James Dillnutt came through our EFCO scheme and was thrown in the deep end in 1998; getting the task of keeping Shearer and Co out when Newcastle United came to town for our FA Cup Fourth Round clash. Of course, he stood up to the test in helping us take the Premier League giants to a replay. But he didn’t seem to kick on from his emergence into the first team during the 1997-8 campaign.
A change in gaffer didn’t help matters, to be fair. After Dickie Hill took charge following the departure of Cloughie, it looked as if the young defender was no longer needed. He made the move away from Broadhall Way in 1999; going on to turn out at a number of local non-league sides. Some of the clubs he played for after us include Hitchin Town, Biggleswade Town, Ware and Hemel Hempstead.
