Season 1967-68

31ST SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The 1967-68 season was a mixed one. The first team had their poorest year since the war and were relegated, the second team had a moderate season but reached the final of the Hastings League Lower Divisions Cup while the third team had a good playing record and won the Hastings League Sportsmanship Cup with record high marks.

1ST TEAM

It must be said that this was the weakest 1st team for many years and the 46 goals scored compares with totals of 154, 148 and 140 in the early sixties. The reason was quite simple – eight players of Division One standard played only a handful of games. Dave Truran and Derek Perkins left the district in late autumn, David Ades and Geoff Wickenden were bothered by troublesome knee injuries, Warwick Breeds was hurt in the Hither Green rail disaster and Chris Ades, Colin Relf and Ron Barden all played only a few games. The side had to use 2nd XI players, who tried hard and in many cases improved considerably, as well as young players who were not quite ready for Division One, but again who improved with experience. After a disastrous mid-season patch, the team played quite well in the last two months of the season with the defence showing sound form in particular.

In this rather depressing situation a great deal of responsibility fell to the captain, George Potter, and to the regular players and the improved form late in the season was due to their perseverance in discouraging circumstances. Michael Hills did not miss a league or cup game and George Potter captained the Hastings League against the Mid-Sussex League. Stephen Williams (goalkeeper) and Colin Shearer (outside-right) were in the Hastings and District youth party which took part in an International Youth Tournament in Germany, while Michael Pfundstein improved fast with Division One experience and Stephen Turner showed real promise without ever quite acclimatising himself to the faster pace in Division One. Brian Barden with just 8 goals, including one penalty, was top goal scorer.

The team did not give away many fouls but sank to thirty-ninth place in the Sportsmanship Cup due to the fact that some players disputed referee’s decisions on occasions and one or two players criticised other members of the side. This not only sounded bad, but as those initiating it were far from perfect footballers and those criticised were usually doing their limited best, it was unrealistic as well.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
2/9/1967Hellingly SportsHomeFriendly1 – 6Dave Truran
9/9/1967Leyton County Old Boys XIHomeFriendly3 – 9Brian Barden 2, Colin Shearer
16/9/1967Hollington Old BoysAwayLeague3 – 4Denis Swaine 2, Colin Shearer
23/9/1967Observer AthleticHomeLeague0 – 5
30/9/1967Old Strandians IIHomeA F A Junior Cup 1st Round2 – 0Dave Truran 2
7/10/1967Sedlescombe UnitedAwayLeague1 – 3Dave Minett
14/10/1967Haywards Heath IIAwaySussex Intermediate Cup 1st Round1 – 9Fred Dallaway
21/10/1967Bexhill Town Athletic IIIAwayLeague3 – 4Colin Shearer, Brian Barden, Dave Truran
28/10/1967Meadhurst IIAwayA F A Junior Cup 2nd Round3 – 5 *Colin Shearer 2, Dave Truran
11/11/1967Hawkhurst UnitedHomeLeague1 – 0Own Goal
18/11/1967WestfieldAwayLeague0 – 5
25/11/1967Hellingly SportsAwayLeague2 – 3Colin Shearer, Chris Ades
2/12/1967Bexhill Town Athletic IIIAwayHastings F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round1 – 4George Potter
16/12/1967SandhurstAwayLeague6 – 1Chris Ades 2, Mike Hills, Michael Bryant, Harold Stonham, George Potter (pen)
30/12/1967WittershamHomeLeague1 – 8Chris Ades
6/1/1968SandhurstHomeLeague3 – 3Michael Bryant 2, Colin Shearer
20/1/1968Hawkhurst UnitedAwayLeague2 – 4Brian Barden 2
27/1/1968Etchingham UnitedHomeLeague0 – 10
3/2/1968SeeboardAwayLeague0 – 8
10/2/1968Sedlescombe UnitedHomeLeague0 – 1
2/3/1968WittershamAwayLeague0 – 4
9/3/1968Observer AthleticAwayLeague1 – 5Michael Bryant
16/3/1968Etchingham UnitedAwayLeague1 – 1Brian Barden
30/3/1968Bexhill Town Athletic IIIHomeLeague1 – 1Brian Barden
6/4/1968Hollington Old BoysHomeLeague0 – 1
13/4/198Old LibertiansHomeFriendly2 – 4Fred Dallaway, Own Goal
15/4/1968Old ParkoniansHomeFriendly3 – 2Colin Relf 2, Brian Barden (pen)
20/4/1968SeeboardHomeLeague0 – 4
25/4/1968WestfieldHomeLeague2 – 3John Dunk, Dave Minett
7/5/1968Hellingly SportsHomeLeague2 – 4David Ades, George Potter (pen)
11/5/1968BurwashAwayRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 2nd Round1 – 6Dave Minett

2ND TEAM

The second team were hit by the claims of the depleted first XI and never looked like having a great season for that reason. They did, however, reach the final of the Hastings Lower Divisions Cup, beating Sandhurst II, Brede, West Hill Boys Club and Etchingham United II before losing 3-0 to College in the final at Westfield. The team which competed in the final was: George Cooke, Brian Luck, Colin Cooke, Colin McPhail, Jack Brown (captain), Robert Glazier, Roger Best, Chris Ades, Dave Minett, Phil Harrod and Harold Stonham.

A record was set up in February when, on the four Saturdays, the side did not concede a goal with the results being – 9-0, 1-0, 0-0 and 4-0. The defence had some bad days, but usually it was perfectly adequate, though the lack of a regular goalkeeper after Stephen Williams was promoted to the 1st team, proved a decided handicap. The forwards often played reasonably well in the build up but the shooting lacked accuracy. Dave Minett with 22 goals was easily the leading scorer.

The team finished sixth in the Sportsmanship Cup table and generally speaking was a quiet and sensible side. John Dunk captained them in the early season games and Jack Brown took over when John went up to fill the first team vacancy at centre-half. The Club was again grateful to Andy Dunlop as team manager and linesman.

That excellent club-man, Harold Stonham provided the story of the year when he arrived for the Lower Divisions Cup semi-final at Etchingham with a lorry load of soft drinks direct from Tottenham having made the trip from Hastings and back at short notice and persuaded the staff at the depot to unload and re-load him out of turn.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
4/9/1967BredeHomeFriendly1 – 1Brian Barden
16/9/1967Guldeford Old BoysAwayLeague2 – 4Bill Perry, Martin Shearer
23/9/1967Silverton RangersAwayLeague0 – 13
30/9/1967Hollington Old Boys IIAwayLeague1 – 3Phil Harrod
7/10/1967Brentham IIHomeA F A Minor Cup 1st Round1 – 3Harold Stonham (pen)
14/10/1967Hellingly Sports IIHomeLeague1 – 3Harold Stonham (pen)
21/10/1967Punnetts TownHomeLeague2 – 2Dave Minett, Harold Stonham
28/10/1967Junior Club TacklewayHomeLeague1 – 2Harold Stonham
18/11/1967Westfield IIHomeLeague1 – 2Harold Stonham
2/12/1967Robertsbridge UnitedHomeHastings F A Junior Cup 2nd Round5 – 4Dave Minett 3, Colin Cooke, Robert Glazier
9/12/1967Sandhurst IIAwayHastings League Lower Divisions Cup 2nd Round6 – 0Brian Luck 3, Robert Glazier, Dave Minett, Peter Mathews
16/12/1967Hastings WaterworksAwayLeague1 – 0Dave Minett
30/12/1967IdenAwayLeague1 – 10Micky Pfundstein
6/1/1968Bones UnitedAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 3rd Round2 – 5Martin Shearer, Fred Dallaway
20/1/1968UdimoreAwayLeague4 – 0Colin McPhail, Robert Glazier, Dave Minett, Tony Harris
27/1/1968Junior Club TacklewayAwayLeague0 – 2
3/2/1968Hastings WaterworksHomeLeague9 – 0Brian Luck 3, Michael Bryant 3, Dave Minett 2, Martin Shearer
10/2/1968BredeAwayHastings League Lower Divisions Cup 3rd Round1 – 0Dave Minett
17/2/1968Westfield IIAwayLeague0 – 0
24/2/1968UdimoreHomeLeague4 – 0Dave Minett 3, Harold Stonham
2/3/1968IdenHomeLeague0 – 2
9/3/1968Old Centmodians ‘A’AwayLeague1 – 6Brian Luck
16/3/1968MayfieldAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round0 – 10
23/3/1968West Hill Boys ClubHomeHastings League Lower Divisions Cup 4th Round3 – 0Dave Minett 2, Own Goal
30/3/1968Punnetts TownAwayLeague1 – 1Chris Ades (pen)
6/4/1968Etchingham United IIAwayHastings League Lower Divisions Cup Semi-Final2 – 1Dave Minett 2
13/4/1968Hellingly Sports IIAwayLeague2 – 3Chris Ades, Harold Stonham
17/4/1968Hollington Old Boys IIHomeLeague2 – 0Harold Stonham,
20/4/1968West Hill Boys ClubAwayLeague4 – 3Jimmy Britt, Dave Minett, Harold Stonham
24/4/1967CollegeNeutral<Hastings League Lower Divisions Cup Final0 – 3
27/4/1968Silverton RangersHomeLeague2 – 6Dave Minett 2
1/5/1968Old Centmodians ‘A’HomeLeague1 – 6Dave Minett
4/5/1968West Hill Boys ClubHomeLeague4 – 2Martin Shearer 2, Jack Brown, Dave Minett
6/51968Hawkhurst United IIHomeLeague1 – 2 #Own Goal

3RD TEAM

The 3rd XI, so often the Cinderellas of the Club, had a wonderful year. They won the Sportsmanship Cup out of sixty three teams with a record-breaking average mark of 4.92 out of 5. This brought credit to the whole Club and especially to Bert Glazier, as team manager, to Mick Cooke, as captain, to Chris Williams, who captained occasionally in Mick’s absence and to a good-tempered team of men and boys, modest in their victories and who never gave up trying when losing. It gave William Dunlop great pleasure to be told by referees that they really enjoyed officiating games with the third team.

On the playing side, the 3rd XI were one of the few teams to beat Sedlescombe United II, the Division Five Champions, and did not lose a league game at Icklesham until March. With the older players proving a steadying influence, the boys developed fast and often played really good football in spite of having several of the better players promoted during the season.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
6/9/1967Tackleway Boys ClubHomeFriendly4 – 6Peter Thorpe, Colin Shearer, Fred Dallaway, John Crisford
7/9/1967Seeboard IIIHomeFriendly2 – 3Martin Shearer, Brian Barden
9/9/1967Iden IIHomeLeague2 – 2Colin Cooke, Peter Thorpe
23/9/1967BeckleyAway<League2 – 8Peter Thorpe 2
30/9/1967Bones UnitedAwayLeague0 – 13
7/10/1967Old Bealonians IVAwayA F A Novets Cup 1st Round0 – 9
14/10/1967Guldeford Old Boys IIAwayLeague6 – 2Peter Thorpe 2, Bert Glazier 2, Roger Best, Micky Pfundstein
21/10/1967Reckitt and ColmanAway>League3 – 4Roger Best, Micky Pfundstein, Peter Thorpe
28/10/1967Still and Sons IIAwayLeague0 – 11
4/11/1967Still and Sons IIHomeLeague4 – 1Micky Pfundstein 2, Robert Glazier 2
11/11/1967Tackleway Boys ClubAwayHastings League Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round1 – 5John Crisford
25/11/1967Sedlescombe United IIHomeLeague6 – 4Jimmy Britt 2, Martin Shearer, Roger Best, Micky Pfundstein, Own Goal
2/12/1967Udimore IIAwayLeague3 – 3Peter Thorpe, Micky Pfundstein, Bert Glazier
16/12/1967Sandhurst IIHomeLeague4 – 1John Crisford 2, Bill Whiting, Peter Thorpe
30/12/1967Punnetts Town IIAwayLeague5 – 1Peter Thorpe 2, Keith Holdstock, Jimmy Britt, Bert Glazier
20/1/1968Punnetts Town IIHomeLeague2 – 1Jimmy Britt,
27/1/1968Iden IIAwayLeague1 – 4Peter Thorpe
3/2/1968Sandhurst IIAwayLeague1 – 4Keith Holdstock
10/2/1968Sedlescombe United IIAwayLeague0 – 5
17/2/1968Udimore IIHomeLeague1 – 1John Crisford
24/2/1968Reckitt and ColmanAway>League0 – 8
9/3/1968Fracmo Sports IIHomeLeague4 – 3Peter Thorpe 2, Chris Ades, Roger Best
16/3/1968Guldeford Old Boys IIHomeLeague0 – 3
23/3/1968Fracmo Sports IIAwayLeague9 – 2Colin Shearer 3, Chris Williams 2, John Crisford 2, Jimmy Britt, Fred Dallaway
30/3/1968Seeboard IIIAwayFriendly3 – 2Jimmy Britt 2. Keith Holdstock
6/4/1968BeckleyAway<League1 – 9Keith Holdstock
13/4/1968Bones UnitedHomeLeague0 – 7

BOYS TEAM

A boys team played four friendlies, winning one and losing three, and these introduced a number of promising players to the Club and was well worthwhile.

BOYS TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
Peasmarsh BoysAwayFriendly1 – 3David Dunlop
Westfield BoysAwayFriendly0 – 6
Westfield BoysHomeFriendlyKeith Holdstock 2
Peasmarsh BoysAwayFriendly

GENERAL MATTERS

Tea arrangements were less satisfactory than in the recent seasons with the Parsons sisters. Joan Potter did the job several times for the first team, Judy Glazier was a great help for the second team and Frances Crisford gave useful assistance for the third team but more helpers were needed.

The one thousandth first team game against Hellingly Sports came with the very last match of the season on May 7th. This meant that any party had to be deferred until the 1968-69 season. The absence of a second pitch was not too great a handicap with several away cup draws and smallish divisions, however, a further pitch would be required for the next season with large divisions in prospect. Colin Cooke again did almost all of the marking out with the pitch draining and playing well on the whole.

A pre-season coaching session was again held in conjunction with Westfield and Udimore and once more proved very successful with the players undoubtedly thinking more about their football as a result. The Club was grateful to Doug Reynolds and to the Football Association for the coaching and for supplying the necessary finance.

The Annual General Meeting was held at the Robin Hood Inn, Icklesham on Thursday, 18th July 1968 at 8 pm.

CLUB OFFICIALS