QUARRY Nomads’ triumph in winning the Oxfordshire Senior Cup 50 years ago was not universally popular.

There were cries of ‘Lucky Quarry’ after they had beaten mighty Oxford City in the semi-final replay and Chipping Norton in the final to lift the trophy for the first and only time in 1966.

One supporter was so angry that he wrote a letter to the Oxford Mail attacking the critics and praising the Oxfordshire Senior League team’s win.

He wrote: “This was a wonderful achievement by everyone connected with the Quarry side. One hundred and eighty minutes of football and not a crack in their defence anywhere.

“Oxford City had two bites at the apple and failed. Chipping Norton could also find no way to goal. No football associate in Oxford should begrudge Quarry this win.”

As we recalled last week, the Nomads, a tiny club based at Headington Quarry in Oxford, beat Oxford City 1-0 in the semi-final replay with a last-minute goal.

Before a crowd 1,342 at the Manor Ground at Headington, inside left Mick Washington beat goalkeeper John Shippey with a low drive with the last kick of the game.

The Oxford Mail reported: “City’s lightweight attack was simply cut down to size and eventually demoralised by Quarry’s strong, close-marking defence.”

Maurice East, a former Quarry player, whose father was at the game, tells me: “I remember him telling me that half of Headington was at the Manor for the match.

“He always spoke about the game with a glint in his eye, saying how Quarry defended like tigers, absorbing relentless City pressure with last-ditch tackles and saves. 

“When Quarry scored, he said, there was only just enough time remaining to restart the game. He always said that the City players looked totally shell-shocked at the final whistle.”

A crowd of 1,602 watched the final at the Manor, and Washington was on target again – Quarry’s other goal was scored by Les Smith.

The Oxfordshire Senior Cup wasn’t the club’s only success that year – as you will see from the picture, it also won four other trophies that year.

Left back Keith Dolton has fond memories of playing for the Nomads at that time.

He recalls: “It was magic. We didn’t have much money, but we played well that season.” 

Mr East tells me that Mr Dolton was instrumental in resurrecting the fortunes of Quarry Nomads in the late 1980s.

“The club was close to folding, but Keith stepped in to manage and improve every aspect of it. Thanks to him, success returned to Quarry and the club was in great shape when it merged with Oxford City in 2006-7 to form Oxford City Nomads.”