Season 1969-70

33RD SEASON

SEASON REPORT

Season 1969-70 was on the whole a successful one, marked by the loss of the Club’s third team manager, Bert Glazier. In addition to fielding three Saturday teams in the Hastings League, the Club ran a boys side in the Hastings Youth League on some Sundays. The 3rd team won the Hastings League Sportsmanship Cup with an average of 4.87 marks out of 5 and after a long gap, the 1st team won the Robertsbridge Charity Cup for the third time.

1ST TEAM

The first team had a rather drab league season after a good start, but raised their game against strong opposition and at home had two wins and two draws against the strongest teams in the division. The side lacked experience in the forward line – Roger Dollimore went to London University and played only occasionally, Chris Ades, who had been doing well in a midfield role, was hurt at Brede and did not play again and Brian Barden missed a lot of games in the first half of the season through injury and illness. When all three played, the 1st team were a good side. They drew with Silhill II at Icklesham before losing the replay and Silhill II went on to reach the semi-final of the A F A Junior Cup. The side beat Bohemia United, Robertsbridge United and Northiam on the way to the final of the Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup where they defeated Pevensey II 3-1 to lift the trophy. The winning team was: Peter Stone, Michael Hills, George Potter, Michael Pfundstein, John Dunk, Colin Cooke, Jimmy Britt, Brian Barden, Dave Minett, Don Sanderson and John Crisford with Jack Brown as an unused substitute.

Late in the season, Jimmy Britt improved enormously with more experience as did Don Sanderson with match practice and the first team looked a useful side again. The defence was workmanlike rather than inspired, but was usually adequate with Michael Pfundstein a most consistent half-back. George Potter once again set an excellent example of sportsmanship and determination and was usually well backed up in these respects. Brian Barden was top scorer with 23 goals in just 25 games followed by Dave Minett with 18 goals. Brian also played for the Hastings League against the Brighton League.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
8/9/1969BredeHomeFriendly2 – 1Brian Barden 2
13/9/1969Still and SonsAwayLeague4 – 0Brian Barden 2, Roger Dollimore, Fred Dallaway
20/9/1969Seeboard IIHomeLeague2 – 1Stephen Turner, Fred Dallaway
27/9/1969CrowhurstAwayLeague4 – 1Colin McPhail, Roger Dollimore, Fred Dallaway, Colin Cooke
4/10/1969Hollington Old Boys IIHomeLeague1 – 3Brian Barden
11/10/1969Silhill IIHomeA F A Junior Cup 1st Round3 – 3 *Colin Shearer, Brian Barden, Roger Dollimore
18/10/1969Mountfield UnitedHomeLeague2 – 1Chris Ades, Dave Minett
25/10/1969Silhill IIAwayA F A Junior Cup 1st Round Replay1 – 6Roger Dollimore
1/11/1969BredeHomeLeague2 – 3Colin Shearer 2
8/11/1969Mountfield UnitedHomeHastings League Division Two Cup 1st Round1 – 0George Potter
15/11/1969Linton AthleticAwayLeague2 – 4Brian Barden, Own Goal
22/11/1969The Junior Club TacklewayAwayLeague1 – 3Brian Barden
29/11/1969Hellingly Sports IIHomeHastings F A Junior Cup 2nd Round7 – 1Dave Minett 3, Chris Ades, Brian Barden, Jimmy Britt, Own Goal
6/12/1969Benenden Chest HospitalHomeLeague2 – 0Colin Shearer, Brian Barden
13/12/1969Hellingly Sports IIAwayHastings League Division Two Cup 2nd Round4 – 3Jimmy Britt, Chris Ades, Dave Minett, Brian Barden
20/12/1969Bohemia UnitedHomeRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round5 – 0Brian Barden 2, Colin Shearer, Dave Minett, Chris Ades
27/12/1969IdenAwayLeague4 – 6Brian Barden 2, Colin Shearer, Roger Dollimore
3/1/1970The Junior Club TacklewayHomeHastings F A Junior Cup 3rd Round2 – 2Chris Ades, Dave Minett
10/1/1970Observer AthleticAwayLeague4 – 3Fred Dallaway 2, Dave Minett, Brian Thomas
17/1/1970BredeAwayLeague3 – 4Dave Minett 2, Chris Ades
14/2/1970CrowhurstHomeLeague0 – 4
21/2/1970The Junior Club TacklewayAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 3rd Round Replay3 – 1Brian Barden 2, Colin Cooke
28/2/1970Benenden Chest HospitalAwayHastings League Division Two Cup Semi-Final1 – 3Paul John
14/3/1970Benenden Chest HospitalAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 4th Round2 – 3Jimmy Britt, Brian Barden
21/3/1970Mountfield UnitedAwayLeague4 – 4Dave Minett 3, Fred Dallaway
27/3/1970Robertsbridge UnitedAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 2nd Round6 – 3Dave Minett 3, Roger Dollimore 2, Fred Dallaway
28/3/1970IdenHomeLeague1 – 1Roger Dollimore
30/3/1970Old LibertiansHomeFriendly1 – 3Mike Hills
2/4/1970Seeboard IIAwayLeague1 – 2Don Sanderson
4/4/1970Silverton RangersAwayLeague0 – 2
11/4/1970The Junior Club TacklewayHomeLeague5 – 1Jimmy Britt, Roger Dollimore, Brian Barden, Own Goals 2
18/4/1970Silverton RangersHomeLeague1 – 1Brian Barden
21/4/1970Observer AthleticHomeLeague0 – 3
23/4/1970Hollington Old Boys IIAwayLeague2 – 3
25/4/1970Still and SonsHomeLeague1 – 3Brian Barden (pen)
2/5/1970Hellingly Sports IIAwayLeague4 – 2Don Sanderson 3,
9/5/1970Benenden Chest HospitalAwayLeague2 – 2Paul John 2
15/5/1970Linton AthleticHomeLeague3 – 2John Healey, Paul John, Fred Dallaway
18/5/1970Northiam IINeutral<Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup Semi-Final3 – 1Jimmy Britt, Brian Barden, Dave Minett
30/5/1970Pevensey and Westham IINeutral<Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup Final3 – 1Brian Barden, Dave Minett, Don Sanderson

2ND TEAM

On paper, at least, this was another very poor year for the 2nd XI, but it had much more promise than the previous season though the league position merely improved from bottom to next-to-bottom. The team made a terrible start – losing the first ten league and cup games, some by large scores, having a caution against the side and being knocked out of the Lower Divisions Cup by Fifth Division side, Peasmarsh.

The rest of the season brought almost a point a game, with seven points coming from the last four matches. Brian Luck, who took over as captain during the year and Andy Dunlop, as manager, had an uphill struggle, but were rewarded by a great improvement in teamwork late in the season, with a useful blend of near-veterans and young players, but on the whole a much younger side than in the previous year. In the Sportsmanship Cup markings, the 2nd team earned much lower marks than the other sides, which was hopefully just a temporary phase. Harold Stonham with 13 goals was leading scorer.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
2/9/1969Westfield IIAwayFriendly3 – 1Colin Shearer, Micky Pfundstein, Colin McPhail
20/9/1969UdimoreAwayLeague1 – 5Roger Best
27/9/1969Linton Athletic IIHomeLeague1 – 11Keith Holdstock
4/10/1969Wittersham IIAwayLeague3 – 8Jimmy Britt, Peter Turner, Harold Stonham
11/10/1969Christ ChurchAwayLeague 2 – 4Jimmy Britt. Harold Stonham
18/10/1969Glyn Mills IIAwayA F A Minor Cup 1st Round0 – 4
25/10/1969Kolster BrandesAwayLeague4 – 6Keith Holdstock 2, Steve Turner, Peter Turner
1/11/1969Old Centmodians IIIAwayLeague1 – 3Jack Brown
8/11/1969CollegeAwayLeague0 – 1
15/11/1969PeasmarshHomeHastings League Lower Divisions Cup 2nd Round2 – 5 *Brian Thomas, Keith Holdstock
22/11/1969Bones UnitedAwayLeague2 – 7John Evans 2
29/11/1969Physical Activities ClubAwayLeague3 – 1Robert Glazier, Keith Holdstock, Harold Stonham
13/12/1969Robertsbridge UnitedHomeLeague0 – 4
20/12/1969Physical Activities ClubHomeLeague3 – 0Steve Turner, Harold Stonham, Fred Dallaway
27/12/1969Old Centmodians IIIHomeLeague5 – 1John Healey, Roger Best, John Crisford, Fred Dallaway, Own Goal
3/1/1970Linton Athletic IIAwayLeague3 – 3Robert Glazier, Roy Goodlett, Fred Dallaway
10/1/1970Bones UnitedHomeLeague1 – 6Harold Stonham
17/1/1970Ecko HawkinsHome<League6 – 0
31/1/1970BodiamHomeLeague1 – 2Harold Stonham
7/2/1970UdimoreHomeLeague1 – 4Roy Goodlett
21/2/1970Westfield IIHomeLeague2 – 11Harold Stonham, Own Goal
28/2/1970CollegeHomeLeague1 – 1Don Sanderson
7/3/1970Wittersham IIHomeLeague3 – 6Harold Stonham, Roy Goodlett
14/3/1970Robertsbridge UnitedAwayLeague1 – 2Harold Stonham
21/3/1970Kolster BrandesHomeLeague2 – 5Don Sanderson, Own Goal
28/3/1970Westfield IIAwayLeague3 – 1Roy Goodlett, Harold Stonham, Own Goal
4/4/1970Christ ChurchHomeLeague4 – 2Don Sanderson 2, Jack Brown, John Evans
18/4/1970BodiamAwayLeague4 – 3Jack Brown 2, Peter Drew, Fred Dallaway
8/5/1970Ecko HawkinsHome<League1 – 1 Roy Goodlett

3RD TEAM

When at full strength, this was probably the best 3rd team the Club had ever had and would not have been out of place in Division Four of the Hastings League. The 5-1 win over National Provincial Bank IV at Icklesham in the A F A Novets Cup was an outstanding proof of this and John Healey, Roger Beeney and Tony Harris were one of the strongest half-back lines in Division Five. Obviously, like any third team, the side varied a great deal from one week to another but this did not stop them from gaining a second success in the Hastings League Sportsmanship Cup, a tribute to the whole team, to the captaincy and example of John Evans, and to the legacy of his own good sense and good manners left by Bert Glazier, who had looked after the team so well for so long.

Bert’s death brought home how much the Club had relied upon him for marking-out, transport, paying referees, taking down the nets as well as being linesman and manager. The older members of the team made a very good job of carrying on the side, with John Evans doing much of the marking-out and Brian Thomas and others helping in useful ways, but a team manager and linesman were still needed, ideally combined in one person.

The third team struggled for goalkeepers in the last part of the season which was a problem that needed addressing, but there were plenty of young players coming on in most other positions. During the year, Bill Whiting, who had been a loyal and valuable Club member, moved to Pembury. The goal scoring was fairly evenly shared with John Evans leading with 14 goals. Harold Stonham, as well as being top scorer for the 2nd XI, notched 12 times for the third team. Keith Holdstock and Brian Thomas, both with 11 goals, also reached double figures.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
4/9/1969Silverton Rangers IIHomeFriendly4 – 1Roger Dollimore 3, Roger Best
6/9/1969SaintsHome<League11 – 0Harold Stonham 7, Jimmy Britt, Roger Dollimore, John Crisford, Fred Dallaway
11/9/1969Brede IIAwayFriendly4 – 0Steve Turner 2, Harold Stonham 2
13/9/1969Robertsbridge United IIIHomeLeague3 – 1Harold Stonham 2, John Crisford
20/9/1969PeasmarshAwayLeague1 – 2Kevin Williams
27/9/1969Scientific LensHomeLeague0 – 4
4/10/1969Ecko Hawkins IIAwayLeague5 – 3Brian Thomas 3, John Evans, Kevin Williams
11/10/1969Ticehurst IIIHomeLeague8 – 0Brian Thomas 4, John Evans 2, John Crisford, Keith Holdstock
18/10/1969St MichaelsHomeLeague2 – 4John Healey, Own Goal
25/10/1969National Provincial Bank IVHomeA F A Novets Cup 1st Round5 – 1Brian Thomas 4, Colin Relf
1/11/1969Udimore IIHomeLeague2 – 4Bill Whiting, John Crisford
8/11/1969Punnetts Town IIHomeLeague4 – 1John Evans 2, Graham Glazier, John Crisford
29/11/1969Norsemen VAwayA F A Novets Cup 2nd Round2 – 6John Evans, Own Goal
13/12/1969Reckitt and ColmanAwayLeague3 – 2Bill Whiting, John Evans, Roy Goodlett
20/12/1969Guldeford Old BoysAwayLeague1 – 8Tony Harris
27/12/1969Brede IIHomeLeague3 – 4Graham Glazier, John Evans, Keith Holdstock
3/1/1970SaintsHome<League9 – 3Keith Holdstock 3, Brian Thomas 2, Colin McPhail 2, John Healey, Tony Harris
10/1/1970Ecko Hawkins IIHomeLeague7 – 1Keith Holdstock 3, Peter Turner, Tony Harris, Colin McPhail, John Heasman
31/1/1970Robertsbridge United IIIAwayLeague7 – 0John Evans 5, Mick Osborne, Peter Turner (pen)
7/2/1970Reckitt and ColmanHomeLeague1 – 2John Evans
21/2/1970Guldeford Old BoysHomeLeague0 – 3
28/2/1970Scientific LensAwayLeague0 – 11
7/3/1970Bones United IIHomeLeague3 – 5S Bennett, John Heasman, Keith Holdstock
14/3/1970Bones United IIAwayLeague5 – 1Roger Best, John Evans, Keith Holdstock, Kevin Williams, Own Goal
21/3/1970Brede IIAwayLeague2 – 0Harold Stonham, Stephen Beard
28/3/1970Punnetts Town IIAwayLeague3 – 0Ian Glazier, John Heasman, Keith Holdstock
30/3/1970Udimore IIAwayLeague0 – 4
25/4/1970PeasmarshHomeLeague2 – 1Brian Thomas, Steve Turner
2/5/1970Ticehurst IIIAwayLeague0 – 4
4/5/1970St MichaelsAwayLeague1 – 2

YOUTH TEAM

Youth teams competed in the Sussex Youth Cup (Under 18) and in the Hastings Youth League and Cup (Under 17). The Youth League was in danger of folding when the Club entered a team. The first four games were lost with only one goal scored and thirty six conceded, but the side improved steadily and lost the last two matches against the top teams by only 3-2 and 3-1.

Great credit was due to Stuart Baker, who never lost heart as captain, and to the nucleus of the boys who played in every or almost every game. The youth team certainly introduced several promising players to the Club and gave others more games than they would have had in the 3rd team, where there was at times a surplus – a tribute to the Club, but an embarrassing one.

YOUTH TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
19/10/1969The Junior Club TacklewayHomeLeague0 – 8
2/11/1969Westfield MinorsHomeLeague0 – 10
22/11/1969Ringmer MinorsHomeSussex Youth Cup 1st Round (Under 18)3 – 6Colin Shearer 2 (1 pen), Keith Holdstock
25/1/1970Guldeford Old Boys MinorsHomeLeague0 – 7
1/2/1970Sydney Close UnitedHome<League1 – 11Peter Marchant
8/2/1970Bodiam MinorsHomeLeague5 – 2John Barden, Stephen Beard, Graham Glazier, John Healey, Own Goal
22/2/1970The Junior Club TacklewayAwayHastings F A Youth Cup 1st Round 1st Leg (Under 18)1 – 11Ian Glazier
1/3/1970Bodiam MinorsAwayLeague4 – 1Graham Glazier 3, Stephen Beard
8/3/1970The Junior Club TacklewayHomeLeague and Hastings F A Youth Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg (Under 18)1 – 13 #Ian Glazier
12/4/1970Sydney Close UnitedHomeLeague1 – 5Stephen Beard
14/4/1970Westfield MinorsAwayLeague2 – 3John Barden, John Healey
26/4/1970Guldeford Old Boys MinorsAwayLeague1 – 3Stephen Beard

GENERAL MATTERS

The A F A games provided much interest. The replay for the first team at Solihull against Silhill II was a great day out, with travelling arrangements working very well, while the third team marked their first-ever A F A win with a large scale celebration in the Robin Hood which drew a letter of appreciation from their opponents, the National Provincial Bank.

In July, former Club captain, Alf Holdstock, was elected vice-chairman of the Sussex County Football Association while a former 3rd team goalkeeper in Bill Whittington refereed a number of good matches including the Divisional final in the qualifying rounds of the F A Cup.

Colin Cooke again marked out the Icklesham pitch and Jack Brown looked after the footballs. Following a site meeting, agreement was reached with Icklesham Parish Council on ground maintenance. The Club continued to use Fairlight Recreation Ground and enjoyed the practical help of the Fairlight Parish Council.

The Annual General Meeting was held at the Robin Hood Inn, Icklesham on Thursday, 23rd July 1970.

CLUB OFFICIALS