Programmes from Isthmian history: Loctite Cup Final 1992

Back in the 90’s the Isthmian League seemed to collect cup competitions the way some of us collect programmes. The 1991-92 season saw Woking and Sutton United appear in the Final of the Loctite Cup, our Full Members Cup Competition open to sides in our Premier and First Divisions. Woking were runaway winners of the Diadora Football League, the sportswear manufacturers becoming our new title sponsors this season, and under manager Geoff Chapple secured promotion to the Conference; whilst Sutton were third, Enfield between the two in the table but still a full eighteen points behind the Cards.

The route to the Final had seen Woking defeat Walton & Hersham, Chesham United, Yeading and Harrow Borough, whilst United had removed Whyteleafe, Basingstoke Town, Dulwich Hamlet (on penalties) and Molesey from the competition. The Final was held at the Church Road ground of Hayes Football Club- at this point still separate from Yeading, that merger waiting another fifteen years. Sadly Church Road is these days a housing estate.

The Woking side still had a number of the players who had famously reached the Fourth Round of the FA Cup the season before- you’ll perhaps remember, if you are old enough- their four-two win over West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns in Round Three. Lloyd Wye, Stewart Mitchell, Adie Cowler, Bradley Pratt, Trevor Baron, Shane Wye, Dereck Brown, Mark Biggins and Andy Russell were still with the club- although you might have been confused if you were a neutral, as the programme has them playing for Sutton, having labelled the teams back to front.

The match was to end two-nil to United, in front of a crowd of one thousand, four hundred and seventeen. The referee was a Mr G. Poll- we wonder what happened to him?

The two were to meet again in the FA Trophy the following season, the Gander Green Lane side winning that one, too- three-nil on that occasion.

And we do hope that everyone enjoyed The Johnny Howard Showband at the Isthmian Annual Banquet and Ball, held at the London Hilton on Park Lane on June 6th!

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