When it all began for Wisbech Town FC
The newly-formed Wisbech Town Football Club committee held their first meeting on June 24 100 years ago.
It was agreed to enter the English Amateur Cup, Hinchingbrooke Cup, Chatteris Cup, Spalding Charity Cup, Cambs Junior Cup and Isle of Ely Cup.
The First XI would play in the Peterborough League and Lynn & District League; with the Reserves playing in the Isle of Ely League.
The Cambs Challenge Cup came to Wisbech in 1931, for the first time since 1905 when a team called Alfred House had won the competition.
Littleport Town were the first to feel the Town’s goal-scoring qualities, losing 11-0 at Harecroft Road in the First Round. Gamlingay put up a better show in the next round, losing 4-1.
Wisbech progressed to the final with a 6-4 win over Chatteris Town at March’s GER ground.
The Town produced splendid form again at March to defeat RAF Duxford 6-2 in the final. A large number of supporters travelled with the team and they, along with a considerable crowd of March and Duxford enthusiasts, witnessed a clean sporting game.
As the score suggests, Wisbech were by far the better team, and their success was due to teamwork. They set the pace at the beginning, and kept it up until the interval, when they were leading by four clear goals.
Team v RAF Duxford: Eggert, Harriman, Cattell, Ward, Jackson, Willbye, Burgess, Hill, Culpin, Chambers and Bicknall.
Goalscorers: ‘Wiffles’ Hill 2, Frank Willbye 2, Herbert Bicknall and George Chambers.
Bob Harriman
A well-remembered school teacher in the town as well as a stalwart for the club.
A resolute defender, in the 1930s Bob made 280 First XI appearances plus 33 for the Reserves. He scored the one goal for the Reserves in season 1939/40.
When the club turned semi-professional in 1935, Bob carried on playing as an amateur.
In the 1940s he made 18 appearances in the two seasons the club competed during hostilities, plus three appearance for the Reserves in 1945/46.
On April 14, 1982, the Fenmen won the Cambs Invitation Cup Final, beating March Town 2-0.
On their way to the final they had beaten Great Shelford – then a real power in the Cambs League – 2-1 at Fenland Park.
In the semi-final they won 3-0 away to Soham Town Rangers, then struggling at the wrong end of the Eastern Counties League table, to give a final tie against March Town at the Abbey Stadium.
Two second half goals were enough to win the cup.
The match between the two Fenland rivals was never a classic but Wisbech finally broke the deadlock after 59 minutes.
John Scase got in a header which was kicked off the line by John Bradley, whose clearance struck Gary Rider and spun into the net.
The Fenmen sewed things up nine minutes later when Scase took his chance from an Andy Blunden cross.
Gary Rider
One of the most consistent players to have turned out for the Fenmen.
A popular and well-respected player, Gary was the first name on the team sheet for every manager for nearly 20 years with the club. Also played for King’s Lynn where he was their leading goalscorer.
Club captain for several seasons and also a county player.
In season 1982/83, a back injury threatened his career but he regained his fitness.
In 1991/92, after Dave Eldred’s departure, he took over the management along with Les Lawrence for the last 10 games of the season.
Gary made 635 appearances for the Fenmen. He also scored 145 goals, plus 36 for the Reserves.
On Tuesday, April 28, 1992, Wisbech won the Cambs Invitation Cup Final with a 2-0 victory over Cambridge City.
On their way to this final the Fenmen disposed of Ely City at Fenland Park 3-0 and then in a hard-fought semi-final against March Town won through thanks to a 86th minute goal from Les Lawrence.
In the final against Southern League City, the Fenmen took the game to their higher-status rivals and scored two goals just after half-time to deservedly win the trophy. Mark Garwood slipped the first under Kevin Murray’s body after 54 minutes, then he and Ian Williams combined for the latter to score after they countered quickly when a City attack fell apart.
Ian Williams
Striker Williams is the second highest scorer for the Fenmen and was very popular through the 1990s. After a trial with Leicester City, he also played for Grantham, Lincoln United and Holbeach United.
Total for Wisbech 237 (32 sub) appearances with 176 goals before moving to Fakenham in season 1998/99.
Leverington won the Isle Challenge Cup in 1986/87 – a replay was needed to defeat Downham Town in the final. Downham won the Peterborough Premier that season with Leverington just above the relegation area at the end of the season. Metal Box were also plying their trade in the Peterborough League, finishing mid-table in Division Four.
In season 1991/92 Bell, Walsoken were playing in Division Three of the Peterborough League after two successive promotions, finishing sixth in that division.
The Wisbech Sunday League had re-started as a friendly league the season before and a Wisbech Town Sunday XI competed in it that season.
