Opponents No.11 - Stambridge City

Stambridge City were one of the teams of the 80s. Promoted as Division 2 Champions in 1979/80 Stambridge consolidated their position in the top flight and gave a few of the big boys a fright or two along the way.

Early in the season, the Greens shocked Melchester Rovers in the League Cup 5th Round, smashing five goals past the hapless Charlie Carter and proving to Roy Race that his side needed improvement. But by the time Rovers would face City again on the final day of the season, they were all but relegated, needing to win by five goals to stay up. Roy Race would lead his side to a 4-0 victory, but a last minute penalty save by highly rated young goalie Len Coburn condemned Rovers to the drop.

Coburn was irreplaceable, but the City board and management thought less of most of his promotion winning team-mates. Even captain Longman and star forward Reid were not safe as City embarked on an almost total restructure of the first-team squad before the start of the 1981/82 season.

Johnny White an elegant left-winger was the pick of the new signings, terrorising right-backs with his jinking runs. With White on the left and a young Trevor Stewart complimenting on the right, City weren't short of creators. Sufficient chances were created to turn Stambridge into real contenders for the title, in fact their challenge would only end with a 3-1 defeat to eventual winners Portdean with just two matches remaining. Hearts broken, City finished fourth, their highest ever league placing.

Stewart and White continued to star and ensure Stambridge remained secure in the First Division. But honours did not follow. Trevor Stewart's reputation was growing, as he provided goals for new forward Crawford.  In World Cup year, with no medals to his name, Stewart now England captain left.

But City had a new star waiting to shine. Terry Joslin, a dynamic attacking midfielder, was both creator and goalscorer. Joslin's top class performances helped City to the 1986/87 Littlewoods Cup Final, where they would face a Melchester Rovers side gunning for a trophy after totally rebuilding the side after Basran. The match would go down as one of the most eventful Wembley finals ever!

Roy Race gave Rovers a twelfth minute lead, crashing in a Steve Wootten cross, from just inside the penalty area. But City hit back immediately, forcing 'Hard Man' Johnny Dexter into giving away a silly penalty. Joslin struck his kick well, but Andy Styles launched himself to his right, tipping the ball away. Unfortunately for the Rovers keeper, his momentum carried him head first into the post, "Serious double vision... probably concussion," Styles was substituted, Race taking his place in goal.

Without their talisman, Rovers struggled, City pressed on in search of the equaliser. Just before half-time, Stambridge won a throw-in high up on their left wing. The ball was thrown long to test out Race, he punched clear, the ball travelling all of thirty yards. But Joslin found himself perfectly positioned beneath the dropping ball, he volleyed with tremendous power, Race didn't stand a chance - 1-1.

City had Race and Melchester worried, Pancho Miller took over in goal, allowing Race to take his place leading the Rovers from the front. Melchester started the second half strongly, pounding the City goal, but the Greens held out. Then, in a flash, a long punt up-field set Joslin clear. As the number 8 bore down on Miller's goal, the Scot rushed out, Joslin lobbed him, surely the goal to give City the Cup! But no - big Bruno Johnson sped back just in time to poke the goal-bound effort wide!

Buzzing from his superb goalkeeping effort, Miller plucked the resulting corner from the air and threw out to Pak Soon on the left. The Boat-Boy was away, Rovers were away. Soon smashed a cross-field pass to the advancing Wootten on the right. Nobby nodded down and Race volleyed home! Rovers had won the Littlewoods Cup, denying Stambridge City their first piece of silverware!

It would be a while before City would challenge again. Relegation was only narrowly avoided in 1987/88, as Stambridge fans again had to witness Rovers lift a trophy, as an own-goal gave Melchester the First Division Championship.

But the 80s, City's decade of glory, were over and they were relegated, ending ten years of First Division football.