Season 1968-69

32ND SEASON

The 1968-69 season was an unremarkable one, though not without promise for the future. The 1st XI failed to secure an early return to Division One of the Hastings League, but had a much better year, the 2nd team had a poor year, but the 3rd XI contained many promising players and scored over one hundred league and cup goals.

With goals scored more than doubled and goals against cut roughly in half, the first team did much better in Division Two than in their last season in Division One of the Hastings League. Towards the end of the season, a useful side had been built up with good teamwork and the last six games were won in the space of fifteen days. Two semi-finals were reached in the Hastings Junior Cup and Hastings League Division Two Cup.

Dave Minett with 31 goals and Brian Barden with 27 were leading scorers in all games. Among the less established players, Colin Shearer, Michael Pfundstein and Colin Cooke all made good progress. George Potter once again led the side with sportsmanship and determination and he was almost always backed up by the other players in this respect.

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
7/9/1968WestfieldAwayFriendly2 – 3Roger Dollimore, Fred Dallaway
14/9/1968Clive ValeAwayLeague4 – 1Roger Dollimore 2, Dave Minett, Fred Dallaway
21/9/1968Hellingly Sports IIHomeLeague0 – 5
28/9/1968Benenden Chest HospitalHomeLeague8 – 0Colin Shearer 2, Brian Barden 2, Roger Dollimore, 2, Dave Minett, Fred Dallaway
5/10/1968Silverton RangersAwayLeague2 – 4Roger Dollimore, Own Goal
19/10/1968Newhaven Olympic IIAwaySussex Junior Cup 1st Round3 – 0Dave Minett 2, Colin Relf
26/10/1968NorthiamAwaySussex Junior Cup 2nd Round3 – 3Dave Minett 3
2/11/1968NorthiamHomeSussex Junior Cup 2nd Round Replay1 – 4Ron Barden
9/11/1968Thomas Cook and SonsAwayA F A Junior Cup 1st Round1 – 6Roger Dollimore
16/11/1968Robertsbridge UnitedAwayLeague2 – 3Chris Ades 2
23/11/1968Old Centmodians IIHomeLeague7 – 3Dave Minett 3, Brian Barden 2, Colin Shearer, Chris Ades
30/11/1968Fracmo Sports IIAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 2nd Round12 – 2Brian Barden 3, Dave Minett 3, Colin Shearer 2, Chris Ades 2, David Ades, Roger Dollimore
14/12/1968Old Centmodians IIAwayHastings League Division Two Cup 2nd Round5 – 1Dave Minett 2, Roger Dollimore, David Ades, Chris Ades
21/12/1968Benenden Chest HospitalAwayLeague1 – 2Dave Minett
4/1/1969Wittersham IIHomeHastings F A Junior Cup 3rd Round4 – 2Brian Barden 2, Dave Minett, Roger Dollimore
11/1/1969TravauxHomeLeague4 – 6Brian Barden 2, Dave Minett 2
1/2/1969Mountfield UnitedHomeLeague2 – 1Roger Dollimore, George Potter (pen)
22/2/1969Linton Athletic IIHome<League7 – 2Brian Barden 3, Dave Minett 2, Colin Shearer, John Dunk
1/3/1969CrowhurstAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 4th Round4 – 3Colin Cooke, Colin Shearer, Brian Barden, Dave Minett
8/3/1969Still and SonsAwayLeague2 – 2Brian Barden, Fred Dallaway
15/3/1969Silverton RangersHomeLeague and Hastings League Division Two Cup Semi-Final0 – 1 #
22/3/1969Clive ValeHomeLeague1 – 1Mike Hills
29/3/1969Seeboard (Hastings) IIAwayLeague2 – 4Brian Barden, Fred Dallaway
1/4/1969TicehurstAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round1 – 1Roger Dollimore
5/4/1969Robertsbridge UnitedAwayHastings F A Junior Cup Semi-Final2 – 5Jack Brown 2
7/4/1969Old ParkoniansHomeFriendly3 – 3Colin Shearer, Chris Ades, Brian Barden
10/4/1969TicehurstHomeRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round Replay0 – 0
16/4/1969TicehurstNeutral>Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round 2nd Replay1 – 5Brian Barden
19/4/1969Robertsbridge UnitedHomeLeague3 – 3George Potter, Brian Barden, Dave Minett
21/4/1969Seeboard (Hastings) IIHomeLeague2 – 4Brian Barden, Dave Minett
25/4/1969TravauxAwayLeague2 – 0Dave Minett 2
28/4/1969Hellingly Sports IIAwayLeague3 – 2Mike Hills, Chris Edwards, Ron Barden
1/5/1969Mountfield UnitedAwayLeague1 – 0Dave Minett
3/5/1969Still and SonsHomeLeague2 – 0Brian Barden 2
6/5/1969Old Centmodians IIAwayLeague7 – 1Colin Shearer 2, Brian Barden 2, Dave Minett 2, Roger Dollimore
9/5/1969Linton Athletic IIHome<League6 – 1Brian Barden 2, Dave Minett 2, Colin Shearer, Roger Dollimore

Although they ended bottom of Division Three, the second team were not a really bad side with most of their defeats being by small margins. Until football was interrupted by bad weather in the New Year they did quite well, as is shown by the two halves of the season:-

In the first half the side beat Brede (who finished as runners-up) and Old Centmodians III (third place) while in the second half the only wins were against College who had only nine men and Fracmo Sports II who later withdrew.

The collapse was partly due to the loss of the team’s best defender, Colin Cooke, who was promoted to the first XI and also to the loss of scoring ability among the forwards. It would be necessary to introduce some younger players for the next season in the hope that they would improve with experience of stronger opposition. Andy Dunlop again acted as team manager and linesman with Jack Brown as captain. Peter Drew with 18 easily led the goals.

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
21/8/1968BredeAwayFriendly3 – 3Brian Barden 2, Dave Minett
30/8/1969UdimoreAwayFriendly1 – 2Colin Shearer
12/9/1968Seeboard IIHomeFriendly2 – 2David Ades, Phil Harrod
21/9/1968Westfield IIAwayLeague2 – 6Phil Harrod. Harold Stonham
5/10/1968West Hill Boys ClubAwayLeague3 – 3Jimmy Britt, Phil Harrod, Colin Relf
12/10/1968UdimoreHomeLeague9 – 2Peter Drew 4, Colin Relf 3, Harold Stonham 2
19/10/1968Old Brentwoods IIIHomeA F A Minor Cup 1st Round1 – 2Peter Drew
26/10/1968IdenHomeHastings League Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round1 – 4Phil Harrod
2/11/1968The Junior Club TacklewayAwayLeague1 – 1Colin Cooke
9/11/1968West Hill Boys ClubHomeLeague7 – 1Chris Ades 6 (1 pen), Brian Barden
16/11/1968BredeHomeLeague2 – 1Colin Cooke, Colin Relf
23/11/1968Old Centmodians IIIAwayLeague0 – 4
30/11/1968BredeAwayLeague0 – 4
7/12/1968Old Centmodians IIIHomeLeague2 – 1Colin Relf, Peter Drew
14/12/1968Westfield IIHomeLeague4 – 4Peter Drew 2, Jack Brown, Colin Relf
4/1/1969Punnetts TownAwayLeague2 – 4Peter Drew 2
11/1/1969CollegeAwayLeague3 – 9Peter Drew 2, Harold Stonham
1/2/1969Fracmo Sports IIAwayLeague3 – 2Harold Stonham 2, Peter Drew
1/3/1969UdimoreAwayLeague2 – 3Peter Drew 2
8/3/1969IdenHomeLeague1 – 4Peter Drew
22/3/1969IdenAwayLeague1 – 9Colin McPhail
29/3/1969Observer Athletic IIHomeLeague2 – 3Roger Best, Peter Drew
31/3/1969Observer Athletic IIAwayLeague0 – 4
5/4/1969CollegeHomeLeague3 – 2John Heasman 2, Peter Drew
12/4/1969The Junior Club TacklewayHomeLeague0 – 2
19/4/1969Etchingham United IIAwayLeague3 – 3Robert Glazier, Brian Thomas, Keith Holdstock
26/4/1969Etchingham United IIHomeLeague0 – 2
30/4/1969Hollington Old Boys IIAwayLeague0 – 4
5/5/1969Punnetts TownHomeLeague1 – 4Stephen Turner
7/5/1969Hollington Old Boys IIHomeLeague4 – 8Chris Edwards 2, Ron Barden, Harold Stonham

The third team was not only among the strongest ever to represent the Club, but its success was not achieved at the expense of its good name for sportsmanship. With John Evans setting a good example of enthusiasm as captain and Bert Glazier once more as team manager and linesman, the 3rd XI were an excellent advertisement for the Club. A nucleus of adult players provided stability and the boys showed great promise. John Evans (24 goals), Brian Thomas (12) and Keith Holdstock (11) were leading goal scorers.

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
20/8/1968Guldeford Old BoysAwayFriendly5 – 5Colin Shearer 2, Peter Drew 2, Kevin Williams
22/8/1968Robertsbridge United IIIAwayFriendly5 – 4Bill Black 2, Roger Beeney, Jimmy Britt, Peter Drew
5/9/1968Westfield IIAwayFriendly1 – 6Dave Minett
7/9/1968Seeboard (Hastings) IIIHomeLeague6 – 3Brian Thomas 3, Chris Williams 2, John Heasman
14/9/1968Guldeford Old BoysHomeLeague2 – 6Brian Thomas, Robert Glazier (pen)
21/9/1968Sandhurst IIAwayFriendly3 – 7Peter Thorpe 2, Brian Thomas
28/9/1968Silverton Rangers IIAwayLeague10 – 3Peter Thorpe 3, Keith Holdstock 2, Colin McPhail, Roger Best, John Heasman, Jimmy Britt, Colin Relf
5/10/1968Punnetts Town IIHomeLeague6 – 3Peter Drew, Brian Thomas, John Crisford, Keith Holdstock, Own Goals 2
19/10/1968Iden IIAwayLeague4 – 6John Evans 2, Brian Thomas, Keith Holdstock
26/10/1968Old Fincunians IVAwayA F A Novets Cup 1st Round2 – 3John Evans, Keith Holdstock
9/11/1968Brede IIAwayLeague8 – 0Brian Thomas 3, John Evans 3, Peter Turner, John Crisford
23/1//1968Robertsbridge United IIIAwayLeague9 – 0Peter Drew 4, John Evans 2, Keith Holdstock 2, Jimmy Britt
30/11/1968Sandhurst IIHomeLeague6 – 2John Evans 3, Jimmy Britt 3
7/12/1968Guldeford Old BoysAwayLeague6 – 0Phil Harrod 2, Martin Shearer, Stephen Turner, Brian Thomas, John Evans
14/12/1968Tackleway Boys Club IIAwayLeague0 – 1
21/12/1968Benenden Chest Hospital IIHomeLeague1 – 2Phil Harrod
28/12/1968Reckitt and ColmanAwayLeague5 – 0Peter Turner 2, John Evans, Keith Holdstock, Own Goal
4/1/1969Udimore IIHome<League5 – 6Phil Harrod 2, Martin Shearer, John Evans, Own Goal
11/1/1969Silverton Rangers IIHpmeLeague2 – 3John Evans, Brian Thomas
1/2/1969PeasmarshHomeLeague5 – 4Phil Harrod 2, Bill Whiting, John Crisford, John Evans
15/2/1969PeasmarshAwayLeague1 – 2John Evans
1/3/1969Tackleway Boys Club IIHomeLeague2 – 1Bill Whiting,
8/3/1969Robertsbridge United IIIHomeLeague6 – 1Roger Beeney, Phil Harrod, John Evans, Keith Holdstock, Jimmy Britt, Own Goal
15/3/1969Benenden Chest Hospital IIAwayLeague1 – 1Keith Holdstock
22/3/1969Udimore IIHome<League0 – 5
29/3/1969Ticehurst IIHomeLeague2 – 1John Evans 2
5/4/1969Iden IIHomeLeague2 – 3John Evans, Keith Holdstock
12/4/1969Seeboard (Hastings) IIIAwayLeague2 – 7Alan Ramsay 2
17/4/1969Brede IIHomeLeague0 – 1
19/4/1969Ecko HawkinsHomeLeague0 – 4
23/4/1969Ecko HawkinsAwayLeague2 – 6John Evans,
26/4/1969Ticehurst IIAwayLeague2 – 4John Evans, Dave Minett
2/5/1969Punnetts Town IIAwayLeague2 – 0John Barden, John Evans
3/5/1969Sandhurst IIAwayLeague1 – 1Peter Turner
7/5/1969Reckitt and ColmanHomeLeague1 – 1

Youth Teams of various ages competed in the Sussex Junior Cup, Hastings Youth Cup and friendlies. Some of these games were one-sided but they gave a chance to interest some useful boys in the Club. Some of the Saturday players turned out for other sides in the Youth League and Cups which complicated team selection.

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
27/10/1968Guldeford Minors ‘B’AwayHastings F A Youth Cup 1st Round 1st Leg (Under 17)4 – 3Keith Holdstock 3,
2/11/1968St Marys (Eastbourne)AwaySussex Youth Cup 1st Round (Under 18)6 – 5Keith Holdstock 5, Roger Best
1/12/1968Guldeford Minors ‘B’HomeHastings F A Youth Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg (Under 17)5 – 5Colin Shearer, John Barden, Graham Glazier, Roger Best, Keith Holdstock (pen)
25/1/1969Eastbourne MinorsHomeSussex Youth Cup 2nd Round (Under 18)1 – 10Keith Holdstock
2/2/1969Christ Church Youth ClubAwayHastings F A Youth Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg (Under 17)1 – 22Keith Holdstock
2/3/1969St Marys (Eastbourne)HomeFriendly1 – 4John Crisford
9/3/1969Christ Church Youth ClubHomeHastings F A Youth Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg (Under 17)1 – 9Keith Holdstock
Fairlight RangersHomeFriendly0 – 2

Tea making arrangements usually worked well with Miss Martine Vermeuil, Mrs Judy Glazier and Miss Angela Carter all doing a great deal for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams respectively. Thanks to the co-operation of Fairlight Parish Council, a second pitch at Fairlight Recreation Ground was obtained.

Marking out at Icklesham was again largely in the hands of Colin Cooke with Bert Glazier and John Evans doing the job at Fairlight. After the end of the season, Icklesham Parish Council drew attention to the worn goalmouths and asked for action to be taken.

George Potter, Chris and David Ades played for the Hastings League at Eastbourne with Roger Dollimore as substitute, while Colin Shearer took part in an International Youth Tournament in Germany as a member of the Hastings and District team.

A sub-committee arranged a party to celebrate the 1000th first team game which was an great success.

The Annual General Meeting, the thirty-second in the Club’s history, was held at the Robin Hood Inn on Thursday, 24th July 1969.