I RECENTLY had an interesting conversation with a former employee of the Wilton Carpet Factory who worked there during the 1960s.

Looking through my research notes I found this reference to the Royal Carpet Factory football team who, in the early 1960s, were moving nearer to the top of the Div IV of the Salisbury and District League. Competing against the likes of Amesbury Colts, St Osmund’s Reserves and Farley Sports, the carpet factory was comfortably placed and had set their sights on the top place.

Alec Croome was the works social committee man, whom a number of players, interested in forming a team, went to see and ask if he would assume responsibility for running it. He accepted and after a season of friendlies and good performances against established league teams, he sought and was granted permission to join the old Division IIIB.

The factory continued to impress with their performances, which were achieved without once going outside the works for players. Most of the credit went to centre forward Brian Crowley, a real goal-machine who scored 50 plus goals a season. Strong and particularly good in the air, Crowley was a regular thorn in the flesh of many an opposing defence.

Crowley was lucky to have ace fellow forwards that included Colin Partridge, a right winger with a precision corner kick, Tony Sainsbury, Fred Penny and Chris Sherman – who also knew how to find the net!

The defence was also solid and steady. Goalkeeper Mike Gray replaced Ken Taylor who moved to inside-left, full-backs Gordon Gurd and Phil Priddle, right-half Dave Jackson, centre-half Colin Pink and left-half Bill Watson completed the line-up.

The Wilton Carpet Factory football team had a definite streak of optimism but did they win anything? I would be delighted to know...