CLUB INFO Ron Humpston was the new manager for 1960/61 and his policies were very different to those of his predecessor, trying to nurture youngsters was a praiseworthy policy, and after a promising start it looked as though the Fleet could soon regain their place at the top of the table but once more the team faded and only avoided relegation on goal average, sending old rivals Dartford down instead
Halfway through the following season Humpston was sacked and replaced by another former Northfleet United man in Billy Lane. Again relegation was flaunted with before a late surge pushed the Fleet to 14th place the best position so far in the Premier Division. Suitably impressed, the Board of Directors agreed to return to a squad of full-time players for the first time in nearly ten seasons but although some good quality players were signed they failed to produce the required performances in league games struggling from the very first match in a season of Jekyll and Hyde performances, they instead produced a series of superb cup performances culminating in a 4th round tussle with Sunderland having seen off in order, Chatham, Sutton, Erith, Lewes, Exeter, Wycombe and Carlisle
The record run started in early September 1962 and ended in mid February 1963 the 5 month 10 day run remains the longest in the history of the famous competition from first match to last. But despite the lasting memories of that cup-run the overriding factor has to be that a side with many full-time professionals were relegated and had looked likely to be almost from the start of a crazy season. Just nine league wins were obtained and yet five of them were achieved in dazzling style (8-1, 7-1, 6-1, 5-1 & 4-1) how many relegated sides can say that? It did not stop the manager being sacked, justifiably so, and with went possibly for all time the policy of full-time players at Stonebridge Road B
Walter Rickett was the new manager and was at the helm for arguably the darkest days in the mid-sixties when a combination of poor football and empty coffers once again had left the club desperately close to extinction. Despite playing in the lowest ever level in the First Division of the Southern League the Fleet struggled to 20th of 22 in 1963/64; 21st of 22 in 1964/65 and 17th of 24 in 1965/66. When yet another season of struggle was apparent in 1966/67 out went Rickett in November to be replaced by coach John Dick, the former West Ham and Scotland forward, but with no money to tempt new players it was no surprise to see the Fleet limp home 21st out of 24. Dick unsurprisingly resigned, no players were retained and the Board of Directors resigned en bloc leaving the club with nothing except the ground and an ever mounting pile of debts
A new Board of Directors was formed following several public meetings under the chairmanship of Vic Troke a local newsagent. Old favourite Jackie Bridge, a member of our championship side ten years earlier, was appointed manager no money to attract the quality of players necessary to see the club turn the corner he soon realised how hopeless the task was. Home games with Banbury and Trowbridge seemed a reasonable start to the season but defeats by 7-0 and 4-0 indicated that the rag-tag of local players and a few veterans tempted back from the previous year were heading for disaster and he promptly resigned
Another former favourite Stan Aldous took over the hot seat without pay but he too found the task hopeless and eventually goalkeeper Eddie McAlpine took over the poisoned chalice. Not surprisingly the team finished bottom and were only one rung higher the following season when a fellow newsagent friend of the Chairman, Alf Ackerman, who had a formidable reputation as both a player and then manager was appointed and his experience gradually turned matters around and in 1969/70 the Kent Floodlight Cup, perhaps not the most prestigious trophy but a step in the right direction, was won...
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