West Midlands League

1966/7


After being within a whisker of going out of business in 1964, Boston United had remained alive by spending a season in the Premier Division of the Boston and District League. At the end of that season former Irish international Don Donovan was appointed player-manager after being released by Grimsby Town. He brought with him from Grimsby two young players who were to become the backbone of the Boston side for many seasons to come; full back John Lakin and wing half Billy Howells. For his first season in charge United played in the United Counties League, which they easily won. In their search for better opposition they then applied for membership of a number of leagues. Somewhat surprisingly, the best opportunity they were afforded came from a switch to the West Midlands League, so they started the 1966/7 season playing against teams from the other side of the country. Amongst the sides in the West Midlands League at that time were some familiar names from today, including Kidderminster Harriers, Tamworth, Halesowen Town, Hednesford and Bromsgrove Rovers. There were also a few less well known sides such as Lower Gornal Athletic, Brierley Hill Alliance and Lye Town.

Donovan stuck with the squad that had gained UCL honours the previous season, the only major new signings being 30 year old former England amateur international Peter Thompson, who had been brought in from Boston Chairman Ray Middleton’s former club Hartlepools United and 31 year old midfielder Brian Clifton who had formerly been club captain at Grimsby.

The 66/7 Boston United first team

The United First Team 1966/67

BACK ROW: Bobby Baker, John Lakin, Brian Clifton, Billy Howells, Ken Oxford, Don Donovan, Geoff Barrowcliffe, Jimmy Fell. FRONT ROW: David Robinson, Jimmy Rayner, Peter Thompson, Paddy Roche, Freddy Tunstall.

In their first West Midlands game they travelled to Bromsgrove and twice had to come from behind to record a win with two goals from Jimmy Fell and one from Jimmy Rayner. Their West Midland League home debut pitted them against Kidderminster Harriers. In a spruced up York Street ground, Boston went ahead on five minutes via an opportunist goal by Jimmy Rayner. After 28 minutes Kidderminster got a deserved equaliser. Boston went in front again when Rayner scored by bundling Kidderminster keeper Wilcox over the line with the ball. Their lead lasted for less than a minute before Kidderminster equalised again. The second Kidderminster goal spurred Boston into action and they now began to play better and better as the game headed towards its conclusion. The two goals that clinched the points for Boston were both powerful long-range shots from outside the penalty area by Brian Clifton. The winning streak continued as Boston went on to record victories in all of their opening nine West Midland League matches.

With two games to go Boston had won 31 out of 40 games and only lost 3. They still however needed a point at Bilston to ensure the league title, but they went down 2-0. However the title was won as Tamworth beat second placed Kidderminster by the same score. The impressive West Midlands League championship shield was presented to Don Donovan by League secretary Gordon Davies prior to their final game of the season against Atherstone at York Street. Boston finished off the season by giving a soccer exhibition for their jubilant fans as they won 4-1 with goals from Paddy Roche(2), Jimmy Rayner and Peter Thompson.

Jimmy Rayner finished the season as top scorer with 49 goals in 51 appearances. Peter Thompson wasn't far behind with 42 goals in 46 appearances - it can't be often that a striker nets so many goals and doesn't finish top of the scoring charts.


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