The Search for a New Ground
Our welcome was wearing a
little thin at the Acocks Green Unionist Club. Bob Broad’s idea to buy the
shop on the corner of Windermere Road for use as a lock-up with a clubhouse
upstairs failed because the premises were used as a sub-post office.
In November of 1958 the
decision to find a new site was made and various possibilities were discussed
at great length, but with club assets standing at £53 and debts of £103,
including a bill to repair the infamous hot water geyser which supplied the
needs of the pavilion, funds were hard to come by. Agents offered a five acre
field at Rumbush Lane in Earlswood at £2500 with half yearly rates of £29 1s
2d. Keith Cope was told to make a “take it or leave it” offer of £1500. The
agents left it.
Land at Whitlock’s End was
first mentioned in February 1960, but Jack Horne could not make a decision
until an enquiry concerning land for housing in the area, was completed. Old
Moseleians decision to leave Windermere Road gave us the opportunity to have
two adjacent pitches, but hopes of any lucrative bar facilities in the
pavilion were dashed by the City Parks Department..
Following another dismal
playing season, Leicester Extras, Cheltenham, Hinkley and Stratford
disappeared from the fixture list.
Billy Williamson, whose
support and encouragement as Chairman since 1945 was appreciated by everyone,
retired and was made a Life Member.