Wisbech v March derby day in 1982
On April 14 the Fenmen travelled to the Abbey Stadium, Cambridge, to play March Town in the Cambs Invitation Cup Final.
On their way to the final the Fenmen had beaten the holders Great Shelford and Soham Town Rangers and the Hares were expected to be tough opposition as always.
The game never rose to any great heights but after 58 minutes Gary Rider broke the deadlock and nine minutes later John Scase made sure the trophy was going to Fenland Park. No further goals were scored and the match ended 2-0 to Wisbech.
Roy McManus
First team coach at the time, Roy was asked by the board of directors to take over as manager on October 19, 1982 and stayed for his first venture in management at Wisbech until May 15, 1987 when he left under acrimony to become manager of March Town and then won the Eastern Counties League title the next season.
Wisbech finished ninth in 1982/83 as Roy started to build a good team. There was disappointment the following season as the team finished runners-up to Braintree on goal difference in the Eastern Counties League and also establish a club record of going 37 games unbeaten.
The next two seasons are well remembered by the club’s supporters for the Fenmen’s two FA Vase runs which saw them defeated in the semi-finals.
A very good Halesowen team in 84/85; and the Southall debacle at Fenland Park the following season. The look of sheer disappointment on Roy’s face as he left the field at the end of that match spoke volumes.
A poor start to the following season as Roy started to build a new team and matters came to a head when he was publicly criticised by the chairman and another member of the board for not bringing in new players of sufficient quality to the club.
Yet again internal politics and personality clashes meant that Roy was not re-engaged for season 1987/88. In fact the local press had a heyday with comments from all sides including the supporters club who were against the decision.
Roy’s comment on the whole issue: “My departure is part of a long tradition at the club regarding managers.”
Roy’s last match was a Kinsella Cup match against Holbeach United whose boss Alan Day had accepted the Wisbech manager’s position.
With the revolving manager’s door in full swing in 2001 Roy, now on the board of directors, accepted an invitation to become general manager and assist Ian Benjamin at the club.
In 2003 Roy, along with Jackie Gallagher, both unpaid, took over the reins of the club which lasted until October 2004 when both managers decided to step down.
Roy came back as manager in late September 2007, assisted by Steve Appleby until the end of the season, when he left the club.
His record as manager is somewhat ambiguous. On his own 415 matches, with Jackie Gallagher 61. With Ian Benjamin and Steve Appleby matters become blurred but it’s thought that Roy was probably involved in management affairs in at least 625 games in total. Add to that looking after the reserves as well – probably another 100 plus.
His playing career over 14 seasons was 535 appearances plus seven as substitute, 89 goals scored.
In his last two seasons in the 1980s he named himself on the subs bench for every game but only played a few times. He probably holds the record for sub not used total.
A Fenmen through and through – what would he have achieved if he had stayed at the club in 1987 – we will never know.
1986: In a 4-1 Eastern Counties League victory over Soham Town Rangers at Fenland Park on October 28, Mel Mattless scored a hat-trick before half-time, and the surprise was that they were all shots from his feet. For Mel scored numerous headers and penalties.
That season he scored 12 from the spot and was the leading goalscorer with 25 strikes – not bad for a defender.
Both sides produced an excellent match full of good football and goalmouth action, with the visitors looking dangerous at the start.
However, the first goal came after 25 minutes. Then, seven minutes later, the rampaging Mattless beat the Soham offside trap to score a great solo goal.
Just before the interval Wisbech went three up. Mattless took a pass from Billy Tyler who was in good form, to beat the Soham keeper with a low drive from 12 yards to complete his hat-trick.
Martyn Lindsay scored the fourth goal in the second half before the visitors scored a late consolation goal.
Mel Mattless
A real Fenland Park favourite who gave 100% in effort in every game.
Joined the Fenmen from Chatteris is 1981. Fearless in the challenge and dominant in the air, he also liked to make forays deep into opponents territory.
Left in 1994 for spells at Bury Town and King’s Lynn.
Returned for season 1995/96.
His total record for the Fenmen is 710 appearances, plus six as sub and 91 goals to his credit. Add six goals for the reserves.
His first game for the Fenmen was a friendly at home to Stamford on August 11, 1981.
Assisted the club as a caretaker manager in partnership with Ian Jones in 2004. He made his last appearance coming on as a substitute in the match against Mildenhall on November 16, 2004.
The pair took on the full managerial reins in 2007, but results went against them and they left at the end of September. Mel has also been manager of March Town.
1958: The Fenmen’s “greatest-ever” team ensured runners-up position in the Midland League, behind the mighty Peterborough United, with a superb 4-1 victory at third-placed Boston United on April 29.
A classic game will remain indelible to the memory of all who saw it. True to form, the Fenmen once again rose to the occasion, and their four magnificently-taken goals and brilliant second half football amazed the home supporters and demoralised the Boston team.
Hundreds of Wisbech supporters, who made the journey by car and bus, saw their team at its brilliant best, playing football far above normal non-league standards.
The scorers for the Fenmen were Johnny Downie with a brace, and one each from Jesse Pye and Tot Leverton, with Arthur Hukin scoring Boston’s only goal.
There was not a weakness in the Wisbech team with 19-year-old Bryan Harvey in goal playing well, and a resolute defence giving the home forwards little room to manoeuvre.
Bryan Harvey
Born in Stepney, London, August 26, 1938.
Standing over six feet tall and commanding in his area, he started his goalkeeping career at March Town.
Signed by Oscar Hold in season 1956/57, he made 85 appearances for the Fenmen before Newcastle United paid Wisbech Town £3,000 for his services.
Bryan made 85 appearances for the Magpies before being released in 1961, and he played a season for Cambridge City before Blackpool signed him as cover for their England international keeper Tony Waiters. He made 11 appearances for Blackpool.
When Northampton needed a keeper urgently in 1963, Bryan was quickly signed for £4,000. During the 1964-65 season, the campaign Northampton won promotion to the First Division, he saved six penalty kicks.
In the First Division his performances in goal saved the Cobblers from several heavy defeats in that one season they played in the top flight.
Two broken fingers the following season in Division Two and his release at the end of the 1967-68 season meant his stay at the top level was limited.
He made 165 appearances for the Cobblers.
He then spent a couple of seasons at Kettering but mid-way through that spell he was offered a job in league management but the Poppies would not release him. For many years Bryan was manager of a chemical company and lived in Northampton. He died April 2006.
1986: New striker Keith Alexander scored a hat-trick on his February 22 home debut as Wisbech beat Harwich & Parkeston 5-1.
Alexander, signed on-loan from Kettering, scored his goals in the first 27 minutes.
Jamie Brighty scored after being set up by Alexander midway through the second half and five minutes from time, the Fenmen’s other debut-making striker, Mark Mitchell from Bourne, notched a well-taken goal.
Keith Alexander
Born November 14, 1956 at Nottingham. A well-travelled and popular striker who played locally for Stamford, Spalding United, Boston United and Kings Lynn. Came on loan to Wisbech Town from Kettering in season 1985/86, making six appearances, scoring four goals.
He also played for Barnet in the Football League, for Grimsby 83 apps, 26 goals; Stockport County 11 apps, 0 goals; Lincoln City 45 apps, 4 goals and Mansfield 3 apps, 0 goals.
He also played international football for Saint Lucia three times.
He was a very well-respected manager of Lincoln City, Peterborough United and Macclesfield.
He died at Lincoln on March 3, 2010.
Previously...
