Season 1962-63

26TH SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The twenty-sixth season was long remembered for the weather, which caused great disruption to all football and meant a long midwinter break. The 1st XI did not play between December 22nd and March 2nd and the two other teams were nearly as badly affected. Advantage was taken of the extension to the season and all fixtures were completed but the result was a much too long season of nearly nine months.

From a playing point of view it was a good season but not a great one. The first team won the Hastings League Division One championship, frequent team changes meant that the second team were less successful than for a year or two, but their trip to St John’s College, Cambridge was a landmark in Club history, while the third team, with a predominantly young side, played attractive midfield football and showed real promise.

1ST TEAM

The 1st XI made a poor start and by mid-November had been knocked out of three cups and obtained only three points from four league games. However, the rebuilding started to pay off and though the team never reached the standard of the previous year’s side which did so well until hit by injuries at the end of the season, it was a good workmanlike team.

The defence remained similar to the 1961-62 season, with Dick Crisford and Derek Perkins taking over from Jim Brunger and David French, but seldom looked quite as sound, though the covering improved. The forward line suffered from frequent changes due to injury and other reasons. With George Noakes and David Perkins not playing and Chris Ades only appearing four times before transferring to Hastings Town, it was a much changed side. Bill Burt and Colin Relf were regulars, and John Parsons, David Ades, Bernard Rankin, Brian Barden, Michaels Hills and Norman Hickman all played in about half the games. David Ades finished the season with 33 goals.

David French, who had been an outstanding right-half and captain, did not play at all following his knee injury of the previous season. He was seriously missed, but George Potter, who took over as captain as a temporary measure when it was hoped that David would be back, gained in confidence and authority as the season wore on and with the help of the senior members of the side, became another in the long line of good captains.

David Ades, Bryan Butler and George Potter played for the Hastings League against the Ticehurst League and were scheduled for the next round of the Inter-League Competition but this was never played owing to the snow.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
20/8/1962Hawkhurst UnitedNeutral<Hastings Midweek Cup Semi-Final0 – 4
8/9/1962WestfieldAwayFriendly2 – 2Brian Barden, John Fellows
15/9/1962Bexhill Town IIIHomeFriendly1 – 2Peter Turner
22/9/1962Seeboard (Hastings)HomeLeague1 – 3Chris Ades
29/9/1962Bexhill Town Athletic IIIAwayLeague3 – 2Brian Thomas 2, Bernard Rankin
6/10/1962Bexhill Town Athletic IIIHomeLeague4 – 4David Ades 3, Brian Thomas
13/10/1962Geebro Sports (Hailsham)HomeSussex Junior Cup 2nd Round4 – 0David Ades 2, Bernard Rankin, Chris Ades (pen)
20/10/1962DallingtonAwayLeague2 – 3David Ades 2
27/10/1962Seeboard (Hastings)AwayHastings F A Junior Cup 1st Round1 – 5Brian Barden
3/11/1962Old CentmodiansHomeFriendly6 – 2John Parsons 4, David Ades 2
10/11/1962Seeboard (Eastbourne)HomeSussex Junior Cup 3rd Round0 – 4
17/11/1962Hawkhurst UnitedAwayLeague3 – 2Colin Relf, John Parsons, David Ades
24/11/1962SandhurstHomeLeague2 – 1Bill Burt, Own Goal
1/12/1962BodiamAwayLeague2 – 2Bill Burt, Own Goal
8/12/1962Hastings TownAwayLeague4 – 2David Ades 2, Bryan Butler, Brian Thomas
15/12/1962Hawkhurst UnitedHomeRobertsbridge Charity Cup 1st Round1 – 2Brian Barden
22/12/1962Seeboard (Hastings)AwayLeague4 – 2John Parsons, Norman Hickman, Brian Barden, Bill Burt
2/3/1963Hawkhurst UnitedHomeLeague0 – 2
9/3/1963Observer AthleticAwayLeague4 – 2John Parsons 2, Bill Burt, David Ades
16/3/1963Corbens SportsAwayLeague10 – 3David Ades 7, John Parsons 2, Michael Hills
23/3/1963BodiamHomeLeague5 – 0David Ades 3, Colin Relf, Bernard Rankin
30/3/1963SandhurstAwayLeague4 – 0John Dunk 2, Bill Burt, Bryan Butler (pen)
6/4/1963Corbens SportsHomeLeague7 – 4Bill Burt 3, Colin Relf 2, Brian Barden 2
13/4/1963Weald ElectricityAwayLeague3 – 2Michaels Hills, John Parsons, Own Goal
15/4/1963Old ParkoniansHomeFriendly2 – 1Chris Edwards, John Dunk
27/4/1963WestfieldAwayLeague3 – 2John Parsons 2, Bryan Butler
29/4/1963Observer AthleticHomeLeague8 – 2Bill Burt 4, David Ades 3, Colin Relf
2/4/1963WestfieldHomeLeague5 – 2David Ades 2, Michael Hills, Bill Burt, Brian Barden
4/5/1963DallingtonHomeLeague3 – 0Colin Relf, Bill Burt, Brian Barden
7/5/1963Hastings TownHomeLeague6 – 1David Ades 2, Brian Barden 2, Norman Hickman, Bill Burt
9/5/1963Weald ElectricityHomeLeague2 – 1David Ades 2 (1 pen)

2ND TEAM

After the very strong side of the previous year, the second team were weakened by the promotion of several of their best players to the first team, by the calls of the first team during the season and by bad luck. At one time the side were in danger of relegation, but fought back under the leadership of captain, John Dunk and team manager, Andy Dunlop and ended in a safe if undistinguished position in the league.

In the Division Two Cup, the team won through two rounds to reach the semi-final, but the high spot of the 2nd XI year was the away game against St John’s College, Cambridge 2nd XI in October. This was the longest journey to play a match in the Club’s history at the time with the fixture being arranged by John Ellis, a former captain of the 3rd XI and 2nd team player during University vacations, who was studying for a modern languages degree at St John’s. The game was won by a 5-1 score line against a scratch college side, who had not previously played together and provided a first class trip. The Club owed John and his cousin a debt of gratitude for their help in making the event so successful. It would provide a number of good stories for years to come.

The defence was reasonably sound for much of the season but there was no real punch in front of goal. Derek Bilsby was leading scorer with 17 goals.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
22/9/1962Guldeford Old BoysAwayLeague2 – 1Colin Cooke, John Sanders
29/9/1962St MichaelsAwayLeague1 – 2Derek Bilsby
6/10/1962Silverton RangersAwayHastings League Division Two Cup 1st Round3 – 0Derek Bilsby, John Dunk, Brian Barden
13/10/1962Flimwell British LegionAwayLeague2 – 2Derek Bilsby 2
20/10/1962St John’s College IIAwayFriendly5 – 1Derek Bilsby 2, Brian Barden 2, Michael Hills
3/11/1962Etchingham UnitedAwayLeague3 – 4Derek Bilsby 2, John Dunk
10/11/1962Eldridge and CruttendenAwayLeague0 – 8
17/11/1962Flimwell British LegionHomeHastings League Division Two Cup 2nd Round5 – 0Derek Bilsby 2, Brian Thomas 2, John Dunk
24/11/1962WhatlingtonAwayLeague1 – 10John Pellett
1/12/1962St MichaelsHomeLeague1 – 5Brian Barden
15/12/1962Silverton RangersAwayLeague0 – 4
26/12/1962Etchingham UnitedHomeLeague0 – 2
16/2/1963Silverton RangersHomeLeague6 – 4Brian Barden 4, Derek Bilsby, Jack Brown
9/3/1963Eldridge and CruttendenAwayLeague and Hastings League Division Two Cup Semi-Final2 – 6 #Derek Bilsby 2
16/3/1963Battle Rangers IIIHomeLeague4 – 0Bernard Rankin 2, John Dunk, David Johnson
23/3/1963AppledoreAwayLeague1 – 4John Dunk
30/3/1963Hastings Rangers IIIHomeLeague2 – 1David Johnson, Own Goal
6/4/1963PeasmarshAwayLeague1 – 5John Sweet
13/4/1963Bohemia UnitedHomeLeague4 – 1Derek Bilsby 2 (1 pen), John Dunk, Bernard Rankin
20/4/1963Hastings Rangers IIIAwayLeague2 – 0 ~Derek Bilsby, David Johnson
22/4/1963AppledoreHomeLeague0 – 7
27/4/1963PeasmarshHomeLeague2 – 7Derek Bilsby, Bernard Rankin
30/4/1963DallingtonAwayAshburnham Charity Cup 2nd Round2 – 3John Dunk,
4/5/1963Battle Rangers IIIAwayLeague0 – 2
11/5/1963Bohemia UnitedAwayLeague1 – 4Michael Hills
14/5/1963Mountfield UnitedAwayLeague1 – 1 #Michael Hills

3RD TEAM

Once again, with Bert Glazier to guide them, the 3rd XI filled the function of introducing young players to the Club and bringing them along. Eric Hollingsworth and Don Butcher, something of veterans, added stability to the side which included players who it was felt would certainly reach the 1st and 2nd teams before many years. The side very seldom had to play short and maintained an excellent reputation for sportsmanship.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
8/9/1962Wittersham IIHomeLeague2 – 8Colin Cooke, Own Goal
15/9/1962Battle Rangers MinorsAwayFriendly2 – 10Peter Drew, Own Goal
22/9/1962Westfield MinorsHomeFriendly3 – 11John Sweet 2, Robert Glazier
29/9/1962ProvincialsHomeLeague0 – 7
6/10/1962Bodiam IIHomeLeague2 – 2Robert Glazier, Own Goal
20/10/1962BeckleyHomeLeague2 – 8David Johnson 2
27/10/1962Seeboard (Hastings) IIHomeLeague1 – 6Colin Cooke
3/11/1962Old Hastonians IIIHomeLeague3 – 1Edward Whitehead, John Sweet, Robert Glazier
10/11/1962BeckleyAwayFriendly1 – 8Colin Hills
17/11/1962Hawkhurst UnitedHomeLeague2 – 3Eric Hollingsworth 2
24/11/1962Old Hastonians ‘A’AwayLeague2 – 8John Sweet, Jimmy Ballard
8/12/1962RolvendenHomeLeague1 – 0David Johnson
15/12/1962Bodiam IIAwayLeague2 – 0Robert Glazier, Paul Hearty
22/12/1962RolvendenAwayLeague3 – 5Paul Hearty, Robert Glazier, Colin Hills
16/2/1963Seeboard (Hastings) IIHomeLeague and Hastings League Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round0 – 9 #
23/2/1963Old Centmodians IIIHomeLeague1 – 4Brian Barden
9/3/1963Observer Athletic IIHomeLeague2 – 2Phil Harrod, Paul Hearty (pen)
16/3/1963UdimoreAwayLeague3 – 7John Sweet, Robert Glazier, Paul Hearty
23/3/1963BeckleyAwayLeague0 – 14
30/3/1963Old Hastonians ‘A’HomeLeague1 – 11Robert Glazier
6/4/1963Eldridge and Cruttenden IIHomeLeague3 – 2 #Howard Hunt, Robert Glazier, Phil Harrod
13/4/1963Observer Athletic IIAwayLeague1 – 5Bert Glazier
15/4/1963Old Centmodians IIIAwayLeague1 – 14Colin Cooke
20/4/1963Wittersham IIAwayLeague1 – 9Peter Drew
24/4/1963UdimoreHomeLeague1 – 6Robert Glazier
27/4/1963ProvincialsAwayLeague0 – 3
2/5/1963Old Hastonians IIIAwayLeague2 – 8Howard Hunt, David Turner
4/5/1963West Hill Boys ClubHomeLeague0 – 8 #
13/5/1963Hawkhurst United IIAwayLeague0 – 4

4TH TEAM AND MINOR TEAM

A minor team was beaten by the eventual winners, West Hill Boys Club, in the Hastings Youth Cup. A couple of friendlies were also played comprising teams of mainly minors but with one or two older players.

4TH TEAM AND MINOR TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
1/12/1962Westfield BoysHomeFriendly0 – 8
8/12/1962West Hill Boys ClubHomeFriendly1 – 9Robert Glazier
2/3/1963West Hill Boys ClubHomeHastings F A Youth Cup 2nd Round1 – 5Paul Hearty

GENERAL MATTERS

Marking out worked well on the whole and the Club was grateful to Len Swaine for his work at Icklesham and to the unpaid members who did a good job at Guestling. The pitch at Guestling Playing Field was used again for a number of games. Thanks to Old Parkonians and Westminster Bank, the club were elected to the Amateur Football Alliance.

The Annual General Meeting was held at the Robin Hood Inn, Icklesham on Thursday,18th July 1963.

CLUB OFFICIALS