Season 1977-78

41ST SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The 1977-78 season was a good one on the whole with the club again playing over one hundred matches with no player sent-off and only one caution recorded. The first team won the Hastings F A Sportsmanship Cup, were runners-up in the Hastings F A Intermediate Cup and reached the last sixteen of the A F A Intermediate Cup – the farthest the team had ever gone in the competition. The second and third teams had reasonable seasons and the boys team was runners-up in the Rother Valley Youth League and Cup.

1ST TEAM

In general, this was the best 1st XI for many years, though the team had to cope with injury problems all season and these produced a poor finish which was something of an anti-climax. With cup runs, the side played more games and scored over one hundred goals for the first time for many years.

In reaching the final of the Hastings F A Intermediate Cup, the first team beat strong sides in Albion United II of the Sussex County League Reserve Section, Northiam 75, the Eastbourne and Hastings League Division One Champions and Rye United II, who finished third in the East Sussex League Premier Division.

In the final, played at Bulverhythe in April in front of around a hundred spectators, they lost 2-1 to Ecko from the Premier Division of the Eastbourne and Hastings League but not without putting up a spirited fight and being denied what may have been an equalising penalty in the second half.

The side that represented the club in the final was:- Richard Forrest, Ian Ruddock, Ian Kinnes, John Crisford (captain), John Barden, Steve Beale, Brian Barden, Chris Morrell, Dave Coombes, Andrew Dunlop and Bob Baker.

In the A F A Intermediate Cup, the first team beat Old Strandians II and Old Parkonians II in London and Old Vaughanians II at Icklesham before losing 5-1 away to National Westminster Bank II.

At its best, the side played exciting attacking football – notably against Northiam at home in the league and against Old Vaughanians in the A F A Intermediate Cup – but there were too many games and part games where passes were not made in time and with enough accuracy to maintain this standard all season. Bob Baker with 43 goals equalled ‘Chummy’ Barden’s record in intermediate football while Wayne Carter netted 26 times and Dave Coombes on 15 occasions.

The team won the Hastings F A Sportsmanship Cup, which reflected credit on all the players as well as on John Crisford as captain and Colin Shearer and Steve Beale who captained when John was injured. The usually high standard did fall a little at the end of the season when frustration crept in and did not help performances.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
24/8/1977StamcoAwayFriendly0 – 6
31/8/1977Seeboard IIHomeFriendly5 – 1Bob Baker 2, Dave Coombes 2, Wayne Carter
3/9/1977Hampden Park Athletic IIAwayLeague2 – 3Brian Barden, Wayne Carter
10/9/1977Ecko IIAwayLeague2 – 2Brian Barden, Nick Batt
17/9/1977Langney Sports IIAwayLeague4 – 1Bob Baker 2, Dave Coombes, Wayne Carter
24/9/1977Langney Sports IIHomeLeague0 – 1
1/10/1977Old Strandians IIAwayA F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round7 – 3Bob Baker 2, Wayne Carter 2, Colin Shearer, Dave Coombes, Own Goal
8/10/1977Mountfield UnitedHomeLeague5 – 2Bob Baker 3, Dave Coombes, Wayne Carter
15/10/1977Eastbourne RangersAwayLeague1 – 2Bob Baker
22/10/1977Hampden Park Athletic IIHomeLeague1 – 1Bob Baker
29/10/1977Old Parkonians IIAwayA F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round5 – 0Bob Baker 3, Dave Coombes, John Barden
5/11/1977Eastbourne College of Further EducationHomeLeague4 – 1Dave Coombes, Paul Milton, Wayne Carter, Own Goal
12/11/1977WannockAwayLeague4 – 1Nick Batt, Wayne Carter, Brian Barden, Bob Baker
19/11/1977Albion United IIHomeHastings F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round3 – 2Steve Beale, Bob Baker, Paul Milton
26/11/1977Old Vaughanians IIHomeA F A Intermediate Cup 3rd Round3 – 2Bob Baker 2, Brian Barden
3/12/1977Silverton RangersHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Division One Cup 1st Round10 – 0Bob Baker 4, Wayne Carter 4, Colin Shearer, Own Goal
10/12/1977WannockHomeLeague5 – 1Colin Shearer, Bob Baker, Paul Milton, Wayne Carter, Own Goal
17/12/1977Eastbourne Old GrammariansAwayLeague2 – 0Wayne Carter, Own Goal
31/12/1977Ecko IIHomeLeague4 – 1Bob Baker 2, Paul Milton, Wayne Carter
7/1/1978National Westminster Bank IIAwayA F A Intermediate Cup 4th Round1 – 5Paul Milton
14/1/1978Silverton RangersAwayRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round8 – 1Bob Baker 3, Dave Coombes 2, Wayne Carter 2, John Barden
21/1/1978Hampden Park Athletic IIHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Division One Cup 2nd Round7 – 0Wayne Carter 4, Bob Baker 3 (1 pen)
4/2/1978Northiam 75AwayLeague0 – 0
25/2/1978Northiam 75AwayHastings F A Intermediate Cup 3rd Round3 – 0Wayne Carter 2, Bob Baker
4/3/1978Langney Sports IIAwayEastbourne and Hastings League Division One Cup Semi-Final0 – 0 *
11/3/1978SpartanHomeLeague2 – 2John Barden, Dave Coombes
18/3/1978Langney Sports IIHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Division One Cup Semi-Final Replay1 – 2John Barden
25/3/1978Hollington UnitedAwayRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 2nd Round0 – 4
27/3/1978Winchmore HillHomeFriendly2 – 2Dave Coombes, Bob Baker
1/4/1978Rye United IIHomeHastings F A Intermediate Cup Semi-Final2 – 0Dave Coombes, Bob Baker
8/4/1978Eastbourne RangersHomeLeague8 – 1Bob Baker 3 (1 pen), John Crisford, Wayne Carter, Steve Beale, Own Goals 2
11/4/1978Silverton RangersHomeLeague4 – 1Dave Coombes 2, Bob Baker, Wayne Carter
15/4/1978Eastbourne Old GrammariansHomeLeague1 – 1Wayne Carter
18/4/1978Northiam 75HomeLeague3 – 0Bob Baker 2, Steve Beale
25/4/1978EckoNeutral<Hastings F A Intermediate Cup Final1 – 2Dave Coombes
29/4/1978SpartanAwayLeague3 – 4Bob Baker 2,
3/5/1978Mountfield UnitedAwayLeague1 – 2Steve Beale
5/5/1978Silverton RangersAwayLeague1 – 1Paul Milton
13/5/1978Eastbourne College of Further EducationAwayLeague2 – 4Brian Barden. Bob Baker

NEWSPAPER REPORTS

2ND TEAM

The second team began and ended well, but a bad patch around Christmas spoilt the record and the injury problems of the 1st team meant the 2nd XI was frequently weakened. The side were unlucky in cup ties – in the A F A Junior Cup, they outplayed Inland Revenue III who scored the only goal of the game with almost their only shot and against Westfield II in the Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup, the team lost Jimmy Britt with a broken leg with the game looking like extra-time.

Brian Luck again led the side with good humour and sportsmanship and the team responded well and was the most sporting second team for many years. Michael Coleman and Chris Heron led the goal scoring with 10 each.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
1/9/1977Nutrition House RangersHomeFriendly0 – 6
17/9/1977UdimoreHomeLeague3 – 2Chris Heron 2, Chris Morrell
24/9/1977Wittersham IIAwayLeague3 – 0Chris Heron 2, Chris Morrell
1/10/1977Northiam 75 IIHomeLeague4 – 1Chris Heron 2, Jimmy Britt, Larry Cooke
8/10/1977Seeboard IIAwayLeague0 – 5
15/10/1977Inland Revenue IIIHomeA F A Junior Cup 1st Round0 – 1
22/10/1977SibexAwayLeague1 – 6N Jury
29/10/1977Silverton Rangers IIHomeLeague3 – 7Colin Shearer, Chris Morrell, Chris Heron
5/11/1977BodiamAwayLeague3 – 3Chris Morrell, Nick Jury, Nick Batt
12/11/1977ParksideHomeLeague2 – 3Nick Jury, James Ballard
19/11/1977The Junior Club Tackleway IIIAwayLeague0 – 3
26/11/1977Eastbourne College of Further Education IIAwayEastbourne and Hastings League Division Three Cup 1st Round2 – 5Jimmy Britt, Own Goal
10/12/1977East Guldeford and CamberAwayLeague4 – 2Chris Morrell 2, Nick Batt, Own Goal
17/12/1977Robertsbridge RangersHomeLeague1 – 2Larry Cooke
31/12/1977BeckleyAwayLeague0 – 6
7/1/1978Westfield IIHomeRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round1 – 3Larry Cooke
14/1/1978UdimoreAwayLeague1 – 3Nick Batt
21/1/1978Robertsbridge RangersAwayLeague1 – 3Michael Coleman
28/1/1978Nutrition House RangersAwayLeague2 – 9Larry Cooke 2
4/2/1978BodiamHomeLeague1 – 7Michael Coleman
18/2/1978Northiam 75 IIAwayLeague1 – 3
25/2/1978Seeboard IIHomeLeague0 – 0
4/3/1978The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHomeLeague3 – 1Michael Coleman 2, Larry Cooke
11/3/1978Brede AthleticAwayLeague0 – 2
18/3/1978Silverton Rangers IIAwayLeague2 – 0Nick Jury, Larry Cooke
24/3/1978Old BrentwoodsHomeFriendly4 – 2Simon Newton 2, Bob Baker, Dave Minett
25/3/1978Brede AthleticHomeLeague1 – 4Michael Coleman
1/4/1978ParksideAwayLeague3 – 0Michael Coleman 2, Chris Heron
20/4/1978Wittersham IIHomeLeague1 – 3Steve Turner
27/4/1978SibexHomeLeague3 – 1Nick Jury, Michael Colemen, Chris Heron (pen)
29/4/1978Nutrition House RangersHomeLeague1 – 11Chris Heron
3/5/1978East Guldeford and CamberHomeLeague6 – 5Nick Jury 2, Michael Coleman 2, Steve Turner, Nick Batt
6/5/1978BeckleyHomeLeague3 – 2Bill Black, Steve Turner, Chris Morrell

3RD TEAM

After the cup exploits of the previous season, this was a typical year of a rather uphill struggle for the third team, but as usual provided games for young players of promise and for those club members whose increased age or weight or both had slowed them down in reactions if not in thought.

Tim Jury, as captain, was an excellent organiser as well as giving a good lead in behaviour and enthusiasm. Martyn Soan, in goal kept going in spite of discouragement and improved with practice, missing only two games and was selected to receive the Bert Glazier Cup. Simon Newton was top scorer with 11 goals. The 3rd team suffered from the lack of a linesman and were lucky to get away with some very sketchy marking out at times.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTSGOAL SCORERS
25/8/1977Haswat Sports and SocialHomeFriendly0 – 4
6/9/1977The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHome<Friendly3 – 5Wayne Carter 2, Simon Newton
10/9/1977UdimoreHome<Friendly1 – 10David Chappell
17/9/1977Haswat Sports and SocialAwayLeague4 – 1Simon Newton 2, Andy White, Own Goal
24/9/1977Brede Athletic IIAwayFriendly5 – 3Tony Bumstead 2, John Foster, Alan Fermor, Andy White
1/10/1977Old Centmodians IIAwayLeague0 – 3
8/10/1977Economicals IVAwayA F A Minor Cup 1st Round0 – 5
15/10/1977Iden IIHomeLeague0 – 5
22/10/1977Haswat Sports and SocialHomeLeague1 – 1David Chappell
29/10/1977Sibex IIAwayLeague1 – 5Richard Hill
5/11/1977Benenden Chest HospitalAwayLeague1 – 17Richard Hill
12/11/1977Malvern WayHomeLeague1 – 5Simon Newton
19/11/1977Iden IIAwayLeague1 – 5Clive Vick
26/11/1977Brede Athletic IIHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Division Four Cup 1st Round 1st Leg2 – 5Simon Newton 2
3/12/1977Old Hastonians IIIHomeLeague8 – 1David Chappell 4, John Foster, Nick Batt, Tim Jury, Own Goal
17/12/1977Brede Athletic IIAwayEastbourne and Hastings League Division Four Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg2 – 6Simon Newton, Bill Bird
31/12/1977Old Centmodians IIHomeLeague2 – 6
7/1/1978Haswat Sports and SocialAwayHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 2nd Round0 – 6
21/1/1978Malvern WayAwayLeague2 – 6Simon Newton, Richard Hill
4/3/1978Sibex IIHomeLeague1 – 0John Foster
11/3/1978Benenden Chest HospitalHomeLeague0 – 8
18/3/1978Steadfast UnitedHomeLeague0 – 3
1/4/1978Brede Athletic IIHomeLeague2 – 0Richard Hill, Paul Crocombe
8/4/1978Old Hastonians IIIAwayLeague3 – 2Simon Newton 3
29/4/1978Steadfast UnitedAwayLeague2 – 6Martin Shearer, Colin McPhail
4/5/1978Brede Athletic IIAwayLeague1 – 5Dave Minett

VETERANS

The A F A started a Veterans Cup which the club entered and John Dunk organised a team to go to Finchley which was a social success even though the side lost 7-1.

VETERANS PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
22/10/1977Old Finchleians VeteransAwayA F A Veterans Cup 1st Round1 – 7

YOUTH TEAM

With four of the 1976-77 victorious league winning youth team over-age, it was not expected that the side would do so well, but in fact they were runners-up in the Rother Valley Youth League on goal difference only and put up a good fight in the final of the Rother Valley Cup.

Don Batt looked after the side in the early months and when he became less available, Brian Thomas and other helpers carried on. Chris Clifford with 32 of the 72 goals scored by the team was easily leading scorer.

YOUTH TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
Vale RoversHomeFriendly3 – 6Chris Clifford, A Thomas, Own Goal
FirehillsHomeFriendly3 – 11
BredeHomeLeague4 – 1Chris Clifford 2, Paul Reardon D Chandler
Brickwall SchoolAwayLeague7 – 2Chris Clifford 5, E Lander
SandhurstHomeRother Valley Cup 1st Round 1st Leg8 – 0Chris Clifford 6, A Thomas, E Lander
PeasmarshHomeFriendly9 – 3Paul Reardon 2, D Chandler 2, Chris Clifford 2, A Thomas 2, Own Goal
27/11/1977WittershamHomeLeague6 – 2E Lander 2, Colin Mitchell, D Chandler, Chris Clifford, A Thomas
SandhurstAwayRother Valley Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg2 – 1Chris Clifford, A Thomas
NorthiamAwayLeague0 – 11
SandhurstHomeLeague5 – 3A Thomas 3, Alan Butler 2
BredeAwayLeague5 – 1Stuart Moor, Mark Chapman, Alan Butler, Chris Clifford, A Thomas
NorthiamHomeLeague3 – 2Chris Clifford 2, A Thomas
SandhurstAwayFriendly2 – 2Jon Whiteman, Chris Clifford
BredeAwayWeald of Kent Cup 1st Round3 – 14Chris Clifford 2, A Thomas
SandhurstAwayLeague6 – 1Chris Clifford 5, Clive Vick
30/4/1978WittershamAwayLeague5 – 4A Thomas 3, Chris Clifford 2
NorthiamNeutral<Rother Valley Cup Final1 – 4Chris Clifford

SEASON AWARDS

GENERAL MATTERS

Socially, a disco was organised at the request of the Icklesham Trust Committee which raised money for the club and the pavilion and Bob Baker did much good work in connection with this. Club members supported it well but publicity was lacking. The club also had a pleasant presentation evening for the Sportsmanship Cup and the Christmas Draw produced a record profit with Andrew Dunlop Junior doing a great deal of the organising. Robin Shearer acted as groundsman at Icklesham and the club were very grateful to June Carter for making the tea. Tim Jury with help from several other players did good work to the pitch at Guestling.

The Annual General Meeting was held at the Robin Hood Inn, Icklesham on Wednesday, 12th July 1978 at 8 pm.