Opponents No.14 - Kingsbay Part 1

Many football fans won't look beyond the Marks Brothers when thinking about Kingsbay, but 'Bay had great success and some great players before and after their glory period of the early 80s.

Melchester Rovers followers first had reason to notice Kingsbay in the mid-60s. With school teacher left-half Lofty Peak the stand out player, the men from the south coast began to form a side able to match and beat England's very best. During a match in December 1968, Peak would have an amazing battle with Rovers' new signing Geoff Giles. With long-serving half Buster Brown retiring, Ben Galloway was on the look-out for a ready made replacement. Peak certainly impressed the Guvnor who soon promptly snapped up the man affectionately known as the "Gentle Giant."

But Kingsbay would not feel his loss; by 1970/71 they were ready to concentrate their efforts fully on winning the League Championship. Despite lacking a top-class centre-forward, Kingsbay led at the midway point of the season, inspired by club legends Harry Robbins and Sammy Jessop. Shocking rumours circulated of an audacious bid to sign Roy Race, the move never materialised, but Kingsbay's intent was clear to all and the title was won!

In their search for that 30 goal a season striker, Kingsbay turned to Roger Dixon. Dixon had a phenomenal strike rate, but lacked stamina. But he had his role, a natural goalscorer, Dixon was suited to the increasingly popular role of "super-sub". Roy Race sensed potential in the target man and snapped him up for a bargain £60,000.

Kingsbay had by now turned to a forward three of Ron Grainger, Johnny Hodges and Eric Barton. Wally Turnball was manager, he preferred old-fashioned attacking tactics, three forwards as well as two wide men. Barton was the focal point of the attack, Hodges and Grainger his lively side-kicks. Future England international Duncan Blair a star on the wing. The combination worked and Kingsbay finished the 1976/77 season in a very good third place.

Turnball was a revelation, his tactics a throwback to his playing days - it was all out attack, almost the old 2-3-5 formation, but a little more defensive. Soon, the captain, Barton, moved on, centre-half Nigel Payne taking over as skipper, but it would be Barton's replacement up front who would fire Kingsbay back to the very top.

Part 2 next week - The Marks Brothers