Harwich honour 70s cup legends

By Andy Schooler

PROUD DAY: Joint-chair Tony Armstrong with the FA Cup

An Essex Step 5 club is to honour its FA Cup heroes 50 years on from their last appearance in the first round proper.

An upset looked on the cards when the Shrimpers drew 0-0 in north London but three days later they lost the home replay 3-0 in front of 1,843 fans.

The club’s latest FA Cup campaign will kick-off on Saturday, August 8 when they host Mildenhall Town in the extra preliminary round and on that day the 1976 team will be reunited at the 128-year-old Royal Oak ground.

A special exhibition telling the story of their famous FA Cup run will be on display, while a question-and-answer session with members of the side will take place prior to the 3pm kick-off.

The club’s current joint-chairman, Tony Armstrong, played in goal in that 1976 team and he said: “I’ve got great memories of that run and playing in the first round – it was a great achievement.

“We had a few of that team back at the club for our 150th anniversary celebrations last season but probably the last time we were all together was at the funeral of Steve Page, who was part of that squad, in 2013.

“Many have already confirmed their attendance and it would be great to get all those who played against Enfield back down to the Oak.”

In total, Harwich have reached the first round of the world’s oldest cup competition on six occasions, facing the likes of Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Bristol Rovers.

Formed in 1875, the Shrimpers are Essex’s second-oldest senior club and, after almost going out of business at the start of the 21st Century, have rebounded in recent times, moving from Step 8 in 2015 to their current position at Step 5.