The Club is sad to report that 2 members of the Chesham United 1967/8 Amateur Cup Final team died during December, following short illnesses.
The amazing Cup run is currently being serialised within the programme, and was the subject of a 64-page book, ‘The Journey to Wembley’, which was launched at the Club last April, with 4 members of the 1967/8 team present, including Brian Thackray.
Brian Thackray
Brian was born in Yorkshire and aged 27 when he appeared in the Amateur Cup final. He had played for Newbury, Oxford United and Windsor and Eton before joining Chesham United at the start of the 1967/8 season. His strength and reliability at right back made him a virtual ever-present member of the United team, and earned him call-ups to the Athenian League representative XI, and the Berks and Bucks FA team, where he was first choice for the county at full-back. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Pat, to whom our sincere condolences are sent.
Brian’s funeral will take place on Weds 15th January at 2.30pm, Easthampstead Park Crematorium, South Road, Bracknell, RG40 3DN with a wake afterwards at Warfield Park Community Hall, Warfield Park, Bracknell, RG42 3RJ.
Joe Harper
Joe hailed from Watford, where he worked as a printer. He was aged just 21 in 1968. He secured a regular first-team spot following his impressive performances in the first round proper games against Maidenhead in January 1968 – he scored a goal in each of the 3 games (home draw, away draw and win at a neutral ground – Loakes Park, Wycombe). The semi-final win over Wealdstone gave Joe particular satisfaction, as he had made a number of first team appearances at Lower Mead before joining Chesham. He is survived by his daughter Debbie and family, to whom we offer our sincere condolences.
