End of an era as Utd vote to turn amateur
LOUGHBOROUGH United, tired from their struggles in the world of semi-professional football in recent years, voted 50 years ago last Friday to turn amateur.
The change over was planned to take place over the next 12 months with the gradual phasing out of professionals and development of amateurs.
When president Pat Pateman raised his hand and said, “I vote we go amateur, who will back me?” the show indicated full support.
Nobody voted against but the Echo reporter at the time felt: “At least one man did not agree - there were possibly three or four.”
The Echo report went on to say: “It was an informal meeting at which members, and outsiders were invited to air their views.
“Debate continued for about 90 minutes and with Jim Thomas throwing in a financial trump card: ‘I will back an amateur side but will not give a penny to a professional set up” he said; there was never much chance the change be prevented.
“Mr. Thomas was voted on to the committee for the first time along with Pat Pateman, and John Mulcahy of the Monitor.
“The meeting listened to Mr. Mulcahy outline his arguments for the change.
“He envisaged a ‘mini Real Madrid’ – a club which develops socially and provides additional facilities with cash raised.
“In this way it would be a benefit to the social and sporting, community and the Corporation may think again about using the Brown’s Lane site as a Sports Centre.
“Afterwards the management committee met to discuss the election of officers and the first decision was to vote Bill Stagg, who retired as chairman, the first life member and club president.
“Mr. Stagg has been chairman throughout the club’s existence and treasurer for the last five years. It is commendable that the club are not in debt like so many of their Midland League counterparts.
“Waiter Ball was elected chairman, Jim Biddies secretary, and Geoff Roulstone secretary with Messrs. Hammond, Butler, Thomas, Pateman, Mulcahy, Angrave on the committee. Another committee-man is likely to be elected at the next management meeting.
“No decision was taken over the appointment of a manager. Bob Faley’s offer to do the job was mentioned during the public meeting but the problem is delicate because manager Pat Groome is on contract and this will be honoured together with the contracts of professional players.
“It was indicated that the system of public relations will be modernised and that there will be a sub-committee of sorts set up to handle this aspect from A to Z. But, this was not discussed in public.”
The much-loved team had actually been founded just 10 years before, taking over from Brush Sports FC at Brown’s Lane.
The highlight of their semi-professional career was the season 1962/63 which saw them crowned the Midlands League champions.
They were the first, and only team, to have climbed those heights since the Loughborough FC team of the 19th century.
Geoff Hazledine, brought in as a temporary player-manager, used the club’s chequebook effectively - he landed players who took the team to the title.
Adding to the solid foundation of the likes of Stan Hodges and
David Smith were the prolific attack of John Birkbeck, Richie Barker and Maurice Galley, backed by the wingers Barry Fowler and Barry Calladine.
They tore the league apart and went 24 games unbeaten.
Unfortunately it was just 10 years later, in 1973 the club played its last game at their home ground of Brown’s Lane as plans for a leisure centre well and truly underway.
However, the name of Loughborough United FC still lives on today.
The North Leicestershire League team, that plays at Lodge Farm Playing Field off Outwoods Drive, have no ties whatsoever to the Loughborough United of Brown’s Lane, but they do play with the history of the name upon them.
It was officially formed in 1989 and speaking to the Echo in 2013, the 50th anniversary of Utd’s Midlands League victory, then club’s secretary Dave Cann said: “We have nothing to do with the original club, but I can remember going down to watch Loughborough United at Brown’s Lane myself as a kid. I used to stand on the grass bank.”