Season 1974-75

38TH SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The thirty-eighth season of the Club would long be remembered as one of the wettest winters ever. Games were postponed in almost every month from September, when there was 11.5 inches of rain, to April. In all about one and a half years normal rainfall fell in the seven months of the season. This caused a great deal of extra work for league secretaries and a lot of blank Saturdays for players, as well as a major dislocation of Sunday youth games. Colin Cooke and Robert Glazier acted as groundsmen at Icklesham and used their judgement effectively to look after the pitch, which remained in much better order than many others, showing the long term benefits of drainage work carried out by the Parish Council some years previously.

The other feature of the year was the winning of the Hastings F A Sportsmanship Cup by the 1st XI with a record marking of ninety-eight per cent by referees, combined with no Club player being sent-off or officially cautioned in a total of ninety three games. Although maybe a little fortunate in some instances, it could only be a source of great satisfaction to all members that the Club retained its reputation for playing in a good spirit, win, lose or draw.

1ST TEAM

The first team began the season with good hopes of a much better year, with about fourteen players of intermediate standard even if some of these were not likely to be available regularly. Injuries, illness and domestic complications struck repeatedly, especially in the latter half of the season when the side was frequently seriously weakened. On their day, the team played really well, as was the case under the floodlights at Hailsham when winning 4-1 in the Hastings F A Intermediate Cup and in the 3-3 draw with divisional champions, Ecko in the League Intermediate Divisions Cup.

Wayne Carter with 22 goals and Bob Baker with 14 were leading scorers. George Potter, though missing many games through injury, set an excellent example to the young players and in his absence, Colin Cooke and Steve Beale captained on a number of occasions. Of the younger players, John Crisford, Derek Smith and Ian Thomson all made good progress. The side had a most enjoyable visit to Britannic House II in the A F A Junior Cup, losing 1-0 a shade unluckily.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
26/8/1974EckoHomeFriendly2 – 5Wayne Carter 2
3/9/1974The Junior Club TacklewayHomeFriendly2 – 0Bob Baker 2
7/9/1974Leyton County Old Boys XIHomeFriendly4 – 0Wayne Carter 3, Bob Baker
14/9/1974Hellingly HospitalAwayLeague3 – 5Bob Baker 3
21/9/1974SpartanAwayLeague7 – 5Wayne Carter 3, Bob Baker 2, Colin Shearer, John Crisford
5/10/1974Britannic House IIAwayA F A Junior Cup 1st Round0 – 1
26/10/1974Eastbourne College of Further EducationHomeLeague0 – 2
2/11/1974Kolster BrandesAwayLeague0 – 2
9/11/1974EckoHomeLeague1 – 5Wayne Carter
16/11/1974College (Eastbourne)AwayLeague7 – 3Don Sanderson 3, Jimmy Britt, Wayne Carter, John Crisford, Derek Smith
30/11/1974IdenHomeFriendly2 – 6Ian Thomson, Wayne Carter
7/12/1974Hellingly HospitalHomeLeague6 – 1Dave Minett 3. Don Sanderson, Wayne Carter, John Crisford (pen)
14/12/1974Dental Estimate BoardHomeLeague2 – 4Wayne Carter 2
17/12/1974Hailsham IIAwayHastings F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round4 – 1Bob Baker 3 (1 pen), Wayne Carter
21/12/1974EckoAwayEastbourne and Hastings League Intermediate Divisions Cup 1st Round 1st Leg2 – 4John Crisford, Own Goal
11/1/1975EckoHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Intermediate Divisions Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg3 – 3Don Sanderson 2, Bob Baker
25/1/1975Sidley United IIHomeHastings F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round1 – 5Wayne Carter
1/2/1975ParkfieldAwayLeague3 – 3Wayne Carter 2, Derek Smith
8/2/1975SpartanHomeLeague0 – 2
15/2/1975PeasmarshHomeLeague1 – 3Ian Thomson
22/2/1975EckoAwayLeague0 – 3
1/3/1975Kolster BrandesHomeLeague0 – 3
8/3/1975Dental Estimate BoardAwayLeague3 – 8Bob Baker, Wayne Carter,
15/3/1975PeasmarshAwayLeague3 – 6Dave Coombes 2, Derek Smith
1/4/1975Hawkhurst UnitedHomeRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round4 – 4Dave Coombes, Bob Baker, Derek Smith, Own Goal
5/4/1975Eastbourne College of Further EducationAwayLeague1 – 4Ian Thomson
8/4/1975Bexhill Amateur Athletic ClubAwayLeague0 – 2
19/4/1975Bexhill Amateur Athletic ClubHomeLeague3 – 5Derek Smith, John Crisford, Paul Milton
26/4/1975College (Eastbourne)HomeLeague1 – 1Don Sanderson
30/4/1975ParkfieldHomeLeague3 – 3Wayne Carter 3

NEWSPAPER REPORTS

2ND TEAM

The second team, capably led by Bill Bird, were again the Club’s most successful team. In spite of changes due to the calls of the 1st XI, the side beat nine of the other eleven teams in Division Four at least once. The defence conceded fewer goals than for some seasons, but the forwards lacked accuracy in shooting. Several of the younger members of the team improved during the year.

In the A F A Minor Cup the 2nd XI were beaten fairly easily by Sudbury Court II and lost a Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup game by the odd goal to an extremely poor Ninfield II side. Colin Gill with 9 goals was again top scorer and both Andrew Dunlop and Robert Glazier played in every match.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
4/9/1974Ecko IIHomeFriendly6 – 2Nick Jury 3, Tony Bumstead 2, Own Goal
14/9/1974The Junior Club Tackleway IIHomeLeague4 – 0Pierre Hughes 2, Dave Minett 2
21/9/1974Iden IIAwayLeague0 – 3
5/10/1974Observer AthleticHomeLeague3 – 2Colin Gill 3
12/10/1974Sudbury Court IIIHomeA F A Minor Cup 1st Round1 – 5Colin Shearer
19/10/1974UdimoreAwayLeague1 – 3Pierre Hughes
26/10/1974Hastings College of Further EducationAwayLeague6 – 5Nick Jury 2, Graham Glazier 2, Martin Shearer, Andy White
2/11/1974Collins and HayesHomeLeague4 – 4Martin Shearer, John Crisford, Bill Bird, Andy White
9/11/1974Ninfield IIHomeHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round2 – 3Colin Gill, Martin Shearer
30/11/1974BodiamAwayLeague1 – 2Nick Jury
7/12/1974Ashdown UnitedHomeFriendly1 – 9Graham Glazier
14/12/1974Kolster Brandes IIAwayLeague12 – 1Andy White 5, Dave Coombes 3, Colin Gill 2, Bill Bird, Own Goal
28/12/1974St Michaels IIHomeLeague2 – 3John Crisford 2
4/1/1975Kolster Brandes IIHomeLeague3 – 1Colin Gill, Graham Glazier, Bill Bird
18/1/1975St Michaels IIAwayLeague0 – 5
8/2/1975The Junior Club Tackleway IIIAwayLeague0 – 1
15/2/1975Collins and HayesAwayLeague1 – 3Colin Gill
22/2/1975Robertsbridge Rangers IIHomeLeague0 – 1
1/3/1975Robertsbridge Rangers IIAwayLeague3 – 2Andrew Dunlop, Nick Jury, Bill Bird
15/3/1975Observer AthleticAwayLeague0 – 4
29/3/1975Old Hastonians IIIAwayLeague4 – 0Ian Thomson 2, Martin Shearer, Jimmy Britt
5/4/1975UdimoreHomeLeague0 – 2
10/4/1975BodiamHomeLeague3 – 1Bob Baker 2, Andy White
12/4/1975Old Hastonians IIIHomeLeague3 – 1Graham Glazier, Bill Bird, Colin Gill
17/4/1975Hastings College of Further EducationHomeLeague0 – 3
23/4/1975Iden IIHomeLeague1 – 0

NEWSPAPER REPORTS

3RD TEAM

The third team had a difficult year, without the mid-season good patch which featured in the 1973-74 campaign. Three of the previous years defenders in Bernard Roberts, Andrew Dunlop and Larry Cooke were promoted to the 2nd team while Tim Jury, Fred Dallaway and John Heasman played very few games and it was left to Colin McPhail, as skipper and Jack Brown in his absence, to bring along an ever changing side of inexperience players. There were two good features of a rather depressing season, the 3rd XI came third out of about fifty teams in the Hastings F A Sportsmanship Cup and the games at the end were much closer than the early season ones. Dave Minett with just 6 goals was leading scorer.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
5/9/1974Hare and HoundsHomeFriendly0 – 4
21/9/1974Segas (Hastings)HomeLeague0 – 3
28/9/1974Brede AthleticHomeLeague1 – 5Larry Cooke
5/10/1974Ore CentreHomeLeague3 – 10Peter Turner, Jack Brown, Robin Jacoby
12/10/1974Hastings College of Further EducationHomeFriendly1 – 4Ian Thomson
19/10/1974Merton IVHomeA F A Novets Cup 1st Round1 – 4Dave Minett
26/10/1974SedlescombeHomeLeague2 – 10Colin McPhail, Kevin Burgess
2/11/1974Steadfast UnitedHomeLeague3 – 2Gary Grainger 2, Paul Forrest
30/11/1974Scott JamesHomeLeague2 – 6Paul Forrest 2
7/12/1974Old Hastonians IIIAwayEastbourne and Hastings League Divisions Four and Five Cup 1st Round 1st Leg2 – 8Paul Milton, Paul Forrest
14/12/1974Guldeford and Camber IIAwayLeague1 – 5Paul Forrest
28/12/1974Sandhurst IIHomeLeague3 – 3Ian Thomson 3
4/1/1975Steadfast UnitedAwayLeague4 – 1Don Sanderson 2, Tony Bumstead 2
11/1/1975Old Hastonians IIIHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Divisions Four and Five Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg0 – 4
1/2/1975Peasmarsh IIHomeLeague1 – 4Own Goal
8/2/1975Segas (Hastings)AwayLeague0 – 6
22/2/1975Scott JamesAwayLeague1 – 7Dave Minett
15/3/1975Guldeford and Camber IIHomeLeague3 – 3Paul Milton, Dave Minett, Michael Coleman
22/3/1975Ore CentreAwayLeague5 – 6Colin Gill 3, Paul Milton, Gary Grainger
29/3/1975SedlescombeAwayLeague2 – 5Michael Coleman, Tony Bumstead
26/4/1975Sandhurst IIAwayLeague0 – 3
3/5/1975Brede AthleticAwayLeague1 – 3M Fuller
8/3/1975Peasmarsh IIAwayLeague4 – 5Dave Minett 3, Wayne Carter

NEWSPAPER REPORTS

YOUTH TEAM

Over the years, attempts to run a youth team had only moderate success, though in the long run some good players and excellent club men have been gained in the process. The hard work put into running a side in the South East Sussex Youth (Under 15) League had its share of troubles and attempts to build up a team spirit were not helped by numerous cancellations in a wet year.

Richard Forrest acted as team manager and linesman and richly earned the Bert Glazier Cup for his efforts, frequently missing Sunday lunch in collecting players and also providing a lot of transport. Simon Fuller acted as captain and helped to collect the Hastings based players and John Dunk lent his experience on several occasions. Duncan McRae and Simon Fuller missed only two games, but reliability was lacking in some players. Gary Young, in goal, was extremely promising and kept margins of defeat down on in a number of matches.

YOUTH TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
3/11/1974West HillAwayLeague0 – 13
1/12/1974Robertsbridge MinorsHomeHastings F A Youth Cup 1st Round15 – 0J Netherton 2, A Blackford 2, D Hogben 2, Simon Fuller 2, G Warner 2, Duncan McRae 2, B Swain, Brent Eaton, R Turvey
8/12/1974FishermenHomeLeague0 – 1
22/12/1974Albion UnitedAwayLeague0 – 12
5/1/1975West HillHomeLeague1 – 7B Swain
16/2/1975Robertsbridge MinorsAwayLeague1 – 2Simon Fuller
23/2/1975Albion UnitedHomeLeague and Hastings F A Youth Cup 2nd Round0 – 5 #
2/3/1975Battle MinorsHomeLeague4 – 0Glen Sully 2, Duncan McRae, G Warner
9/3/1975Bexhill Athletic MinorsAwayLeague1 – 1R Turvey
13/4/1975Battle MinorsAwayLeague0 – 2
20/4/1975Stella MarisHomeLeague4 – 3Glen Sully 2,
27/4/1975FishermenAwayLeague0 – 4
8/5/1975Robertsbridge MinorsHomeLeague3 – 1G Jones, Duncan McRae, D Champion
15/5/1975Stella MarisAwayLeague0 – 9

GENERAL MATTERS

Colin Cooke and Robert Glazier again acted as groundsmen at Icklesham. Matches were played at Fairlight on several occasions but the agreement to use this pitch came to an end. The Club was grateful to the Fairlight Parish Council, Commander J R Davies, Sid Emary and Dave Minett for their help with regard to the ground at Fairlight.

At that time it would have been quite impossible to run the Club without the help willingly given by car owners with transport. The rise in the price of fuel made it even more necessary for passengers to offer drivers petrol money.

David French and the draw committee again ran the Christmas Draw although it would have been helpful to them if more prizes had been given. An order for replacement shirts had a six month delivery period, which gradually grew longer, with the order eventually being cancelled and an alternative supplier found. John Crisford agreed to take over from Colin Cooke as the Club’s representative on the Icklesham Trust Committee, who were asking for help at the summer fete. Alf Holdstock was elected chairman of the Eastbourne and Hastings League with Peter Turner taking over from Alf as Club chairman.

The Annual General Meeting was held at the Robin Hood Inn, Icklesham on Thursday, 10th July 1975 at 8.10 pm.