FA Amateur Cup Final ~ Turning pro. ~ George Duck, S.L. Div. South champs ~ QPR ~ Anglo-Italian ~ Founders of Alliance Premier League
After 36 years in the Athenian League Wealdstone were successful in joining the Isthmian League in 1964.Although Wealdstone never won the Isthmian League in their first spell they had some of their most historic moments. They reached the pinnacle of the amateur game in 1965-66 season by beating Hendon 3-1 in the F.A. Amateur Cup Final in front of 45,000 fans to bring the trophy to Lower Mead for the first and only time. (Click text for match report - this is a long download)
This was preceded by a fine semi final win over Alvechurch at Stamford Bridge (1-0) Arthur Paisley saving a penalty.
Also that season Wealdstone played Millwall away in the FA Cup 1st round. Wealdstone lost 3-1 to a side that had gone over 30 games unbeaten and were top of the old Division 3.
In 1966-67 Wealdstone had to many one the most memorable matches in the era, still talked about today. It was versus Stevenage Town in the FA Cup. Stevenage being a pro. club in the Southern League. A big Crowd witnessed the Stones struggled early on and with 10 minutes to go were 5-3 down. The stones managed to claw the game back to 5-5 and looked set for a replay until Hugh Lindsay scored one the best goals in living memory by striking home a 40 yard free kick with last kick of the game.
In 1971 the Club turned professional, joining the Southern League. Wealdstone won the First Division (South) in 1973/74 George Duck scoring a record breaking 61 goals in all competitions, and were promoted to the Premier Division where they spent five average seasons before becoming one of the founder members of the Vauxhall Conference.
George Duck Gallery and links
Bill Byrne, Duck's favourite strike partner.
In 1974-75 Wealdstone reached the 1st round proper of the FA Cup for the first time since turning professional. Playing away to Aldershot and losing 4-3 in a thriller. The Stones also had their biggest away support for years as over 1200 fans made the trip. The Recreation Ground was surrounded by a fleet of yellow Venture coaches.
During the 1977/78 season Wealdstone reached the 3rd Round Proper of the FA Cup for the only time to date. Two Football League clubs were beaten in the 1st & 2nd Rounds, Hereford United 3-2 at Edgar Street after a 0-0 draw at Lower Mead and Reading 2-1 at Lower Mead. The 3rd Round draw paired Wealdstone with Queens Park Rangers of the old First Division at Loftus Road. The home side included Phil Parkes, John Hollins, Stan Bowles. Leighton James and Don Givens and in front of 16,158 spectators they ran out 4-0 winners, three of the goals coming in the second half.
Later that season, Wealdstone entered Europe as one of the UK representatives in the Anglo-Italian Tournament. Bangor City, Bath City, Maidstone United, Minehead and Nuneaton Borough joined them with Arezzo, Paganese, Reggiana, Reggina, Treviso and Udinese representing Italy. A 4-2 victory over Paganese was followed by a 1-0 defeat against Udinese, the eventual winners of the tournament, both these matches taking place at Lower Mead. Wealdstone then visited Italy only to narrowly lose at Reggiana (1-0) and Arezzo (2-0).
In 1978/79 season Wealdstone scraped in as founder members of the Alliance Premier League, just pipping Hillingdon Boro, to join Non-League football's elite.
See the Stones Gallery for more images of this era.
