Today I'm going back 16 years to 6th August 2005 and the pre-season Joe McGorian Cup match between Rushall Olympic and Racing Club Warwick.
I'm sure that most of you will never have heard of the Joe McGorian Cup. It was similar in concept to the FA's Charity or Community Shield in that it was played between the winners of the Midland Football Alliance and the Midland Football Alliance League Cup as a curtain raiser to the new season. In 2005, Rushall Olympic were the previous season's League title winners and Racing Club Warwick had won that season's League Cup. The Cup ceased to be played for in 2014 when the Midland Football Alliance and the Midland Combination Leagues merged to become the Midland Football League. Joe McGorian was a key figure in the administration of Midlands football and was the founding father of Solihull Borough in 1953 who went on to become Solihull Moors and may yet take their place in the football League in the not too distant future.
Before an adoring crowd of 120, the game was goalless in the first half but Racing Club took the lead early in the second half courtesy of a goal by James Wood. Racing Club were managed by Marcus Law, surely the most successful Warwick manager this century and in their side they had former Northampton Town and Fulham professional Terry Angus making a rare appearance for Warwick. Olympic equalised through Dave Read in the 71st minute but Racing Club were destined to have the last laugh though with a last minute winner scored, once again, by James Wood. No trophies for Warwick for years and years and then suddenly, like busses, two come along at once!
CRB Match No. 1440
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