Who remembers Tunbridge Wells FC's glory over Maidstone United in 1961 in FA Cup qualifier?

By: Alan Smith ajsmith@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 07:25, 09 March 2021

Updated: 07:59, 09 March 2021

Football fan Richard Walsh needs help from KentOnline readers. He is putting together a booklet to mark the 60th anniversary of Tunbridge Wells United FC reaching the first round of the FA Cup back in 1961 - the last time they achieved this feat.

In the first qualifying round, Tunbridge Wells beat Maidstone United 1-0 at Eridge Road before going on to beat Tonbridge, Eastbourne United and Crawley Town - all away.

Tunbridge Wells United player Alan Back (in the striped jersey) in an attack on the Maidstone goal

In the first round, they lost 3-1 at Aldershot who at the time were top of Division Four.

But at the time, Tunbridge Wells were bottom of Southern League Division One and until the end of their cup run they hadn't recorded a win in the league.

Maidstone at the time were an amateur side playing in the top division of the Isthmian League along with Wimbledon.

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Mr Walsh said: "I was 13 then and watched all of the games and kept newspaper cuttings and programmes from most.

"Over the course of the past three months, I have managed to track down and talk to five of the Tunbridge Wells players, who have all recounted interesting memories, which will form the basis of the booklet."

Action from the Tunbridge Wells v Maidstone Utd game in 1961

He said: "I am wondering if anyone has any photographs or match reports for the games with Maidstone or the local derby at Tonbridge, which attracted almost 3,000 fans, that I might share?

"I'd particularly like a copy of the programme if anybody has one.

"This is very much a labour of love and the booklet is not expected to make a profit."

Anyone able to help Mr Walsh should email him on richardwalshscoop1@gmail.com

The Maidstone goalkeeper punches clear a strike Tunbridge Wells centre forward Dai Davies