Season 1958-59
It was Lynn's first season in the recently expanded Southern League.
Initially it was hoped the Southern League would comprise of forty clubs but the season kicked off with 35 clubs split into two regional divisions - King's Lynn being switched to the south-east zone following Peterborough United decision to stay in the Midland League.
A supplementary inter-zone competition was set up to make up for the loss of fixtures and also provided clubs with some local derbies.
Lynn had released Keith Bannister, Colin Bunn, Harold Mosby and James Woodward at the end of the 1957-58 season while George Heagren and Doug Morris, although offered terms, joined Len Richley at Holbeach.
George Heagren had made over 500 appearances for Lynn having joined soon after the ending of the war and had played in every position, including goal. Bannister, who had made 228 appearances since joining in 1954 was subsequently re-signed
The first new signing for King's Lynn for the forthcoming season came in May and was something of a surprise in that it was former England and Middlesborough striker Wilf Mannion who had previously been lined up to sign at the start of the 1955-56 season while on loan from Hull City.
The move never took place, Mannion, was then transfer listed by Hull for £2,500 but after a lot of talk and negotiation the player then decided to announce his retirement only to sign for Poole Town and, a short time later, Cambridge United where he spent two seasons.
Second time around and once again it was disappointment for Lynn fans. It was announced in July that he had retired from football having taken over the management of a hotel in Stevenage.
No doubt mindful of Lynn's previous dealings with Mannion, Lynn chairman Len Hall retained Mannion's FA registration so that should he decide to come out of retirement again it would be playing for Lynn.
As it turned out Mannion did return to football - joining Haverhill Rovers in October 1958.
Lynn looked to have found a replacement for Mannion with the signing of Bobby Brown, a 31 year old inside forward who had made 120 league appearances, scoring 55 goals in his time with Derby County, Shrewsbury Town, Southend United, Barnsley and Rotherham United. Rotherham were rumoured to have transfer listed Brown for £1,500.
Further signings were 31 year old Tom Docherty, a former Norwich City player who arrived from Newport, Sidney Tennant also from Newport and Peter Lay who had spent two seasons with QPR but was released as he wanted to become a part-time professional.
Also arriving were John Hunter an outside left who was with Carlisle the previous season, Scotland Under 23 winger Tommy Baxter from St Mirren and Norman Wharton from Wisbech.
Another signing was D Stefanou who had previously played for Lynn Reserves in the 1954-55 season while stationed at RAF Marham.
It was decided that Mr Hall, who was also Chairman of King's Lynn FC Supporters' club, with some 400 members, should not occupy the chairmanship of both football and supporters' club and so he stood down from the latter.
The club's aim, Mr Hall was reported to have said, was to have 20 professionals which, if achieved, would be two more than in the previous season - by the beginning of August Lynn had 22 professionals.
Lynn kicked off their Southern League campaign with a 2-1 win against Dartford at The Walks with a line up which showed four additions to the previous season.
Lynn's first visit to Yeovil ended in a single goal defeat - Bobby Brown missing his train connection in London with Lynn coach Mr A Knights beginning the match but was ineffective and after 15 minutes left the field to take on his normal duties.
It wasn't the only time that season Lynn had been missing a player. For the home game against Corby, centre half Reg Foulkes missed his connection in Dereham and Chairman Len Hall drove over to collect him - Foulkes taking to the field 17 minutes after kick-off.
Lynn reached the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in seven years with a 6-0 win at Cheshunt. They overcame Merthyr Tydfil to progress to the second round going down to Brentford 3-1.
December 1958 saw Lynn player-manager Jack Selkirk announce that he would not be seeking a renewal of his contract at the end of the season with plans to go into business in the Doncaster or Rotherham areas.
The Supporters' Club produced a magazine, presumably bi-monthly. The following comes from the Jan-Feb 1959 edition.
"We must not allow the enemy called apathy to creep upon us. Just leaving the other chap to keep things going isn't enough. Some day the other chap may catch a complaint, then what happens, the things you have taken for granted cease to exist!"
In February 1959 the club announced that it had been running at a loss since the end of the 1957-58 season with falling attendances being the cause with some thousand supporters disappearing over three seasons. Despite the falling gates, membership of the Supporters' Club had increased from 400 in June 1958 to nearly 2,000.
Norwich City came to The Walks in a goodwill visit to repay a visit Lynn made to Carrow Road two seasons earlier when the Canaries were in financial difficulties.
Proceeds from the friendly raised £632 including a £100 cheque from Norwich City Supporters' Club.
The successor to manager Jack Selkirk was announced on 7th April. There were 27 applicants for the post with Holbeach manager, Len Richley, and Lynn player-coach Jack Howes rumoured to be the front runners. Richley was subsequently selected.
Lynn ended their first season in the Southern League in seventh place and qualifying for the Premier Division for the next season. They also reached the semi-final of the league cup.
Former Lynn player, Percy Hooper, returned to club as Richley's assistant.
Links: League table 1958-59 Results 1958-59
It was Lynn's first season in the recently expanded Southern League.
Initially it was hoped the Southern League would comprise of forty clubs but the season kicked off with 35 clubs split into two regional divisions - King's Lynn being switched to the south-east zone following Peterborough United decision to stay in the Midland League.
A supplementary inter-zone competition was set up to make up for the loss of fixtures and also provided clubs with some local derbies.
Lynn had released Keith Bannister, Colin Bunn, Harold Mosby and James Woodward at the end of the 1957-58 season while George Heagren and Doug Morris, although offered terms, joined Len Richley at Holbeach.
George Heagren had made over 500 appearances for Lynn having joined soon after the ending of the war and had played in every position, including goal. Bannister, who had made 228 appearances since joining in 1954 was subsequently re-signed
The first new signing for King's Lynn for the forthcoming season came in May and was something of a surprise in that it was former England and Middlesborough striker Wilf Mannion who had previously been lined up to sign at the start of the 1955-56 season while on loan from Hull City.
The move never took place, Mannion, was then transfer listed by Hull for £2,500 but after a lot of talk and negotiation the player then decided to announce his retirement only to sign for Poole Town and, a short time later, Cambridge United where he spent two seasons.
Second time around and once again it was disappointment for Lynn fans. It was announced in July that he had retired from football having taken over the management of a hotel in Stevenage.
No doubt mindful of Lynn's previous dealings with Mannion, Lynn chairman Len Hall retained Mannion's FA registration so that should he decide to come out of retirement again it would be playing for Lynn.
As it turned out Mannion did return to football - joining Haverhill Rovers in October 1958.
Lynn looked to have found a replacement for Mannion with the signing of Bobby Brown, a 31 year old inside forward who had made 120 league appearances, scoring 55 goals in his time with Derby County, Shrewsbury Town, Southend United, Barnsley and Rotherham United. Rotherham were rumoured to have transfer listed Brown for £1,500.
Further signings were 31 year old Tom Docherty, a former Norwich City player who arrived from Newport, Sidney Tennant also from Newport and Peter Lay who had spent two seasons with QPR but was released as he wanted to become a part-time professional.
Also arriving were John Hunter an outside left who was with Carlisle the previous season, Scotland Under 23 winger Tommy Baxter from St Mirren and Norman Wharton from Wisbech.
Another signing was D Stefanou who had previously played for Lynn Reserves in the 1954-55 season while stationed at RAF Marham.
It was decided that Mr Hall, who was also Chairman of King's Lynn FC Supporters' club, with some 400 members, should not occupy the chairmanship of both football and supporters' club and so he stood down from the latter.
The club's aim, Mr Hall was reported to have said, was to have 20 professionals which, if achieved, would be two more than in the previous season - by the beginning of August Lynn had 22 professionals.
Lynn kicked off their Southern League campaign with a 2-1 win against Dartford at The Walks with a line up which showed four additions to the previous season.
Lynn's first visit to Yeovil ended in a single goal defeat - Bobby Brown missing his train connection in London with Lynn coach Mr A Knights beginning the match but was ineffective and after 15 minutes left the field to take on his normal duties.
It wasn't the only time that season Lynn had been missing a player. For the home game against Corby, centre half Reg Foulkes missed his connection in Dereham and Chairman Len Hall drove over to collect him - Foulkes taking to the field 17 minutes after kick-off.
Lynn reached the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in seven years with a 6-0 win at Cheshunt. They overcame Merthyr Tydfil to progress to the second round going down to Brentford 3-1.
December 1958 saw Lynn player-manager Jack Selkirk announce that he would not be seeking a renewal of his contract at the end of the season with plans to go into business in the Doncaster or Rotherham areas.
The Supporters' Club produced a magazine, presumably bi-monthly. The following comes from the Jan-Feb 1959 edition.
"We must not allow the enemy called apathy to creep upon us. Just leaving the other chap to keep things going isn't enough. Some day the other chap may catch a complaint, then what happens, the things you have taken for granted cease to exist!"
In February 1959 the club announced that it had been running at a loss since the end of the 1957-58 season with falling attendances being the cause with some thousand supporters disappearing over three seasons. Despite the falling gates, membership of the Supporters' Club had increased from 400 in June 1958 to nearly 2,000.
Norwich City came to The Walks in a goodwill visit to repay a visit Lynn made to Carrow Road two seasons earlier when the Canaries were in financial difficulties.
Proceeds from the friendly raised £632 including a £100 cheque from Norwich City Supporters' Club.
The successor to manager Jack Selkirk was announced on 7th April. There were 27 applicants for the post with Holbeach manager, Len Richley, and Lynn player-coach Jack Howes rumoured to be the front runners. Richley was subsequently selected.
Lynn ended their first season in the Southern League in seventh place and qualifying for the Premier Division for the next season. They also reached the semi-final of the league cup.
Former Lynn player, Percy Hooper, returned to club as Richley's assistant.
Links: League table 1958-59 Results 1958-59