On this day – 11 May
A look through the archives to see what was happening to Reds on the 11th May in the past……..
Having been relegated from the Third Division in 1967, Reds supporters were hoping for an improvement throughout the 1967-68 season. Sadly, they had to watch the team toil through another forty-six games and the return to the Fourth Division ended in 23rd position, with the club having to apply for re-election.
On the final day of the ’67-68 campaign, fellow strugglers, Chester, were the visitors to Borough Park for the 23rd v. 22nd encounter.
At least Reds ended a miserable campaign on a winning note, a welcome first win in thirteen outings, but many fans stayed away with an attendance of 1,008 the lowest of the season.
Local lad Eric Banks had been handed his Football League debut on the day but it was the more experienced Billy Griffin (pictured), the former Sheffield Wednesday and Bury player, who scored the only goal of the game.
Five years earlier in 1963 we were still playing catch-up after the severe winter which saw no football for six weeks between January and February.
Reds hosted Newport County on this day but still had a few games to play after that.
Ken Furphy was shaping the side ahead of the promotion push for the following season and his main concern was finding that crucial ingredient – consistency.
That wasn’t an issue against the South Wales outfit with Reds strolling to a 4-0 victory.
Jack Swindells, who wouldn’t be at the club after the summer, scored twice in the comfortable win with Peter Watson (inset) and Geoff Martin also finding the target.
