HISTORY: Andrew Nash Recounts His Time With Quorn
Whilst the current side are enjoying the most successful spell in the club’s 101 year history, playing at the highest level Quorn has ever seen, we caught up with Andrew Nash, who pulled on the Red jersey between 1979 and 1984.
“My time at Quorn was one of the best experiences in my footballing life” stated Nashee, continuing “it only came to an end when I moved back to Bristol with my family in 1984 after 5 great years of working in Loughborough and playing for the Reds.”
“Sadly, I'm not longer in contact with any of the lads from that time, we were the only team in the Leicestershire Senior League that were not paid back then, so every season was tough for us.”
“During that time I played for two seasons, before leaving to play Rugby for Loughborough. I returned to the club halfway through the 1982-83 season and played for Quorn until moving back south. For the first part of my history with Quorn, I played for the First Team and upon returning played for the Reserves.”
“When I joined in September 1979 the club had been promoted at the end of the previous season to the Leicestershire Senior League, so it was a great time for me to be there. I can't remember the Manager's name but Len Sutton, an ex-professional from Leicester City, played a leading role in coaching and helping to manage the First team.”
“There was a very vibrant and positive atmosphere at Quorn and optimism was high, even though we all realised that because we were the only amateur side in the League, it was going to be challenging, which certainly turned out to be the case.”
“For example, we played a home match against Friar Lane Old Boys and were doing well and causing problems. However, after about 20 minutes, I was tackled by one of their Centre-Halves who went straight through my calf muscles from behind, leaving me with two stud holes in my right calf and subbed off for the rest of the game.”
“After the match, in the clubhouse, he came over to me, put his arm round my shoulder and said “Sorry about that tackle mate, but I had to do it. You were causing us problems and there was money on the result for us, so we had no option.” It was an early lesson for me about life in a professional league. However, my time in the First team was great and although we often had our backs to the wall, in my opinion we did really well to stay in the Senior League.”
“When I rejoined the club in 1983, a new manager was appointed for the First Team and he brought a number of players from his previous team with him, so myself and a number of other First-teamers ended up playing for the Reserves in my final (1983-84) season with the club.”
“This turned out to be one of the best experiences of my footballing career as we had a superb side and ended up runners-up in our league and won the County Intermediate Cup Final, which I came back from Bristol to play in having moved out of Loughborough the previous week. It was especially sweet for me as I had played in eight cup-finals previously and lost them all.”
Thanks to Andrew for sharing a little about his time at the club. If you have any memories of playing for or supporting Quorn Football Club, please get in touch.