Tonight's big FA Trophy clash with Nationwiude Conference Northwich Victoria will have memories flooding back for two members of the travelling Canvey Island party.

Player Chris Duffy's association with the Cheshire club is well-known -- he played in an FA Trophy final for them although, unlike with Gulls two seasons ago, he finished on the losing side back in 1996.

However, Town's veteran physio Harry Johnson has a Northwich association dating back more than 50 years.

Now aged 74, Harry, who numbers the great Manchester United among his clubs during his playing days, was with the Vics more than five decades ago.

It was back in the 1951/52 campaign that Harry played seven games for them before suffering ankle trouble and eventually moving on in a much-travelled career to play for Newport on the Isle of Wight.

Like Duffy, Harry laments the fact that Northwich no longer play at their famous Drill Field home, which is being redeveloped, and is generally recognised as being the oldest pro ground in the country.

They now display their skills at the Unibond Division One home of Witton Albion nearby and Harry said: "It's a shame that Drill Field is disappearing as a football ground as a return there would not only have brought back a lot of memories, but would also have allowed the game to be played on Saturday rather than the Friday night date we now face."

Published Friday, January 31, 2003

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