Season 1966-67

30TH SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The 1966-67 season was a pleasant but not specially eventful one. All three teams had average years, all did well in the competition for the Hastings League Sportsmanship Cup and an excellent crop of young players profited from a pre-season coaching course and showed much promise for the future.

1ST TEAM

After a drab start, the 1st team improved in the New Year and finished with their best record for three seasons and reached the final of the Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup. Without being in quite the same class as the Sussex Junior Cup winning side, the team played quite a lot of good football from mid-January to the end of the season. They beat the Hastings League Champions, Hawkhurst United, in both the league and Robertsbridge Charity Cup during this period and were rather unlucky to lose the semi-final of the Hastings Intermediate Cup 3-2 to Sidley United II and put up a great fight in the second half of the Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup Final against Burwash.

The defence was better than in the previous season, but when it was bad, it was really bad and before championships could be won again, the habit of giving up hope when the side were losing must be shed. Eight goals were conceded on the Observer Athletic ground, seven at Hellingly and Hawkhurst and six at Wittersham, while at Icklesham, eight goals and seven goals were let through in cup matches.

George Potter led the side well and played for the Hastings League against the West Sussex League. Brian Barden (24), Chris Ades (21) and Colin Relf (16) were the leading goal scorers.

Lacking fitness, in the early part of the season especially, cost the team points and this was something that needed to be improved. On the whole, the side maintained their reputation for sportsmanship though a tendency to criticise each others play was noticed in some games by several players. This depressed the side as well as encouraging the opposition and if it were to persist it would affect team spirit.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
3/9/1966Leyton County Old BoysHomeFriendly3 – 4Colin McPhail 3
5/9/1966WestfieldAwayFriendly2 – 0Stuart Polhill, Colin Relf
10/9/1966CatsfieldAwayFriendly6 – 1John Dunk 2, Colin McPhail 2, Chris Ades, Colin Relf
17/9/1966Bexhill Town Athletic IIIHomeLeague1 – 1Brian Barden
24/9/1966Bexhill Town Athletic IIIAwayLeague2 – 5Phil Harrod, Michael Bryant
1/10/1966Maori IIHomeA F A Junior Cup 1st Round4 – 1Colin Relf 2, Brian Barden 2
8/10/1966West Hill Boys ClubAwayLeague6 – 2Chris Ades 4, Mike Hills, Derek Perkins
15/10/1966BurwashHomeSussex Intermediate Cup 2nd Round0 – 8
22/10/1966Hawkhurst UnitedAwayLeague2 – 7Phil Harrod, Colin Relf
29/10/1966Mayfield Athletic IIHomeA F A Junior Cup 2nd Round2 – 7Stuart Polhill, Colin Relf
5/11/1966Etchingham UnitedAwayHastings F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round4 – 3Chris Ades 2, Colin Relf 2
12/11/1966Hellingly SportsHomeLeague5 – 6Chris Ades 3, Ron Barden, Michael Bryant
19/11/1966DallingtonAwayLeague2 – 2Chris Ades 2
26/11/1966SandhurstHomeLeague1 – 1Colin Relf
17/12/1966WittershamHomeLeague0 – 4
7/1/1967WestfieldAwayLeague2 – 2Phil Harrod, Chris Ades
14/1/1967Hastings Rangers IIHomeHastings F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round4 – 3Brian Barden 3, David Truran
11/2/1967Etchingham UnitedAwayLeague3 – 3Brian Barden 2, Chris Ades
18/2/1967SandhurstAwayLeague4 – 1Chris Ades 2, Geoff Wickenden, Colin Relf
25/2/1967DallingtonHomeLeague5 – 2Brian Barden 3, Colin Relf, David Truran
4/3/1967Hellingly SportsAwayLeague2 – 7Colin Relf, Brian Barden (pen)
11/3/1967West Hill Boys ClubHomeLeague4 – 0Brian Barden 2, Colin Relf, David Truran
18/3/1967Sidley United IIAwayHastings F A Intermediate Cup Semi-Final2 – 3Geoff Wickenden, Chris Ades
25/3/1967SeeboardAwayLeague3 – 2David Truran 2, David Swaine
27/3/1967Old ParkoniansHomeFriendly1 – 3Colin Relf
1/4/1967Observer AthleticAwayLeague2 – 8Phil Harrod, Brian Barden
8/4/1967Etchingham UnitedAwayRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 2nd Round4 – 4 *Chris Ades 2, Nick Marshall, Brian Barden
15/4/1967WestfieldHomeLeague4 – 1Brian Barden 2, Robert Glazier, Chris Ades
22/4/1967WittershamAwayLeague0 – 6
29/4/1967Hawkhurst UnitedHomeLeague2 – 1Colin Shearer, Peter Ewart
6/5/1967Etchingham UnitedHomeLeague and Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 2nd Round Replay3 – 1 #Brian Barden 3
9/5/1967Observer AthleticHomeLeague4 – 1Brian Barden 2, Nick Marshall, Colin Relf
12/5/1967SeeboardHome<League1 – 2Chris Ades
22/5/1967Hawkhurst UnitedNeutral>Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup Semi-Final3 – 2Nick Marshall, Colin Relf, George Potter (pen)
26/5/1967BurwashNeutral>Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup Final1 – 2Brian Barden

2ND TEAM

A bad finish spoilt the 2nd team record with only three points being obtained from a possible eighteen in the last nine league games. In the early part of the season a free scoring forward line reached fifty goals on November 12th, but having scored fifty one goals in nine games only forty five came in twenty six further matches. Even allowing for the fact that the fixture list played a big part in this sequence, the collapse was disturbing and reflected not only the loss of Phil D’Abo (12 goals) and Tony Dorman (13 goals), but also the loss of midfield control.

Brian Luck (21) and Jack Brown (15) lead the goalscorers, though Brian scored only once in the last two and a half months of the season. John Dunk once again proved an inspiring captain who got a great deal out of his team.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
Fracmo SportsHomeFriendly2 – 9John Parsons, Brian Barden
17/9/1966UdimoreAwayLeague2 – 3Jack Brown, Tony Dorman
24/9/1966BeckleyHomeLeague9 – 0Tony Dorman 4, Brian Luck 3, Jack Brown 2
1/10/1966Guldeford Old BoysAwayLeague9 – 1Phil Harrod 4, Tony Dorman 2, Jack Brown, Fred Dallaway, Own Goal
8/10/1966Kew Association IIIAwayA F A Minor Cup 1st Round4 – 11Phil D’Abo, Phil Harrod, Jack Brown, Tony Dorman
15/10/1966Old Hastonians IIIAwayLeague7 – 1Brian Luck 5, Phil D’Abo, Martin Shearer
22/10/1966Battle Rangers IIAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 1st Round2 – 6Michael Bryant, Brian Luck
29/10/1966BeckleyAwayLeague8 – 4Phil D’Abo 4, Tony Dorman 2, Jack Brown 2
5/11/1966Linton AthleticHomeLeague2 – 7Colin McPhail, Phil D’Abo
12/11/1966Flimwell UnitedAwayLeague6 – 1Brian Luck 3, Phil D’Abo 2, Tony Dorman
19/11/1966Old Centmodians ‘A’HomeHastings League Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round0 – 3
26/11/1966Silverton RangersAwayLeague5 – 3Brian Luck 3, Tony Dorman, Fred Dallaway
10/12/1966Framfield and BlackboysAwayFriendly6 – 1Phil D’Abo 3, Phil Harrod, Jack Brown, Brian Luck
26/12/1966Silverton RangersHomeLeague1 – 2Jack Brown
7/1/1967Still and SonsHomeLeague2 – 7Jack Brown, Brian Luck
14/1/1967Hawkhurst United IIAwayLeague4 – 6John Heasman 2, Jack Brown, Tony Dorman
21/1/1967Old Centmodians ‘A’HomeLeague4 – 3Fred Dallaway 2, Phil Harrod, Brian Luck
28/1/1967Westfield IIHomeLeague5 – 1Jack Brown 2, Phil Harrod, Fred Dallaway, Mike Hills
4/2/1967Linton AthleticAwayLeague0 – 4
11/2/1967Old Hastonians IIIHomeLeague3 – 0Brian Luck 2, Mike Hills
18/2/1967Seeboard IIAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round3 – 4 *Phil Harrod, Jack Brown, Fred Dallaway
25/2/1967Old Centmodians ‘A’AwayLeague0 – 7
4/3/1967UdimoreHomeLeague3 – 2Jack Brown 2, Own Goal
11/3/1967Westfield IIAwayLeague1 – 2Jack Brown
18/3/1967Flimwell UnitedHomeLeague2 – 2Alan Tolhurst 2
25/3/1967Still and SonsAwayLeague0 – 6
1/4/1967Fracmo SportsHomeLeague0 – 4
8/4/1967Guldeford Old BoysHomeLeague2 – 3Alan Tolhurst 2
15/4/1967Clive ValeAwayLeague1 – 6Alan Tolhurst
22/4/1967Clive ValeHomeLeague0 – 5
29/4/1967Fracmo SportsAwayLeague1 – 6Phil Harrod
1/5/1967Hawkhurst United IIHomeLeague2 – 1Jack Brown, Brian Luck

3RD TEAM

It would be necessary to go back to the 1958-59 season to find as good a 3rd team record when John Ellis was captain and some well known names were in the side. It was not due to a settled team as over fifty players turned out at least once, but a combination of a nucleus of older members to hold the side together along with a very promising collection of youngsters meant that the team nearly always played attractive football and were seldom completely outclassed.

Bert Glazier again took much of the credit and as in previous seasons also helped by refereeing a number of matches when there was no appointed official. Don Butcher led the side with his usual example of keeping going whatever the score until he had a troublesome cartilage injury in the game at Crowhurst. In his absence, Mick Cooke and John Heasman captained effectively. Michael Pfundstein with 15 goals was leading scorer with Peter Drew also reaching double figures with 10. In general, the team played sporting football but there were occasional imitations of the less desirable features of the professional game.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
3/9/1966Hollington Old Boys IIAwayLeague0 – 2
8/9/1966Seeboard IIIHomeFriendly2 – 3Micky Pfundstein, Chris Williams
17/9/1966West Hill Boys Club IIAwayLeague0 – 5
24/9/1966Punnetts Town IIAwayLeague1 – 0Micky Pfundstein
1/10/1966IdenAway<League2 – 5Chris Williams, Bill Perry
8/10/1966Brentham VHomeA F A Novets Cup 1st Round1 – 5Bryan Butler (pen)
15/10/1966Hellingly IIIAwayFriendly0 – 5
22/10/1966Punnetts Town IIHomeLeague2 – 2Martin Shearer, Own Goal
29/10/1966Wittersham IIAwayLeague0 – 6
5/11/1966Observer Athletic IIAwayLeague4 – 5Micky Pfundstein 2, Colin Shearer, John Evans
19/11/1966IdenAwayHastings League Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round2 – 6Martin Shearer, Phil Harrod
3/12/1966West Hill Boys Club IIHomeLeague1 – 5Tony Dorman
10/12/1966Robertsbridge United IIHomeLeague3 – 3Micky Pfundstein 2, Alan Tolhurst
31/12/1966Travaux IIAwayLeague5 – 4David Truran 2, John Heasman, Micky Pfundstein, John Evans
7/1/1967Seeboard IIIAwayLeague0 – 4
14/1/1967CollegeAwayLeague1 – 9Peter Drew
21/1/1967Guldeford Old Boys IIHome>League13 – 0Colin Shearer 4, Micky Pfundstein 3, Bert Glazier 2, Chris Williams 2, Peter Drew, Martin Shearer
28/1/1967Guldeford Old Boys IIHome>League2 – 2Micky Pfundstein, Peter Drew
4/2/1967CrowhurstHomeLeague1 – 7Micky Pfundstein
11/2/1967IdenAway<League0 – 6
18/2/1967Etchingham United IIHomeLeague2 – 4Colin Shearer 2
25/2/1967Udimore IIAwayFriendly6 – 5Alan Tolhurst 3, Peter Drew 3
4/3/1967Biddenden IIAwayLeague0 – 15
18/3/1967CrowhurstAwayLeague3 – 4Martin Shearer, Bert Glazier, Keith Holdstock
24/3/1967Etchingham United IIAwayLeague1 – 7Bill Perry
27/3/1967Hollington Old Boys IIHomeLeague0 – 5
30/3/1967Seeboard IIHomeLeague3 – 1Micky Pfundstein, Alan Tolhurst, Martin Shearer
1/4/1967Robertsbridge United IIAwayLeague1 – 4Peter Ewart
8/4/1967Observer Athletic IIHomeLeague2 – 0Chris Williams, Peter Ewart
19/4/1967Wittersham IIHomeLeague1 – 0
24/4/1967Travaux IIHomeLeague0 – 3
25/4/1967The Junior Club TacklewayHomeFriendly4 – 2Micky Pfundstein 2, Alan Tolhurst, Fred Dallaway
29/4/1967Biddenden IIHomeLeague0 – 3
8/5/1967Reckitt and ColmanHomeFriendly3 – 4Phil Harrod, Peter Drew, Martin Shearer
11/5/1967The Junior Club TacklewayHomeFriendly2 – 5Steve Turner, Peter Drew
13/5/1967CollegeHomeLeague4 – 1Colin Shearer 2, Peter Drew 2

BOYS TEAM

One Boys team friendly was played during the season which resulted in a high scoring 4-4 draw with Peasmarsh Juniors.

BOYS TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
26/11/1966Peasmarsh JuniorsAwayFriendly4 – 4Colin Shearer 2, Alan Tolhurst,

GENERAL MATTERS

All three teams finished high in the league table for the Sportsmanship Cup with average marks of 4.5, 4.46 and 4.25 out of 5 respectively.

Largely on the initiative of Jack Brown, a successful end of season dinner was held in the Memorial Hall at Icklesham on Saturday, 6th May 1967 to mark the Club’s completion of thirty seasons. Mr Percy Chambers, Senior Life Member of the Sussex County Football Association and Mr Arthur Penny, honorary treasurer of the Sussex County Football Association were the principal guests among the fifty who attended and a first class meal was provided. The Club was grateful to Jack and all his helpers.

During the season, Jean Parsons and her sisters provided tea after the games which was greatly appreciated as was the help of all the wives, girlfriends and mothers who provided the tea for home matches in the A F A Cup.

Drainage operations on the pitch were carried out by Icklesham Parish Council at considerable cost and it was hoped for long term benefits from this. The Club did not have the use of the ground at Guestling and this caused some difficulty. Colin Cooke, with some assistance from his brother George, did almost all the marking out and the Club was very much in his debt. Members were again most helpful and generous over transport. A pre-season coaching programme of three sessions jointly with Westfield was well worth while.

In general members were very co-operative, but a tendency to drop out for social engagements did not make life easy for the honorary secretary as well as for other players. Longer notice of such engagements would have been helpful.

The thirtieth Annual General Meeting of the Club was held at the Robin Hood Inn, Icklesham on Thursday, 20th July 1967 at 8 pm.

CLUB OFFICIALS