Season 1984-85

48TH SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The forty-eighth season was badly affected by the weather. Rain before Christmas and frost and snow in the new year meant a large number of postponements and rearranged games, many of them in the evenings in April and early May. This caused annoyance to players and difficulty for Will Dunlop as secretary, but the fixtures were eventually completed.

The teams maintained the club’s good name for sporting football, with the first and third teams having no one cautioned or sent off and the second team having one player cautioned for dissent.

1ST TEAM

The club played all season with a rather depleted 1st team squad. It only needed one or two regulars to be missing to give the side a rather makeshift look. The team missed John Crisford, who did not play at all and Andrew Dunlop for his work rate in midfield, but were fortunate in having two new players in Martin Tytherleigh and Mick Booker, both of whom were worth a 1st XI place and who were good sportsmen, win or lose. Bob Baker captained the side well, giving a positive lead in a rather difficult season and was easily leading goal scorer with 21 goals as well as being named Player of the Year.

The side entered five cups, but did not survive a round in any of them, though they did take Bodiam, the East Sussex League champions, to extra time in the Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup. In the league the first team took three points off Magham Down, the title winners and beat runners-up, Manhattan 2-1 at the end of the season when they were favourites to win the league. The team threw away points by their failure to shoot accurately.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

EASTBOURNE AND HASTINGS FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
League206410345120 #
Cup6015516N/A
Friendly220063N/A
All Games288515457020 #
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTSGOAL SCORERS
30/8/1984Rye United IIHomeFriendly2 – 1Paul Milton 2
7/9/1984Thomas Peacocke SchoolHomeFriendly4 – 2Paul Milton 2, Bob Baker,
15/9/1984Magham DownHomeLeague2 – 1Bob Baker 2
22/9/1984Eastbourne ‘A’AwayLeague0 – 3
29/9/1984Old Salesians IIAwayA F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round0 – 2
6/10/1984Langney Sports IIHomeLeague4 – 1Jon Fuller 2, Paul Milton, Bob Baker
13/10/1984Dental Estimate Board IIAwayLeague2 – 1Martin Tytherleigh, Paul Milton
20/10/1984BlacklandsAwayHastings F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round2 – 2 *Bob Baker 2 (1 pen)
27/10/1984Stamco IIHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Challenge Cup 1st Round0 – 1
3/11/1984Eastbourne ‘A’AwayEastbourne and Hastings League Premier Division Cup 1st Round1 – 3Bob Baker (pen)
10/11/1984Eastbourne Working Men’s ClubAwayLeague1 – 5Paul Milton
1/12/1984BlacklandsHomeHastings F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round Replay1 – 3Bob Baker
8/12/1984Langney Sports IIAwayLeague3 – 5Martin Tytherleigh, Bill Black, Bob Baker (pen)
29/12/1984Eastbourne Rangers IIAwayLeague2 – 2Mark Chapman, Bob Baker
26/1/1985BodiamAwayRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round1 – 5 *Bob Baker
23/2/1985Willingdon Athletic IIAwayLeague1 – 6Bob Baker
9/3/1985Stamco IIAwayLeague0 – 1
16/3/1985Eastbourne ‘A’HomeLeague1 – 1Own Goal
30/3/1985Magham DownAwayLeague4 – 4Bob Baker 3, Russell Drew
6/4/1985Eastbourne Working Men’s ClubHomeLeague2 – 3Mark Chapman, Bob Baker
9/4/1985FirehillsAwayLeague0 – 7
13/4/1985ManhattanAwayLeague1 – 2Mark Chapman
20/4/1985Willingdon Athletic IIHomeLeague2 – 0Martin Tytherleigh, Bob Baker
24/4/1985FirehillsHomeLeague1 – 3Paul Milton
27/4/1985Dental Estimate Board IIHomeLeague0 – 2
4/5/1985ManhattanHomeLeague2 – 1Bob Baker 2
7/5/1985Stamco IIAway<League1 – 1Martin Tytherleigh
11/5/1985Eastbourne Rangers IIHomeLeague5 – 2Bob Baker 2 (1 pen), Paul Milton, Hugh Sullivan, Russell Drew
Notes
# Points awarded for unfulfilled fixtures v British Rail Staff Association (Home and Away)
* After Extra Time
< Scheduled home match played away as Icklesham Recreation Ground being used

2ND TEAM

The 2nd XI had quite a good season with several of their defeats occurring with depleted sides and in the league, the side had an excellent home win against runners-up, Clarence. When at full strength, the team were quite a good footballing side, but rather an elderly one and the need for some younger blood to come through was evident.

Colin Shearer was leading scorer with 8 goals, which told its own story. Robin Shearer was Player of the Year, a reward for much marking out of the pitch as well as for many steady displays at right-back.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

EASTBOURNE AND HASTINGS FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO (EAST)
CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
League201019435221 #
Cup4004317N/A #
Friendly100104N/A
All Games2510114467321 #
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
4/9/1984SedlescombeAwayFriendly0 – 4
22/9/1984Mountfield United IIAwayLeague5 – 0Chris Morrell, Tony Waller, Wayne Bumstead, Own Goals 2
29/9/1984Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club IIHomeLeague1 – 0Colin Shearer
6/10/1984ClarenceHomeLeague0 – 1
13/10/1984Old Danes IIIAwayA F A Junior Cup 1st Round0 – 6
20/10/1984Silverton RangersHomeLeague1 – 7Jimmy Britt
27/10/1984BeckleyAwayLeague1 – 7Colin Shearer
3/11/1984Old Centmodians IIHomeLeague3 – 1Peter Bailey, Paul Milton, Larry Cooke
17/11/1984Claverham IIHomeHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round2 – 5Chris Morrell, Stephen Crisford
1/12/1984CrowhurstAwayLeague3 – 2Tony Waller, Colin Gill, Larry Cooke
8/12/1984Mountfield United IIHomeLeague5 – 0Chris Morrell 2, George Potter, Eric Hysted, Hugh Sullivan
29/12/1984SedlescombeHomeLeague3 – 4Wayne Bumstead, Larry Cooke, Chris Morrell
2/2/1985Icklesham Casuals IIIAwayLeague1 – 4Tony Waller
23/2/1985SedlescombeAwayLeague2 – 0Eric Hysted, Jimmy Britt
2/3/1985The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHomeLeague4 – 3Wayne Bumstead 2, Peter Bailey, Eric Hysted
9/3/1985Flimwell United IIAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 2nd Round1 – 2Peter Bailey
16/3/1985The Junior Club Tackleway IIIAwayLeague1 – 0Nick Oak
30/3/1985Old Centmodians IIAwayLeague and Eastbourne and Hastings League Division Two Cup 2nd Round5 – 4 #Colin Shearer 3, Tony Waller,
6/4/1985Icklesham Casuals IIIHomeLeague4 – 4Colin Shearer 2, Tony Waller 2
13/4/1985Drive SpartanHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Division Two Cup 3rd Round0 – 4
17/4/1985BeckleyHomeLeague0 – 2
27/4/1985ClarenceHomeLeague2 – 1Colin Shearer, Hugh Sullivan
4/5/1985Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club IIAwayLeague2 – 4David Mayne, Nick Oak
8/5/1985Silverton RangersAwayLeague0 – 5
11/5/1985CrowhurstHomeLeague0 – 3
Notes
# Match v Old Centmodians II (30/3/1985) played for league points and as cup fixture – included in league details above

3RD TEAM

The third team finished in last place in the bottom division of the league, but many of the defeats were by narrow margins and they kept up their reputation as a sporting and friendly side. Nick Bellhouse was a first class captain and in his absence, Peter Bailey was a capable deputy. Both encouraged the young players to enjoy their football and to try hard whatever the score. The team were rewarded by winning the Hastings F A Sportsmanship Cup, based on referees markings, with an average of over eighty eight per cent.

Peter Bailey led the scoring with 7 goals and Terry Blackford was Player of the Year. Although he only joined the club when already a veteran, he was willing to play in goal, on the field or to go along as a substitute as well as helping to collect and organise the players.

The Bert Glazier Cup for enthusiasm and sportsmanship in a young player went to Robert Palmer, who thoroughly deserved to receive it from Lyn Kipps at an enjoyable end of season get-together at the Smugglers.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

EASTBOURNE AND HASTINGS FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO (EAST)
CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
League20241429928
Cup100115N/A
Friendly100125N/A
All Games222416321028
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
5/9/1984The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHomeFriendly2 – 5Tony Waller, Martin Markowski
15/9/1984Old Centmodians IIAwayLeague2 – 3Wayne Bumstead 2
22/9/1984The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHomeLeague1 – 4Nick Bellhouse
29/9/1984SedlescombeAwayLeague1 – 4Peter Bailey
6/10/1984Mountfield United IIAwayLeague3 – 4Stephen Crisford 2, Hugh Sullivan
13/10/1984Old Centmodians IIHomeLeague2 – 4Tim Jury, Hugh Sullivan
20/10/1984Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club IIAwayLeague2 – 1Peter Bailey 2
27/10/1984ClarenceAwayLeague1 – 7Dave Minett
10/11/1984SedlescombeHomeLeague1 – 3Stephen Crisford
1/12/1984Silverton RangersAwayLeague0 – 13
8/12/1984The Junior Club Takleway IIIAwayLeague0 – 5
15/12/1984CrowhurstHomeLeague1 – 3Michael Scott
29/12/1984CrowhurstAwayLeague1 – 8Nick Bellhouse
26/1/1985Park AlbionAwayEastbourne and Hastings League Division Two Cup 2nd Round1 – 5Ian Santer
2/2/1985Icklesham Casuals IIHomeLeague4 – 1Peter Bailey 2, Nick Oak, Michael Scott
23/2/1985Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club IIHomeLeague3 – 3Peter Bailey, Nick Oak, Wayne Bumstead
2/3/1985BeckleyAwayLeague0 – 7
9/3/1985ClarenceHomeLeague0 – 9
23/3/1985BeckleyHomeLeague1 – 1
30/3/1985Mountfield United IIHomeLeague1 – 1Michael Coleman
6/4/1985Icklesham Casuals IIAwayLeague4 – 4Nick Oak 2,
9/4/1985Silverton RangersHomeLeague1 – 7Stephen Crisford

VETERANS

In the Hastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup the veterans lost a keenly contested game to the holders, Hastings Rangers Veterans.

VETERANS PLAYING RECORD

CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
Cup100112N/A
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
19/4/1985Hastings Rangers VeteransHomeHastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup 1st Round1 – 2John Osborn

BOYS TEAM

Only three boys matches were played largely due to the wet weather before Christmas making extra games inadvisable, and to the frost and snow later. It was hoped to do better in future years as there were a number of promising local boys including several in the village.

BOYS TEAM PLAYING RECORD

CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
Friendly3003318N/A
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
14/9/1984Rye Harbour BoysHomeFriendly1 – 8
17/3/1985Leasam BoysHomeFriendly0 – 6
6/5/1985Tackleway BoysHomeFriendly2 – 4Neil Carman 2

SEASON AWARDS

GENERAL MATTERS

No Christmas Draw was held this year and during the season, preliminary consideration was given to plans for the club’s 50th birthday which would take place in 1987.

The Robin Hood Inn, Icklesham provided the venue for the forty-eighth Annual General Meeting which was held on Tuesday, 2nd July 1985.