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
EASTBOURNE AND HASTINGS FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE |
Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
League | 20 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 55 | 37 | 23 |
Cup | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 28 | 28 | N/A |
Friendly | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | N/A |
All Games | 35 | 16 | 6 | 13 | 88 | 70 | 23 |
DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULT | GOAL SCORERS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
23/8/1978 | Stamco | Home | Friendly | 2 – 3 | Wayne Carter |
31/8/1978 | Ecko II | Home | Friendly | 0 – 2 | |
5/9/1978 | Eastbourne and Hastings League XI | Home | Friendly | 3 – 0 | Dave Coombes 2, Wayne Carter |
16/9/1978 | Spartan | Away | League | 2 – 2 | Dave Coombes, Wayne Carter |
23/9/1978 | Segas | Home | League | 1 – 3 | Bob Baker (pen) |
30/9/1978 | Willingdon Athletic II | Away | League | 4 – 2 | Bob Baker 3, Bill Black |
7/10/1978 | Langney Sports II | Home | League | 2 – 3 | Bob Baker 2 (1 pen) |
14/10/1978 | Eastbourne Old Grammarians | Away | League | 5 – 2 | Bob Baker 2, John Crisford, Brian Barden, Paul Milton |
21/10/1978 | Hampden Park Athletic II | Away | League | 5 – 2 | Bob Baker 2 (1 pen), Wayne Carter, Brian Barden, Paul Milton |
28/10/1978 | Old Suttonians II | Home | A F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round | 6 – 2 * | Wayne Carter 3, Paul Milton, Bob Baker, Dave Coombes |
4/11/1978 | Civil Service | Home | Hastings F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round | 2 – 0 | Dave Coombes, Own Goal |
11/11/1978 | Eastbourne Working Men’s Club II | Away | League | 3 – 4 | Brian Barden, Dave Coombes, Bob Baker |
18/11/1978 | Ecko II | Away | League | 3 – 2 | Wayne Carter, Bob Baker, Own Goal |
25/11/1978 | National Westminster Bank II | Away | A F A Intermediate Cup 3rd Round | 1 – 5 | Wayne Carter |
2/12/1978 | The Junior Club Tackleway | Home | Hastings F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round | 0 – 0 > | |
9/12/1978 | Eastbourne Old Grammarians | Home | League | 3 – 0 | Bob Baker 2 (2 pens), Wayne Carter |
30/12/1978 | Eastbourne Working Men’s Club II | Home | League | 3 – 1 | Colin Shearer, Paul Milton, |
20/1/1979 | The Junior Club Tackleway | Away | Hastings F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round Replay | 2 – 6 * | Wayne Carter, Brian Barden |
27/1/1979 | Eastbourne College of Further Education | Home | League | 9 – 0 | Bob Baker 4 (1 pen), Brian Barden 2, Paul Milton 2, Steve Beale |
3/2/1979 | Spartan | Home | League | 1 – 0 | Bob Baker |
10/2/1979 | Mountfield United | Away | Eastbourne and Hastings League Division One Cup 2nd Round | 0 – 2 | |
24/2/1979 | Willingdon Athletic II | Home | League | 2 – 0 | Paul Milton 2 |
17/3/1979 | Eastbourne College of Further Education | Away | League | 0 – 3 | |
31/3/1979 | Ecko II | Home | League | 2 – 3 | Brian Barden, Bob Baker (pen) |
5/4/1979 | Ecko II | Away | Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round | 3 – 3 | Bob Baker 3 (1 pen) |
7/4/1979 | Hampden Park Athletic II | Home | League | 1 – 1 | Bob Baker (pen) |
14/4/1979 | Segas | Away | League | 1 – 2 | Bob Baker (pen) |
21/4/1979 | Langney Sports II | Away | League | 2 – 2 | Bob Baker 2 |
26/4/1979 | Ecko II | Home | Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round Replay | 2 – 0 | Colin Shearer, Paul Milton |
28/4/1979 | Mountfield United | Home | League | 4 – 2 | Bob Baker 2, Chris Morrell, Alan Fermor |
7/5/1979 | Battle Rangers | Home | Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 2nd Round | 2 – 0 | Nick Jury, Paul Milton |
11/5/1979 | Mountfield United | Away | League | 2 – 3 | Bob Baker 2 (1 pen) |
19/5/1979 | Burwash | Neutral< | Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup Semi-Final | 5 – 5 * | Bob Baker 2 (1 pen), Steve Beale, Andrew Dunlop, Nick Jury |
24/5/1979 | Burwash | Neutral< | Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup Semi-Final Replay | 4 – 1 * | John Coles, Nick Jury, Bob Baker, Paul Milton |
31/5/1979 | Hollington United | Neutral< | Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup Final | 1 – 4 | Paul Milton |
Notes * After Extra Time > Match abandoned in extra time < Match played at Robertsbridge |
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
EASTBOURNE AND HASTINGS FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION THREE (EAST) |
Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
League | 24 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 44 | 71 | 15 # |
Cup | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 16 | N/A |
Friendly | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | N/A |
All Games | 32 | 10 | 3 | 19 | 55 | 92 | 15 # |
DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULT | GOAL SCORERS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
24/8/1978 | Nutrition House Rangers | Home | Friendly | 1 – 3 | Paul Milton |
16/9/1978 | Silverton Rangers II | Away | League | 2 – 4 | Alan Fermor, Larry Cooke |
23/9/1978 | Wittersham II | Away | League | 3 – 3 | Michael Coleman, Larry Cooke, |
30/9/1978 | Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club | Home | League | 0 – 6 | |
7/10/1978 | Bodiam | Away | League | 1 – 6 | Michael Coleman |
14/10/1978 | Broomfield III | Home | A F A Junior Cup 1st Round | 2 – 7 | Alan Sutton, Dave Minett |
21/10/1978 | Steadfast United | Away | League | 1 – 4 | Larry Cooke |
28/10/1978 | Sibex | Away | League | 2 – 6 | Chris Morrell, Colin Shearer |
4/11/1978 | Sedlescombe | Away | League | 1 – 4 | Michael Coleman |
11/11/1978 | Silverton Rangers II | Home | League | 2 – 1 | Nick Jury, Nick Batt |
18/11/1978 | Udimore | Away | League | 7 – 1 | Larry Cooke 3, Steve Turner, Chris Heron, Michael Coleman, Own Goal |
25/11/1978 | Sibex | Home | League | 0 – 3 | |
2/12/1978 | Burwash II | Away | Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 2nd Round | 2 – 1 | Michael Coleman 2 |
9/12/1978 | Robertsbridge United | Away | League | 4 – 2 | Nick Jury 2, Michael Coleman, Larry Cooke |
13/1/1979 | Beckley | Home | League | 1 – 3 | Chris Morrell |
20/1/1979 | Northiam 75 II | Home | League | 1 – 0 | Nick Batt |
3/2/1979 | Northiam 75 II | Away | League | 2 – 5 | Alan Sutton, Alan Fermor |
10/2/1979 | Westfield II | Home | Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 3rd Round | 4 – 1 | Gary Grainger 2, Nick Jury, Alan Fermor |
24/2/1979 | Beckley | Away | League | 1 – 3 | David Chappell |
3/3/1979 | Olympics | Home | Eastbourne and Hastings League Division Three Cup 2nd Round | 1 – 0 | Robin Shearer |
10/3/1979 | Sibex | Away | Eastbourne and Hastings League Division Three Cup 3rd Round | 0 – 4 | |
24/3/1979 | East Guldeford and Camber | Away | League | 2 – 5 | Colin Shearer, Chris Heron |
31/3/1979 | Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club | Away | League | 2 – 3 | Michael Coleman, Chris Heron |
12/4/1979 | Steadfast United | Home | League | 4 – 0 | Richard Hill 2, Paul Milton 2 |
13/4/1979 | Old Brentwoods | Home | Friendly | 0 – 2 | |
19/4/1979 | East Guldeford and Camber | Home | League | 4 – 1 | Chris Morrell 2, Robin Shearer, Own Goal |
21/4/1979 | Sedlescombe | Home | League | 1 – 1 | Own Goal |
24/4/1979 | Bodiam | Home | League | 0 – 6 | |
1/5/1979 | Udimore | Home | League | 1 – 4 | |
3/5/1979 | Robertsbridge United | Home | League | 2 – 0 | Bob Baker, Nick Bellhouse |
8/5/1979 | Wittersham II | Home | League | 0 – 0 | |
23/5/1979 | Wishing Tree | Neutral< | Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup Semi-Final | 1 – 3 | Larry Cooke |
Notes # Silverton Rangers II withdrew – points deducted < Match played at Robertsbridge Match v Northiam 75 II (Eastbourne and Hastings League Division Three Cup 1st Round) (16/12/1978) awarded to Icklesham Casuals II |
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
EASTBOURNE AND HASTINGS FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR |
Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
League | 24 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 34 | 119 | 9 |
Cup | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 10 | N/A |
Friendly | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 21 | N/A |
All Games | 31 | 5 | 1 | 25 | 46 | 150 | 9 |
DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULT | GOAL SCORERS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
25/8/1978 | Haswat Sports and Social | Home< | Friendly | 1 – 3 | Michael Coleman |
30/8/1978 | Linton Athletic III | Home< | Friendly | 5 – 7 | John Foster, Tim Jury, Wayne Carter, Richard Hill, Nick Batt |
6/9/1978 | The Junior Club Tackleway III | Home< | Friendly | 4 – 1 | David Chappell 3, John Foster |
9/9/1978 | Robertsbridge United II | Home< | League | 3 – 1 | Michael Coleman, Edwin Prior, Wayne Carter |
16/9/1978 | National Westminster Bank XIV | Home< | Friendly | 0 – 10 | |
23/9/1978 | The Junior Club Tackleway III | Away | League | 3 – 1 | Nick Bellhouse, Philip Goodsell, Alan Fermor |
30/9/1978 | Haswat Sports and Social | Away | League | 0 – 5 | |
7/10/1978 | Sibex II | Home | League | 0 – 6 | |
14/10/1978 | Old Centmodians II | Home | League | 1 – 1 | Michael Clifford |
21/10/1978 | Glyn Old Boys IV | Home< | A F A Minor Cup 1st Round | 1 – 4 | Michael Clifford |
28/10/1978 | Bohemia United | Home | Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round | 1 – 5 | |
4/11/1978 | Beckley II | Away | League | 6 – 2 | Chris Heron 6 |
11/11/1978 | Iden II | Home | League | 1 – 2 | Michael Clifford |
25/11/1978 | Parkside | Home | League | 0 – 4 | |
2/12/1978 | Brede Athletic II | Away | League | 0 – 5 | |
9/12/1978 | Seeboard II | Away | League | 0 – 5 | |
16/12/1978 | Haswat Sports and Social | Home | Eastbourne and Hastings League Division Four Cup 1st Round | 0 – 1 | |
13/1/1979 | Robertsbridge United II | Away | League | 1 – 2 | Michael Clifford |
20/1/1979 | Brede Athletic II | Home | League | 0 – 2 | |
27/1/1979 | Malvern Way | Away | League | 0 – 6 | |
3/2/1979 | Haswat Sports and Social | Home | League | 1 – 5 | Jon Whiteman |
10/2/1979 | The Junior Club Tackleway III | Home | League | 2 – 10 | Jon Whiteman, Clive Vick |
24/2/1979 | Sibex II | Away | League | 1 – 8 | Bill Bird |
10/3/1979 | Stamco II | Home< | League | 2 – 13 | Gary Grainger, Nick Bridger |
24/3/1979 | Old Centmodians II | Away | League | 5 – 3 | Alan Fermor 2, Philip Goodsell, Bill Bird, Michael Clifford |
31/3/1979 | Malvern Way | Home | League | 2 – 6 | Graham Glazier, Dave Minett |
3/4/1979 | Seeboard II | Home< | League | 2 – 3 | Chris Heron, Nick Bridger |
7/4/1979 | Stamco II | Away | League | 0 – 13 | |
14/4/1979 | Beckley II | Home< | League | 1 – 6 | Jon Whiteman |
28/4/1979 | Iden II | Away | League | 3 – 4 | Jon Whiteman 2, Philip Goodsell |
11/5/1979 | Parkside | Away | League | 0 – 6 |
Notes All home matches played at Guestling Playing Fields except < played at Icklesham Recreation Ground |
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 Invitation Cup. These matches brought together many old players to whom the club owed a lot.
VETERANS PLAYING RECORD
Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | N/A |
DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULT | GOAL SCORERS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
18/11/1978 | Leyton County Old Boys Veterans | Home | A F A Veterans Cup 1st Round | 1 – 2 | |
25/4/1979 | Westfield Veterans | Home | Hastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup | 1 – 3 | Brian Thomas |
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
ROTHER VALLEY YOUTH LEAGUE (Under 14) |
Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
League | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 66 | 15 | 16 |
Cup | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 17 | N/A |
All Games | 12 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 86 | 32 | 16 |
DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULT | GOAL SCORERS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1/10/1978 | Wittersham Boys | Away | League | 9 – 8 | A Thomas 3, Chris Clifford 3, Colin Mitchell, D White, Mark Chapman |
8/10/1978 | Sandhurst Boys | Away | Rother Valley League Cup 1st Round 1st Leg | 7 – 6 | |
29/10/1978 | Northiam Boys | Away | League | 3 – 0 | |
5/11/1978 | Sandhurst Boys | Home | Rother Valley League Cup 1st Round 2nd Leg | 8 – 4 | |
12/11/1978 | Wittersham Boys | Home | League | 9 – 0 | |
26/11/1978 | Sandhurst Boys | Home< | League | 11 – 1 | |
3/12/1978 | Peasmarsh Boys | Away | League | 10 – 1 | |
10/12/1978 | Benenden Boys | Home | League | 14 – 0 | |
11/2/1979 | Hawkhurst United Boys | Home | Rother Valley League Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg | 4 – 1 | Chris Clifford 2, D White, A Thomas |
Sandhurst Boys | Home< | League | 7 – 4 | ||
18/3/1979 | Hawkhurst United Boys | Away | Rother Valley League Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg | 1 – 6 | Chris Clifford |
1/4/1979 | Benenden Boys | Away | League | 3 – 1 | D White, Chris Clifford, Stuart Moor (pen) |
Notes < Both league matches played at Icklesham Recreation Ground |
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.