Season 1961-62

25TH SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The Club completed it’s first quarter of a century with an enjoyable and on the whole successful twenty-fifth season. The weather was very much better than in the previous year, while the total number of games played, one hundred and ten, was easily a record and exceeded the one hundred mark for the first time in the Club’s history. The 2nd XI, slightly strengthened in the final owing to the unavailability of players, won the Ashburnham Charity Cup, while the 1st team were runners-up in Division One of the Hastings League and semi-finalists for the first time in the Sussex Junior Cup. The 3rd team, though unsuccessful from a results point of view, were one of the keenest and most sporting teams in the League and did the Club great credit – the side included many promising young players.

1ST TEAM

Until well on in the season, the first team looked capable of winning any one or more of three trophies – the Sussex Junior Cup, the Hastings League and the Robertsbridge Charity Cup. Thanks largely, but not entirely, to a run of injuries the side won none of them, but still had a very good year.

In the Sussex Junior Cup the team lost a semi-final replay at Pagham 4-1 after drawing with them 3-3 at Icklesham after extra time. This ended a fine run in which the side came through an original entry of one hundred and twenty nine teams with games versus St Helens (Hove) – won 3-1 away, Seaford II – won 8-1 away, Eastbourne III – won 6-4 at home, Hampden Park – won 3-2 away, a very good win against a strong side and Bridges Boys Club (Three Bridges) – won 3-1 away against a young but neat footballing team.

As long as a largely unchanged side could be fielded, the 1st XI did very well, but within a few weeks Chris Ades, David Ades and David French all had serious knocks. David Ades played an odd game or two at the end of the season, but neither his brother Chris nor David French turned out again. Quite apart from the playing ability of the three men, David French’s captaincy was missed, which had played a big part in the success of recent years.

The defence was again the soundest in the League, but did not quite reach the same standard of interception, covering and clearing as in the previous season. The troubles were chiefly in the shooting of the forwards, who often combined much better than they finished. Taking it on the whole though, the first team were a strong side with good teamwork and a good team spirit, which stood up quite well to the rather unfortunate and disappointing end to the season. There was a little too much talking on the field from some players, but under David French’s lead a good level of sportsmanship was usually maintained. The first team competed in the Hastings Mid-week Cup prior to the start of the season, defeating Observer Athletic in the semi-final before losing the final at Robertsbridge to Hastings Police.

Chris Ades was leading goal scorer with 36 goals, followed by David Ades (33) and Bill Burt (26). David French, George Potter and David Ades played for the Hastings League representative side.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
22/8/1961Observer AthleticNeutral<Hastings Midweek Cup Semi-Final4 – 3 *Chris Ades 2, George Noakes, David Perkins
29/8/1961Hastings PoliceNeutral<Hastings Midweek Cup Final2 – 3Chris Ades 2
2/9/1961WestfieldAwayFriendly4 – 1Chris Ades 3, David Ades
9/9/1961Bexhill Town Athletic IIIAwayFriendly2 – 0Frank Baker, Bill Burt
16/9/1961WestfieldAwayLeague7 – 0David Ades 4, Chris Ades, David Perkins, Own Goal
23/9/1961St MichaelsAwayLeague1 – 2John Parsons
30/9/1961Battle Rangers IIHomeRobertsbridge Charity Cup 1st Round2 – 1Colin Relf 2
7/10/1961St MichaelsHomeLeague6 – 0David Ades 5, Colin Relf
14/10/1961St HelensAwaySussex Junior Cup 2nd Round3 – 1David Ades 2, Chris Ades
21/10/1961WestfieldHomeLeague4 – 1David Ades 2, Chris Ades, Bill Burt
28/10/1961Observer AthleticHomeHastings F A Junior Cup 1st Round6 – 2John Parsons 2, David French, George Noakes, David Ades, Bill Burt
4/11/1961Seaford Town IIAwaySussex Junior Cup 3rd Round8 – 1Chris Ades 3, David Ades 2, George Noakes, Bill Burt, Own Goal
11/11/1961Hastings PoliceAwayLeague3 – 1Ian Spears 2, Chris Ades
18/11/1961BodiamHomeLeague5 – 2Bill Burt 3, David Perkins, John Sanders
25/11/1961Eastbourne IIIHomeSussex Junior Cup 4th Round6 – 4Chris Ades 4, Bryan Butler, David Ades
2/12/1961Hastings PoliceHomeLeague3 – 0Chris Ades, David Ades, Own Goal
9/12/1961Hawkhurst UnitedAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 2nd Round0 – 1
16/12/1961Stewarts UnitedAwayLeague10 – 0John Sanders 3, Chris Ades 2, David Ades 2, Bill Burt 2, Bryan Butler
23/12/1961Hastings TownAwayLeague5 – 2Chris Ades 2, David Ades 2, Own Goal
6/1/1962Observer AthleticAwayLeague8 – 1David Ades 4, Chris Ades 2, George Noakes, Bill Burt
13/1/1962Etchingham UnitedHomeLeague5 – 0Bryan Butler 2, John Parsons 2, Chris Ades
20/1/1962Hawkhurst UnitedAwayLeague4 – 3Bill Burt 2, John Parsons, Colin Relf
27/1/1962Corbens SportsHomeLeague4 – 2Bill Burt 3, Chris Ades
3/2/1962Hampden ParkAwaySussex Junior Cup 5th Round3 – 2David Ades 2, Own Goal
10/2/1962WestfieldHomeRobertsbridge Charity Cup 2nd Round1 – 0Chris Ades (pen)
17/2/1962Hawkhurst UnitedHomeLeague3 – 2John Parsons 2, Bryan Butler
24/2/1962Bridges Boys ClubAwaySussex Junior Cup 6th Round3 – 1Chris Ades 3
3/3/1962Corbens SportsAwayLeague0 – 1
10/3/1962Bexhill Town Athletic IIIAwayLeague2 – 5John Parsons, David Ades
17/3/1962Hastings TownAwayRobertsbridge Charity Cup 3rd Round4 – 1Chris Ades 3, Bill Burt
24/3/1962PaghamHomeSussex Junior Cup Semi-Final3 – 3 *Chris Ades 2, Colin Relf
31/3/1962PaghamAwaySussex Junior Cup Semi-Final Replay1 – 4Colin Relf
7/4/1962BodiamAwayLeague0 – 4
9/4/1962Observer AthleticHomeLeague4 – 0Bill Burt 2, George Noakes, John Dunk
14/4/1962SandhurstNeutral<Robertsbridge Charity Cup Semi-Final2 – 5Colin Relf, Ian Spears
18/4/1962Stewarts UnitedHomeLeague3 – 1David Perkins, Bill Burt, John Dunk
21/4/1962Hastings TownHomeLeague5 – 0David Ades 2, Bryan Butler, David Perkins, Bill Burt
23/4/1962Old ParkoniansHomeFriendly1 – 3John Dunk
26/4/1962SandhurstAwayLeague2 – 2George Noakes, Bill Burt
28/4/1962Bexhill Town Athletic IIIHomeLeague1 – 1David Ades
30/4/1962SandhurstHomeLeague0 – 1
4/5/1962Etchingham UnitedAwayLeague6 – 0Bill Burt 5, Brian Barden

2ND TEAM

After a sensationally disastrous start, the 2nd XI had a good year, winning a large percentage of away points but failing too often at home. The team accepted an invitation to compete in the Ashburnham Charity Cup and won the competition at the first attempt beating Dallington in a memorable final at Rushlake Green in which luck ran the side’s way in several respects but in which they took full advantage of all the good fortune going. The team line-up for the final was – Dick Crisford, John Moon, Colin Relf, Derek Perkins, Jack Brown, Peter Turner, John Sanders, Brian Barden, John Dunk, John Parsons and David Johnson.

With a large Division Two, six more league games were played than in the previous season and the comparative goal averages tell their own story. The defence let through slightly fewer goals per game, but the attack scored a lot less goals per game and the league position dropped accordingly. This was almost all due to unsuccessful shooting as the side often had a good share of the play. Brian Thomas was sorely missed and it was good news for the Club that he hoped to start playing again in the 1962-63 season.

On the whole the team played hard but sporting football under the leadership of John Dunk with Andrew Dunlop again acting as team manager and linesman. David Johnson (17 goals), Derek Bilsby (16), John Dunk (14) and John Sanders (12) all reached double figures.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
12/9/1961Guldeford Old BoysAwayFriendly1 – 0Derek Bilsby
16/9/1961Round Table Boys ClubAwayLeague0 – 9
23/9/1961Battle Rangers IIIAwayLeague3 – 1Derek Bilsby, Colin Relf, Roger Puttick
30/9/1961Guldeford Old BoysAwayLeague2 – 2John Parsons 2
7/10/1961Seeboard (Hastings)AwayHastings League Division Two Cup 1st Round2 – 5David Johnson, Derek Perkins
14/10/1961Eldridge and CruttendenHomeLeague0 – 2
21/10/1961Silverton RangersAwayLeague3 – 0Roger Puttick 2, John Sanders
28/10/1961WhatlingtonAwayLeague0 – 4
4/11/1961Weald ElectricityAwayLeague4 – 1Peter Mathews 2, John Sanders, Colin Relf
11/11/1961NorthiamHomeLeague4 – 1John Sanders 2, John Parsons, George Roberts
18/11/1961Old Hastonians ‘A‘AwayLeague5 – 3Derek Bilsby 3, David Johnson 2
25/11/1961PeasmarshAwayLeague4 – 3John Dunk 2, Derek Bilsby, Peter Mathews
2/12/1961Rushlake GreenAwayAshburnham Charity Cup 1st Round2 – 2Derek Bilsby, Colin Relf
9/12/1961NorthiamAwayLeague4 – 2Derek Bilsby 3, Colin Relf
16/12/1961Flimwell British LegionHomeLeague0 – 4
23/12/1961Old Hastonians ‘A‘HomeLeague4 – 2John Dunk 2, Derek Bilsby, Own Goal
30/12/1962WhatlingtonHomeLeague1 – 3John Sanders
6/1/1962Observer Athletic IIHomeLeague3 – 0John Sanders, Brian Barden, David Johnson
13/1/1962Eldridge and CruttendenAwayLeague1 – 1John Sanders
20/1/1962Hastings Rangers IIIHomeLeague1 – 1John Pellett
27/1/1962Observer Athletic IIIAwayLeague4 – 1Derek Bilsby 2, John Dunk, John Sanders
3/2/1962Rushlake GreenHomeAshburnham Charity Cup 1st Round Replay7 – 2David Johnson 5, John Sanders 2
10/2/1962Flimwell British LegionAwayLeague1 – 2John Parsons
17/2/1962Old Hastonians ‘A’AwayFriendly1 – 6David Johnson
24/2/1962Robertsbridge United IIAwayAshburnham Charity Cup 2nd Round7 – 0David Johnson 2, John Dunk, George Roberts, John Sanders, Colin Relf, John Parsons (pen)
3/3/1962Silverton RangersHomeLeague3 – 3John Dunk 2, George Roberts
10/3/1962Battle Rangers IIIHomeLeague4 – 1John Dunk 2, Mike Hills, David Johnson
17/3/1962PeasmarshHomeLeague5 – 0David Ades 3, Derek Bilsby, John Dunk
31/3/1962Seeboard (Hastings)HomeLeague2 – 4John Sanders, Brian Barden
7/4/1962Guldeford Old BoysHomeLeague4 – 3David Johnson 3, Derek Bilsby
14/4/1962Weald ElectricityHomeLeague0 – 0
25/4/1962Hastings Rangers IIIAwayLeague2 – 1Roger Puttick, Derek Perkins
27/4/1962Etchingham UnitedAwayAshburnham Charity Cup Semi-Final1 – 1John Dunk
28/4/1962Seeboard (Hastings)AwayLeague0 – 2
1/5/1962Round Table Boys ClubHomeLeague1 – 3Brian Barden
3/5/1962Etchingham UnitedHomeAshburnham Charity Cup Semi-Final Replay4 – 0John Dunk 2, Derek Bilsby, John Parsons (pen)
5/5/1962DallingtonNeutral<Ashburnham Charity Cup Final2 – 0John Parsons, David Johnson

3RD TEAM

The two hundred and six goals conceded by the 3rd XI was a Club record of an unwanted type, but the side suffered from the lack of a regular goalkeeper. Brian Sherwood, for a variety of reasons, could not turn out often and the team had to improvise, often very unsuccessfully. However, the third team did the Club great credit, they only played a man short on one occasion in the league, early in the season and ended at Bodiam with eleven men and a reserve keen to start the next season. Most of the troubles came from the inexperience of several players who came in to replace injured members, but difficulties brought compensation in the new boys who joined the Club and showed considerable promise for the future.

Needless to say, the third team again owed a great debt to Bert Glazier as team manager, linesman and reserve-to-travel. The eight seasons that Bert had been looking after the 3rd XI had not produced many wins, but many of the 1st and 2nd team players had passed through the 3rd XI. It must not be forgotten that without the third team the Club would have had no young players coming through.

Alan Ransom captained early in the year until he changed his job when Mick Bryant took over and both set a good example of trying hard. Both owed much to a former captain in Eric Hollingsworth for his support and also to other senior players. The third team were a sporting side who enjoyed their football. Top scorer with 19 goals was Bill Whittington followed by David Johnson with 14.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
9/9/1961Guldeford Old Boys IIAwayFriendly2 – 10John Heasman, David Johnson
16/9/1961Eldridge and Cruttenden IIHomeLeague3 – 3John Sanders 2, D Clark
23/9/1961Bodiam IIHomeLeague2 – 3John Sanders, David Johnson
30/9/1961Old Hastonians IIIAwayLeague1 – 6David Johnson
7/10/1961MountfieldAwayLeague0 – 9
14/10/1961Eldridge and Cruttenden IIAwayLeague3 – 3John Sanders 3
21/10/1961Westfield BoysAwayFriendly5 – 2David Johnson 4, Derek Masters
28/10/1961Wittersham IIHomeLeague3 – 6John Pellett, John Heasman, David Johnson
4/11/1961Old Hastonians IIIHomeLeague1 – 11David Johnson
11/11/1961West Hill Youth ClubHomeFriendly2 – 6David Johnson 2
18/11/1961Bexhill Town Athletic MinorsAwayFriendly1 – 14Bill Whittington
25/11/1961Bohemia UnitedHomeLeague2 – 10Roger Puttick, Bill Whittington
2/12/1961Old Centmodians IIIHomeLeague3 – 9David Johnson 2, Mick Bryant
9/12/1961Hawkhurst United IIHomeLeague4 – 5Bill Whittington 2, David Johnson, Own Goal
16/12/1961Stewarts United IIHomeLeague0 – 6
30/12/1962Bohemia UnitedAwayLeague1 – 10Bill Whittington
6/1/1962MountfieldAwayHastings League Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round0 – 15
13/1/1962UdimoreAwayLeague3 – 8Brian Barden 2, Colin Hills
20/1/1962Wittersham IIAwayLeague1 – 5Brian Barden
27/1/1962Old Centmodians IIIAwayLeague0 – 7
3/2/1962Westfield BoysAwayFriendly10 – 4Bill Whittington 7, Brian Barden, John Sweet, Own Goal
10/2/1962Stewarts United IIAwayLeague3 – 3Bill Whittington 3
17/2/1962Guldeford Old Boys IIAwayLeague7 – 5Don Butcher 2, Bill Whittington 2, Brain Barden 2, John Heasman
24/2/1962MountfieldHomeLeague0 – 12
3/3/1962BeckleyHomeLeague4 – 10Bill Whittington 2, D Clark, John Heasman
10/3/1962Hawkhurst United IIAwayLeague1 – 2Brian Barden
17/3/1962UdimoreHomeLeague1 – 4Eric Hollingsworth
31/3/1962Bohemia UnitedHomeFriendly2 – 6Neil Perry, John Sweet
14/4/1962Westfield BoysHomeFriendly0 – 3
23/4/1962BeckleyAwayLeague3 – 8Colin Cooke 2, John Pellett
28/4/1962Bodiam IIAwayLeague1 – 1John Heasman

GENERAL MATTERS

John Heasman, Brian Barden and Colin Cooke attended a Sussex County Football Association coaching course at Sidley at the end of the season. Len Swaine was an efficient groundsman who made a good job of marking out the pitch. Guestling Playing Field was used on a number of occasions and the Club were grateful to both Guestling Parish Council and also Guestling Cricket Club for this facility as well as to Archie Beck for repairing the goalposts free of charge. The pavilion at Icklesham was again much appreciated, and Mrs Bob Rich earned the thanks of not only the Club but also referees and opponents for providing tea after home games.

The twenty-fifth Annual General Meeting of the Club was held at the Robin Hood Inn, Icklesham on Thursday, 19th July 1962.