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
| EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION |
| Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | 18 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 20 | 71 | 10 |
| Cup | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 19 | N/A |
| All Games | 24 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 27 | 90 | 10 |
| DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULTS | GOAL SCORERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/9/1997 | Polegate | Home | League | 1 – 3 | Tony Forster |
| 20/9/1997 | Cranbrook Town | Home | Leeford Place Challenge Cup 1st Round | 3 – 1 | |
| 27/9/1997 | Seaford Town | Away | League | 2 – 2 | Ian Carter, Paul Harrison |
| 11/10/1997 | AFC Falcons | Home | Sussex Intermediate Cup 1st Round | 0 – 5 | |
| 18/10/1997 | Rock-a-Nore | Home | Hastings F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round | 1 – 3 | Dave Harding |
| 25/10/1997 | Old Tenisonians II | Away | A F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round | 0 – 3 | |
| 1/11/1997 | Wadhurst United | Away | League | 0 – 6 | |
| 15/11/1997 | Northiam 75 | Home | League | 1 – 3 | Steve Fuller |
| 22/11/1997 | Eastbourne Fishermen | Home | League | 4 – 3 | Paul Harrison 2, Karl Tarrant, Bob Baker |
| 29/11/1997 | Northiam 75 | Away | League | 1 – 1 | Karl Tarrant |
| 6/12/1997 | Seaford Town | Home | League | 1 – 4 | Paul Harrison |
| 13/12/1997 | Punnetts Town | Away | League | 0 – 5 | |
| 10/1/1998 | Pebsham Sibex | Away | Leeford Place Challenge Cup 2nd Round | 1 – 3 | Martin Tytherleigh |
| 7/2/1998 | Eastbourne Fishermen | Away | League | 0 – 0 | |
| 14/2/1998 | Punnetts Town | Home | League | 3 – 1 | Martin Tytherleigh, Jim Taberman, Steve Fuller |
| 21/2/1998 | Hollington United | Home | League | 1 – 6 | Steve Fuller |
| 28/2/1998 | Rock-a-Nore | Away | League | 0 – 3 | |
| 14/3/1998 | Hollington United | Away | League | 1 – 7 | Karl Tarrant |
| 21/3/1998 | Tenterden St Michaels II | Home | Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 2nd Round | 2 – 4 | Paul Harrison, Steve Fuller |
| 28/3/1998 | Rock-a-Nore | Home | League | 0 – 6 | |
| 4/4/1998 | Willingdon Athletic | Home | League | 2 – 2 | Paul Harrison, Own Goal |
| 18/4/1998 | Polegate | Away | League | 1 – 4 | Steve Fuller |
| 29/4/1998 | Wadhurst United | Home | League | 1 – 9 | Russell Drew |
| 2/5/1998 | Willingdon Athletic | Away | League | 1 – 6 | Paul Harrison |
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!
| 2ND TEAM HASTINGS AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LOWER DIVISIONS CUP WINNERS 1997-98 Back row (left to right):- Keith Swallow (assistant manager), David Mayne, Sacha Patterson, Gary Osborn, Jamie Walker, Jamie Deroe, Duane Daltrey, Mark Taylor, Steve Beale. Front row (left to right):- Maichael Hambridge (manager), Danny Juniper, Troy Whyborne (captain), Grant Murray, Sean Taberer, Paul Milton, Tom Herrieven. Front:- Adam Bourne. |
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
| EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION SIX |
| Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | 20 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 58 | 54 | 33 |
| Cup | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 29 | 24 | N/A |
| All Games | 29 | 15 | 6 | 8 | 87 | 78 | 33 |
| DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULT | GOAL SCORERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/9/1997 | Ninfield United II | Home | League | 3 – 3 | Ian Carter 2, Robin Frith |
| 20/9/1997 | Westfield III | Away | League | 5 – 3 | Jamie Deroe, Tom Herrieven, Richard Payne, Duane Daltrey, Sacha Patterson |
| 27/9/1997 | Cranbrook Town II | Home | League | 1 – 1 | Robin Frith |
| 4/10/1997 | Hawkhurst United | Away | Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round | 0 – 3 | |
| 11/10/1997 | Punnetts Town II | Away | Hastings F A Junior Cup 1st Round | 5 – 1 | Sacha Patterson 2, Troy Whyborne, Robin Frith, Jamie Walker |
| 18/10/1997 | Battle Rangers II | Away | League | 2 – 2 | Tom Herrieven, Sacha Patterson |
| 25/10/1997 | Little Common Albion III | Away | Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round | 3 – 2 | Jamie Walker, Richard Payne, Sacha Patterson |
| 1/11/1997 | Mountfield United | Away | Varipack Challenge Cup 1st Round | 2 – 3 | Richard Payne, Stephen Crisford |
| 8/11/1997 | Mayfield | Away | Hastings F A Junior Cup 2nd Round | 1 – 7 | Troy Whyborne |
| 15/11/1997 | Iden III | Away | League | 3 – 2 | Tom Herrieven 2, Troy Whyborne |
| 6/12/1997 | Pebsham Sibex III | Away | League | 2 – 2 | Keith Swallow, Danny Juniper |
| 13/12/1997 | Battle Rangers II | Home | League | 1 – 4 | Sacha Patterson |
| 10/1/1998 | Ninfield United II | Home< | Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 2nd Round | 4 – 3 | Adam Bourne 3, Sacha Patterson |
| 17/1/1998 | Punnetts Town II | Home | League | 4 – 1 | Adam Bourne 3, Jamie Walker |
| 24/1/1998 | Old Hastonians | Home | League | 3 – 3 | Adam Bourne 3 |
| 31/1/1998 | Little Common Albion III | Home | League | 5 – 2 | Mark Taylor 2, Tom Herrieven, Sacha Patterson, Jamie Deroe |
| 7/2/1998 | Battle Rangers II | Home | Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 3rd Round | 5 – 1 | Adam Bourne 3, Jamie Deroe, Tom Herrieven |
| 14/2/1998 | Little Common Albion III | Away | League | 3 – 3 | Mark Taylor, Adam Bourne, Tom Herrieven |
| 21/2/1998 | Cranbrook Town II | Away | League | 2 – 3 | Mark Taylor, Adam Bourne |
| 28/1/1998 | Iden III | Home | League | 4 – 2 | Adam Bourne 3, Mark Taylor |
| 7/3/1998 | Hastings Rangers | Home | League | 6 – 5 | Adam Bourne 3, Sacha Patterson 2, Jamie Deroe |
| 14/3/1998 | SBS Blacklands | Home | Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup Semi-Final | 5 – 1 | Mark Taylor 2, Grant Murray, Adam Bourne, Sacha Patterson |
| 21/3/1998 | Hastings Rangers | Away | League | 3 – 2 | Grant Murray 2, Tom Herrieven |
| 28/3/1998 | Pebsham Sibex III | Home | League | 2 – 1 | Paul Milton, Tom Herrieven |
| 4/4/1998 | Ninfield United II | Away | League | 1 – 4 | Tom Herrieven |
| 11/4/1998 | Punnetts Town II | Away | League | 5 – 6 | Adam Bourne 3, Sacha Patterson 2, Tom Herrieven |
| 18/4/1998 | Westfield III | Home | League | 3 – 1 | Sacha Patterson 2, Troy Whyborne |
| 22/4/1998 | Old Centmodians II | Neutral> | Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup Final | 4 – 3 | Sacha Patterson 3, Mark Taylor |
| 25/4/1998 | Old Hastonians | Away | League | 0 – 4 |
| Notes < Match played at Harrow Lane > Match played at the Pilot Field |
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 clubs 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
| Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cup | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 16 | 4 |
| DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULT | GOAL SCORERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/9/1997 | Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club Veterans | Home | Hastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup | 4 – 7 | Paul Milton 2, Bob Baker 2 |
| 10/9/1997 | Little Common Veterans | Away | Hastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup | 2 – 2 | Martin Tytherleigh, Bob Baker |
| 17/9/1997 | Robertsbridge United Veterans | Home | Hastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup | 5 – 0 | |
| 10/1/1998 | Snaresbrook Veterans | Home | A F A Open Veterans Cup 1st Round | 0 – 7 |
SEASON AWARDS
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 and issue number six of the Club Fanzine ‘About Time Too Fuller!’ was published in April 1998.
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.