Season 1965-66

29TH SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The twenty-ninth season was a mixed one. In spite of the poor playing records of the first and third teams, they had many enjoyable games and the 1st XI won the Hastings League Sportsmanship Trophy. The second team had a successful year and were fifth out of fifty teams in the the markings for sportsmanship. The Club made new friends in the A F A matches both in cup ties and against visiting sides in friendlies. It was the sort of season which comes every few years in a period of rebuilding.

1ST TEAM

Although this was just about the poorest playing record for the first team since promotion to Division One of the Hastings League at the end of the War, the season had its highlights and its good points. The first was the good spirit in the face of frequent team changes due to injuries, work and other reasons. Almost all the second team played in two or three 1st XI games, with varying success and at least the misfortunes gave them their chances. The first XI played good clean football on the whole under the leadership of George Potter and with an average of 4.7 marks out of 5 from referees, the side won the Sportsmanship Cup, open to teams from all divisions, for the first time.

On paper, the defence was quite strong, but the need for regular shuffles and attempts to find the best combination of some useful individual players, meant that the understanding and covering were not as good as they should have been. A tendency for players to get caught upfield led to many goals and although George Cooke made some good saves, he tended to cancel them out by elementary mistakes. The attack was often much too slow – too slow to pass, too slow to shoot and the only thing done too soon was rather aimless centring from midfield. Brian Barden, in spite of a long spell with flu, broke the 1st team goal scoring record for intermediate football with 43 goals in only 26 games.

In the A F A Junior Cup, the team beat St George’s Hospital at Icklesham and Old Chigwellians II at Buckhurst Hill before losing at home to Old Libertians II. George Potter played for the Hastings League against the Crawley League in the Intermediate section of the Sussex Inter-League Competition and had a good game.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
31/8/1965WestfieldHomeFriendly2 – 5Brian Barden, Fred Dallaway
4/9/1965Leyton County Old Boys IIHomeFriendly8 – 9Brian Barden 5, Fred Dallaway 2, Colin Relf
11/9/1965Rushlake GreenHomeFriendly3 – 3Brian Barden 2, Bryan Butler
18/9/1965Eastbourne Working Men’s ClubAwayLeague0 – 8
25/9/1965DallingtonHomeLeague2 – 2Brian Barden, Denis Swaine
2/10/1965St George’s HospitalHomeA F A Junior Cup 1st Round4 – 3 *Brian Barden 4
9/10/1965Clive ValeAwayLeague2 – 2Brian Barden 2
16/10/1965DallingtonAwaySussex Intermediate Cup 2nd Round1 – 3Own Goal
23/10/1965WittershamHomeHastings F A Intermediate and Junior Cup 1st Round1 – 3Colin Relf
30/10/1965Old Chigwellians IIAwayA F A Junior Cup 2nd Round3 – 2Brian Barden, Colin Relf, Tony Harris
6/11/1965AppledoreHomeLeague2 – 2Brian Barden 2
13/11/1965Hawkhurst UnitedHomeLeague4 – 7Derek Perkins, Brian Barden, Colin Relf,
20/11/1965WestfieldAwayRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round2 – 3Brian Barden 2
27/11/1965Old Libertians IIHomeA F A Junior Cup 3rd Round2 – 3Brian Barden 2
4/12/1965Seeboard (Hastings)AwayLeague1 – 4Brian Barden
11/12/1965Bexhill Town Athletic IIIHomeLeague3 – 3Brian Barden 2, Colin Relf
1/1/1966Rushlake GreenAwayLeague1 – 7J Baker
8/1/1966West Hill Youth ClubAwayLeague10 – 5Brian Barden 7, Colin Relf 2, Derek Perkins
22/1/1966SandhurstAwayLeague0 – 1
29/1/1966Eastbourne Working Men’s ClubHomeLeague2 – 6Phil Harrod 2
5/2/1966Bexhill Town Athletic IIIAwayLeague4 – 4George Potter 2, Jack Brown, Michael Bryant
12/2/1966WestfieldHomeLeague1 – 5Phil Harrod
19/2/1966DallingtonAwayLeague1 – 4Roger Beeney
12/3/1966AppledoreAwayLeague0 – 3
19/3/1966SandhurstHomeLeague0 – 1
26/3/1966Rushlake GreenHomeLeague0 – 5
9/4/1966Old LibertiansHomeFriendly3 – 6Brian Barden 2, John Sanders
11/4/1966Old ParkoniansHomeFriendly6 – 5Brian Barden 4, John Sanders, J Baker
16/4/1966West Hill Youth ClubHomeLeague3 – 2Brian Barden 2, J Baker
23/4/1966WestfieldAwayLeague3 – 5Brian Barden 2, Colin Relf
30/4/1966Seeboard (Hastings)HomeLeague1 – 3Michael Bryant
7/5/1966Hawkhurst UnitedAwayLeague0 – 5
13/5/1966Icklesham Casuals IIHomeFriendly3 – 1Colin Relf, George Potter, Phil Harrod

2ND TEAM

Well led by John Dunk, with good support from the team and with Andy Dunlop’s guidance, the second team came creditably through a long programme, finishing with an unbeaten last six games – four wins and two draws, including three points from the champions, Benenden Chest Hospital. The claims of the 1st XI weakened the side, but at full strength the team played methodical football. Colin Cooke and Tony Harris were as good a pair of backs as any in the division, Kevin Alford became a good goalkeeper and a hard working half-back line meant a good share of midfield play.

Phil Harrod scored 24 goals before his promotion to the first team, Jack Heskett, coming in late, scored 16 and Jack Brown, Mick Bryant and Fred Dallaway all contributed a useful number of goals. The team had reasonable success in the Lower Divisions Cup and the Robertsbridge Charity Cup, but were unlucky to draw a good side in Mill Hill Village II in the A F A Minor Cup first round and lost 3-1 at Icklesham.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
18/9/1965Round Table Boys ClubHomeLeague2 – 7Michael Bryant, Fred Dallaway
25/9/1965UdimoreAwayLeague6 – 2Phil Harrod 4, John Dunk, Fred Dallaway
2/10/1965Still and SonsAwayLeague8 – 3Jack Brown 3, Phil Harrod 2, Roger Beeney, Michael Bryant, Fred Dallaway
9/10/1965Eldridge and CruttendenAway<League2 – 3Warwick Breeds, Michael Bryant
16/10/1965Mill Hill Village IIIHomeA F A Minor Cup 1st Round1 – 3Phil Harrod
23/10/1965CrowhurstAwayLeague5 – 2Phil Harrod 4, Jack Brown
30/10/1965Old Hastonians IIIHomeLeague1 – 2Phil Harrod
6/11/1965Guldeford Old BoysAwayLeague1 – 4Phil Harrod
13/11/1965Hawkhurst United IIAwayLeague2 – 3Brian Luck, Phil Harrod
20/11/1965Westfield IIHomeRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round1 – 0Phil Harrod
27/11/1965Old Centmodians ‘A’AwayLeague1 – 2Own Goal
4/12/1965Clive ValeHomeLeague4 – 1Phil Harrod 2, Neil Perry, Fred Dallaway
11/12/1965Silverton RangersAwayLeague3 – 1Jack Heskett 2, John Dunk (pen)
27/12/1965Still and SonsHomeLeague4 – 1Jack Brown 2, Phil Harrod 2
1/1/1966Clive ValeHomeHastings League Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round2 – 2Robert Glazier, Phil Harrod
8/1/1966CrowhurstHomeLeague9 – 1Roger Beeney 3, Phil Harrod 2, Fred Dallaway 2, Peter Turner, Michael Bryant
15/1/1966Clive ValeAwayHastings League Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round Replay2 – 0Jack Brown, Robert Glazier
22/1/1966Guldeford Old BoysHomeLeague4 – 6Jack Heskett 3,
29/1/1966Round Table Boys ClubAwayLeague0 – 2
5/2/1966TicehurstHomeLeague1 – 2Jack Heskett
19/2/1966Bexhill Post OfficeHomeRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 2nd Round1 – 3Phil Harrod
5/3/1966Appledore IIHomeHastings League Lower Divisions Cup 2nd Round5 – 0Jack Brown 2, Michael Bryant 2, Robert Glazier
12/3/1966Hollington Old BoysHomeHastings League Lower Divisions Cup 3rd Round1 – 2Phil Harrod
19/3/1966Westfield IIAwayLeague2 – 2Tony Dorman 2
26/3/1966Eldridge and CruttendenAway<League4 – 0Michael Bryant 2, Colin McPhail, Jack Heskett
30/3/1966Silverton RangersHomeLeague0 – 4
2/4/1966Clive ValeAwayLeague0 – 6
9/4/1966Old Centmodians ‘A’HomeLeague1 – 2Jack Brown
16/4/1966TicehurstAwayLeague0 – 2
20/4/1966UdimoreHomeLeague2 – 1Jack Heskett, Jack Brown
28/4/1966Benenden Chest HospitalHomeLeague2 – 1Jack Heskett, Derek Perkins
30/4/1966Old Hastonians IIIAwayLeague3 – 1Bob Young, Neil Perry, John Heasman
5/5/1966Benenden Chest HospitalAwayLeague1 – 1Jack Heskett
7/5/1966Hawkhurst United IIHomeLeague8 – 4Tony Dorman 4, Jack Heskett 3, Brian Barden
10/5/1966Westfield IIHomeLeague4 – 4Jack Heskett 2, George Potter, Fred Dallaway
13/5/1966Icklesham CasualsAwayFriendly1 – 3Jack Heskett

3RD TEAM

The third team, with Bert Glazier as team manager to keep them going and Don Butcher, or in his absence Mick Cooke, as captain, undertook their fixtures in a determined manner and however weak the side and however strong the opposition, carried out their obligations. The young players showed the benefit of a pre-season short coaching course and improved throughout the year. Tony Dorman was leading goal scorer with 17 followed by Bob Young with 10 goals.

The only cloud was the sending-off of Roy Luff at Wittersham on the Saturday before he emigrated to Canada. Although the action of the referee seemed very harsh in the circumstances, it illustrated the fact that arguing is dangerous as well as pointless. Otherwise the third team earned a good name for their cheerfulness in defeat and the enjoyment of their occasional victories.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
11/9/1965Hollington Boys ClubHomeLeague1 – 10Philip Mepham
18/9/1965The Junior Club TacklewayAwayFriendly6 – 7J Radford 2, Martin Shearer, Tim Jury, Neil Perry, Bill Perry
25/9/1965Beckley IIAwayLeague6 – 2Tony Dorman 2, Nick Marshall 2, Neil Perry, John Heasman
2/10/1965Seeboard (Hastings) IIIHomeLeague2 – 0Bob Young, Martin Shearer
9/10/1965Borough Polytechnic VHomeA F A Novets Cup 1st Round0 – 5
16/10/1965RolvendenHomeLeague10 – 1Robert Glazier 3, Don Butcher 2, Neil Perry 2, Martin Shearer, Bill Perry. Own Goal
23/10/1965Wittersham IIAway<League0 – 11
30/10/1965Observer Athletic IIHomeLeague0 – 5
6/11/1965Linton AthleticHomeLeague0 – 6
13/11/1965West Hill Boys Club IIHomeLeague2 – 5Bob Young 2
20/11/1965Old Centmodians ‘A’AwayFriendly0 – 4
4/12/1965Robertsbridge United IIHomeLeague2 – 8Peter Evans, John Broomfield
11/12/1965Seeboard (Hastings) IIIAwayLeague3 – 4Tony Dorman, Bob Young, Bill Perry
1/1/1966Wittersham IIHomeHastings League Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round2 – 4Tony Dorman 2
8/1/1966Flimwell UnitedAwayLeague1 – 8Tony Dorman
29/1/1966West Hill Boys Club IIAwayLeague4 – 4Bob Young 2, Colin Shearer, Own Goal
5/2/1966Beckley IIHomeLeague11 – 0Bob Young 4, Tony Dorman 4, Colin Shearer, Peter Evans, Bill Perry
19/2/1966College of Further EducationAwayLeague1 – 11Chris Williams
26/2/1966College of Further EducationHomeLeague3 – 4Neil Perry, Tony Dorman, Robert Glazier
5/3/1966Linton AthleticAwayLeague1 – 8George Potter
12/3/1966UdimoreAwayFriendly4 – 5Tony Dorman 2, Peter Evans, Chris Williams
19/3/1966Observer Athletic IIAwayLeague0 – 14
26/3/1966Etchingham United IIAwayLeague1 – 1Tony Dorman
2/4/1966Flimwell UnitedHomeLeague1 – 9M McKenzie
16/4/1966Hollington Boys ClubAwayLeague1 – 17Roger Barden
23/4/1966Wittersham IIAway<League1 – 6Tony Dorman
26/4/1966Appledore IIAwayLeague1 – 7Chris Williams
3/5/1966Robertsbridge United IIAwayLeague2 – 7Colin Shearer, Tony Dorman
5/5/1966Appledore IIHomeLeague0 – 3
12/5/1966Etchingham United IIHomeLeague5 – 0Robert Glazier 2, Martin Shearer, Tony Dorman, Peter Drew

BOYS TEAM

BOYS TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
Westfield BoysAwayFriendly3 – 1Keith Holdstock 2, Colin Shearer

GENERAL MATTERS

Thanks were due to Miss Jean Parsons, her mother and sisters for once again making the tea at Icklesham, to Bill Claringbould for marking out at Icklesham and to Bert Glazier for doing much of this work at Guestling and Jack Kent for refereeing A F A games. The Club was grateful to the Icklesham Trust Committee for use of the pavilion – various minor troubles arose during the year which the Club would obviously try to prevent recurring in the future. The tenancy at Guestling finished at the end of February and the Club was faced with the problems concerning an alternative pitch.

In general, members were helpful and co-operative in a difficult year, but with no championships at stake, there was a tendency for players to drop out for odd social engagements rather too often without thought for the rest of the Club. A pre-season coaching session with Westfield was well worthwhile.

The Annual General Meeting of the Club was held at the Robin Hood Inn, Icklesham on Monday, 25th July 1966.

CLUB OFFICIALS