Soccer: Hanley's fears for Bees' future

Reports have suggested that a site in Courtauld Road where Basildon have been due to move to for many years will no longer be available for soccer.

If that's true, and the club, as expected, ultimately have to move from their current Gardiners Close home, it could be the final whistle for a club formed back in 1963.

Hanley, with Chelsea as a playing youngster where he formed a lifelong friendship with the man who went on to coach England, Terry Venables, moved to Basildon from Billericay Town in the early 1970s and took over as boss in 1977.

There then followed an eight-year trail of success which saw the new town club win the Senior League title four years running and move up the soccer pyramid through the now defunct Athenian competition up to Isthmian First Division level.

Said Hanley: "It would be a tragedy if Basildon United was allowed to disappear.

"The club hold some wonderful memories for me and a lot of other people. It seems inconceivable that a town such as Basildon, with a population approaching 200,000, cannot support a football club of its own.

"To be honest, as far as I'm concerned there's only one place where Basildon should have its home -- and that's Gloucester Park. It's nice and central and I'm sure the people of the town would turn out in big numbers if they were being offered a good standard of football."

Back in the 70s, during Billericay's halcyon FA Vase days, Basildon -- nicknamed the Bees -- regularly hosted 1,500 crowds for clashes with their rivals and other neighbours such as Basildon United.

Said Hanley: "During my seven years I was lucky enough to have the backing of good people such as the late Ron Hill, who was chairman, and had great back-up staff like Peter Heathcote, Dave Guiver and, after he'd finished playing for me, ex-England amateur international Bobby Page.

"On the playing side people like Steve Tilson, Alan Hull and Ken Charlery all had their early taste of senior football with me and, apart from in Leagues, we had some great moments in outside competitions.

"People who experienced it with me will never forget our greatest ever Vase moment when we finally lost 6-4 on aggregate in a thrilling semi-final with Irthlingborough Diamonds -- forerunners of Rushden.

"We also went down to Wealdstone -- then a big Conference club in the FA Cup -- and Stuart Pearce played his last non-league game that day for them. Other highlights included when Terry Venables brought a strong Crystal Palace line-up to Gardiners Close for the official turning on of the floodlights. We had over 3,000 people there."

In 1984, ironically when Basildon had enjoyed a superb Isthmian season, making the semi-finals of the League Cup and finishing just short of promotion to the Premier, a new regime at Gardiners Close decided that a change of managerial direction was needed.

Said Hanley: "I was pole-axed. I'll never forget how sad I was, but Basildon has still remained very close to my heart."

A number of clubs went on to use Wickford man Hanley's skills, including Southend United, where he was reserve manager.

Now approaching his 60th birthday, he still runs the all-conquering Ford Veterans side where great players of yesteryear such as Russell Kean, Bobby Tappin, and Frank Heritage continue to illustrate that age has not dulled their skills.

Basildon's biggest mistake, taken for financial reasons, was to voluntarily drop out of Isthmian soccer and return to Senior League soccer in the early 90s.

Once Hanley departed, Basildon were never again able to achieve the same success rate -- although they have had some "purple patches."

Even so, Hanley is certain they have a future. "If they were to fold at this time it would be a shame as current manager Steve Wheeler has worked tirelessly to improve things on and off the pitch.

"If there's anything I can do to help I'd willingly provide it. Basildon needs its own soccer team and mustn't be allowed to die."

Published Wednesday, February 20, 2002