Season 1997-98

61ST SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The 1997-98 season was one of contrasts, but the club won its first silverware in over a decade with the second team lifting the Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup.

1ST TEAM

For the first team it was a case of deja vu. For the second successive season a very poor start was made and for the second successive season the manager resigned within a few weeks. As with last year, the whole season was a struggle and once again it was only the worse form of Punnetts Town and Eastbourne Fishermen that kept the side out of the bottom two. Both these sides were re-elected to the Premier Division at the end of the 1996-97 season despite finishing in the relegation places, however, this would not be the case for the coming season as both had now been relegated so the 1st XI could not rely on this situation again next year.

There were one or two highlights during the season notably the well deserved 2-2 draw away to ex-County League side Seaford. If the referee had shown a little more courage in front of a hostile home crowd the team would have been awarded a penalty in the fourth minute of time added on to secure the match 3-1, but he played on and Seaford broke away immediately and scored a ninety fifth minute equaliser. Paul Harrison ended the year as top scorer for the first team with 7 goals.

The away game at Punnetts Town will long live in the memory of those who played in the match. The team arrived nice and early, fifty minutes early in fact which was unheard of at the time and were about to get changed when John Ensell said “ Karl did you remember the kit?”. For the next five minutes all that was heard from Karl Tarrant was mumblings such as “Mum’s on holiday”, “ forgot all about it”, “oh no!, er, oh no!” as well as numerous expletives. To save the day the young guns in the team raced back to Hastings to find it as the rest of the side waited on a cold December afternoon dressed in shin pads and underpants. The referee delayed the kick-off just in time for the kit to arrive, however, as it was dumped on the floor in a matted rotten mess it was obvious that Karl had forgotten to mention that it hadn’t been washed either. As the players donned the shirts they felt a warm glow as stagnant steam rose from the armpits – the club certainly knows how to impress the opposition. The team started the game smelling like a cesspit and playing worse – they lost 5-0!

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTSGOAL SCORERS
13/9/1997PolegateHomeLeague1 – 3Tony Forster
20/9/1997Cranbrook TownHomeLeeford Place Challenge Cup 1st Round3 – 1
27/9/1997Seaford TownAwayLeague2 – 2Ian Carter, Paul Harrison
11/10/1997AFC FalconsHomeSussex Intermediate Cup 1st Round0 – 5
18/10/1997Rock-a-NoreHomeHastings F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round1 – 3Dave Harding
25/10/1997Old Tenisonians IIAwayA F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round0 – 3
1/11/1997Wadhurst UnitedAwayLeague0 – 6
15/11/1997Northiam 75HomeLeague1 – 3Steve Fuller
22/11/1997Eastbourne FishermenHomeLeague4 – 3Paul Harrison 2, Karl Tarrant, Bob Baker
29/11/1997Northiam 75AwayLeague1 – 1Karl Tarrant
6/12/1997Seaford TownHomeLeague1 – 4Paul Harrison
13/12/1997Punnetts TownAwayLeague0 – 5
10/1/1998Pebsham SibexAwayLeeford Place Challenge Cup 2nd Round1 – 3Martin Tytherleigh
7/2/1998Eastbourne FishermenAwayLeague0 – 0
14/2/1998Punnetts TownHomeLeague3 – 1Martin Tytherleigh, Jim Taberman, Steve Fuller
21/2/1998Hollington UnitedHomeLeague1 – 6Steve Fuller
28/2/1998Rock-a-NoreAwayLeague0 – 3
14/3/1998Hollington UnitedAwayLeague1 – 7Karl Tarrant
21/3/1998Tenterden St Michaels IIHomeRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 2nd Round2 – 4Paul Harrison, Steve Fuller
28/3/1998Rock-a-NoreHomeLeague0 – 6
4/4/1998Willingdon AthleticHomeLeague2 – 2Paul Harrison, Own Goal
18/4/1998PolegateAwayLeague1 – 4Steve Fuller
29/4/1998Wadhurst UnitedHomeLeague1 – 9Russell Drew
2/5/1998Willingdon AthleticAwayLeague1 – 6Paul Harrison

NEWSPAPER REPORTS

2ND TEAM

The second team made a very solid start to the season and remained unbeaten in the league going into December. However, too many games were drawn to mount a serious challenge in the league and the run in the Lower Divisions Cup acted as a distraction towards the end of the season, with the result that the side finished in fifth position. In truth the team was capable of much better, being one of only two sides to defeat champions Pebsham Sibex III and completing the double over third placed Hastings Rangers. At least one point was taken off every other side in the division.

The performances in the Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup were outstanding and turned this into a memorable season. In the second round, divisional runners-up Ninfield United II were defeated and in the semi-final Blacklands from Division Five were beaten 5-1 in a very one-sided contest.

The final at the Pilot Field saw the team facing the runners-up from the division above in Old Centmodians II, who were also the highest scoring side throughout the East Sussex League. At half time, Old Centmodians II led 3-1 but the character shown by the 2nd XI in the second half saw them through to a 4-3 victory in a highly entertaining game. This was a wonderful occasion and one that carried on well into the night!

The differences with the second team this season were that the side had pace up front coupled with more consistency in front of goal and also had real strength in depth. There were no real weaknesses in the side and goals were scored from all over the pitch. Adam Bourne, who only signed for the club in mid season led the scorers with 24 goals including six hat-tricks – three scored in successive games. Adam was unlucky to miss the Lower Divisions Cup Final after picking up a serious injury in the match at Punnetts Town II a few days before the final. Sacha Patterson, who netted a hat-trick in the final, finished on 17 goals and Tom Herrieven weighed in with 11.

Before the start of the season the club lost second team manager Rick Fuller who moved to Worthing and then early in the season Robin Frith, who had agreed to assist Rick, also moved away from the area due to work. The club was fortunate to have Michael Hambridge prepared to step in and takeover, ably assisted by Keith Swallow. The Lower Divisions Cup win was a fitting reward for all the hard work they put in.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
13/9/1997Ninfield United IIHomeLeague3 – 3Ian Carter 2, Robin Frith
20/9/1997Westfield IIIAwayLeague5 – 3Jamie Deroe, Tom Herrieven, Richard Payne, Duane Daltrey, Sacha Patterson
27/9/1997Cranbrook Town IIHomeLeague1 – 1Robin Frith
4/10/1997Hawkhurst UnitedAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round0 – 3
11/10/1997Punnetts Town IIAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 1st Round5 – 1Sacha Patterson 2, Troy Whyborne, Robin Frith, Jamie Walker
18/10/1997Battle Rangers IIAwayLeague2 – 2Tom Herrieven, Sacha Patterson
25/10/1997Little Common Albion IIIAwayHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round3 – 2Jamie Walker, Richard Payne, Sacha Patterson
1/11/1997Mountfield UnitedAwayVaripack Challenge Cup 1st Round2 – 3Richard Payne, Stephen Crisford
8/11/1997MayfieldAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 2nd Round1 – 7Troy Whyborne
15/11/1997Iden IIIAwayLeague3 – 2Tom Herrieven 2, Troy Whyborne
6/12/1997Pebsham Sibex IIIAwayLeague2 – 2Keith Swallow, Danny Juniper
13/12/1997Battle Rangers IIHomeLeague1 – 4Sacha Patterson
10/1/1998Ninfield United IIHome<Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 2nd Round4 – 3Adam Bourne 3, Sacha Patterson
17/1/1998Punnetts Town IIHomeLeague4 – 1Adam Bourne 3, Jamie Walker
24/1/1998Old HastoniansHomeLeague3 – 3Adam Bourne 3
31/1/1998Little Common Albion IIIHomeLeague5 – 2Mark Taylor 2, Tom Herrieven, Sacha Patterson, Jamie Deroe
7/2/1998Battle Rangers IIHomeHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 3rd Round5 – 1Adam Bourne 3, Jamie Deroe, Tom Herrieven
14/2/1998Little Common Albion IIIAwayLeague3 – 3Mark Taylor, Adam Bourne, Tom Herrieven
21/2/1998Cranbrook Town IIAwayLeague2 – 3Mark Taylor, Adam Bourne
28/1/1998Iden IIIHomeLeague4 – 2Adam Bourne 3, Mark Taylor
7/3/1998Hastings RangersHomeLeague6 – 5Adam Bourne 3, Sacha Patterson 2, Jamie Deroe
14/3/1998SBS BlacklandsHomeHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup Semi-Final5 – 1Mark Taylor 2, Grant Murray, Adam Bourne, Sacha Patterson
21/3/1998Hastings RangersAwayLeague3 – 2Grant Murray 2, Tom Herrieven
28/3/1998Pebsham Sibex IIIHomeLeague2 – 1Paul Milton, Tom Herrieven
4/4/1998Ninfield United IIAwayLeague1 – 4Tom Herrieven
11/4/1998Punnetts Town IIAwayLeague5 – 6Adam Bourne 3, Sacha Patterson 2, Tom Herrieven
18/4/1998Westfield IIIHomeLeague3 – 1Sacha Patterson 2, Troy Whyborne
22/4/1998Old Centmodians IINeutral>Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup Final4 – 3Sacha Patterson 3, Mark Taylor
25/4/1998Old HastoniansAwayLeague0 – 4

NEWSPAPER REPORTS

VETERANS

With many players still playing regularly on a Saturday and with midweek fixtures towards the end of the season, it was not reasonable to expect the same players to turn out in the Veterans Cup on a Friday evening. The Hastings Football Association therefore decided to stage the Veterans Cup at the start of the season with games played on a Wednesday evening during September. The veterans, having reached the final of the Hastings F A Veterans Cup for two consecutive seasons, failed to deliver this year and went out in the group stage.

In the A F A competition, the policy of gradually increasing the age limit impaired the club’s ability to compete with far stronger sides and this season could only field nine fit men in the first round match. Regrettably, it has been decided that for the time being the club will no longer enter this competition.

VETERANS PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
3/9/1997Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club VeteransHomeHastings F A Veterans Cup4 – 7Paul Milton 2, Bob Baker 2
10/9/1997Little Common VeteransAwayHastings F A Veterans Cup2 – 2Martin Tytherleigh, Bob Baker
17/9/1997Robertsbridge United VeteransHomeHastings F A Veterans Cup5 – 0
10/1/1998Snaresbrook VeteransHomeA F A Open Veterans Cup 1st Round0 – 7

SEASON AWARDS

THE ICKLESHAM CASUALS FANZINE

Issue number six of the club fanzine ‘About Time Too Fuller!’ was published in April 1998 and included a review of the 1957-58 season, the last time the club won the Lower Divisions Cup.

Issue Number Six – front cover…..

GENERAL MATTERS

The end of season function was a race night held at the Memorial Hall where Mike Beaumont was presented with the first team Players’ Player award and Tony Forster was Manager’s Player. The respective second team awards went to Sacha Patterson and Troy Whyborne and the Bert Glazier Cup to Gary Osborn. A car rally was held prior to the start of the season to raise funds to improve the changing facilities.

Discussion had taken place during the season about entering a third team in the League for the 1998-99 season. An application had been submitted to and accepted by the East Sussex League with the new 3rd XI competing in Division Eight and would play initially at Harrow Lane in Hastings. The nucleus of the team would be the side that had represented Winchelsea Beach at Under-16 level who were keen on continuing playing together. For a long time now an aim had been to get a flow of local youngsters into the club and the link with Winchlsea Beach appeared to be a good opportunity to do this. As most of the players would be only 16 or 17 some older members would be needed to stabilise the side. In the longer term the club would try to secure a pitch nearer to Icklesham with Pannel Lane, Pett, Guestling Playing Field and a pitch being prepared behind the Robin Hood being possibilities.

On 25th May 1998, Martin Tytherleigh completed a bike ride from John O’Groats to Lands End having spent sixty four hours and twenty minutes in the saddle and covering a total distance of 887 miles – this would have been shorter had Martin not got lost north of the Firth of Forth. This was a tremendous achievement and raised the magnificent sum of £521.50 for the Cancer Research Campaign as well as further funds for the football club.

Then in July, duly led once more by Martin, the Icklesham Casuals Male Bonding Club became even more adventurous with a four day trip to Kandersteg in Switzerland to climb the 2562 metres to the Frundenhutte.

The Robin Hood in Icklesham was the venue for the Annual General Meeting which was held on Thursday, 18th June 1998.

CLUB OFFICIALS