How can a group of social misfits ever hope to compete with the likes of Trev’s, Essex County or Hotrods (Cambridge). How can a group of brash, loud and young raw anglers come together to win winter league rounds, super league regional titles, and the NFA Eastern Region Shield.
I tell you why, we was committed, no not in the head, but we would all of taken a dip for each other (not a bullet, but a soaking). We had weekly meetings, walks along venues in the close season, and I hate to think what our mobile phone bills would have been, if they were invented by then.
Browns Match Group were formed from a local Manor Park tackle shop, held together by friendship and bonded together with a bit of raw talent for fishing. As with all teams, the early days were the best, races up to the outskirts of Cambridge, breakfast in the Little Chef, and piling our faces with chocolate on the way home with our section winnings.
We fished in the Cambridge division of the Angling Times Winter League, and competed against the likes of Essex County (pre superstar days), Cambridge FPS, Cambridge Hotrods, Beecrofts, Trevs and an emerging A1 Angling. Venues varied from the Cam at Batesbite, Clayhithe and Upware to the Ouse at Ely, Cock bank, and Burwell Lode. I dont ever recall the fens being as good then, as to what they are now. How I would have loved to have fished a 2019 March, twenty foot drain or Benwick.
We done OK, never winning the league, but always gained respectable positions, and a few individual results as well. In fact I can recall winning my first ever open match with a jammy four pound plus bream from a stretch called cyanide straight at Batesbite on the Cam. There were over a hundred anglers fishing that day, and I had just under five pounds, a nice few hundred beer tokens to take home down the M11.
Our super league campaign was the London and South East division one. We were not seeded to go in with the big boys in the London Super League. We went on to win the division, and qualified for the all winners final. This was set to be on the Trent at Swarkstone, although torrential rain preceded the final, so a last minute switch to the canal at Shardlow ensured. I’m glad it did, as I drew bung hole and framed in the final, drawing the boat yard. How i long to know then what i had learnt a few years later fishing with the likes of Trev’s, never mind!!! I think we finished a respectable third or so in the final, but it was a long time ago,
Our golden moment came in the NFA Eastern region shield on the North Level Drain at Tydd Gote. We drew next to Essex County, and proceded to give them a good hiding to clinch the trophy. Like I say these were pre Dereck Young, Peter Vasey, Kim Milson and Wayne Swinscoe days, but still very sweet. This Essex team still had the likes of Bob Nudd, Billy Hughes, Pete Clapperton and Glenn Brown in, so they were no push over. The victory was made more sweeter as they were on the next peg. We done remarkable that day, as on the journey up, I can recall Rob Bishop losing his rod bag off of the roof rack, and it being destroyed by a lorry. He had to fish with our reserve Phil Nash kit, which would of been an achievement in itself.
A decent team ability wise, but with an incredible team spirit, I really miss those days…….
Our Team in those days were:
Mark Hoye, Steve Davis, Kevin Stack, Stu Redman, Mark Pattenden, Rob Bishop, Tim Davis, Phil Nash, Ian Copeland, Dave Torrice, Tom Legge. Mark Eden, Tim Horton, John Niuwerf, Paul Lamin, Ian Battersbee.