Focus On….Martin Binks

Series continues on players who have spent some of their careers as a player or manager in the Southern League.

Central defender Martin began his career with Leyton Orient, but failed to make a first-team appearance for the club.

He moved to Colchester United in 1972, where he made 10 League appearances.

He made his League debut in August 1972 in a 2–1 defeat to Hartlepool United and coincidentally, his final appearance for the club came in the reverse fixture - a 1–1 draw at Layer Road with Hartlepool.

Following his exit from Colchester, he joined up with Fourth Division Cambridge United in 1973, making one appearance before moving to Southern League Premier Division side Dartford.

And he became one of Dartford’s Wembley heroes in 1974 against Morecambe in the FA Trophy Final and played for the club until 1975, playing 65 games and scoring 2 goals.

Clubs Played For?

Leyton Orient, Colchester United, Cambridge United, Dartford, Folkestone, Gravesend & Northfleet and Chelmsford City

Best Game Played In:

FA Trophy Final 1974 against Morecambe at Wembley.

Best 11 Played With:

Nigel Spink (Chelmsford)

John Read (Dartford)

Martin Binks

Graham Carr (Dartford)

Mick Loughton (Chelmsford)

Micky Shovelar (Dartford)

Danny Light (Dartford)

Bobby Finch (Gravesend)

Jimmy Greaves (Chelmsford)

Frank Peterson (Chelmsford)

Ken Halliday (Dartford)

Subs

Les Burns (Dartford)

Bob Glozier (Dartford)

Ben Embery (Dartford)

Best Captain?

Les Burns

Funniest Team-Mate?

Danny Light

Best Manager?

Ernie Morgan. He was a fantastic manager and a lovely man (even though he was always nicking cigarettes off me!)

Best Mate in Football?

Les Cobb

Are You Still Involved in the Game?

No, not involved in the game any longer.

Words of Advice:

Just enjoy playing while you can – it`s a short career.