Season 1980-81

44TH SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The forty-fourth season was on the whole a successful one. The first team played no less than seventeen cup matches and were runners-up in the Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup and winners of the Hastings F A Sportsmanship Cup. The second and third teams survived difficult patches to have some enjoyable games and several good results. The club made a start in reviving some boys friendlies and the veterans played a few matches.

1ST TEAM

Promotion to the Premier Division of the Eastbourne and Hastings League provided the 1st XI with good opposition and apart from about four occasions the side held its own well. Seventeen games in four cups, including four replays, gave the team much interest and no little excitement and success.

This included the longest ever journey to Chesterfield to replay Old Cesterfieldians of the South Yorkshire Amateur League in the A F A Intermediate Cup. The side reached its farthest stage in this competition – a 4th round replay, were runners-up in the Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup for the third time in five years and were also semi-finalists in the Hastings F A Intermediate Cup while in the Premier Division Cup, the team beat Hampden Park Athletic after a replay, the eventual League Champions. The team which played in the Robertsbridge Charity Cup Final against Heathfield United was Richard Forrest, Bill Black, Peter Redmond, Ian Ruddock, Steve Beale (captain), John Crisford, Jimmy Fuggle, Paul Milton, Andrew Dunlop, Bob Baker and Wayne Carter.

Steve Beale, as captain, set a good example of enthusiasm and effort and the side won the Hastings F A Sportsmanship Cup for the third year in succession. The team usually played good football and even when ragged, never gave up. Bob Baker and Wayne Carter again led the goal scorers, with 31 and 12 respectively.

In December, Bob Baker and Steve Beale were substitutes for the Eastbourne and Hastings Football League representative side against the West Sussex League in the Sussex County Football Association Inter-League (Intermediate) Cup.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
4/9/1980WestfieldHomeFriendly1 – 1G Rowley
13/9/1980Drive SpartanAwayLeague0 – 3
20/9/1980Pevensey and Westham IIHomeLeague4 – 0Steve Beale, Bob Baker, Paul Milton, Own Goal
27/9/1980Dental Estimate BoardAwayLeague0 – 4
4/10/1980Old CesterfieldiansHomeA F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round2 – 2 *Ian Ruddock, Bob Baker
11/10/1980Mountfield UnitedAwayLeague6 – 0Paul Milton 2, Bill Black, John Crisford, Jimmy Fuggle, Wayne Carter
18/10/1980Hampden Park AthleticAwayLeague1 – 4Bob Baker
25/10/1980Old CesterfieldiansAwayA F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round Replay4 – 2Dave Coombes 2, Jimmy Fuggle, Bob Baker (pen)
1/11/1980Old Pelhamians IIHomeA F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round5 – 3Bob Baker 2, Andrew Dunlop, Paul Milton, Wayne Carter
22/11/1980Hampden Park AthleticHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Premier Division Cup 1st Round1 – 1Steve Beale
6/12/1980Old Uxonians IIAwayA F A Intermediate Cup 3rd Round4 – 1Bob Baker 3, John Crisford
13/12/1980Linton AthleticAwayHastings F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round2 – 0Wayne Carter, Bob Baker
1/1/1981Eastbourne and Hastings League Junior XIHomeFriendly2 – 0Jimmy Fuggle, Bob Baker
3/1/1981Hampden Park AthleticAwayEastbourne and Hastings League Premier Division Cup 1st Round Replay2 – 1Wayne Carter, Bob Baker
10/1/1981Old Suttonians IIHomeA F A Intermediate Cup 4th Round3 – 3 *Wayne Carter 2, Bob Baker (pen)
17/1/1981Old Suttonians IIAwayA F A Intermediate Cup 4th Round Replay2 – 5Bob Baker, Paul Milton
24/1/1981Langney SportsHomeLeague0 – 2
31/1/1981StamcoAwayLeague0 – 5
7/2/1981BurwashAwayRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round2 – 1John Crisford, Bob Baker
14/2/1981Dental Estimate BoardHomeLeague5 – 9P Milton 2, Jimmy Fuggle, Bob Baker, Wayne Carter
21/2/1981StamcoHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Premier Division Cup 2nd Round0 – 2
28/2/1981Langney SportsAwayLeague0 – 1
21/3/1981Hampden Park AthleticHomeLeague1 – 2Bob Baker
28/3/1981Eastbourne RangersAwayLeague3 – 0Wayne Carter 2, Bob Baker
30/3/1981Battle RangersHomeHastings F A Intermediate Cup 3rd Round2 – 1John Crisford, Bob Baker (pen)
4/4/1981StamcoAwayHastings F A Intermediate Cup Semi-Final1 – 5Bob Baker
7/4/1981The Junior Club TacklewayHomeLeague1 – 1Wayne Carter
11/4/1981Pevensey and Westham IIAwayLeague3 – 1Steve Beale, Colin Shearer, Bob Baker (pen)
16/4/1981StamcoHomeLeague1 – 4Bob Baker
18/4/1981Eastbourne RangersHomeLeague1 – 0Bill Black
23/4/1981Wishing TreeAwayRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 2nd Round0 – 0
25/4/1981Drive SpartanHomeLeague2 – 2Bob Baker, Wayne Carter
28/4/1981The Junior Club TacklewayAwayLeague2 – 1John Crisford, Jamie Adams
2/5/1981Mountfield UnitedHomeLeague3 – 1Bob Baker 3 (1 pen)
4/5/1981Wishing TreeHomeRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 2nd Round Replay3 – 0Bob Baker 2, Wayne Carter
21/5/1981Wittersham
Neutral<Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup Semi-Final5 – 2Bob Baker 3, Steve Beale, Own Goal
28/5/1981Heathfield UnitedNeutral<Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup Final1 – 3Jimmy Fuggle

NEWSPAPER REPORTS

2ND TEAM

Chris Morrell, who had deservedly been 2nd XI Player of the Year during the previous season sustained an early season injury which did not clear up and he was missed both for his playing skill and for his leadership. In his absence, Tim Jury captained the side and gained in confidence and authority during the year.

The team made a drab start with only one competitive win until November 29th when a run of six league and cup wins produced thirty three goals. The rest of the season was a bit erratic but to reach the semi-final of the Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup was a good achievement. In spite of three bookings which spoilt our good record, the second team was a normally sporting side with Andrew Dunlop again acting as team manager. Jamie Adams top scored with 22 goals with Nick Jury (10 goals) also reaching double figures.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
28/8/1980East Guldeford and CamberHomeFriendly2 – 2Philip Goodsell, Jamie Adams
2/9/1980Westfield IIAwayFriendly3 – 1Colin Shearer, Bob Baker, Jimmy Ballard
6/9/1980National Westminster Bank XIHomeFriendly1 – 1Nick Batt
8/9/1980Civil Service IIHomeFriendly2 – 3Wayne Carter, Paul Milton
10/9/1980Thomas Peacocke SchoolHomeFriendly0 – 1
27/9/1980Sidley United IIIAwayLeague2 – 8
4/10/1980UdimoreAway<League1 – 4
11/10/1980FirehillsAwayLeague2 – 1Gary Grainger 2
18/10/1980Old Paludians IIIHomeA F A Junior Cup 1st Round0 – 3
25/10/1980Wittersham IIAwayLeague1 – 2Michael Coleman
8/11/1980Sidley United IIIHomeLeague0 – 2
22/11/1980East Guldeford and CamberAwayLeague1 – 12Michael Lockerbie
29/11/1980Flimwell IIAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 2nd Round5 – 1Derek Morley, Nick Jury, Jamie Adams, Larry Cooke, Own Goal
6/12/1980Malvern WayAwayLeague6 – 0Jamie Adams 3, Michael Lockerbie,
13/12/1980SedlescombeHomeLeague10 – 2Jamie Adams 5, Nick Batt 2, Larry Cooke, Colin Shearer, Nick Jury
27/12/1980East Guldeford and CamberHomeLeague3 – 2Nick Jury, Jamie Adams, Nick Batt
3/1/1981FirehillsHomeLeague6 – 3Jamie Adams 2, Derek Morley, Nick Jury, Robin Shearer, Larry Cooke
24/1/1981Tenterden IIAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 3rd Round3 – 1George Potter, Nick Jury, Jamie Adams
31/1/1981Old CentmodiansAwayLeague1 – 2Nick Jury
7/2/1981Sidley United IIIHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Division Two Cup 2nd Round2 – 4Tim Jury, Nick Batt
21/2/1981SedlescombeAwayLeague0 – 4
28/2/1981Robertsbridge UnitedAwayLeague3 – 9Jamie Adams 2, Alan Sutton
21/3/1981UdimoreAway<League3 – 3Derek Morley, Nick Jury, Michael Lockerbie
4/4/1981Wittersham IIHomeLeague1 – 5Jamie Adams
11/4/1981BeckleyHomeLeague4 – 1Jamie Adams 2, Colin Gill, Nick Batt
18/4/1981Robertsbridge UnitedHomeLeague0 – 4
21/4/1981BeckleyAwayLeague1 – 2Steve Beale
25/4/1981Malvern WayHomeLeague4 – 1Jamie Adams 2, Andy Harman, Larry Cooke
Old CentmodiansHomeLeague2 – 5Nick Jury, Jamie Adams
Millers ArmsAwayFriendly2 – 2Nick Jury, Bob Baker
19/5/1981Robertsbridge UnitedNeutral>Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup Semi-Final1 – 3Nick Jury

3RD TEAM

Under the first class leadership of Nick Bellhouse, the third team had their best season for years. They started the season sensationally with three wins, scoring sixteen goals and conceding just one, but the promotion of Nick Batt and Jamie Adams to the 2nd team weakened the side and later results were more ordinary though still satisfactory.

For much of the season the 3rd XI was rather a team of veterans but it was possible to introduce some boys towards the end of the programme. Jamie Adams, though playing in only twelve games was also the third team leading scorer with 20 goals, including five hat-tricks. This gave him a total of 43 goals from 33 matches for all three sides.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
29/8/1980Seeboard IIHomeFriendly6 – 2Wayne Carter 3, R Horsman,
6/9/1980The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHomeFriendly4 – 2John Foster 3, Richard Forrest (pen)
13/9/1980Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club IIHomeLeague7 – 0Jamie Adams 5, John Foster 2
20/9/1980Old Centmodians IIAwayLeague6 – 1Jamie Adams 4, Nick Batt, Jimmy Ballard
27/9/1980Robertsbridge United IIHomeLeague3 – 0John Foster, Nick Batt, Own Goal
4/10/1980Brede Athletic IIAwayLeague3 – 5
11/10/1980The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHomeLeague0 – 2
25/10/1980AFC United IIHomeHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round0 – 3
1/11/1980Re-al SportsAwayLeague5 – 7Jamie Adams 3, John Foster, Gary Grainger
8/11/1980The Junior Club Tackleway IIIAwayLeague2 – 4Nick Bellhouse, Nick Batt
22/11/1980CrowhurstAwayLeague0 – 3
6/12/1980Guestling HomesHomeLeague4 – 4Wayne Carter 3, Stuart Baker
20/12/1980Old Centmodians IIHomeLeague4 – 1Peter Drew 2, Paul Milton 2
3/1/1981Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club IIAwayLeague3 – 1C Morris 2, Jimmy Ballard
10/1/1981Guestling HomesAwayLeague1 – 2
31/1/1981Brede Athletic IIHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Division Four Cup 2nd Round1 – 3Robert Glazier
7/2/1981Robertsbridge United IIAwayLeague3 – 1Robert Glazier 2, Graham Collins
14/2/1981Steadfast UnitedAwayLeague3 – 2Jamie Adams 3
21/2/1981Northiam 75 IIAwayLeague1 – 2Robert Glazier
28/2/1981Seeboard IIHomeLeague0 – 0
28/3/1981Steadfast UnitedHomeLeague2 – 3Peter Drew, Robert Glazier
4/4/1981Seeboard IIAwayLeague1 – 3Richard Forrest
11/4/1981CrowhurstHomeLeague0 – 2
21/4/1981Brede Athletic IIHomeLeague6 – 1Jamie Adams 4, Stuart Moor,
23/4/1981Northiam 75 IIHomeLeague2 – 2Jamie Adams,
3/5/1981Re-al SportsHomeLeague2 – 6Michael Lockerbie, Robert Glazier

NEWSPAPER REPORT

VETERANS

The Veterans beat Old Foresters Veterans 3-0 in the A F A Veterans Cup before losing to Old Finchleians Veterans in the next round, both on extremely wet days. In the Hastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup the side went down 2-1 to Westfield Veterans.

VETERANS PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
15/11/1980Old Foresters VeteransHomeA F A Veterans Cup 2nd Round3 – 0Brian Thomas, Jack Heskett, Alan Sutton
14/12/1980Old Finchleians VeteransHomeA F A Veterans Cup 3rd Round2 – 6Alan Sutton, Dave Minett
Westfield VeteransHomeHastings F A Veterans Cup 1st Round1 – 2George Potter

SEMI-VETERANS

A Semi-Veterans team played a friendly against G W R on Easter Monday in 1981.

SEMI-VETERANS PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
20/4/1981G W RHomeFriendly1 – 3John Causer

BOYS TEAM

The club made some progress in catering for local boys once again. Stuart Moor held a regular 1st XI place all season and Peter Redmond came into the first team late in the season. Several friendly games were played which introduced some useful boys to the club.

BOYS TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
East GuldefordAwayFriendly4 – 10David Hopper 3, Russell Drew
East GuldefordAwayFriendly
East GuldefordHomeFriendly
6/5/1981WittershamAwayCup (Under 16) 1st Leg2 – 4
12/5/1981WittershamHomeCup (Under 16) 1st Leg2 – 4

SEASON AWARDS

GENERAL MATTERS

Andrew Dunlop (1st XI) and Andy Harman (2nd XI) were the winners of the Player of the Year awards while Tim Bedford received the Bert Glazier Cup. An end of season social at the Smugglers combined presentations with a pleasant get-together.

Robin Shearer again did good work in marking out the pitch at Icklesham, while Tim Jury was an active representative on the Icklesham Trust Committee. The club was not able to use the pitch at Guestling owing to the refusal of the cricket club there to grant permission to use the changing facilities. This proved a serious complication.

The Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday, 7th July 1981 at the Robin Hood Inn, Icklesham at 7.55 pm.

CLUB OFFICIALS