Season 1988-89
52ND SEASON
SEASON REPORT
The 1988-89 season proved to be a disappointing one for the first team but the 2nd XI showed some improvement on the previous year. Only six games were lost to the weather compared to twenty in season 1987-88 and as a result both sides completed their fixtures by the end of April with neither team being required to play any mid-week matches.
This was the first season as chairman for Nick Bellhouse who was elected to succeed Eric Hollingsworth at the 1988 Annual General Meeting when Eric stood down having held the role for eleven years. After fifty-one years, it was also the first full season for Icklesham Casuals Football Club without William Dunlop.
1ST TEAM
The 1st XI, after losing 7-0 away to champions Rock-a-Nore in their opening fixture in the Premier Division of the East Sussex Football League, then put together a good run which saw them win five and draw two of their next eight league and cup matches including a 1-1 draw at Sandhurst, the league leaders at the time with a one hundred per cent record. The team then suffered the loss of two key players through injury within two weeks of each other, from which they never recovered. Firstly, an A F A Cup match at Teddington against Lensbury II saw Jon Fuller sustain a serious knee injury which restricted him to just two games in goal during the remainder of the season. Then Paul Milton, having scored four goals in a 5-0 victory over Bodiam earlier in the season, suffered a bad ankle injury in the return fixture.
The first team won just one more match against bottom side Hastings Rangers. In fact they took just three points out of a possible thirty and avoided relegation by just one point. Although the playing record was disappointing, half the defeats were only by the odd goal. These included matches against the best sides in the division, 3-2 in the return with Rock-a-Nore when the side recovered from 3-0 down early in the game and in fact had two other ‘goals’ disallowed, and 1-0 versus Firehills when Richard Forrest put in a tremendous display in goal. Nevertheless, improvement would be needed and the side strengthened if the 1st team wanted to compete in the Premier Division.
Hastings News – Wednesday, 12th April 1989
In June, before the start of the season, a friendly was played which was organised through the Two Sawyers in Pett. Included in the opposition side was former England international and Chelsea and Stoke City star, Alan Hudson.
In a season when the side struggled for the most part no player was outstanding, however Derek French turned in consistent performances each week and was rightly named Player of the Year. Bob Baker top scored once more with 15 goals of which nine came from the penalty spot.
1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD
| EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION |
| Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | 22 | 4 | 2 | 16 | 30 | 57 | 10 |
| Cup | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 14 | N/A |
| Friendly | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 12 | N/A |
| All Games | 34 | 9 | 3 | 22 | 54 | 83 | 10 |
| DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULT | GOAL SCORERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19/6/1988 | Chelsea/Two Sawyers XI | Home | Friendly | 1 – 4 | Bob Baker (pen) |
| 9/8/1988 | Ferring II | Away | Friendly | 3 – 5 | Steve Fuller, Russell Drew, Bill Black |
| 25/8/1988 | Ninfield United | Away | Friendly | 3 – 2 | Alan Butler, Paul Milton, Raj Rayan |
| 3/9/1988 | Pebsham Sibex | Away | Friendly | 3 – 1 | John Dudley, Hugh Sullivan, Bob Baker |
| 17/9/1988 | Rock-a-Nore | Away | League | 0 – 7 | |
| 24/9/1988 | Bodiam | Home | League | 5 – 0 | Paul Milton 4, Russell Drew |
| 1/10/1988 | Ninfield United | Away | League | 2 – 1 | Russell Drew, Jon Fuller |
| 8/10/1988 | Sandhurst | Away | League | 1 – 1 | Russell Drew |
| 15/10/1988 | Westfield | Home | Hastings F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round | 0 – 1 | |
| 22/10/1988 | Harrow | Home | Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round | 3 – 1 | Russell Drew 2, Derek French |
| 29/10/1988 | Stamco II | Away | East Sussex League Challenge Cup 1st Round | 1 – 1 * | Derek French |
| 5/11/1988 | Old Tollingtonians II | Away | A F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round | 3 – 1 | Martin Tytherleigh, Bob Baker, Jon Fuller |
| 12/11/1988 | Stamco II | Home | East Sussex League Challenge Cup 1st Round Replay | 2 – 1 | Stuart Adams, Bob Baker (pen) |
| 19/11/1988 | Hawkhurst United | Home | League | 1 – 2 | Russell Drew |
| 26/11/1988 | Lensbury II | Away | A F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round | 1 – 3 | Bob Baker |
| 3/12/1988 | Hastings Rangers | Home | League | 4 – 2 | Bob Baker 3 (1 pen), Paul Milton |
| 10/12/1988 | Bodiam | Away | League | 1 – 4 | Bill Black |
| 17/12/1988 | Sandhurst | Home | League | 0 – 3 | |
| 31/12/1988 | Iden | Away | East Sussex League Challenge Cup 2nd Round | 2 – 3 * | Mark Stace, Martin Tytherleigh |
| 7/1/1989 | Ninfield United | Home | League | 1 – 1 | Bob Baker (pen) |
| 14/1/1989 | Rusthall | Home | Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 2nd Round | 2 – 3 | Paul Milton, Bob Baker |
| 21/1/1989 | Hooe Sports | Away | League | 3 – 4 | Bob Baker 2 (2 pens), Hugh Sullivan |
| 28/1/1989 | Westfield | Home | League | 0 – 1 | |
| 4/2/1989 | Harrow | Home | League | 0 – 3 | |
| 11/2/1989 | Stamco II | Away | League | 1 – 2 | Bob Baker (pen) |
| 4/3/1989 | Hastings Rangers | Away | League | 4 – 2 | Paul Milton 2, Hugh Sullivan 2 |
| 11/3/1989 | Firehills | Home | League | 0 – 5 | |
| 18/3/1989 | Westfield | Away | League | 0 – 1 | |
| 25/3/1989 | Harrow | Away | League | 1 – 3 | Bob Baker (pen) |
| 1/4/1989 | Stamco II | Home | League | 1 – 3 | Martin Tytherleigh |
| 8/4/1989 | Rock-a-Nore | Home | League | 2 – 3 | Bob Baker (pen), Martin Tytherleigh |
| 15/4/1989 | Firehills | Away | League | 0 – 1 | |
| 22/4/1989 | Hawkhurst United | Away | League | 1 – 5 | Derek French |
| 29/4/1989 | Hooe Sports | Home | League | 2 – 3 | Hugh Sullivan Gavin Stace |
| Notes * After Extra time |
2ND TEAM
Having been relegated the previous year, the 2nd team found themselves in a division more suited to their standard and played some good and enjoyable football. The side finished in seventh place out of ten but this could have been a lot better but for the absence of a regular goalscorer which can be seen from the fact Stephen Crisford and Michael Hambridge ended as joint leading scorers with just 5 goals each. The team held their own against most sides and took at least a point off all except two teams in the division.
After waiting until December 17th for their first win in the league, a great improvement was seen after Christmas and three further victories followed, the best of which was a 3-1 win over Pebsham Sibex II which ended their opponents chances of promotion. They also drew 1-1 at home to divisional champions The Junior Club Tackleway II. Defensively the team did better than in the previous season and Bert Mayatt’s outstanding performances in goal made a large contribution to this. Bert missed just one game and duly won the 2nd team Player of the Year trophy. Wayne Fuller was awarded the Bert Glazier Cup for his consistent displays in a variety of different roles.
Other memorable games included the 3-3 draw away to Pevensey and Westham II, a match of three penalties, two of which were scored by the 2nds and the home game against Silverhill Rangers which was lost 2-1, but went one better for penalties with all four being awarded to the opposition but only one being converted.
There were weeks during the season when sixteen or seventeen players were available for the second team and thanks were due to those who either stood down or started the games as substitute. The club was also grateful to Terry Blackford for managing the team and to John Oak who again refereed on the occasions when no official referee was available.
2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD
| EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION SIX |
| Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | 18 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 25 | 42 | 13 |
| Cup | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 19 | N/A |
| Friendly | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 13 | N/A |
| All Games | 25 | 4 | 5 | 16 | 33 | 74 | 13 |
| DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULT | GOAL SCORERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24/8/1988 | Marina Inn | Away | Friendly | 1 – 7 | Scott Ellis |
| 17/9/1988 | Segas | Home | Friendly | 1 – 6 | Tony Mitchell |
| 24/9/1988 | Silverhill Rangers | Away | League | 1 – 1 | Colin Sinden |
| 1/10/1988 | Fulham Compton Old Boys III | Away | A F A Junior Cup Preliminary Round | 2 – 3 | Bill Black, Dale Glazier |
| 8/10/1988 | Sedlescombe | Home | Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round | 1 – 5 | Paul Hawker (pen) |
| 22/10/1988 | Hillcrest | Away | Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 2nd Round | 2 – 5 | Dale Glazier, Hugh Sullivan |
| 29/10/1988 | Claverham | Home | Hastings F A Junior Cup 2nd Round | 0 – 2 | |
| 5/11/1988 | East Hoathly II | Home | League | 2 – 2 | Hugh Sullivan, Scott Ellis |
| 12/11/1988 | East Guldeford and Camber | Away | East Sussex League Fred Eade Cup 2nd Round | 1 – 4 * | Michael Hambridge |
| 19/11/1988 | The Junior Club Tackleway II | Away | League | 1 – 3 | Stephen Crisford |
| 26/11/1988 | Ticehurst II | Home | League | 0 – 1 | |
| 3/12/1988 | Hillcrest | Away | League | 1 – 7 | Scott Ellis |
| 10/12/1988 | Pevensey and Westham II | Home | League | 1 – 5 | Steve Beale |
| 17/12/1988 | Heathfield Hotspurs | Away | League | 2 – 0 | Bill Black, Michael Hambridge |
| 31/12/1988 | The Junior Club Tackleway II | Home | League | 1 – 1 | Chris Morrell |
| 14/1/1988 | Pesbham Sibex II | Away | League | 1 – 6 | Stephen Crisford |
| 21/1/1988 | Heathfield Hotspurs | Home | League | 3 – 0 | Stephen Crisford, Mick Booker (pen), Michael Hambridge |
| 28/1/1988 | Travaux II | Away | League | 3 – 1 | Dale Glazer 2, Michael Hambridge |
| 4/2/1988 | East Hoathly II | Away | League | 2 – 3 | Michael Hambridge, John Dudley (pen) |
| 11/2/1988 | Travaux II | Home | League | 0 – 0 | |
| 11/3/1988 | Pevensey and Westham II | Away | League | 3 – 3 | Maurice Sargent 2 (2 pens), Stephen Crisford |
| 25/3/1988 | Silverhill Rangers | Home | League | 1 – 2 | Stephen Crisford |
| 1/4/1988 | Ticehurst II | Away | League | 0 – 2 | |
| 15/4/1988 | Pesbham Sibex II | Home | League | 3 – 1 | Maurice Sargent 2 (2 pens), Brian Spiers |
| 22/4/1988 | Hillcrest | Home | League | 0 – 4 |
| Notes Match v Heathfield United II (Away) (15/10/1988) (East Sussex League Fred Eade Cup 1st Round) awarded to Icklesham Casuals II * After Extra Time |
VETERANS
The veterans won their opening match in the Hastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup, 5-1 against Old Centmodians Veterans with Hugh Sullivan scoring a hat-trick. The following week, with a weakened side, they lost by the same margin in the semi-final to holders Rye United. Had George Potter and John Osborn been available and Eric Hysted not sustained an injury in the first few minutes, the result may well have been closer.
VETERANS PLAYING RECORD
| Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cup | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | N/A |
| DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULT | GOAL SCORERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21/4/1989 | Old Centmodians Veterans | Home | Hastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup 1st Round | 5 – 1 | Hugh Sullivan 3, Tony Lennon, Bill Black |
| 28/4/1989 | Rye United Veterans | Home | Hastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup 2nd Round | 1 – 5 | Terry Blackford (pen) |
SEASON AWARDS
GENERAL MATTERS
The Christmas Raffle was again successful although the profit was down on the previous year. The end of season presentation evening was held at the Two Sawyers for the second time.
The cricket match with Pett Cricket Club in June 1988 ended in a draw with the footballers recording a score of 173-8 dec. thanks in no small measure to a knock of 80 from Bert Mayatt whose innings included two sixes and eleven fours. Bert and Stephen Crisford who made 48 added 137 for the fourth wicket. Stuart Baker with 13 not out was the third highest scorer.
In reply, Pett were unable to meet the run rate despite good contributions from Dave Troughton (36), Peter Brown (16) and Andrew Dunlop (16) and ended on 121-7. Bert Mayatt proved useful with the ball taking 2-9 while John Dunk (2-33) and Stuart Baker (2-35) were also among the wickets.
The fifty-second Annual General Meeting was again held in the pavilion at Icklesham Recreation Ground on Wednesday, 21st June at 8 pm.