A DAY WE WILL NEVER FORGET
APRIL 19, 1975. It was a day which was to become the biggest in the history of Hoddesdon Town Football Club as they prepared to face Epsom & Ewell in the inaugural final of the FA Vase.
The two clubs were the first to experience the day out at the historic Old Wembley in the newly formed competition. Firms, schools, and local residents alike had helped to organise coaches for Hoddesdon’s grand occasion as the eagerly-awaiting fans departed from the clock tower, the centrepiece of the Hertfordshire town.
The route to Wembley – on the field as opposed to on the road – was by no means an easy one. Starting on October 26, 1974, they came up against Epping Town at home in the opening round, in a match they narrowly won 2-1. Next came Billericay, followed by Basildon, Baldock, Molesey and Farnborough in the quarter-final, before the Lilywhites were tasked with beating Friar Lane Old Boys from Leicestershire in the semi-final, in a two-legged affair.
Hoddesdon prevailed after winning the first leg 2-0 in horrendous weather conditions before holding their opponents to a 1-1 draw away from home in late March. The second leg was watched by more than 3,500, which included more than 1,000 travelling Hoddesdon fans who had made the journey north.
The final was a thrilling encounter in front of a crowd of more than 9,000. However, it was to be little old Hoddesdon, who were to have their name on the trophy after beating their opponents 2-1, courtesy of a brace from forward and captain Dickie Sedgwick.
“Dickie had been out for a few weeks with a problem with his jaw, but he came back in that game and nicked a couple of goals for us early on”, recalls former Hoddesdon defender Chris Wilson.
Now, 45 years on, Wilson still has fond memories on the pinnacle of his big day at the Twin Towers.
“I didn’t realise that the final was being played at Wembley, until about four or five rounds into the competition, and when they told me I thought they were winding me up,” he added.
“In the second half, we hung on a bit. It was a wonderful experience. It was a great day.
“We came back and the chairman took us all down to the local steakhouse and brought us all a steak each.
“The next day we went to the town hall and we were all taken around the town on a local bus..
“It was a surreal time really. It really was a wonderful experience.”
1. Joe Chinoweth (assistant manager): Went on to coach at Hertford Town for nine seasons. He also worked as a surveyor.
2. Brian Becker: On the substitutes bench for the final but missed out on playing as only one sub was allowed.
Died in 1992 at the age of just 46.
3. David Stevenson: The centre-half worked in the newspaper industry alongside his footballing career.
4. Fred Gulvin: A star performer in Hoddesdon’s success. The goalkeeper had trials with Chelsea, before working as a sign writer and then as a shop-fitter. Tragically died from a heart attack in 1984, aged just 47. 5. Mickey Southgate: The reserve goalkeeper went on to become part of Stansted FC’s 1984 FA Vase winning squad. He was originally a contracts manager for London Transport, but moved into a career in Health & Safety.
6. Reggie Bishop: The winger was formerly a welder until he started his own joinery business.
7. Dave Bidwell: Spent more than 20 years working as a manager for Royal Mail. Went on to manage Cheshunt and Broxbourne Borough, where he was also chairman and groundsman.
8. Dickie Sedgwick (captain): Worked as a warehouseman before taking up a role with builder’s merchant Jewsons. Recently retired and still lives within the local area. 9. Billy Moye (manager): Worked as a sales rep for Heinz. Sadly died following a long battle with illness in March 2017. 10. Billy Nathan (trainer): The coach is now retired after working in Bahrain,
overseeing the building of their Formula 1 circuit.
11. John Nathan: Younger brother of trainer Billy. Had played for Leyton Orient whilst working as a service receptionist, before running a soft furnishing business. The forward died in 2000, aged just 50.
12. Chris Wilson: Central defender who was also a builder. Now runs his own successful roofing business within the local area. 13. Les Picking: Used to work in the insurance industry, before becoming a painter and decorator. The former England Amateur International recently passed away after a long battle with illness. 14. Phil Maybury: Worked as a mechanic and had also managed Haringey Borough F.C. He returned to Hoddesdon as groundsman for a couple of seasons.
15. Billy Green: Now living in retirement after working as a shipping manager.
16. Keith Schofield: The winger had worked at Smithfields Meat Market in London, but is now working at Stansted Airport. 17. Pat Hickey: Previously had trials with QPR and Crystal Palace. Has worked as a wireman and an electrician locally.
A lot has changed since the mid1970s when 220 clubs entered the competition, compared to more than 600 teams this season. Hoddesdon’s success, however, set the tone and has since inspired many other clubs to go on and enjoy their finest hour.