Season 1972-73

36TH SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The Club had a moderate year from a playing point of view in 1972-73 but it was a season with good features. At a time when sending-offs and cautions reached new records, only two bookings were recorded against the Club and though this was still two too many, it was by no means bad when over one hundred matches were played and the 1st XI were runners-up for the Hastings F A Sportsmanship Cup. In addition, a dry, open winter allowed fixtures to go ahead well.

1ST TEAM

The early part of the season was quite disastrous for the first team. Apart from a win against Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club on September 30th, the side lost every game until January 9th when they drew with League Champions Drive United. This period was particularly depressing in view of the good form at the end of the previous season. Key men in Don Sanderson, who had retired, Michael Pfundstein, who was injured early on, John Fellows, who had a season off football and Jimmy Britt, who was playing for Hollington United were missing, while a couple of others had lost form to an alarming extent.

The regulars, well led by George Potter, settled down to keep trying, Jimmy Britt returned, Bill Black and Colin Shearer were turned into defenders and Nick Jury and Colin Cooke into forwards while three members of the previous years youth team in Sid Hawes, Wayne Carter and Richard Forrest established themselves. The side still lost quite often late in the season but were seldom outclassed and finished with only one defeat in the last five games, playing some nice football but lacking punch in front of goal.

In the A F A Junior Cup, the first team lost 6-1 at Sudbury to Old Manorians II, a very ordinary side. Colin Cooke was leading scorer with 14 goals and was the only player to reach double figures.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
30/8/1972EckoHomeFriendly0 – 2
2/9/1972The Junior Club TacklewayHomeFriendly0 – 1
16/9/1972Drive UnitedAwayLeague0 – 9
23/9/1972Old Manorians IIAwayA F A Junior Cup Preliminary Round1 – 6Alan Sutton
30/9/1972Bexhill Amateur Athletic ClubHomeLeague3 – 1Colin Cooke, Andrew Syrett, Dave Minett
7/10/1972Etchingham UnitedHomeLeague0 – 6
14/10/1972Silverton RangersAwayLeague2 – 5Andrew Syrett 2
21/10/1972Clive ValeHomeHastings F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round1 – 2Alan Sutton
28/10/1972LangneyAwayLeague0 – 7
4/11/1972Clive ValeHomeLeague1 – 3Wayne Carter
18/11/1972Scientific LensHomeLeague2 – 4Andrew Syrett, Bill Black
25/11/1972Eastbourne Old GrammariansAwayLeague0 – 6
2/12/1972The Junior Club TacklewayHomeLeague0 – 4
9/12/1972Pevensey and WesthamHomeRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round3 – 5Colin Cooke 3
30/12/1972Silverton RangersHomeLeague2 – 7Colin Cooke, Alan Sutton (pen)
6/1/1973Magham DownAwayLeague1 – 2Sid Hawes
13/1/1973Drive UnitedHomeLeague1 – 1Colin Shearer (pen)
20/1/1973Eastbourne Town ‘A’AwayEastbourne and Hastings League Intermediate Divisions Cup 1st Round 1st Leg1 – 5Colin Cooke
27/1/1973The Junior Club TacklewayAwayLeague2 – 3Wayne Carter 2
3/2/1973Eastbourne Town ‘A’HomeEastbourne and Hastings League Intermediate Divisions Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg3 – 4Colin Cooke, Wayne Carter
10/2/1973Etchingham UnitedAwayLeague0 – 2
17/2/1973Eastbourne Old GrammariansHomeLeague1 – 2Wayne Carter
24/2/1973Magham DownHomeLeague5 – 1Colin Cooke 2, Alan Sutton, John Crisford, Nick Jury
3/3/1973Clive ValeAwayLeague1 – 5Colin Cooke
10/3/1973Bexhill Amateur Athletic ClubAwayLeague2 – 4Jimmy Britt, Colin Cooke
24/3/1973LangneyHomeLeague1 – 0Colin Shearer (pen)
31/3/1973Silverton RangersAwayLeague Supplementary Competition4 – 3Jimmy Britt 2, Colin Cooke, Wayne Carter
7/4/1973The Junior Club TacklewayHomeLeague Supplementary Competition2 – 2Wayne Carter, Own Goal
21/4/1973IdenAwayLeague Supplementary Competition2 – 7Colin Cooke, Wayne Carter
23/4/1973Old ParkoniansHomeFriendly1 – 1

2ND TEAM

After three very drab years, the 2nd XI had a much more successful and enjoyable season in Division Four of the Eastbourne and Hastings League with morale higher, few heavy defeats and two memorable victories – the 7-6 success against Heathfield United in the Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup where an exciting game went to an almost unbearable climax, with the Casuals hanging on to a precarious lead in semi-darkness, and the 5-4 home win over Iden II where the team came back from being 4-0 down after thirty minutes. In both games all out effort and John Dunk’s captaincy played leading parts.

While the defence remained vulnerable, the forwards were much stronger and the goals scored doubled in the league and cup games with Robert Glazier (16), Ian Thomson (14) and Andy White (11) all scoring fairly regularly. In the A F A Minor Cup, the side lost 4-2 at Icklesham in an even game against Latymer Old Boys II.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
22/8/1972Ecko IIHomeFriendly3 – 1Andre Keen 2, Brian Luck
1/9/1972TrancoHomeFriendly1 – 2Andrew Syrett
9/9/1972UdimoreAwayLeague3 – 2Ian Thomson, Andy White, Nick Jury
16/9/1972National Westminster Bank XIHomeFriendly1 – 9Andrew Syrett
23/9/1972Still and SonsAwayLeague2 – 3Andre Keen 2
30/9/1972Old Hastonians IIIHomeLeague4 – 3Robert Glazier, John Fuller, Andy White, Jack Brown (pen)
7/10/1972The Junior Club Tackleway IIIAwayLeague1 – 2Bill Black
14/10/1972Latymer Old Boys IIIHomeA F A Minor Cup 1st Round2 – 4Julian Glenn, Robert Glazier (pen)
21/10/1972Seeboard IIIHomeLeague2 – 3Ian Thomson, Robin Shearer
28/10/1972StamcoAwayHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round2 – 8Ian Thomson, Robert Glazier (pen)
4/11/1972St Michaels IIHomeLeague6 – 1Jack Brown 2, Bill Bird, Andre Keen, Fred Dallaway, Robert Glazier
11/11/1972Observer AthleticHomeLeague2 – 5Andrew Syrett, Robert Glazier
18/11/1972Travaux IIIAwayLeague4 – 6Bill Bird, Ian Thomson, Jack Brown, Robert Glazier
25/11/1972Guldeford and CamberAwayLeague1 – 4Colin West
2/12/1972Heathfield UnitedAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round7 – 6Robert Glazier 3, Bill Bird, John Fuller, Jack Brown, Wayne Carter
9/12/1972Old Hastonians IIIAwayLeague7 – 0Andy White 4, Bill Bird, Ian Thomson, Graham Glazier
16/12/1972UdimoreHomeLeague1 – 4Ian Thomson
30/12/1972Seeboard IIIAwayLeague3 – 3Robert Glazier 2, Ian Thomson
13/1/1973St Michaels IIAwayLeague0 – 4
27/1/1973Iden IIHomeLeague5 – 4Bill Bird, Ian Thomson, Robert Glazier, Andy White, Own Goal
10/2/1973Guldeford and CamberHomeLeague1 – 5Andy White
24/2/1973Observer AthleticAwayLeague2 – 2Ian Thomson, Andy White
3/3/1973Still and SonsHomeLeague1 – 1Bill Bird (pen)
10/3/1973Kolster Brandes IIAwayLeague1 – 3Ian Thomson
17/3/1973The Junior Club Tackleway IIHomeLeague4 – 2Ian Thomson 2, Robert Glazier 2
24/3/1973Iden IIAwayLeague2 – 1Steve Beale, Robert Glazier
31/3/1973Travaux IIIHomeLeague1 – 4Bill Bird
14/4/1973Silverton Rangers IIHomeLeague Supplementary Competition5 – 1Stuart Baker 2, Robert Glazier, Bill Bird, Andy White
21/4/1973Old BrentwoodsHomeFriendly2 – 4Andrew Dunlop, Own Goal
23/4/1973St MichaelsAwayLeague Supplementary Competition4 – 9John Crisford 2, Ian Thomson, Andy White
28/4/1973Travaux IIAwayLeague Supplementary Competition0 – 4
1/5/1973Kolster Brandes IIHomeLeague1 – 1Ian Thomson
10/5/1973Robertsbridge UnitedAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 3rd Round0 – 5

3RD TEAM

The 3rd XI always had three main reasons for its existence – to bring on young players, to give a game to semi-veterans from the first and second teams and to provide football for those who enjoyed a game but whose technical ability was modest. The strength of the side varied enormously between one game and another and a heavy burden fell on the captain and senior members of the team. The 1972-73 was a typical one with an A F A Novets Cup win at Wood Green contrasted with a 16-1 defeat by Tranco, the Division Five Champions.

Colin McPhail, as captain, earned a great deal of praise for his work and veterans like Brian Thomas, Fred Dallaway and Harold Stonham contributed useful experience to the side. Larry Cooke with 11 goals was top scorer.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
30/8/1972Westfield IIAwayFriendly3 – 3Colin McPhail, Wayne Carter, Own Goal
2/9/1972The Junior Club Tackleway IIIAwayFriendly5 – 2Andy White 2, Andrew Syrett, Colin Buttery, Rick Coombes
6/9/1972Guldeford and Camber IIHomeFriendly2 – 5Robin Shearer, Wayne Carter
9/9/1972The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHomeFriendly1 – 8Chris Williams
16/9/1972SaintsAwayLeague1 – 4Colin McPhail
23/9/1972CrusadersHome<League2 – 5Andy White, Own Goal
14/10/1972Ecko IIAwayLeague0 – 1
21/10/1092Wood Green Old Boys IVAwayA F A Novets Cup 1st Round5 – 2Larry Cooke 2, Colin Hill 2, Andy White
28/10/1972Peasmarsh IIAwayHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round3 – 2Brian Thomas, Colin McPhail, Larry Cooke
11/11/1972Robertsbridge Y CAwayLeague1 – 9C West
18/11/1972Sandhurst IIHomeLeague3 – 8C West 2, Andy White
25/11/1972Enfield Old Grammarians IVHomeA F A Novets Cup 2nd Round0 – 7
2/12/1972Sandhurst IIAwayHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 2nd Round1 – 3Colin McKenzie
16/12/1972StamcoHomeLeague1 – 2Alan Sutton
30/12/1972Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club IIIHomeLeague4 – 2Larry Cooke 2, Harold Stonham, Gary Grainger
6/1/1973Guldeford and Camber IIHomeLeague5 – 1Graham Glazier 2, Andy White, Larry Cooke, Fred Dallaway
13/1/1973SaintsHomeLeague1 – 5
27/1/1973The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHome<League9 – 2Dave Minett 4, Alan Sutton 3, Larry Cooke 2
3/2/1973Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club IIIAwayLeague1 – 6Larry Cooke
10/2/1973Rye Athletic IIHomeLeague2 – 4Dave Minett 2
24/2/1973Guldeford and Camber IIAwayLeague3 – 1Dave Minett 2, Harold Stonham
3/3/1973BodiamAwayLeague3 – 4Graham Glazier 2, Harold Stonham
10/3/1973StamcoAwayLeague1 – 7T Allen
17/3/1973Ecko IIHomeLeague1 – 4Larry Cooke
24/3/1973Peasmarsh IIAwayLeague3 – 2Brian Thomas, Larry Cooke, David Eccles
31/3/1973TrancoAwayLeague1 – 16Robin Jacoby
7/4/1973BodiamHomeLeague1 – 2David Eccles
14/4/1973Sandhurst IIAwayLeague0 – 7
21/4/1973TrancoHomeLeague0 – 8
28/4/1973Robertsbridge Y CHomeLeague0 – 2
3/5/1973The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHome<League3 – 1Colin Cooke 2, Dave Minett
5/5/1973CrusadersHome<League0 – 1
12/5/1973Rye Athletic IIAwayLeague1 – 4T Allen

YOUTH TEAM

The youth team staggered through the season until the last game, when late withdrawals meant that the side had to give the points to the opposition, something that has hardly ever happened in the Club history. At full strength, the team was a useful one and as usual it served to introduce some very promising players to the Club. However, the town teams in the South East Sussex Youth League were really too strong for the side on most occasions and matters were not helped by the habit of players dropping out late in the week, often for very trivial reasons.

Rick Coombes again acted as team manager and coach on several Sundays until his sad death in a car crash at the end of the season which came as a great shock to Club members, most of whom knew and liked him.

YOUTH TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
17/9/1972Wittersham MinorsHomeFriendly (Under 17)2 – 6Philip Goodsell, Gary Grainger
24/9/1972Central Boys ClubHomeLeague2 – 5K Hale, Chris Hutchings (pen)
8/10/1972Albion UnitedHomeLeague1 – 7Julian Glenn
5/11/1972Punnetts Town MinorsAwayLeague0 – 10
19/11/1972Hollington RangersHomeLeague2 – 4Kevin Moore, Gary Grainger
3/12/1972Albion UnitedAwayLeague2 – 10Wayne Carter, Chris Hutchings
17/12/1972Punnetts Town MinorsHomeLeague6 – 4Chris Hutchings 2, Wayne Carter, Edwin Prior, Guy Coombes,
7/1/1973Hollington RangersAwayLeague2 – 12Wayne Carter, Own Goal
4/2/1973Hollington RangersHomeSouth East Sussex Youth Cup (Under 16) 1st Round 1st Leg0 – 1
18/2/1973Hollington RangersAwaySouth East Sussex Youth Cup (Under 16) 1st Round 2nd Leg1 – 2Julian Glenn
4/3/1973Hastings ColtsAwaySouth East Sussex Youth Cup (Under 17) 1st Round 1st Leg0 – 4
18/3/1973Hastings ColtsHomeSouth East Sussex Youth Cup (Under 17) 1st Round 2nd Leg1 – 2Edwin Prior

SEASON AWARDS

GENERAL MATTERS

A successful dinner was organised by Jack Brown for players, former players and friends of the Club in June. This entailed a great deal of work and the thanks of the Club were due to Jack.

Colin Cooke was again groundsman at Icklesham with Colin McPhail, Harold Stonham and Commander J R Davies doing much of the marking out and looking after the pitch at Fairlight.

Unpunctuality continued to be a problem with a minority of players – too often teams started with ten men and this would have happened on more occasions but for the leniency of referees.

During the season, the cup given in memory of the late Bert Glazier was engraved with John Wright being the recipient for 1972-73.

The thirty-sixth Annual General Meeting of the Club was held at the Robin Hood Inn on Thursday, 19th July 1973.

CLUB OFFICIALS