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NEWS ABOUT THE CLUB IN SEASON 2026-27
ICKLESHAM CASUALS 5 v HAWKHURST UNITED 2
Posted on Sunday, 25th October 2026
The 1st team welcomed Hawkhurst United to the Recreation Ground in awful wet and windy playing conditions. The side was kicking against the wind in the first half with the plan to go direct. The Casuals gradually grew into the game and took the lead when Kye Saunters headed in a great cross, doubling the advantage soon after with a quick counter attack that saw Alfie Hillman slot home.
A mad five minutes let Hawkhurst back into the game with a defensive mix up gifting them a goal and a foul, which most thought was outside the box, being rewarded with a penalty. Fortunately for Icklesham this was blazed over the bar for a 2-1 half-time score.
An early change in the second period with Ryan Souter coming on to give a target to hit in the box and minutes later Keiron Buss bombed down the wing and his cross was smashed into the roof of the net by Ryan. Hawkhurst got the next goal with a killer pass that took out the defence for their striker to score but Icklesham soon got their momentum back with the ever impressive Cal Hadaway firing home and a fine finish from Ryan who was found on the edge of the box by Keiron to deliver a delicious curling chip into the top corner.
A gritty win against a Hawkhurst United side who played much better than their league position would suggest.
Keiron Buss was The Kit Vault Man of the Match, his third award of the season.
ICKLESHAM CASUALS 6 v SEDLESCOMBE RANGERS II 1
Posted on Sunday, 18th October 2026
The team went to the top of Division Three with a comfortable victory over Sedlescombe Rangers Reserves at the Recreation Ground.
Icklesham got off to a fast start and took the lead after only 4 minutes when Kye Saunters raced through and finished well. The Casuals dominated the first half and missed a number of chances to increase the lead before Declan Eades netted neatly from close range after a scramble in the area following George Singleton’s long throw on 27 minutes and two minutes later Cal Hadaway’s low left-footed shot from the edge of the area made it 3-0. Then three minutes from the break, Cal found the roof of the net after a headed clearance from a corner for a 4-0 interval lead.
The side started the second half slowly and sloppy defending from an Icklesham throw allowed Sedlescombe to reduce the arrears with a good finish on 58 minutes and a couple of excellent saves from Jack Davies prevented Sedlescombe from getting further back into the game.
The Casuals then regained control and in the 70th minute Mike Amar headed in at the back post from Harry Sullivan’s corner and Keiron Buss completed the scoring on 81 minutes, going through on his own with a composed finish to make the final score 6-1.
Mike Amar was The Kit Vault Man of the Match.
ICKLESHAM CASUALS VETERANS 6 v WESTFIELD VETERANS 3
Posted on Sunday, 11th October 2026
After the disappointment of last Sunday’s Sussex Junior Cup match being called off, the Veterans played their first competitive game of the season this morning and got off to the best possible start in the Hastings F A Veterans League with an excellent 6-3 victory over current League champions Westfield Veterans.
The Veterans had a 3-0 half-time lead which slightly flattered them being grateful to a couple of outstanding saves from goalkeeper Chasse Selfe to go in at the break with a clean sheet including a superb one-on-one save, tipping the ball onto the bar.
Kyle Feneron netted the opening goal, latching on to a poor back pass and bravely slotting the ball past the Westfield keeper and it was soon 2-0 after some great work by Ali Adams who forced a smart save from the goalkeeper with Mike Keefe on hand to smash home the rebound on his debut. An excellent solo goal from Ali Adams made it 3-0 when he beat three defenders before firing home.
It took only a few minutes of the second half for the fourth goal to come and it was the pick of the goals being an outrageous volley from the edge of the box from Tim Johnson which went in off the bar.
The team got a bit sloppy after going 4-0 up conceding a free-kick from which Westfield reduced the arrears and they then made it 4-2 when a cross looped over Chasse Selfe and was tapped in at the far post. The Casuals instantly replied with Ali Adams getting his second of the game with another debutant in Greg Stoodley heading in Kyle Feneron’s dangerous corner to make it 6-2. Matt Darby completed his hat-trick for Westfield with a free header from a corner and a final score of 6-3.
An excellent all round team performance.
ICKLESHAM CASUALS 3 v HERSTMONCEUX II 0
Posted on Sunday, 11th October 2026
Having played Herstmonceux’s 1st team in the Sussex Junior Cup last Saturday, Icklesham Casuals welcomed their 2nds to the Recreation Ground this week for a top of the table clash.
The Casuals started brightly and everything was going their way except for taking the lead, but that didn’t take long with the impressive Cal Hadaway running on to a loose ball and smashing home for a well deserved goal. Just before half-time goalkeeper Lee Vater had to be withdrawn after a heavy 50/50 tackle but luckily for the home side they had a good back up In Blue Willoughby on the bench. Icklesham went in 1-0 at the break.
The talk at the interval was to relax a little, don’t force it and play our game and 2nd half was just that! A great team display with an excellent goal from Keiron Buss extending the lead and then for Keiron to put a third on a plate for Oli Spain to slot home from a killer counter and cutting attack. Then disaster for the home side when another 50/50 tackle saw Oli Spain come off worse and having to leave in a ambulance with what looked like broken ribs. The Casuals kept going and showed there dominance to win 3-0.
Kye Saunters was named The Kit Vault Man of the Match.
Everyone at the club sends out best wishes to Oli Spain for a full and speedy recovery and hoping the injury is not as serious as it looked.
ICKLESHAM CASUALS 1 v HERSTMONCEUX 4
Icklesham Recreation Ground – Saturday, 3rd October 2026
The team suffered their first competitive defeat of the season as they bowed out of the Sussex Junior Cup at home against Division One side Herstmonceux.
It was always going to be a tough test and Herstmonceux started well pressing Icklesham back and took an early lead but the Casuals had some great chances to get back into the game which went begging and it was the visitors who went 2-0 ahead. An early change had instant success with Declan Eades coming off the bench to reduce the arrears before the break.
Icklesham tried hard to push for the the equaliser in the second half but conceded another poor goal to go 3-1 down and were then guilty of over playing in the wrong areas to give Herstmonceux a fourth goal.
Not the best of performances with Herstmonceux the deserved winners.
Sean Melvin was The Kit Vault Man of the Match.
VETERANS FIXTURE ON SUNDAY CANCELLED
Posted on Friday, 2nd October 2026
The veterans fixture at home against Peacehaven and Telscombe Veterans in the first round of the Sussex Veterans Challenge Cup which was due to be played at on Sunday has been cancelled as Peacehaven and Telscombe Veterans have withdrawn from the competition.
The team will advance to the second round where they will play Montpelier Villa AFC Veterans at Icklesham Recreation Ground on Sunday, 8th November with a 2 pm kick-off.
KEIRON BUSS – PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR SEPTEMBER
Posted on Thursday, 1st October 2026
Player of the Month for September goes to Keiron Buss with his two goals and two Man of the Match awards. Well done Keiron.
ICKLESHAM CASUALS 3 v ROBERTSBRIDGE UNITED II 0
Icklesham Recreation Ground – Saturday, 26th September 2026
The club welcomed Robertsbridge United Reserves to the Recreation Ground.
It was a cagey opening five minutes while each team tried to work the other out but soon the home side took control. It was one way traffic in the first half and a lot of chances missed but the Casuals did find the net through Jon Hatch’s fine strike and Keiron Buss bursting through and rounding the keeper. The ball was in the net again but offside cancelled that out and a penalty miss also meant the side failed to extend their lead with the score 2-0 at the break.
The second half was much the same as the first with Icklesham playing all the football and they finally got a third on the hour mark with Oli Spain somehow getting between the two big centre half’s and connecting with a bullet header to make it 3-0. A lot of changes towards the end saw the game die down a little but none the less another three points and a clean sheet for the home team which moves them up to second place in the table.
There were joint Kit Vault Men of the Match in Jon Hatch and Greg Stoodley.
ICKLESHAM CASUALS 1 v NORTHIAM 75 II 1
Icklesham Recreation Ground – Saturday, 19th September 2020
The team was not at its usual flowing best against a good Northiam 75 Reserves side with some very useful players.
The Casuals dug deep and defended well and went in 0-0 at half time after a half lacking any real quality from both sides.
Icklesham came out in the second half and the objective was to shorten the ball and make the opposition work harder for it and some great play saw Keiron Buss drive across the midfield and play the ball to Archie Brunt who set it for Callum Hadaway to smash home from 30 yards! Some goal on his “weaker” foot and the goalkeepers dive was more for the cameras!
After ringing the changes by introducing the subs from the bench who brought energy and enthusiasm, a really poor goal was conceded, not reacting to a flick on and their striker rolling it into our net.
The game finished 1-1 and in all honesty we can be happy with the point as Northiam spurned several good chances to score.
The Kit Vault Man of the Match was Keiron Buss.
HOLLINGTON UNITED SELECT 0 v ICKLESHAM CASUALS 5
Ark Alexandra Academy,William Parker Campus, Hastings – Saturday, 12th September 2026
In the second league fixture of the season the Casuals met Hollington United Select at William Parker School, coming off the back of an opening day 3-0 win and aiming to build momentum.
The opening 15 minutes were very cagey with both teams trying to work each other out but then Icklesham got their game going. Keiron Buss got in down the wing and whipped in a fine cross for Callum Hadaway to smash home and give the Casuals the lead and shortly after Oli Spain released Keiron Buss again who came inside and fired a rocket from way outside the box into the top corner for a 2-0 lead at the break.
The half-time team talk was to keep the tempo high and keep moving the ball and soon the dominance showed. Oli Spain’s great feet and vision released George Stoodley through to round the keeper and smash home to make it 3-0.
The fourth goal was down to hard work from Declan Eades who broke the lines only to be brought down in the box to win a penalty and the outcome was obvious with the iceman from the spot George Stoodley getting his second of the game.
The fifth and final goal was something any manger would love to see with Declan Eades through on goal and unselfishly squaring the ball to allow Lee Pierce to slot home to cap a fine 5-0 win.
Callum Hadaway was The Kit Vault Man of the Match.
ICKLESHAM CASUALS GOLF TOURNAMENT
Posted on Friday, 11th September 2026
The 19th Icklesham Casuals Golf Tournament took place at Wellshurst Golf and Country Club on Friday, 4th September. Despite a small field this year, it was a good event with Nick Sparks taking the trophy for the first time.
PRESENTATION OF CHEQUE TO THE CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRUST
Posted on Friday, 11th September 2026
Former club chairman Bob Baker recently presented a cheque for £4332.00 to the Chief Executive of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust which was raised at the ‘Wear Yellow for Cystic Fibrosis’ Charity Golf Day supported by the club and held at Chartham Park Golf Course on Friday, 12th June.
SEDLESCOMBE RANGERS II 0 v ICKLESHAM CASUALS 3
Oaklands Park, Sedlescombe – Saturday, 5th September 2026
The new look Casuals side got off to a winning start in their opening league fixture away to Sedlescombe Rangers II.
The team got straight into the action, taking control early on and dominating from start to finish. The victory could have been by a wider margin but three goals and a clean sheet was a satisfactory start to the season.
With a strong squad available, the Casuals were captained on the day by Stuart Pearson on his 400th appearance for the club and netted two early goals with a punched clearance from the opposing goalkeeper falling to Joe Sherwood who finished with a delicate lob back over the keeper and Callum Hadaway scoring with a strong run and finish. The second half was similar to the first with Icklesham again well on top and Alfie Hillman netted the third goal.
Despite a sin bin, the side looked solid with so many good performances. In defence, George Stoodley was calm on the ball and Kye Saunters is becoming a quality left-back. Greg Stoodley organised the midfield with Sean Melvin appearing to be everywhere and Callum Hadaway the driving force while the front three linked up well.
Keiron Buss was The Kit Vault Man of the Match with his direct running causing problems for the Sedlescombe defence.
It was also good to see the players who did not make the squad this week there to support the team showing the excellent spirit in the club.
JOE SHERWOOD – NEW CLUB CAPTAIN
Posted on Saturday, 5th September 2026
Joe Sherwood will be the new club captain for the 2026-27 season. Congratulations to Joe on the appointment.
STUART PEARSON – 400 APPEARANCES
Posted on Thursday, 3rd September 2026
The next time Stuart Pearson pulls on the famed green and white quartered shirt for Icklesham Casuals he will be making his 400th appearance for the club.
Stuart made his debut in a league game for the 1st team away to Hollington United Reserves on Saturday, 5th September 2009. He was a member of the 1st team that was runners-up in Division Two of the East Sussex Football League in the 2012-13 season and part of the veterans side that won the Hastings F A Veterans League in 2024-25 and also reached the Veterans Cup Final.
Stuart was 1st team Players’ Player of the Year in both 2009-10 and 2011-12, Manager’s Player of the Year in 2014-15, Veterans Manager’s Player of the Year in 2025-26, winner of the Bert Glazier Cup in 2017-18 and the Colin McPhail Trophy winner in 2024-25.
Thank you, Stuart for your loyalty to Icklesham Casuals Football Club, a great club man and legend of ICFC.
CLUB SPONSORS
Posted on Tuesday, 1st September 2026
The club welcomes three new sponsors for the 2026-27 season.
The new 1st team kit will be sponsored by the Queen’s Head in Icklesham.
The warm up tops are being sponsored by Parker Building Supplier.
The Man of the Match for each game will be sponsored by The Kit Vault.
The club is extremely grateful to each sponsor and hopes to reciprocate with some top performances throughout the season.
Please see the ‘Club Sponsors’ page for further details on our sponsors.
CUP DRAWS
Posted on Monday, 31st August 2026
The 1st team have been draw at home to Herstmonceux from Division One of the East Sussex Football League in the 2nd round of the Sussex Junior Challenge Cup, having received a bye in the 1st round. The tie will be played on Saturday, 3rd October with a 2 pm kick-off.
In the Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup, the side also has a home draw, this time against Robertsbridge United II with the date for the fixture to be confirmed. Disappointingly, there are only six entrants in the Lower Divisions Cup this season due to one team withdrawing from the League and a couple of others deciding not to enter. The competition will run with just the six sides for 2026-27 and will be reviewed for the following season.
The Veterans have also received home draws in their two cup competitions. They play Peacehaven and Telscombe Veterans of the Sussex Sunday Football League in the 1st round of the Sussex Veteran’s Challenge Cup at the Recreation Ground on Sunday, 27th September kicking-off at 2 pm and meet Battle Town Baptists Veterans in the 1st round of the Hastings F A Veterans Cup on a date to be confirmed.
THE 19TH ICKLESHAM CASUALS GOLF TOURNAMENT
Posted on Sunday, 9th August 2026
The 19th Icklesham Casuals Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, 4th September at Wellshurst Golf and Country Club, Hellingly.
The cost is £45 which includes lunch at 1 pm followed by tee times from 2 pm.
Steve Fuller was the winner in 2025 when the tournament was held at Eastbourne Downs Golf Club.
The competition is open to all current and former members so if you are interested in taking part please email the club at ickleshamcasualsfc@hotmail.com.
VAL GONCALVES – 300 APPEARANCES
Posted on Wednesday, 15th July 2026
Val Goncalves was recently presented with a salver by Mike Beaumont to mark 300 appearances for Icklesham Casuals.
Val joined the club for the 2005-06 season helping the 1st team become East Sussex League Division Two champions in his first year. He has now played 312 games for the club scoring 82 goals.
It is great to see that some players still show loyalty – a rare attribute these days.
COMPOSITION OF DIVISIONS FOR SEASON 2026-27
Posted on Wednesday, 8th July 2026
At the East Sussex Football League Annual General Meeting, the composition of divisions for season 2026-27 were confirmed. The League will have four Divisions for the coming season with the 1st team competing in Division Two and the 2nd team in Division Three.
The make-up of the divisions are shown below.
CHARITY GOLF DAY
Posted on Saturday, 27th June 2026
The club supported the ‘Wear Yellow For Cystic Fibrosis’ Charity Golf Day held at Chartham Park Golf and Country Club on Friday, 12th June.
A target to raise £3,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust was set and we are pleased to announce that the final amount raised exceeded the target and was £4374.92. Thank you so much to everyone who supported the event.
The winning team on the day was C Squared made up of Chris Cope and Chris Burke who scored 64 points. winning by 5 points from runners-up Asa and Ben Croucher.
Full details of the results, the winners of the ‘Bus Stop’ prizes and the successful auction bids can be found on the website page.
THE PATRICIA RUTHERFORD MEMORIAL CUP
Posted on Saturday, 27th June 2026
The club is proud and delighted to play Little Common tomorrow afternoon (28th June) for The Pat Rutherford Memorial Cup and to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
The match at The Oval, Eastbourne kicks-off at 2 pm. Please come along and support.
SEAN BAKER RETIREMENT
Posted on Saturday, 27th June 2026
Sean Baker has made the decision to hang up his boots after 26 years of representing Icklesham Casuals Football Club.
Sean made his debut as a substitute in a league fixture for the 2nd team away to East Hoathly II on Saturday 23rd September 2000, the match ending in a 3-3 draw and has now made 462 appearances for the club scoring 230 goals which puts him in fifth place in the all-time scoring records.
Sean has been a stalwart of the club both on and off the field and his attitude and commitment has been incredible. He was presented with a 15 year service award by ex-England footballer Alan Mullery on behalf of the the Sussex County Football Association in the 2018-19 season.
The club thanks Sean for his service to the club and wishes him all the best for the future knowing he will be welcomed back if he gets itchy feet!
STEVE BUSS – NEW RESERVE TEAM MANAGER
Posted on Saturday, 27th June 2026
The club is delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Buss as Reserve Team manager. Steve played for the club in 2024-25 before moving to Wittersham for a season.
There is no doubt that Steve will bring stability and quality to the Reserves and use his abundance of experience to improve the side after a disappointing 2025-26 season.
TRAINING
Posted on Saturday, 6th June 2026
Training for the new season will commence at Icklesham Recreation Ground on Wednesday, 17th June at 6 pm. Any new players interested in joining the club are welcome to come along.
