Season 1975-76

39TH SEASON

SEASON REPORT

On the whole, the 1975-76 season was an enjoyable one, carrying promise for the future. A mainly young 1st team had their best season for some years and were runners-up in the Hastings F A Sportsmanship Cup, the 2nd team were third in the same cup, their highest ever position, a rather weak 3rd team fulfilled their fixtures and a series of boys games revealed a wealth of future talent.

1ST TEAM

Not only was the first team record the best for several seasons, but it was achieved with a youthful side, without loss of sportsmanship and with close games against all the promoted sides, but the team was knocked out of all four cups at the first attempt.

Bob Baker, 24 goals and Wayne Carter, 14 goals were leading goal scorers. George Potter captained a settled side, both he and Derek Smith appeared in every game which helped give stability to the defence, Bob Baker missed just one match, John Crisford only two and Bill Black was absent on only three occasions. The outstanding win was at Horam where a great fight back turned a 2-0 deficit into a 6-2 win.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
4/9/1975Northiam 75 IIHomeFriendly9 – 0Wayne Carter 3, John Crisford, Dave Coombes, Martin Shearer, Derek Smith, Nick Jury, Richard Forrest (pen)
6/9/1975The Junior Club TacklewayAwayFriendly0 – 6
9/9/1975EckoAwayFriendly1 – 3Bob Baker
13/9/1975PevenseyAwayLeague3 – 4Derek Smith, Dave Coombes, Bob Baker
20/9/1975Eastbourne RangersHomeLeague2 – 5Wayne Carter, Bob Baker (pen)
27/9/1975St MichaelsAwayLeague1 – 2Bob Baker
4/10/1975City of London Polytechnic IIHomeA F A Junior Cup 1st Round0 – 3
18/10/1975AppledoreAwayFriendly6 – 0Bob Baker 3, John Crisford, Jimmy Britt, Own Goal
25/10/1975Bexhill Amateur Athletic ClubAwayLeague0 – 1
1/11/1975Wadhurst United IIHomeHastings F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round0 – 2
8/11/1975Langney Sports IIAwayLeague2 – 1Bob Baker, Wayne Carter
15/11/1975CollegeHomeLeague3 – 0Bob Baker 3
22/11/1975CollegeAwayLeague3 – 1Bob Baker 2, Andy White
6/12/1975ParkfieldAwayEastbourne and Hastings League Intermediate Cup 1st Round1 – 2 *Ian Thomson
13/12/1975StamcoAwayLeague4 – 6Bob Baker 3, Dave Coombes
20/12/1975SpartanAwayLeague1 – 0Paul Milton
3/1/1976Robertsbridge RangersHomeLeague2 – 3Derek Smith, Dave Coombes
10/1/1976Hellingly HospitalAwayLeague3 – 1Bob Baker 2 (1 pen), Ian Thomson
17/1/1976Langney Sports IIHomeLeague6 – 1Ian Thomson 2, Bob Baker 2, George Potter, Wayne Carter
24/1/1976Hollington Old BoysAwayRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round3 – 7Bob Baker, Paul Milton, Wayne Carter
7/2/1976HoramHomeLeague0 – 5
14/2/1976PevenseyHomeLeague5 – 4Wayne Carter 2, Bill Black 2, Ian Thomson
21/2/1976St MichaelsHomeLeague2 – 3Wayne Carter 2
28/2/1976ParkfieldAwayLeague1 – 3Wayne Carter
6/3/1976Eastbourne RangersAwayLeague2 – 3Dave Minett, Bob Baker
20/3/1976HoramAwayLeague6 – 2Derek Smith 3, Wayne Carter 2, Paul Milton
27/3/1976Robertsbridge RangersAwayLeague3 – 3Dave Coombes, Bob Baker (pen), Wayne Carter
6/4/1976ParkfieldHomeLeague2 – 0Derek Smith, Bob Baker
14/4/1976StamcoHomeLeague1 – 3Dave Coombes
17/4/1976SpartanHomeLeague1 – 1Jimmy Britt
24/4/1976Bexhill Amateur Athletic ClubHomeLeague0 – 4

2ND TEAM

The rearrangement of the league divisions meant that the second team faced stronger opposition than in the previous year and their season was in three parts. Early on, they had fairly close games, although most were lost, in December and January they lost five matches, let in thirty five goals and had little enjoyment, then in February, March and April they improved considerably, losing only four out of twelve games. This included a win over Segas, the then league leaders and eventual runners-up.

Brian Luck captained the side and in his absence Robert Glazier looked after them with Andy Dunlop as team manager and linesman. Several young players made good progress with Paul Milton moving up to the 1st XI and Michael Coleman, Graham Glazier and Whitney Loomas all approaching first team standard. The attack lacked shooting ability to finish off some quite good moves.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
26/8/1975The Junior Club Tackleway IIHomeFriendly0 – 5
3/9/1975BodiamHomeFriendly0 – 0
10/9/1975BodiamAwayFriendly2 – 6Simon Newton, Michael Coleman
20/9/1975St Michaels IIAwayLeague0 – 5
4/10/1975Benenden Chest HospitalAwayLeague3 – 1Graham Glazier 2, Ian Thomson
11/10/1975Old Addeyans IIIHomeA F A Minor Cup 1st Round1 – 3Ian Thomson
18/10/1975Seeboard IIIAwayLeague1 – 3Larry Cooke
25/10/1975Old Centmodians IIIAwayLeague3 – 1Robin Shearer 2, Simon Newton
1/11/1975BredeAwayLeague1 – 4Gary Grainger
8/11/1975Punnetts TownHomeHastings F A Junior Cup 1st Round1 – 5Nick Jury
22/11/1975Still and SonsHomeLeague0 – 0
13/12/1975Wittersham IIHomeLeague2 – 5Chris Benn 2
3/1/1976Wittersham IIAwayLeague1 – 8Chris Heron
10/1/1976Eastbourne Rangers IIHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Division Three Cup 2nd Round1 – 8Robert Glazier
17/1/1976SegasAwayLeague0 – 5
24/1/1976SandhurstAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round0 – 9
7/2/1976BodiamAwayLeague1 – 1Paul Milton
21/2/1976Collins and HayesAwayLeague0 – 7
28/2/1976SegasHomeLeague3 – 2Nick Jury 3
6/3/1976Benenden Chest HospitalHomeLeague2 – 2Chris Heron, Robin Shearer
13/3/1976Still and SonsAwayLeague5 – 1Larry Cooke 2, Robin Shrearer 2, Chris Heron
20/3/1976BredeHomeLeague0 – 3
27/3/1976St Michaels IIHomeLeague1 – 2Own Goal
7/4/1976BodiamHomeLeague2 – 2Dave Coombes 2
10/4/1976Collins and HayesHomeLeague2 – 2Paul Milton 2
12/4/1976Old Centmodians IIIHomeLeague3 – 3Nick Jury, Graham Glazier, Paul Milton
16/4/1976Old BrentwoodsHomeFriendly2 – 1Dave Coombes, Steve Beale
22/4/1976Seeboard IIIHomeLeague2 – 7Chris Heron, Paul Milton

3RD TEAM

The third team were also hit by the rearrangement of the League which was reduced to four divisions which meant that several sides were a class above them and a weak team had an uphill struggle. It is doubtful whether the side was worse than in some previous years, but they had many fewer poor opponents.

In the circumstances much credit was due to Colin McPhail, who again captained the side and to Chris Morrell who led when Colin was not available. Gary Grainger with 6 goals was top scorer. A generally good record for sportsmanship was marred by the sending off of Keith Glazier for retaliation when seriously provoked.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
29/8/1975Westfield IIAwayFriendly0 – 1
6/9/1975Iden IIHomeFriendly0 – 2
13/9/1975Seeboard IIIHomeFriendly3 – 1Paul Milton, David Cornelius, Larry Cooke
27/9/1975Sandhurst IIHomeLeague4 – 5Gary Grainger 2, Keith Glazier, Own Goal
4/10/1975Ore CentreAwayLeague0 – 7
11/10/1975Guldeford and Camber IIAwayLeague0 – 7
18/10/1975Old Strandians IVHomeA F A Novets Cup 1st Round0 – 3
25/10/1975Robertsbridge Rangers IIHomeLeague2 – 8
1/11/1975Steadfast UnitedAwayLeague1 – 4Chris Heron
8/11/1975Northiam 75 IIAwayLeague0 – 10
15/11/1975St HelensAwayLeague2 – 5Gary Grainger,
22/11/1975The Junior Club Tackleway IIIAwayLeague3 – 0Gary Grainger 3
25/11/1975Sandhurst IIAwayEastbourne and Hastings League Division Four Cup 1st Round0 – 9
6/12/1975I T T IIHomeLeague2 – 6Keith Glazier, Own Goal
13/12/1975Brede IIAway<League1 – 3Chris Heron
3/1/1976Brede IIAway<League3 – 5Chris Morrell 2, Colin McPhail
10/1/1976Ninfield IIHomeHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 2nd Round0 – 10
17/1/1976Northiam 75 IIHomeLeague1 – 4Peter Turner
24/1/1976The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHomeLeague1 – 5Chris Morrell
7/2/1976Sandhurst IIAwayLeague1 – 6Dave Minett
14/2/1976St HelensHomeLeague1 – 8Les Goodsell
21/2/1976Iden IIHomeLeague0 – 4
28/2/1976Steadfast UnitedHomeLeague2 – 5Nigel Carter, Own Goal
6/3/1976Guldeford and Camber IIHomeLeague0 – 4
13/3/1976Old Hastonians IIIHomeLeague1 – 2Jack Brown
20/3/1976Old Hastonians IIIAwayLeague1 – 1Dave Minett
27/3/1976I T T IIAwayLeague1 – 10Chris Morrell
3/4/1976Robertsbridge Rangers IIAwayLeague0 – 4
10/4/1976Ore CentreHomeLeague0 – 3
17/4/1976Iden IIAwayLeague2 – 7Simon Newton, Chris Heron
24/4/1976Bohemia UnitedHomeFriendly0 – 3
26/4/1976SedlescombeAwayLeague2 – 1 #Chris Heron 2

BOYS TEAM

As decided at the Annual General Meeting, the Club did not enter the Youth League, but several boys friendlies were played using up to sixteen players in each. This enabled a link to be forged between local boys and the Club which would hopefully be of value in time to come. Don Batt organised the team on the day and the Club owed him a debt of gratitude.

GENERAL MATTERS

Robert Glazier once again acted as groundsman at Icklesham while various club members, largely from the third team, did good work in bringing Guestling Playing Field into service and in marking it out.

The Annual General Meeting at the Robin Hood Inn was held on Thursday, 15th July 1976 at 8.15 pm.