Season 1985-86

49TH SEASON

SEASON REPORT

In retrospect, the 1985-86 season again seems to have been dominated by the weather, which caused so many cancellations due to frozen and waterlogged pitches that between the teams, games were being played about three evenings a week from the time the clocks changed. In these circumstances, players responded well and the club was not forced to cancel any fixtures.

The 2nd and 3rd teams were both in Division Two (East) of the Eastbourne and Hastings League and the club maintained its reputation for sportsmanship with the first and third teams tying as runners-up for the Hastings F A Sportsmanship Cup and no one from any side being cautioned or sent-off.

1ST TEAM

The 1st team played a near record number of cup ties in various competitions and did well in the A F A Intermediate Cup, reaching the last sixteen which equalled the best performance in the competition. The side knocked out South Bank Polytechnic II (after a replay), Old Fincunians II, Old Isleworthians II (also after a replay) and Hale End Athletic II, before losing to the holders Old Bromleians II 2-0. The two goals in the last four minutes at Isleworth to save the game, including Andy Harman’s last minute equaliser, making it a game to remember. The side reached the semi-final of both the Eastbourne and Hastings League Challenge Cup and Premier Division Cup.

The 1st team was a reasonably well-balance side, without being as good as Firehills and Manhattan, who finished in the top two positions in the league. The team was once more well-led by Bob Baker and the eighty-five goals scored was the highest for several seasons. Bob Baker was top scorer with 26, but the goals were well shared out with Hugh Sullivan (18) and Russell Drew and Paul Milton (13 each) all making significant contributions. The Player of the Year Trophy was deservedly went to Jon Fuller, who travelled regularly from Eastbourne as well as giving commanding displays in the middle of the defence.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

EASTBOURNE AND HASTINGS FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
League15816323419 #
Cup179354236N/A
Friendly3201115N/A
All Games3519412857519 #
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
25/8/1985Rye United IIHomeFriendly7 – 1Russell Drew 2, Bob Baker 2, Martin Tytherleigh, Hugh Sullivan, Own Goal
3/9/1985Stamco IIAwayFriendly1 – 3Jon Fuller
7/9/1985National Westminster BankHomeFriendly3 – 1Hugh Sullivan 2, Russell Drew
14/9/1985Eastbourne Rangers IIHomeLeague3 – 2Paul Milton, Bob Baker, Hugh Sullivan
21/9/1985ManhattanAwayLeague1 – 3Martin Tytherleigh
28/9/1985Willingdon Athletic IIHomeLeague2 – 1Bob Baker, Hugh Sullivan
5/10/1985Eastbourne Rangers IIAwayEastbourne and Hastings League Challenge Cup 1st Round4 – 1Paul Milton 3, Russell Drew
12/10/1985South Bank Polytechnic IIAwayA F A Intermediate Cup Preliminary Round3 – 3 *Bob Baker 3 (1 pen)
19/10/1985South Bank Polytechnic IIHomeA F A Intermediate Cup Preliminary Round Replay5 – 1Hugh Sullivan 2, Andy Harman, Paul Milton, Russell Drew
26/10/1985Magham DownAwayLeague3 – 7Bob Baker (pen), Hugh Sullivan, Tony Forster (pen)
9/11/1985Old Fincunians IIHomeA F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round4 – 1Bob Baker 2, Hugh Sullivan 2
16/11/1985Hastings RangersAwayHastings F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round1 – 0Bob Baker
23/11/1985FirehillsHomeLeague3 – 7Paul Milton, Russell Drew, Bob Baker (pen)
30/11/1985Old Isleworthians IIAwayA F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round3 – 3 *Bob Baker, Hugh Sullivan, Andy Harman
7/12/1985Old Isleworthians IIHomeA F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round Replay5 – 2Bob Baker 3, Hugh Sullivan, Own Goal
14/12/1985Hollington UnitedHomeRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round0 – 3
21/12/1985Langney Sports IIAwayLeague2 – 1Hugh Sullivan, Bob Baker
4/1/1986Hale End Athletic IIAwayA F A Intermediate Cup 3rd Round2 – 0Hugh Sullivan, Russell Drew
18/1/1986Eastbourne Rangers IIAwayLeague2 – 1Russell Drew, Bob Baker
25/1/1986Old Bromleians IIAwayA F A Intermediate Cup 4th Round0 – 2
1/2/1986Dental Estimate Board IIAwayEastbourne and Hastings League Challenge Cup 2nd Round3 – 1Hugh Sullivan 2, Paul Milton
8/3/1986Rock-a-NoreAwayHastings F A Intermediate Cup 3rd Round0 – 5
15/3/1986Stamco IIHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Premier Division Cup 1st Round2 – 1Paul Milton 2
22/3/1986Eastbourne FishermenAwayEastbourne and Hastings League Challenge Cup 3rd Round3 – 3 *Russell Drew, Hugh Sullivan, Own Goal
29/3/1986ManhattanHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Premier Division Cup Semi-Final4 – 6Bob Baker 2 (1 pen), Russell Drew, Hugh Sullivan
5/4/1986Magham DownHomeLeague1 – 0Martin Tytherleigh
12/4/1986Eastbourne FishermenHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Challenge Cup 3rd Round Replay3 – 0Martin Tytherleigh, Russell Drew, Hugh Sullivan
15/4/1986Mountfield UnitedAwayLeague7 – 3Bob Baker 4 (1 pen), Martin Tytherleigh, Wayne Bumstead, Paul Milton
19/4/1986FirehillsAwayEastbourne and Hastings League Challenge Cup Semi-Final0 – 4
24/4/1986Stamco IIAwayLeague1 – 0Russell Drew
26/4/1986Willingdon Athletic IIAwayLeague5 – 0Paul Milton 3, Bob Baker, Own Goal
30/4/1986Stamco IIHomeLeague1 – 2Russell Drew
1/5/1986Mountfield UnitedHomeLeague0 – 0
3/5/1986ManhattanHomeLeague0 – 4
8/5/1986FirehillsAwayLeague1 – 3Bob Baker
Notes
# Points awarded for unfulfilled fixture v Langney Sports II (Home) (10/5/1986)
* After Extra Time

2ND TEAM

A slightly drab flavour was given to the second team record by the large number of drawn games and odd goal defeats and what might have been a good season ended by in a rather sub-standard one, due in large measure to a lack of shooting ability. The exception was in the A F A Junior Cup match away to Old Colfeians III which produced a remarkable score of 6-6 after extra time with Larry Cooke scoring five of the goals. The replay at Icklesham to following Saturday was won 5-0. The 2nd team were defeated 4-2 by Old Tiffinians III in the next round of the competition with future club secretary Keith Swallow netting one of the Old Tiffinians goals.

Larry Cooke, despite missing games through lambing, finished as leading scorer with 16 goals. Chris Morrell set a good example as captain, but the side was fairly elderly in some games and looked in need of some young players.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

EASTBOURNE AND HASTINGS FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO (EAST)
CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
League182610265012 #
Cup83142530N/A
Friendly3201810N/A
All Games297715599012 #
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTSGOAL SCORERS
3/9/1985Seeboard IIHomeFriendly3 – 2Wayne Bumstead 2, Tony Waller
10/9/1985SedlescombeHomeFriendly1 – 5Tony Waller
21/9/1985The Junior Club Tackleway IIIAwayLeague3 – 2Chris Morrell, David Mayne. Own Goal
28/9/1985SedlescombeAwayLeague0 – 3
5/10/1985Old Centmodians IIHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Division Two Cup 1st Round4 – 7Colin Shearer 2, Bill Black, Colin Gill
12/10/1985NetherfieldAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 1st Round 2 – 5Steve Beale 2
19/10/1985Flimwell United IIAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round2 – 1Larry Cooke 2
26/10/1985Old Colfeians IIIAwayA F A Junior Cup 1st Round6 – 6 *Larry Cooke 5, Bill Black
2/11/1985Old Colfeians IIIHomeA F A Junior Cup 1st Round Replay5 – 0Stephen Crisford 2, Colin Gill 2, David Mayne
23/11/1985CrowhurstAwayLeague1 – 1Larry Cooke
30/11/1985Old Tiffinians IIIAwayA F A Junior Cup 2nd Round2 – 4Larry Cooke 2
14/12/1985Park RangersAwayFriendly4 – 3George Potter, J Willard, Peter Bailey
21/12/1985Mountfield United IIAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 2nd Round3 – 0Alan Butler, Chris Morrell, Larry Cooke
18/1/1986Seeboard IIAwayLeague0 – 6
25/1/1986CrowhurstHomeLeague2 – 2Larry Cooke 2
1/2/1986Mountfield United IIHomeLeague3 – 3Larry Cooke 2, Peter Bailey
8/3/1986Old HastoniansHomeRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 3rd Round1 – 7Peter Bailey
15/3/1986Mountfield United IIAwayLeague1 – 1Wayne Bumstead
22/3/1986SedlescombeHomeLeague1 – 2Peter Bailey
29/3/1986Old Centmodians IIAwayLeague2 – 3Wayne Bumstead 2
5/4/1986Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club IIAwayLeague4 – 1Alan Butler, Chris Morrell, Martin Blackford, Roger Taylor
12/4/1986The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHomeLeague1 – 2Robert Palmer
16/4/1986Old Centmodians IIHomeLeague1 – 3Wayne Bumstead
19/4/1986Malvern WayAwayLeague1 – 4Alan Butler
26/4/1986Icklesham Casuals IIIAwayLeague1 – 2Peter Bailey
3/5/1986BeckleyAwayLeague2 – 11 #Warwick Potter, Chris Morrell
6/5/1986Seeboard IIHomeLeague0 – 0
7/5/1986Malvern WayHomeLeague2 – 3Peter Bailey, Larry Cooke
9/5/1986Icklesham Casuals IIIHomeLeague1 – 1Chris Morrell
Notes
# Match v Beckley (3/5/1986) played for 4 points
Points awarded for unfulfilled fixture v Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club II (Home)
* After Extra Time

3RD TEAM

The 3rd team had a cup win at Staplecross in the Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup, but had to wait until 26th April to record a league victory and this was against the 2nd XI. The side was well captained by Nick Bellhouse and in his absence by Peter Bailey and was not nearly as bad a team as the record might suggest. In several games, late goals made all the difference. The third team were good sportsmen and shared runners-up in the Hastings F.A. Sportsmanship Cup.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

EASTBOURNE AND HASTINGS FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO (EAST)
CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
League20121716844
Cup3102922N/A
Friendly110053N/A
All Games243219301094
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
4/9/1985Staplecross IIHomeFriendly5 – 3Anthony Millward 2, Peter Bailey, Stuart Bellhouse, Neil Carman
7/9/1985Malvern WayAwayLeague0 – 5
14/9/1985SedlescombeAwayLeague1 – 5David Mayne
21/9/1985Mountfield United IIHomeLeague0 – 4
28/9/1985Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club IIAwayLeague0 – 4
5/10/1985Seeboard IIAwayLeague0 – 6
12/10/1985Old Centmodians IIHomeLeague0 – 7
26/10/1985Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club IIHomeLeague3 – 4Colin Shearer 2, Ian Braine
2/11/1985The Junior Club Tackleway IIIAwayLeague0 – 3
16/11/1985HartingtonHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Division Two Cup 2nd Round1 – 11
23/11/1985BeckleyAwayLeague2 – 6Peter Bailey, Stephen Crisford
30/11/1985CrowhurstHomeLeague0 – 4
21/12/1985Staplecross IIAwayHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 2nd Round2 – 1Steven Barratt, Ivan Baker
4/1/1986CrowhurstAwayLeague2 – 2Wayne Bumstead 2
18/1/1986SedlescombeHomeLeague1 – 3Trevor Saunders
25/1/1986BeckleyAwayHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 3rd Round6 – 10George Potter 4, Dave Minett, J Willard
15/3/1986Old Centmodians IIAwayLeague0 – 1
22/3/1986Mountfield United IIAwayLeague0 – 8
5/4/1986The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHomeLeague2 – 5Neil Carman 2
15/4/1986Seeboard IIHomeLeague0 – 4
19/4/1986BeckleyHomeLeague0 – 7
26/4/1986Icklesham Casuals IIHomeLeague2 – 1J Willard, Colin Gill
29/4/1986Malvern WayHomeLeague2 – 4
9/5/1986Icklesham Casuals IIAwayLeague1 – 1

VETERANS

The Veterans made an early exit in the Hastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup, losing 2-0 at home to Old Centmodians Veterans in the 1st round of the competition.

VETERANS PLAYING RECORD

CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
Cup100102N/A
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
25/4/1986Old Centmodians VeteransHomeHastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup 1st Round0 – 2

YOUTH AND BOYS TEAMS

Five youth and boys friendly matches were arranged during the season for local youngsters of which three were won, one drawn and one lost.

YOUTH AND BOYS TEAMS PLAYING RECORD

CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
Friendly53111616N/A
DATEOpponentsVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
22/9/1985Leasam HouseAwayFriendly5 – 3Anthony Millward 2, Peter Bailey, Alan Butler, Nick Prince
6/10/1985Tommy Dunlop’s XIHomeFriendly4 – 1Anthony Millward 2, Kevin Blackford, Gary Glazier
Tackleway BoysHomeFriendly2 – 2Peter Bailey 2
Leasam HouseHomeFriendly4 – 2Anthony Millward 2, Trevor Saunders, Neil Carman
Tackleway BoysHomeFriendly1 – 8

SEASON AWARDS

GENERAL MATTERS

The Christmas Draw was resumed and was a great financial success. Thanks were due to all who helped, especially Bob Baker and Martin Tytherleigh. The end of season get-together was transferred from the Smugglers to the Robin Hood and proved an enjoyable evening with Players of the Year being Jon Fuller, Mike Barrett and Paul Hawker while Neil Carman was awarded the Bert Glazier Cup. Terry Blackford and his wife did some excellent catering for the event. An initial meeting of the working party took place to consider the 50th birthday celebrations.

The annual cricket match in July against Pett Cricket Club saw a forty one run victory for Pett who totalled 136 thanks to contributions from John Osborn (34), Ron Barden (25), Nick Jones (17) and Andrew Goodsell (14) with David Mayne (4-37), Dick Crisford (2-6), John Dunk (2-27) and Stuart Baker (1-16) taking the wickets.

In reply the football club could only manage 95 all out thanks mainly to Stuart Baker (33), John Cornford (14) and Peter Brown (11). John Osborn followed up his batting by taking 3-0 with Andrew Goodsell also among the wickets (2-17).

The Annual General Meeting took place at the Robin Hood Inn, Icklesham on Wednesday, 2nd July 1986 at 8.30 pm.