Season 2005-06
69TH SEASON
SEASON REPORT
In the 2005-06 season, the club was able to build on the success of the previous season with the first team winning the East Sussex League Division Two championship and the second team consolidating their position in Division Five having gained promotion the previous year, although the veterans failed to progress beyond the group stage of the Hastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup for the first time since 2001-02.
In March, the club had the great honour of being chosen to represent the towns of the Cinque Ports Federation to play a team from HMS Kent for the Cinque Ports Challenge Cup. This was part of a series of events which took place on the weekend that the affiliation of the frigate to the Cinque Ports was inaugurated. The club also undertook a pre-season tour to France arranged by Nigel Sellman which proved a great success and was enjoyed by all those who took part. It was also a busy year off the pitch with much effort put into fund raising as a result of the financial situation the club found itself in at the end of the 2004-05 season.
It was also sad to report the loss of two former members of the club during the year. Firstly, Alf Holdstock, who had been club chairman and both 1st and 2nd team captain, died on the 21st November 2005. As a player, Alf appeared in 328 games between 1939 and 1964 scoring 54 goals. Then, on the 30th March 2006, Jon Fuller lost his long battle with Motor Neurone Disease and passed away at the age of just 42. Jon played for the club between 1979 and 1991 and as a tribute to Jon, an annual memorial match was planned between Icklesham Casuals and Jon’s Sunday side, Viking, to be played annually every September to raise much needed funds for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
1ST TEAM
After finishing as runners-up in Division Four in 2004-05, the 1st team, along with Crowhurst, were promoted two divisions and, having dropped the 1st team only two years ago, by winning the Division Two title the side returned to the level it was previously at, which was an excellent achievement. What was also pleasing about the success was that a number of local young players from the previous years 2nd XI, many of whom had been introduced to the club by 2nd team manager, Michael Hambridge either played regularly in the side or made a number of appearances during the season. These included Simon Baker, Tim Hambridge, Greg Palmer, Sam Richardson and Freddie Williams.
The first team, after losing the opening game of the season, 1-0 away to Crowhurst – the only match in which they failed to score, then won thirteen successive league matches. As the end of the season approached, there were three other teams, Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club, Northiam 75 and Crowhurst also in the promotion race. The best league performance of the season was saved for the crucial game away to Northiam 75 in early April when four goals from Phil Badrock helped the side to an 8-0 victory. Promotion was secured following a 1-1 draw away to Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club, but a defeat in the return fixture with Crowhurst meant the Division Two title was not decided until the final game of the season when a 3-0 win over Old Hastonians gave the 1st XI the championship. The defence was sound and the seventeen league goals conceded all season – two goals were deducted from the East Sussex League records when Hillcrest withdrew – was the lowest for any division in the League.
1st Team v Little Common II – Saturday, 1st April 2006
The match with Old Hastonians on Saturday, 6th May was scheduled as an away fixture at Bexhill Road but on arriving at the ground, it was apparent that the pitch had not been prepared for play by the local council. The opposition were prepared to give the points to the first XI which would have secured the league title without having even kicked a ball and there are many teams who would have been more than happy with this outcome. However, it says much about Icklesham Casuals as a club, but more in particular about the 1st team manager Martin Tytherleigh that he wanted to win or lose the championship on the field of play. After a few phone calls and a quick dash to Icklesham Recreation Ground, the pitch was marked out and the nets put up while to the two sides changed and the game kicked-off only half an hour late. The club even paid the referee’s additional £5 travelling expenses! It was fitting to win the title at the Recreation Ground and a long and successful season was celebrated in style following the final whistle.
1st Team v Old Hastonians – Saturday, 6th May 2006
The East Sussex Football League Presentation Evening took place at Little Common Football Club on Monday, 23rd May 2006 when the club, represented by Martin Tytherleigh, Michael Beamont and Neil Hastings collected the Division Two trophy and winners medals from John Cornford, the League chairman. The guest speaker on the evening was Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock and a photograph was taken of Martin, Michael and Neil with ’Razor’ Ruddock holding the trophy – a copy of this picture signed by ‘Razor’ is held among the club memorabilia.
East Sussex Football League Presentation Evening
The first XI also played fifteen cup fixtures with some success, winning through two rounds of the A F A Junior Cup and reaching the fourth round of the Sussex Junior Cup and the third round of both the Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup and Super Stitch ’86 Challenge Cup where Hooe Sports from Division One were beaten in the second round.
The best cup display of the season came at the end of October in the first round of the A F A Junior Cup when Old Finchleians III, the holders, visited the Recreation Ground with the first team recovering from a 2-1 deficit at half time to win the game 5-3. It was an interesting match played in a competitive but sporting manner with two Old Finchleians players needing hospital treatment – one with a serious cut above the eye and the other after falling awkwardly and dislocating his kneecap. Following the game, the club received a copy of an e-mail sent by the referee, Trevor Weaver, to the A F A in praise of both clubs. He was impressed with the way the club dealt with the injuries – firstly that an Icklesham official supplied first aid to the player with the cut eye on the field on play and then another official took him to hospital, stayed while he had six stitches inserted before bringing him back to the ground. The hospitality shown by the club to both the referee and the opposition who were invited to the Queen’s Head where food was laid on, was also very much appreciated and enjoyed.
Phil Badrock was leading goal scorer with 47 goals in all competitions and for much of the year was in with a chance of overhauling John Dunk’s club record of 52 goals in a season which dated back to 1957-58. Phil was also the top league scorer for the whole of Division Two and also led the scorers in the Super Stitch 86 Challenge Cup. Sean Baker (22 goals), Val Gonzalves (15) and Simon Baker (10) also found the net regularly. Phil Badrock was overwhelmingly voted as 1st XI Players’ Player of the Year while Mike Beaumont took the Manager’s Player of the Year award. Simon Baker was the inaugural winner of the new Young Player of the Year Cup.
One statistic worthy of note is that on a number of occasions during the season, the first team fielded a team including three different players with the name ‘S Baker’ – Sean, Simon and Steve, none of whom were related. This did cause some confusion amongst opponents and referees!
1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD
| EAST SUSSEX LEAGUE DIVISION TWO |
| Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | 20 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 74 | 19 | 47 # |
| Cup | 15 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 47 | 39 | N/A |
| All Games | 35 | 24 | 2 | 9 | 121 | 58 | 47 # |
| DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULT | GOAL SCORERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/9/2005 | Crowhurst | Away | League | 0 – 1 | |
| 17/9/2005 | Catsfield | Away | Hastings F A Junior Cup 1st Round | 1 – 2 * | Steve Baker |
| 24/9/2005 | Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club | Home | League | 4 – 1 | Steve Baker 2, Val Gonzalves, Sean Baker |
| 1/10/2005 | Old Hamptonians III | Away | A F A Junior Cup Preliminary Round | 4 – 3 | Phil Badrock 2, Mike Beaumont, Greg Palmer |
| 8/10/2005 | Storrington III | Away | Sussex Junior Cup 1st Round | 6 – 1 | Phil Badrock 5, Gavin Moor |
| 15/10/2005 | Hillcrest | Home | League | 7 – 2 | Phil Badrock 4, Val Gonzalves, Gavin Moor, Own Goal |
| 22/10/2005 | Northiam 75 | Home | League | 1 – 0 | Val Gonzalves |
| 29/10/2005 | Old Finchleians III | Home | A F A Junior Cup 1st Round | 5 – 3 | Val Gonzalves 2, Sean Baker 2, Gavin Moor |
| 5/11/2005 | Real Conqueror | Away | Sussex Junior Cup 2nd Round | 3 – 2 | Phil Badrock 2, Jim Taberman |
| 12/11/2005 | Robertsbridge United | Away | Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round | 1 – 0 | Phil Badrock |
| 19/11/2005 | Old Bealonians III | Away | A F A Junior Cup 2nd Round | 0 – 3 | |
| 26/11/2005 | Little Common II | Away | Super Stitch 86 Challenge Cup 1st Round | 3 – 0 | Phil Badrock 2, Sean Baker |
| 3/12/2005 | AFC Broadwater | Home | Sussex Junior Cup 3rd Round | 6 – 2 | Sean Baker 3, Phil Badrock 2, Simon Baker |
| 10/12/2005 | Hooe Sports | Away | Super Stitch 86 Challenge Cup 2nd Round | 3 – 2 | Phil Badrock 2, Simon Baker |
| 17/12/2005 | Burfield Tyres | Home | League | 5 – 0 | Simon Baker 2, Phil Badrock, Sean Baker, David Walton |
| 7/1/2006 | Old Varndenians II | Away | Sussex Junior Cup 4th Round | 1 – 7 | Phil Badrock |
| 14/1/2006 | Cranbrook Town | Home | Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 2nd Round | 4 – 0 | Phil Badrock 3, Steve Tytherleigh |
| 21/1/2006 | Heathfield Hotspurs | Away | Super Stitch 86 Challenge Cup 3rd Round | 4 – 6 | Phil Badrock 2, Val Gonzalves, David Walton |
| 28/1/2006 | White Knight | Home | League | 7 – 1 | Sean Baker 3, Phil Badrock 2, Val Gonzalves, Steve Tytherleigh |
| 4/2/2006 | Old Hastonians | Home | League | 2 – 0 | Phil Badrock, Sean Baker |
| 11/2/2006 | Mayfield | Away | League | 6 – 0 | Phil Badrock 3, Sean Baker 2, Mike Beaumont |
| 18/2/2006 | Little Common II | Home | League | 2 – 1 | Jim Taberman, Phil Badrock |
| 25/2/2006 | Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club | Away | Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 3rd Round | 1 – 2 | Val Gonzalves |
| 4/3/2006 | Mayfield | Home | League | 9 – 0 | Phil Badrock 3, Simon Baker 2, Sean Baker 2, David Walton, Val Gonzalves |
| 18/3/2006 | Hastings Rangers | Home | League | 5 – 0 | Sean Baker 2, Val Gonzalves, Simon Baker, Phil Badrock |
| 25/3/2006 | Hastings Rangers | Away | League | 3 – 0 | Val Gonzalves, Sean Baker, Michael Hambridge |
| 26/3/2006 | HMS Kent | Away | Cinque Ports Challenge Cup | 5 – 6 | Phil Badrock, Val Gonzalves, Sam Richardson, Adam Newman, Own Goal |
| 1/4/2006 | Little Common II | Away | League | 3 – 1 | Sean Baker, Steve Tytherleigh, Phil Badrock |
| 8/4/2006 | Northiam 75 | Away | League | 8 – 0 | Phil Badrock 4, Wayne Bumstead, Val Gonzalves, Simon Baker, Gavin Moor |
| 15/4/2006 | White Knight | Away | League | 2 – 5 | Phil Badrock, Greg Palmer |
| 17/4/2006 | Burfield Tyres | Away | League | 2 – 2 | Phil Badrock, Dan Marsh |
| 22/4/2006 | Cranbrook Town | Away | League | 3 – 1 | Simon Baker 2, Val Gonzalves |
| 26/4/2006 | Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club | Away | League | 1 – 1 | Val Gonzalves |
| 29/4/2006 | Crowhurst | Home | League | 1 – 3 | Phil Badrock |
| 6/5/2006 | Old Hastonians | Away< | League | 3 – 0 | Sean Baker 2, David Walton |
| Notes # Points awarded for unfulfilled fixture v Cranbrook Town (Home) (6/4/2006) Hillcrest withdrew – points deducted * After Extra Time < Away fixture switched to Icklesham Recreation Ground |
2ND TEAM
The 2nd XI also had a good season, ending the year in six place in Division Five after winning promotion the previous season. Despite the loss of a number of players to the first team, Michael Hambridge continued to introduce a wealth of young players, many of whom claimed a regular place in the side. Eastbourne Fishermen were runaway winners of the league followed by a very unpleasant Benbow team. Robertsbridge United finished in third place, missing promotion only on goal average, after they were defeated 4-3 by the 2nd XI in the final match of the season.
It was also against Robertsbridge United in the second round of the Hastings Printing Company Limited Challenge Cup that the second team produced their best performance with a 6-1 away victory as Greg Palmer completed a hat-trick. The side also progressed to the quarter finals of the Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup where they put up an excellent display away to a strong Battle Baptist team from Division Four before going down narrowly by 2 goals to 1.
Peter Harris top scored with 14 goals, Tim Hambridge won the Players’ Player of the Year trophy with Sam Richardson named as Manager’s Player of the Year while Greg Palmer was awarded the Bert Glazier Cup.
2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD
| EAST SUSSEX LEAGUE DIVISION FIVE |
| Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | 20 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 42 | 57 | 26 |
| Cup | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 7 | N/A |
| All Games | 26 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 58 | 64 | 26 |
| DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULT | GOAL SCORERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17/9/2005 | The Junior Club Tackleway III | Home< | League | 5 – 1 | Tim Hambridge, Greg Palmer, George Richardson, Chris English, Sam Richardson |
| 24/9/2005 | Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club II | Away | League | 1 – 2 | Peter Harris |
| 1/10/2005 | Heathfield Hotspurs II | Home | League | 2 – 1 | George Richardson, Adam Nichols |
| 8/10/2005 | Mountfield United II | Home | League | 3 – 3 | Adam Hurley, Sean Baker, Freddie Williams |
| 15/10/2005 | Robertsbridge United | Away | League | 1 – 5 | Adam Nichols |
| 22/10/2005 | The Junior Club Tackleway III | Away | Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round | 3 – 1 | George Richardson, Jon Fitton, Peter Harris |
| 29/10/2005 | Eastbourne Fishermen | Away | League | 1 – 5 | Jon Fitton |
| 5/11/2005 | Sedlescombe II | Home | League | 5 – 2 | Peter Harris 4, Kevin Earl |
| 12/11/2005 | Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club II | Home | League | 3 – 3 | Peter Harris 2, Sam Richardson |
| 19/11/2005 | Benbow | Home | League | 0 – 7 | |
| 26/11/2005 | Bodiam II | Away | Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 2nd Round | 3 – 0 | Gordon Cuddington 2, Jon Fitton |
| 3/12/2005 | Sandhurst II | Away | League | 3 – 3 | Sam Richardson (pen), Greg Palmer, Own Goal |
| 10/12/2005 | Mountfield United II | Away< | League | 2 – 4 | Sam Richardson, Peter Harris |
| 17/12/2005 | Cinque Ports | Away | Hastings Printing Company Limited Challenge Cup 1st Round | 2 – 0 | Kevin Earl, George Richardson |
| 7/1/2006 | Sandhurst II | Home | League | 1 – 0 | Chris Baker |
| 14/1/2006 | Battle Baptist | Away | Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 3rd Round | 1 – 2 | Peter Harris |
| 21/1/2006 | Wadhurst United III | Home | League | 1 – 1 | Kiran Monk |
| 28/1/2006 | Robertsbridge United | Away | Hastings Printing Company Limited Challenge Cup 2nd Round | 6 – 1 | Greg Palmer 3, Chris Baker, Peter Harris, Jack Richardson |
| 4/2/2006 | Heathfield Hotspurs II | Away | League | 1 – 3 | Tim Hambridge |
| 11/2/2006 | Mountfield United II | Home | Hastings Printing Company Limited Challenge Cup 3rd Round | 1 – 3 | Adam Hurley |
| 4/3/2006 | Benbow | Away | League | 1 – 5 | Sam Richardson |
| 11/3/2006 | The Junior Club Tackleway III | Away~ | League | 0 – 0 | |
| 18/3/2006 | Sedlescombe II | Away | League | 4 – 3 | Greg Palmer 2, Sam Richardson, George Richardson |
| 25/3/2006 | Eastbourne Fishermen | Home | League | 1 – 4 | George Richardson |
| 1/4/2006 | Wadhurst United III | Away | League | 3 – 2 | Adam Nichols 2, Sam Richardson |
| 8/4/2006 | Robertsbridge United | Home | League | 4 – 3 | George Richardson 2, Peter Harris, Jack Richardson |
| Notes < Match played at Guestling Playing Fields > Match played at Claverham Community College ~ Away fixture switched to Icklesham Recreation Ground |
VETERANS
The veterans had a rather disappointing year where a win, a draw and a loss meant a third place finish in the group stage of the Hastings F A Veterans Cup and failure to progress any further in the competition.
The side drew 2-2 away to group winners Little Common in the opening match before what eventually proved to be a comfortable 7-2 victory over the J C Tackleway at home although the veterans were 2-0 down early on. A win was needed in the final group game away to Peche Hill Select to have a chance of progressing to the final but two second half goals saw a 2-0 defeat and elimination.
VETERANS PLAYING RECORD
| Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cup | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 4 |
| DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULT | GOAL SCORERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/9/2005 | Little Common Veterans | Away | Hastings F A Veterans Cup | 2 – 2 | Vernon Deller, Steve Tytherleigh |
| 14/9/2005 | The Junior Club Tackleway Veterans | Home | Hastings F A Veterans Cup | 7 – 2 | Martin Tytherleigh 3, Mike Beaumont 2, Nigel Sellman, Trevor Saunders |
| 21/9/2005 | Peche Hill Select Veterans | Away | Hastings F A Veterans Cup | 0 – 2 |
| Notes Home match played at Guestling Playing Fields |
SEASON AWARDS
PRE-SEASON TOUR TO FRANCE
19th to 22nd August 2005
In August, the club undertook a four day tour to southern Normandy in France where six matches were played against local teams La Rouaudiere and Chelun. These resulted in one win, one defeat and four draws and whilst some recollections were inevitably hazy it would appear that a good time was had by all. The squad which went to France was – Phil Badrock, Michael Beaumont, Wayne Bumstead, Jamie Deroe, Paul Finch, Jon Fitton, Neil Hastings, Gavin Moor, Trevor Saunders, Nigel Sellman, Jim Taberman, Martin Tytherleigh and Rob Wiley.
All those taking part were grateful to Nigel Sellman who was responsible for making most of the arrangements for the trip.
MATCH VERSUS HMS KENT
Sunday, 26th March 2006 – Shorncliffe Barracks, Folkestone
On Sunday, 26th March 2006, the club was involved in probably the most prestigious match in its history when taking on a team from the frigate HMS Kent. The match was among a number of events which marked the affiliation of the frigate to the Cinque Ports. Icklesham Casuals was chosen by John Dunk, who at the time was Mayor of Winchelsea and the speaker of Cinque Ports, to represent the fourteen towns of the Cinque Ports Federation in the game. John is of course, most importantly a former Casuals player.
The match was played at the Sir John Moore Barracks, Shorncliffe, Folkestone, the headquarters of the 2nd Infantry Brigade with the winning team being presented with the new Cinque Ports Trophy by the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. Shorncliffe Barracks was a top security location and it was necessary for all the players representing the club to have a special pass.
The day of the match saw persistent rain but the game was played in a competitive but truly sporting spirit with the Casuals putting up a good fight before going down by 6 goals to 5, having recovered from 5-1 down at half time. The scorers were Phil Badrock, Val Gonzalves, Sam Richardson, Adam Newman and an own goal. The club did themselves and their supporters proud and it was a great honour for Icklesham Casuals Football Club to be involved in such an important event for both the South East and the Royal Navy. The team which represented the Club was – Neil Hastings, Dan Marsh, Nigel Sellman, Chris Whitfield, Wayne Bumstead, Chris Baker, Val Gonzalves, Jamie Deroe, Sam Richardson, George Richardson and Phil Badrock. Subs – Adam Newman, Martin Tytherleigh, Bob Baker and Micky Zysemil (not used).
GENERAL MATTERS
A Race Night was held in the Memorial Hall in September which raised around £165 for club funds, the Christmas Raffle profit was £250 and a Quiz Night in April, kindly organised by Stuart and Mags Baker brought in another £300.
Race Night
Mike Beaumont, Simon Baker, Peter Baker, Val Gonzalves and Keith Swallow ran the Hastings Half Marathon in March and were runners-up in the Non-Athletic Sports Team competition – narrowly beaten by Peche Hill Select.
To much disappointment, early in the season, the ground at Pannel Lane in Pett which Pett Parish Council had been negotiating to purchase and which would then have been available for use by the club, was sold to alternative buyers. The purchasers had indicated that they would be setting up a new youth team in the village and also wanted to start an adult Saturday side – neither came to fruition. The excellent clubhouse was vandalised and sadly what was one of the top facilities in the area lies overgrown and derelict.
PRESENTATION EVENING
Fairlight Lodge Hotel – Friday, 23rd June 2006
The Annual General Meeting followed by the club Presentation Evening were held at the Fairlight Lodge Hotel on Friday, 23rd June when the Player of the Year awards were given out along with the East Sussex League Division Two winners medals. Sean Baker was presented with a medal to mark 100 appearances for the club, Jamie Deroe received a shield for 200 appearances, Wayne Bumstead and Michael Hambridge accepted silver salvers for 300 appearances while Martin Tytherleigh received a decanter and glasses when he became the eighth player to appear in over 500 matches for the club.
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