Season 2003-04

67TH SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The 2003-04 season was again a difficult one.

The first team finished in the bottom two in the Premier Division on their return to intermediate football, but did have some decent results during the year and also reached the final of the Blacklands Finance Challenge Cup, but having comfortably disposed of Old Centmodians in the semi-final, were expelled from the competition for fielding an ineligible player. The 2nd XI once more ended in mid-table, mixing some good performances with some disappointing ones while the third team, despite suffering some heavy defeats recorded more victories and picked up more points than in the previous season. The veterans were runners-up in the Hastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup, again facing Little Common Veterans in the final, but this time the result did not go their way.

1ST TEAM

The first team were having a reasonable season up until the end of January and were comfortably placed in the Premier Division. This included good league victories over Punnetts Town, Peche Hill Select and Willingdon Athletic as well as an excellent win against St Leonards Social in the Hastings F A Intermediate Cup. However, a run of only one draw and six defeats in seven games left the side needing to beat bottom of the table Northiam 75 in the last match of the season to stay out of the relegation zone. A late Northiam equaliser meant the game was drawn 3-3 and therefore a bottom two finish. The side would almost certainly have retained their place in the top division with the East Sussex League relegating only one team but the decision taken by the club to drop the 1st team made this irrelevant.

The poor run late in the season coincided with leading scorer Karl Tarrant moving to Sidley United to play County League football. Not only did the side miss Karl’s goals, but also his all round contribution to the side.

1st Team v Little Common

Little Common Recreation Ground – Saturday, 8th November 2003

The 1st XI reached the final of the Blacklands Finance Challenge Cup for the first time after victories in the early rounds over Cranbrook Town (6-3) and Punnetts Town (2-1). The semi-final was played under floodlights at Gullivers Sports Ground in Sidley and although a deserved 4-0 victory was achieved over Old Centmodians, the team were removed from the competition and Old Centmodians reinstated as Grant Murray, who was unable to turn out regularly during the season due to work commitments, had at the time played only four matches and not the five required to qualify to play in the semi-final under the rules of the competition.

1st Team v Old Centmodians

Gullivers Sports Ground, Sidley – Monday, 22nd March 2004

Karl Tarrant with 18 goals finished the season as leading goal scorer followed by Mark Larkin with 14 while Mike Beaumont missed just one match.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
League18459355217
Cup85032015N/A #
Friendly210195N/A
All Games2810513647217
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
23/8/2003Punnetts TownHome<Friendly3 – 4Steve Baker 2, Luther Sullivan
30/8/2003Icklesham Casuals IIHome<Friendly6 – 1Mark Taylor 2, Gavin Moor 2, Karl Tarrant 2
6/9/2003Hollington UnitedHomeLeague1 – 2Steve Baker
13/9/2003Heathfield UnitedHomeLeague4 – 4Mark Larkin 3, Karl Tarrant
20/9/2003Rock-a-NoreAwayLeague0 – 4
27/9/2003Little CommonHomeLeague2 – 2Mark Larkin, Karl Tarrant
4/10/2003Northiam 75HomeLeague5 – 3Mike Beaumont 2, Karl Tarrant, Luther Sullivan, Bob Baker
11/10/2003HurstpierpointHomeSussex Intermediate Cup 1st Round1 – 2Karl Tarrant
25/10/2003St Leonards SocialAwayHastings F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round3 – 2Mark Larkin 2, Jim Taberman
1/11/2003Cranbrook TownAwayBlacklands Finance Challenge Cup 2nd Round6 – 3Karl Tarrant 3, Mark Larkin 2, Luther Sullivan
8/11/2003Little CommonAwayLeague3 – 3Karl Tarrant, Mark Larkin, Luther Sullivan
15/11/2003Hooe SportsAwayRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round1 – 1 *Mark Larkin
22/11/2003Punnetts TownAway>League4 – 3Karl Tarrant 2, Jim Taberman 2
6/12/2003The Junior Club TacklewayHomeHastings F A Intermediate Cup 3rd Round3 – 4Karl Tarrant 2, Bob Baker
13/12/2003Rock-a-NoreHomeLeague0 – 6
3/1/2004Peche Hill SelectHomeLeague4 – 0Mark Taylor, Steve Baker, Mark Larkin, Karl Tarrant
10/1/2004Willingdon AthleticHomeLeague3 – 0Karl Tarrant, Dave Southall, Mark Larkin
17/1/2004Punnetts TownAwayBlacklands Finance Challenge Cup 3rd Round2 – 1Karl Tarrant, Mark Taylor (pen)
24/1/2004Punnetts TownHomeLeague1 – 4Grant Murray
14/2/2004Peche Hill SelectAwayLeague0 – 4
21/2/2004Rock-a-NoreHomeRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 2nd Round0 – 2
28/2/2004Heathfield UnitedAwayLeague2 – 2Luther Sullivan, Mark Taylor
13/3/2004Willingdon AthleticAwayLeague1 – 2Grant Murray
20/3/2004St Leonards SocialHomeLeague0 – 4
22/3/2004Old CentmodiansNeutral^Blacklands Finance Challenge Cup Semi-Final4 – 0 #Grant Murray, Mark Taylor (pen), Karl Tarrant, Mark Larkin
27/3/2004St Leonards SocialAwayLeague1 – 3Luther Sullivan
3/4/2004Hollington UnitedAwayLeague1 – 3Grant Murray
10/4/2004Northiam 75AwayLeague3 – 3Mark Taylor, Mike Beaumont, Mark Larkin
Notes
All home matches played at Tilekiln Recreation Ground except < played at Guestling Playing Fields
* After Extra Time – won 5-3 on penalties
> Match played at Claverham School
^ Match played at Gullivers Sports Ground, Sidley
# Match awarded to Old Centmodians on appeal – Icklesham Casuals played an ineligible player

2ND TEAM

The second team struggled in the league and found themselves in the relegation zone for much of the season although the side had games in hand on all the teams directly above them but a strong finish with five wins in the last six matches including a 5-3 victory over runners-up The Junior Club Tackleway II saw them to a comfortable mid-table position.

Notable successes were achieved in the Hastings F A Junior Cup – 6-1 over Ninfield United II and the Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup – 4-2 against Old Hastonians, both Division Three teams. In both competitions the 2nd XI went out narrowly to Division Two sides, Mountfield United and Hooe Sports. In the first round of the A F A Junior Cup an agonising defeat was suffered on penalties away to Marsh II having drawn 3-3 after extra time.

Sean Baker ended the season as leading scorer with 20 goals, with Phil Badrock and Sacha Patterson both finding the net on 12 occasions.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR
CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
League219111525728 #
Cup93062628N/A
Friendly100116N/A
All Games3112118799128 #
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
30/3/2003Icklesham CasualsAwayFriendly1 – 6
6/9/2003The Junior Club Tackleway IIAwayLeague1 – 4Sacha Patterson
13/9/2003Ninfield United IIHomeHastings F A Junior Cup 1st Round6 – 1Sean Baker 3, Trevor Saunders, Paul Link, Shiva Hart
20/9/2003BurwashHomeLeague1 – 0 #Bradley Chapman
27/9/2003Old HastoniansAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round4 – 2Sacha Patterson 2, Phil Badrock 2
4/10/2003GraffhamAwaySussex Junior Cup 1st Round2 – 11Bradley Chapman, Phil Badrock
11/10/2003Robertsbridge UnitedAwayLeague0 – 2
18/10/2003Westfield IIIAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 2nd Round5 – 0Sean Baker 2, Sacha Patterson 2, Mark Taylor
25/10/2003Old Centmodians IIHomeHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round1 – 3Jon Fitton
1/11/2003Marsh IIAwayA F A Junior Cup 1st Round3 – 3 *Bradley Chapman, Phil Badrock, Bob Baker
8/11/2003CrowhurstHomeLeague1 – 1Sacha Patterson
15/11/2003Eastbourne Fishermen IIAwayLeague2 – 1Jamie Deroe, Sean Baker
22/11/2003Mountfield UnitedAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 3rd Round2 – 3Jamie Deroe, Sacha Patterson
29/11/2003The Junior Club Tackleway IIAwaySussex Memorials Challenge Cup 2nd Round3 – 4Phil Badrock, Jamie Deroe, Sean Baker
6/12/2003Old Centmodians IIAwayLeague1 – 3Phil Badrock
13/12/2003Hooe SportsAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 2nd Round0 – 1
3/1/2004HerstmonceuxHomeLeague0 – 5
10/1/2004Victoria BaptistsHomeLeague3 – 4Paul Link 2, Phil Badrock
24/1/2004Little Common IIHomeLeague1 – 2Jamie Deroe
7/2/2004Castleham UnitedAwayLeague2 – 4Paul Link, Sean Baker
28/2/2004Victoria BaptistsAwayLeague3 – 2Sean Baker 2, Phil Badrock
6/3/2004TravauxHomeLeague6 – 0Paul Link 2, Phil Badrock 2, Sacha Patterson, Mike Beaumont
13/3/2004Castleham UnitedHomeLeague2 – 3Wayne Bumstead, Sacha Patterson
20/3/2004TravauxAwayLeague4 – 6Trevor Saunders, Paul Link,
27/3/2004HerstmonceuxAwayLeague1 – 3Gary Osborn
3/4/2004Robertsbridge UnitedHomeLeague5 – 2Sean Baker 3, Wayne Bumstead (pen), Martin Tytherleigh
10/4/2004CrowhurstAwayLeague4 – 3Paul Link 2, Jon Fitton, Sean Baker
17/4/2004Old Centmodians IIHomeLeague5 – 3Sean Baker 2, Phil Badrock, Sacha Patterson, Mark Taylor
20/4/2004The Junior Club Tackleway IIHomeLeague5 – 3Sean Baker 2, Sacha Patterson 2, Mark Taylor
24/4/2004Little Common IIAwayLeague1 – 4Sean Baker
27/4/2004BurwashAwayLeague4 – 2Phil Badrock, Bob Baker, Wayne Bumstead, Sean Baker
Notes
# Points deducted as Icklesham Casuals played an ineligible player
Points award for unfulfilled fixture v Eastbourne Fishermen II (Home) (21/2/2004)
* After Extra Time – lost 0-3 on penalties

3RD TEAM

The third team had a better year, ending the season with sixteen points from five wins and a draw but more importantly succeeded in the main aim of the side in introducing some promising young players to the club, among them were Tim Hambridge, George, Jack and Sam Richardson, Alfie Weller and Freddie Williams. The side suffered some heavy defeats, particularly in the early months of the season, but under the management of Michael Hambridge with assistance from Keith Swallow, team spirit remained good throughout.

3rd Team v Magham Down II

Red Lion Field, Magham Down – Wednesday, 21st April 2004

The highlight of the 3rd XI season was the 11-0 home victory at the end of March over Heathfield Hotspurs II which included five goals from 15-year-old Alfie Weller and four from 18-year-old Peter Harris. It was Peter who was top goal scorer with 16 goals.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION SIX
CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
League2451184410216
Cup100115N/A
All Games2551194510716
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
13/9/2003Heathfield Hotspurs IIAwayLeague4 – 2Peter Harris 3, Jon Fitton
20/9/2003Herstmonceux IIHomeLeague0 – 12
27/9/2003Hastings Rangers IIIHomeLeague0 – 3
4/10/2003Wadhurst United IIIHome<League0 – 8
18/10/2003Red LionHome<JCF Jewellery Challenge Cup 1st Round1 – 5Bob Baker
25/10/2003Cranbrook Town IIAwayLeague0 – 11
1/11/2003Magham Down IIHomeLeague1 – 1Stefan Leyland
8/11/2003Peche Hill Select IIHomeLeague2 – 5Peter Harris 2
22/11/2003Bohemia UnitedAwayLeague0 – 2
29/11/2003Mountfield United IIHome<League1 – 2Peter Harris
6/12/2003Hillcrest IIAwayLeague7 – 2Peter Harris 3, Danny Pain 2, Philip Small, Jack Richardson
13/12/2003Herstmonceux IIAwayLeague1 – 8Alfie Weller
20/12/2003Cranbrook Town IIHomeLeague0 – 6
3/1/2004Hastings Rangers IIIAwayLeague1 – 4Sam Richardson
10/1/2004Mountfield United IIAwayLeague1 – 2Jack Richardson
24/1/2004Beulah BaptistAwayLeague1 – 8Peter Harris (pen)
14/2/2004Bohemia UnitedHomeLeague1 – 4Peter Harris
21/2/2004Peche Hill Select IIAwayLeague4 – 1Sam Davidson, Jack Richardson, Peter Harris, Jon Fitton
28/2/2004Beulah BaptistHomeLeague0 – 3
6/3/2004Hillcrest IIHomeLeague5 – 2Jack Richardson 2, Stephen Bowles, Alfie Weller, Bob Baker
27/3/2004Heathfield Hotspurs IIHomeLeague11 – 0Alfie Weller 5, Peter Harris 4, Sam Davidson, Jack Richardson
10/4/2004Wadhurst United IIIAwayLeague0 – 3
17/4/2004Bexhill United IVAwayLeague1 – 6Chris Baker
21/4/2004Magham Down IIAwayLeague2 – 4Alfie Weller, Jon Fitton
28/4/2004Bexhill United IVHome<League1 – 3Alfie Weller
Notes
All home matches played at Guestling Playing Fields except < played at Icklesham Recreation Ground

VETERANS

The veterans had another good year, reaching the final of the Hastings F A Veterans Cup after comfortably winning their group with maximum points following victories over Bexhill United Veterans (4-0), Rock-a-Nore Veterans (5-1) and Westfield Veterans (5-1). The final proved a different proposition against a strong Little Common Veterans side and the team went down 5-2 under the lights at the Pilot Field.

Wayne Bumstead –
Hastings F A Veterans Cup Final, The Pilot Field
CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
Cup43011679
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
3/9/2003Bexhill United VeteransHomeHastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup4 – 0Martin Tytherleigh 2, Pete Gumbrell 2
10/9/2003Rock-a-Nore VeteransAwayHastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup5 – 1Mike Beaumont 2, Martin Tytherleigh, Pete Gumbrell, Steve Fuller
17/9/2003Westfield VeteransAwayHastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup5 – 1Bob Baker 2, Mike Beaumont, Martin Tytherleigh, Pete Gumbrell
1/10/2003Little Common VeteransNeutral<Hastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup Final2 – 5Martin Tytherleigh, Paul Link

SEASON AWARDS

GENERAL MATTERS

Off the field, the potential purchase of the ground at Pannel Lane in Pett in conjunction with Pett Parish Council made some progress with a professional valuation carried out in August 2003 giving a market value for the site of around £45,000.

Towards the end of the season thoughts turned towards 2004-05. Having taken over when the club was struggling to find a first team manager and doing an excellent job, Mike Beaumont had advised that he did not wish to continue in the role. This decision may well have been influenced by the disappointment surrounding the Blacklands Finance Challenge Cup semi-final. Efforts were made to find a suitable replacement and although some interest was shown it was not felt that the right candidate who would maintain the traditions of the club was available.

It had become more and more difficult in recent seasons to run three teams with the minimum age at which children were permitted to play in adult football being increased, additional substitutes allowed for each side and more potential players working on Saturday afternoons or being lost to university or college. It was also a problem in trying to maintain a team at intermediate level where increasingly the club had to recruit players from further afield of intermediate standard and even play 1st team home games in St Leonards as the changing facilities at Icklesham did not meet the requirements for intermediate football. In addition, the decline in the standard of discipline within the club had also become a concern with the number of cautions and sendings-off increasing.

After a great deal of discussion and consideration, the decision was taken to run only two sides during the 2004-05 season as well as the veterans team and in April a letter was sent to the East Sussex League to advise them accordingly. Only local players and those with a long association with the club would be registered and as a result it was felt the club would not be able to compete at the same level as at present with the 1st XI probably now suited to Division Two or Three and the 2nd XI to Division Four or Five. In normal circumstances under League rules it would be necessary withdraw the lowest ranked side but the club were extremely grateful to the East Sussex League who looked upon the situation sympathetically and agreed that the club could withdraw the Premier Division team but with the two remaining sides staying in their current divisions. The second team would therefore become the first team competing in Division Four with the third team would now be the second team and compete in Division Six.

Taking into account the major decision to disband the first team, a move that some members of the first team were understandably not in agreement with, it was felt it inappropriate to hold a presentation evening at the end of the season. The Player of the Year winners were decided and these would be presented at the awards evening at the end of the following season. Gavin Moor was 1st team Players’ Player and John Ensell the Manager’s Player, for the 2nd XI the awards went to Trevor Saunders and Phil Badrock respectively with Jack Richardson and Andrew Dunlop taking the third team trophies.

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