final appearance, perhaps fittingly, was in the Polymac Services Cup during our 0-2 reverse at Tipton last month. Good luck for the future to all three departing players except of course when coming up against the mighty Racing Club!
Keep the faith!
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