Season 1978-79

42ND SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The forty-second season was in many aspects a rather frustrating one. Teams were hit by injuries, winter weather was bad and affected fixtures, there was a constant struggle to field full teams in the 3rd XI while the boys team became an increasingly independent body. On the other side, the 1st team retained the Hastings F A Sportsmanship Cup and were runners-up in the Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup, the 2nd team were semi-finalists in the junior section of the Robertsbridge Charity Cup and all teams had some very good games.

1ST TEAM

During the first part of the season, the 1st XI settled into a good side – the best for at least ten years. During December, the side drew with Tackleway in the Hastings F A Intermediate Cup and they went on to win the trophy and won 3-1 against Eastbourne Working Men’s Club II, the eventual champions of their division. Then within a few weeks, Wayne Carter and Ian Ruddock had injuries which kept them out for the rest of the season, Ian Kinnes went to work in Switzerland and Dave Coombes took a new job in the Midlands. The team were never quite the same, though they played exceptionally well against Battle Rangers in the Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup and had two very exciting games with Burwash in the semi-final, both going to extra time.

Before the season began, John Crisford asked to be relieved of the captaincy. Steve Beale took over and set a good example of enthusiasm and determination. The team normally maintained the club’s reputation for sporting behaviour and with a ninety per cent average mark from referees, they again won the Hastings F A Sportsmanship Cup. Bob Baker scored 35 goals, Steve Beale played in every game and most of the 2nd team appeared in several 1st team matches and did not let the side down.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
23/8/1978StamcoHomeFriendly2 – 3Wayne Carter
31/8/1978Ecko IIHomeFriendly0 – 2
5/9/1978Eastbourne and Hastings League XIHomeFriendly3 – 0Dave Coombes 2, Wayne Carter
16/9/1978SpartanAwayLeague2 – 2Dave Coombes, Wayne Carter
23/9/1978SegasHomeLeague1 – 3Bob Baker (pen)
30/9/1978Willingdon Athletic IIAwayLeague4 – 2Bob Baker 3, Bill Black
7/10/1978Langney Sports IIHomeLeague2 – 3Bob Baker 2 (1 pen)
14/10/1978Eastbourne Old GrammariansAwayLeague5 – 2Bob Baker 2, John Crisford, Brian Barden, Paul Milton
21/10/1978Hampden Park Athletic IIAwayLeague5 – 2Bob Baker 2 (1 pen), Wayne Carter, Brian Barden, Paul Milton
28/10/1978Old Suttonians IIHomeA F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round6 – 2 *Wayne Carter 3, Paul Milton, Bob Baker, Dave Coombes
4/11/1978Civil ServiceHomeHastings F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round2 – 0Dave Coombes, Own Goal
11/11/1978Eastbourne Working Men’s Club IIAwayLeague3 – 4Brian Barden, Dave Coombes, Bob Baker
18/11/1978Ecko IIAwayLeague3 – 2Wayne Carter, Bob Baker, Own Goal
25/11/1978National Westminster Bank IIAwayA F A Intermediate Cup 3rd Round1 – 5Wayne Carter
2/12/1978The Junior Club TacklewayHomeHastings F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round0 – 0 >
9/12/1978Eastbourne Old GrammariansHomeLeague3 – 0Bob Baker 2 (2 pens), Wayne Carter
30/12/1978Eastbourne Working Men’s Club IIHomeLeague3 – 1Colin Shearer, Paul Milton,
20/1/1979The Junior Club TacklewayAwayHastings F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round Replay2 – 6 *Wayne Carter, Brian Barden
27/1/1979Eastbourne College of Further EducationHomeLeague9 – 0Bob Baker 4 (1 pen), Brian Barden 2, Paul Milton 2, Steve Beale
3/2/1979SpartanHomeLeague1 – 0Bob Baker
10/2/1979Mountfield UnitedAwayEastbourne and Hastings League Division One Cup 2nd Round0 – 2
24/2/1979Willingdon Athletic IIHomeLeague2 – 0Paul Milton 2
17/3/1979Eastbourne College of Further EducationAwayLeague0 – 3
31/3/1979Ecko IIHomeLeague2 – 3Brian Barden, Bob Baker (pen)
5/4/1979Ecko IIAwayRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round3 – 3Bob Baker 3 (1 pen)
7/4/1979Hampden Park Athletic IIHomeLeague1 – 1Bob Baker (pen)
14/4/1979SegasAwayLeague1 – 2Bob Baker (pen)
21/4/1979Langney Sports IIAwayLeague2 – 2Bob Baker 2
26/4/1979Ecko IIHomeRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round Replay2 – 0Colin Shearer, Paul Milton
28/4/1979Mountfield UnitedHomeLeague4 – 2Bob Baker 2, Chris Morrell, Alan Fermor
7/5/1979Battle RangersHomeRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 2nd Round2 – 0Nick Jury, Paul Milton
11/5/1979Mountfield UnitedAwayLeague2 – 3Bob Baker 2 (1 pen)
19/5/1979BurwashNeutral<Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup Semi-Final5 – 5 *Bob Baker 2 (1 pen), Steve Beale, Andrew Dunlop, Nick Jury
24/5/1979BurwashNeutral<Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup Semi-Final Replay4 – 1 *John Coles, Nick Jury, Bob Baker, Paul Milton
31/5/1979Hollington UnitedNeutral<Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup Final1 – 4Paul Milton

NEWSPAPER REPORTS

2ND TEAM

Although the second team season was a rather drab one, it had several good features – notably the reaching of the semi-final of the Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup with good wins against East Sussex League teams in Burwash II and Westfield II.

After a very bad start, the side settled down to being a useful one, but was then hit by the troubles of the first team. Much credit was due to Brian Luck, as captain, to Andy Dunlop, as manager and linesman and to the regulars for carrying the side through quite well in discouraging circumstances. Brian announced his retirement from regular football at the end of the season. He had set a high standard of sportsmanship and good sense and it was hoped that his interest would not be completely lost to the club in future seasons.

No second team player was sent off or cautioned and the side was a friendly and sporting one which did the club credit. Michael Coleman and Larry Cooke with 8 goals each were the top goal scorers.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
24/8/1978Nutrition House RangersHomeFriendly1 – 3Paul Milton
16/9/1978Silverton Rangers IIAwayLeague2 – 4Alan Fermor, Larry Cooke
23/9/1978Wittersham IIAwayLeague3 – 3Michael Coleman, Larry Cooke,
30/9/1978Bexhill Amateur Athletic ClubHomeLeague0 – 6
7/10/1978BodiamAwayLeague1 – 6Michael Coleman
14/10/1978Broomfield IIIHomeA F A Junior Cup 1st Round2 – 7Alan Sutton, Dave Minett
21/10/1978Steadfast UnitedAwayLeague1 – 4Larry Cooke
28/10/1978SibexAwayLeague2 – 6Chris Morrell, Colin Shearer
4/11/1978SedlescombeAwayLeague1 – 4Michael Coleman
11/11/1978Silverton Rangers IIHomeLeague2 – 1Nick Jury, Nick Batt
18/11/1978UdimoreAwayLeague7 – 1Larry Cooke 3, Steve Turner, Chris Heron, Michael Coleman, Own Goal
25/11/1978SibexHomeLeague0 – 3
2/12/1978Burwash IIAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 2nd Round2 – 1Michael Coleman 2
9/12/1978Robertsbridge UnitedAwayLeague4 – 2Nick Jury 2, Michael Coleman, Larry Cooke
13/1/1979BeckleyHomeLeague1 – 3Chris Morrell
20/1/1979Northiam 75 IIHomeLeague1 – 0Nick Batt
3/2/1979Northiam 75 IIAwayLeague2 – 5Alan Sutton, Alan Fermor
10/2/1979Westfield IIHomeRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 3rd Round4 – 1Gary Grainger 2, Nick Jury, Alan Fermor
24/2/1979BeckleyAwayLeague1 – 3David Chappell
3/3/1979OlympicsHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Division Three Cup 2nd Round1 – 0Robin Shearer
10/3/1979SibexAwayEastbourne and Hastings League Division Three Cup 3rd Round0 – 4
24/3/1979East Guldeford and CamberAwayLeague2 – 5Colin Shearer, Chris Heron
31/3/1979Bexhill Amateur Athletic ClubAwayLeague2 – 3Michael Coleman, Chris Heron
12/4/1979Steadfast UnitedHomeLeague4 – 0Richard Hill 2, Paul Milton 2
13/4/1979Old BrentwoodsHomeFriendly0 – 2
19/4/1979East Guldeford and CamberHomeLeague4 – 1Chris Morrell 2, Robin Shearer, Own Goal
21/4/1979SedlescombeHomeLeague1 – 1Own Goal
24/4/1979BodiamHomeLeague0 – 6
1/5/1979UdimoreHomeLeague1 – 4
3/5/1979Robertsbridge UnitedHomeLeague2 – 0Bob Baker, Nick Bellhouse
8/5/1979Wittersham IIHomeLeague0 – 0
23/5/1979Wishing TreeNeutral<Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup Semi-Final1 – 3Larry Cooke

3RD TEAM

3rd XI life is seldom easy but this was a particularly bad year with the side being left all too often with ten men at the last minute. This was more disappointing because the first six league games had produced seven points. A long period without a regular goalkeeper and the loss of Bill Bird and George Potter to the 2nd XI did not help, also several of the promising players from the previous year’s youth team played very little. Credit was due to the regulars as well as to Nick Bellhouse who took over the captaincy late in the season.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
25/8/1978Haswat Sports and SocialHome<Friendly1 – 3Michael Coleman
30/8/1978Linton Athletic IIIHome<Friendly5 – 7John Foster, Tim Jury, Wayne Carter, Richard Hill, Nick Batt
6/9/1978The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHome<Friendly4 – 1David Chappell 3, John Foster
9/9/1978Robertsbridge United IIHome<League3 – 1Michael Coleman, Edwin Prior, Wayne Carter
16/9/1978National Westminster Bank XIVHome<Friendly0 – 10
23/9/1978The Junior Club Tackleway IIIAwayLeague3 – 1Nick Bellhouse, Philip Goodsell, Alan Fermor
30/9/1978Haswat Sports and SocialAwayLeague0 – 5
7/10/1978Sibex IIHomeLeague0 – 6
14/10/1978Old Centmodians IIHomeLeague1 – 1Michael Clifford
21/10/1978Glyn Old Boys IVHome<A F A Minor Cup 1st Round1 – 4Michael Clifford
28/10/1978Bohemia UnitedHomeHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round1 – 5
4/11/1978Beckley IIAwayLeague6 – 2Chris Heron 6
11/11/1978Iden IIHomeLeague1 – 2Michael Clifford
25/11/1978ParksideHomeLeague0 – 4
2/12/1978Brede Athletic IIAwayLeague0 – 5
9/12/1978Seeboard IIAwayLeague0 – 5
16/12/1978Haswat Sports and SocialHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Division Four Cup 1st Round0 – 1
13/1/1979Robertsbridge United IIAwayLeague1 – 2Michael Clifford
20/1/1979Brede Athletic IIHomeLeague0 – 2
27/1/1979Malvern WayAwayLeague0 – 6
3/2/1979Haswat Sports and SocialHomeLeague1 – 5Jon Whiteman
10/2/1979The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHomeLeague2 – 10Jon Whiteman, Clive Vick
24/2/1979Sibex IIAwayLeague1 – 8Bill Bird
10/3/1979Stamco IIHome<League2 – 13Gary Grainger, Nick Bridger
24/3/1979Old Centmodians IIAwayLeague5 – 3Alan Fermor 2, Philip Goodsell, Bill Bird, Michael Clifford
31/3/1979Malvern WayHomeLeague2 – 6Graham Glazier, Dave Minett
3/4/1979Seeboard IIHome<League2 – 3Chris Heron, Nick Bridger
7/4/1979Stamco IIAwayLeague0 – 13
14/4/1979Beckley IIHome<League1 – 6Jon Whiteman
28/4/1979Iden IIAwayLeague3 – 4Jon Whiteman 2, Philip Goodsell
11/5/1979ParksideAwayLeague0 – 6

NEWSPAPER REPORT

VETERANS

The veterans, under John Dunk’s management, had enjoyable cup games against Leyton County Old Boys Veterans in the A F A Veterans Cup and Westfield Veterans in the newly formed Hastings F A Veterans Cup. These matches brought together many old players to whom the club owed a lot.

VETERANS PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
18/11/1978Leyton County Old Boys VeteransHomeA F A Veterans Cup 1st Round1 – 2
25/4/1979Westfield VeteransHomeHastings F A Veterans Cup1 – 3Brian Thomas

NEWSPAPER REPORTS

YOUTH TEAM

The youth team had a bad end to a good season when Don Batt and Colin Mitchell, who had managed the side, refused to play Hawkhurst in the league and discouraged the youth team players from helping out the 3rd XI in emergencies. The club has always tried to honour it’s commitments and this attitude was distressing.

YOUTH TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
1/10/1978Wittersham BoysAwayLeague9 – 8A Thomas 3, Chris Clifford 3, Colin Mitchell, D White, Mark Chapman
8/10/1978Sandhurst BoysAwayRother Valley League Cup 1st Round 1st Leg7 – 6
29/10/1978Northiam BoysAwayLeague3 – 0
5/11/1978Sandhurst BoysHomeRother Valley League Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg8 – 4
12/11/1978Wittersham BoysHomeLeague9 – 0
26/11/1978Sandhurst BoysHome<League11 – 1
3/12/1978Peasmarsh BoysAwayLeague10 – 1
10/12/1978Benenden BoysHomeLeague14 – 0
11/2/1979Hawkhurst United BoysHomeRother Valley League Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg4 – 1Chris Clifford 2, D White, A Thomas
Sandhurst BoysHome<League7 – 4
18/3/1979Hawkhurst United BoysAwayRother Valley League Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg1 – 6Chris Clifford
1/4/1979Benenden BoysAwayLeague3 – 1D White, Chris Clifford, Stuart Moor (pen)

SEASON AWARDS

GENERAL MATTERS

Nick Bellhouse did the work of making new goal posts for the Guestling pitch and earned the thanks of the club. Robin Shearer continued with the majority of the marking out at Icklesham and Tim Jury took over as the club’s representative on the Icklesham Trust Committee. A disco organised by Steve Beale with help from others, raised £67.10, out of which the club gave a £45 grant to the Trust Committee. The Christmas Draw was also a great success.

The club was offered a cup by Peter Kipps of the Smugglers at Pett Level and the thinking was that this could replace the Bert Glazier Cup. Steve Beale also donated a trophy for the 1st Team Player of the Year and it was hoped that similar awards could be given for the other sides.

The Club’s Annual General Meeting took place at 8pm on Thursday, 12th July 1979 at the Robin Hood Inn, Icklesham.