For me it would have to be the foursome of Jimmy Fell, Jimmy Rayner, Dave Robinson & Peter Thompson. We may have had forwards playing at a higher level since them but these four were the most prolific in the club’s history. The former three were part of the forward line that scored 136 goals in the United Counties Championship side of 65/66. Joined by Peter Thompson the following season they provided the ammunition for two West Midland League Championships in 66/67 and 67/68 with Jimmy Rayner being top scorer with 49 goals in 66/7 and Peter Thompson in 67/8 with 31 goals.
Fond memories still remain of this forward line with Jimmy Fell jinking his way down the left wing with his body swerves and Dave Robinson the speed merchant on the right, both providing the crosses for Peter Thompson’s bullet headers whilst goal poacher extraordinaire, Jimmy Rayner scavenged for any scrap that came his way in the 6 yard box, (His legendary tap-ins would make Newsham look like an amateur!)
This era also marked the beginning of two remarkable Pilgrim careers – John Lakin and Billy ‘The Legend’ Howells.
Fell, Thompson and Robinson competed in the first season in the NPL but Rayner at the end of his career was replaced by Mike Alexander.
