This was also a season of triumph and disaster with Mike Willett leaving mid season to seek former glories with Corinthian Casuals. At the same time, Dave Davies was sent abroad on business and Roy Swetman left for Norsemen.

Gloomy officials surveying the remaining fixtures were despondent. They needn’t have worried. Dave Simpson (ex Nottingham University) took over the captaincy, and a combination of shrewd selection and subsequent team spirit produced a side that not only held its own but remained unbeaten for the rest of the season. 

Dave was a tenacious and very industrious wing half who led by example. Bill Bower moved to centre forward and with a revival in the form of Jimmy James and the return of Tony Manton, just released from the Forces, this made an impressive front line. This strong inside forward trio with wingers Derek Thomas and Roger Boxall gave the defence goals to play with. In defence the experienced Dave Rowles reached a good understanding with his pupil Peter Moorhouse. Jack Hayes (ex Nottingham University) took Dave Davies’ place at right back and old stalwart Laurie Robinson came in at left half. A spectacular late run where 14 points were gained from the last 8 games meant that they went on to achieve the honour of finishing in the highest placing in the SAL in the Club’s history (runners up in Division 1) – a quite remarkable triumph over adversity.

1st XI 1961/62 - SAL Division 1 Runners Up
(Standing): W.Bower, P.Moorhouse, M.Hart, D.Simpson, D.Rowles, M.Willett
(Seated): D.Davies, W.Collins, M.Andrews, R.Boxall, R.Swetman

The "A" XI’s performance in winning the AFA Minor Cup was on a par with the 1^st XI’s performance in the league. They won 2 games 5-1 against Old Boys opposition, defeated Midland Bank by the same score, John Fisher Old Boys 4-2 and Barclays Bank 2-0 on route to the final. Their display in beating a strong Southgate Olympic side 3-0 (goals from Dave Halfyard, Ken McSweeney & Peter Carr) in the final at the Maori Ground, Worcester Park was the subject of much pride and reminiscing for many years to come. This was the first full AFA cup to be won by the Club since the Reserves’ AFA Junior Cup triumph in 1935-36.

"A" XI 1961/62 - AFA Minor Cup Winners
(Standing): D.Halfyard, M.Emery, P.Carr, C.Musselwhite, P.Blake, T.Wilson
(Seated): P.Stevenson, I.Pugh, P.Ainger, K.McSweeney, B.Castle