Season 1954-55

18TH SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The 1954-55 season, the eighteenth of the Club, was on the whole not a memorable one, though it did allow the Club to do some useful building for the future and provided some good games for all three teams. In spite of another poor start, playing records were distinctly better than in the previous season.

1ST TEAM

The first team finished in fifth position which was a great improvement and was achieved with a young side – on several occasions there were either 7 or 8 players between 17 and 21 years old in the team, which taking into account the loss of players due to changing jobs, conscription and matrimony, still affords a great deal of hope for the future. Owing to injuries the 1st XI was never able to field a settled team, and with Tony Gibson only playing a few games and Alf Holdstock having several months away, heavy responsibility fell on the younger players. Of these, Dick Crisford (in goal) and Ron Barden (inside-forward) were both reserves for the Hastings League side against the Lewes League, while Fred Swaine (right back), David French (half-back) and Derrick Pope (left-half) made steady progress, and others showed promise.

Cyril Jeffery with 20 goals was the leading scorer followed by Arthur Watkins (13) and Alan Turner (11) in a forward-line whose shooting often fell short of its approach work. Ron Barden played in all twenty-six matches.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
11/9/1954WestfieldAwayFriendly0 – 6
18/9/1954Hastings Rangers IIHomeLeague1 – 1Frank Baker
25/9/1954Robertsbridge UnitedAwayLeague2 – 2Frank Baker 2
2/10/1954Hollington United IIHomeSussex Junior Cup 1st Round0 – 7
9/10/1954SandhurstHomeLeague3 – 4Alf Holdstock, Frank Baker, D Lacey
16/10/1954Battle Rangers IIHomeRobertsbridge Charity Cup 1st Round2 – 4Ron Barden, Alan Turner
23/10/1954Hollington United IIHomeLeague3 – 3Cyril Jeffery, Bob Lapraik, Alan Turner
30/10/1054Sidley United IIAwayLeague2 – 12Cyril Jeffery 2
6/11/1954Little CommonHomeLeague2 – 1Ron Barden, D Lacey
13/11/1954WestfieldHomeLeague3 – 0Cyril Jeffery 2, Ron Barden
20/11/1954Observer AthleticAwayLeague4 – 2Cyril Jeffery 3, G Hart
27/11/1954Old CentmodiansHomeLeague2 – 2Ron Barden, Cyril Jeffery
18/12/1954Sedlescombe UnitedAwayLeague7 – 2Alan Turner 3, Arthur Watkins 2, Cyril Jeffery 2
27/12/1954Robertson Street Young People’s SocietyAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 2nd Round4 – 1David French, Bob Lapraik, Cyril Jeffery, Frank Baker
22/1/1955Rye United IIAwayLeague2 – 8John Parsons 2
29/1/1955Rye United IIHomeHastings F A Junior Cup 3rd Round3 – 6Cyril Jeffery 2, Alan Turner
12/2/1955Old CentmodiansAwayLeague5 – 3Cyril Jeffery 2, Ron Barden, Arthur Watkins, Alan Turner
26/2/1955SandhurstAwayLeague3 – 5Arthur Watkins, Cyril Jeffery, Own Goal
5/3/1955Rye United IIHomeLeague1 – 4Frank Baker
12/3/1955Hollington United IIAwayLeague3 – 2D Lacey, Alan Turner, Own Goal
26/3/1955WestfieldAwayLeague5 – 3Arthur Watkins 3 (1 pen), Frank Baker, Phil Barling
2/4/1955Sidley United IIHomeLeague6 – 2Arthur Watkins 2, Phil Barling, Cyril Jeffery, Edward Pye, Alan Turner
9/4/1955Robertsbridge UnitedHomeLeague0 – 3
16/4/1955Hastings Rangers IIAwayLeague1 – 2Alf Holdstock
23/4/1955Little CommonAwayLeague5 – 3Arthur Watkins 2, Alan Turner 2, Frank Baker
30/4/1955Observer AthleticHomeLeague7 – 2Arthur Watkins 2, Cyril Jeffery 2, Phil Barling 2, Alf Holdstock

2ND TEAM

The record shows that the season was a good deal more successful for the second team with a weaker defence being more than compensated by a much stronger forward line. The total of 73 goals in league and cup games equalled the best ever for the 2nd XI with Alwyn David (28 goals) and Cyril Rich (24) the main scorers. Each scored five goals in a game with Alwyn David winding up the season with an unusual performance in scoring all five goals from the outside-right position in the victory against the Division Three Cup winners, Robertson Street Young People’s Society. Once again the side owed a debt to Eric Hollingsworth, as captain, and Andy Dunlop, as manager, and also to Bill Jeffery and Gilbert Jeffery for their willingness to turn out at short notice.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
18/9/1954East GuldefordAwayFriendly7 – 2Alwyn David 3, D Lacey 2, Denis Swaine, John Sinden
25/9/1954Robertson Street Young People’s SocietyHomeFriendly2 – 3Alwyn David, Trevor Vince
2/10/1954Robertson Street Young People’s SocietyAwayLeague1 – 1D Lacey
9/10/1954Hastings LabourAwayLeague2 – 5Trevor Vince, Charlie Baker (pen)
16/10/1954R A F Fairlight ‘A’AwayFriendly2 – 8Cyril Rich, Bob Rich
23/10/1954Bohemia UnitedAwayLeague0 – 4
30/10/1954Civil Service IIHomeLeague2 – 8Cyril Rich, Alwyn David
6/11/1954Silverton RangersAwayLeague3 – 10Alwyn David 2, Cyril Rich
20/11/1954Observer Athletic IIHomeLeague6 – 1Alwyn David 2, Cyril Rich 2, Eric Hollingsworth, Denis Swaine
4/12/1954Corbens SportsHomeLeague2 – 5Alwyn David, Eric Hollingsworth (pen)
18/12/1954NorthiamHomeLeague3 – 3Cyril Rich 2, Parviz Yegenegi
1/1/1955Old Centmodians IIIAwayLeague2 – 8Cyril Rich 2
8/1/1955Observer Athletic IIAwayLeague8 – 0Cyril Rich 2, Ron Barden 2, L Neville, Alan Turner, Bob Rich, Eric Hollingsworth
22/1/1955Robertsbridge United IIAwayHastings League Division Three Cup 2nd Round5 – 1Alwyn David 3, Cyril Rich, D Lacey
29/1/1955NorthiamAwayLeague7 – 3Alwyn David 3, Cyril Rich 2, Eric Hollingsworth (pen), John Sinden
5/2/1955East GuldefordHomeLeague8 – 3Cyril Rich 5, Charlie Baker 2, Alwyn David
12/2/1955Old Centmodians IIIHomeLeague4 – 4Alwyn David 2, Bob Rich, Laurie Butler
19/2/1955Corbens SportsAwayLeague1 – 6Eric Hollingsworth
26/2/1955TicehurstHomeHastings League Division Three Cup 3rd Round3 – 5Alwyn David 2, D Lacey
5/3/1955Bohemia UnitedHomeLeague1 – 6Cyril Rich
12/3/1955Old BexhilliansAwayLeague0 – 7
26/3/1955Old BexhilliansHomeLeague2 – 15Cyril Rich, Eric Hollingsworth
2/4/1955Civil Service IIAwayLeague0 – 7
9/4/1955Silverton RangersHomeLeague3 – 3Alwyn David, Cyril Rich, Gilbert Jeffery
20/4/1955Hastings LabourHomeLeague2 – 4Les Jeffery, Eric Hollingsworth (pen)
23/4/1955East GuldefordAwayLeague3 – 2Cyril Rich 2, Alwyn David
27/4/1955Robertson Street Young People’s SocietyHomeLeague5 – 2Alwyn David 5

MINOR TEAM

The Minor team obtained 11 points against 6 the previous season and scored more goals. The side was on the whole a sounder one all round, but the uneven standard of teams in the Minor League was again a constant difficulty, a problem which could have been much reduced if the stronger clubs had observed the spirit of the rules and promoted those of their players capable of holding their own in adult football.

Once again the team was fortunate in having, in Duncan Lee, a Minor captain who never lost heart and overall the side backed him up well. Denis Care was a reserve for the Hastings Minor League against the Eastbourne Minor League and a number of the players figured from time to time in the first and second teams and most did well. Parviz Yegenegi had the misfortune to break his ankle in a cup game against Rye Minors.

The Minors owed a great deal to Bert Glazier, who, in addition to refereeing home games, travelled away for most matches. His presence made the side feel they were not forgotten and his good sense prevented the team from taking their occasional heavy defeats too seriously. As a result there was a good spirit in the Minor side all season.

MINOR TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
18/9/1954Rye United MinorsHomeFriendly2 – 3Duncan Lee, B Smith
25/9/1954Calvert Youth ClubAwayLeague3 – 4B Smith 2, Chris Larkin
9/10/1954The Junior Club TacklewayAwayLeague1 – 6Denis Care
16/10/1954West St Leonards Boys ClubHomeLeague0 – 6
30/10/1954Collington MinorsAwayLeague0 – 6
6/11/1954St Leonards MinorsHomeLeague1 – 6B Smith
13/11/1954Round Table Boys ClubHomeLeague5 – 4Denis Care 3, Peter Mathews, John Parsons
20/11/1954Army Cadet ForceHomeLeague6 – 1Parviz Yegenegi 2, Colin Willard, John Parons, Alan Skinner, Peter Mathews (pen)
4/12/1954Bexhill Town Athletic MinorsAwayLeague1 – 13John Parsons
11/12/1954Hastings ColtsHomeLeague3 – 6John Parsons, Parviz Yegenegi, Chris Larkin
27/12/1954Rye United MinorsAwayLeague1 – 5Parviz Yegenegi
1/1/1955Rye United MinorsHomeLeague2 – 12Peter Mathews 2
8/1/1955Collington MinorsHomeHastings F A Youth Cup 1st Round6 – 5John Parsons 3, Colin Willard, Chris Larkin, Parviz Yegenegi
29/1/1955St Leonards MinorsAwayLeague1 – 4John Parsons
5/2/1955Rye United MinorsHomeHastings F A Youth Cup 2nd Round0 – 16
26/2/1955Calvert Youth ClubHomeLeague1 – 1Chris Larkin
12/3/1955Bexhill Town Athletic MinorsHomeLeague1 – 8Des Burrett
2/4/1955The Junior Club TacklewayHomeLeague2 – 4Peter Mathews, Chris Larki
9/4/1955Hastings ColtsAwayLeague2 – 16Peter Mathews, Bryan Butler
11/4/1955Battle Rangers MinorsAwayLeague2 – 1Allan Pope, Chris Larkin
16/4/1955West St Leonards Boys ClubAwayLeague0 – 12
23/4/1955Collington MinorsHomeLeague3 – 3Bryan Butler, Des Burrett, Peter Mathews
27/4/1955Battle Rangers MinorsHomeLeague6 – 0Chris Larkin 3, Allan Pope 2, Des Burrett
2/5/1955Army Cadet ForceAwayLeague0 – 0
5/5/1955Round Table Boys ClubAwayLeague1 – 2Des Burrett

GENERAL MATTERS

The Recreation Ground at Icklesham lay very wet before Christmas and dried out rather rough in the Spring and the best football was played on away grounds. The pavilion was again hired from the cricket club for changing and the Wall Field in Winchelsea was used for some games. Marking out was once more not evenly spread out with some members who finished work in good time on Saturdays doing very little to help in this respect. Fred Swaine and Dick Crisford did much good work for the first team, Denis Swaine did more than his fair share for the seconds and for the Minors, Duncan Lee and the Winchelsea contingent pulled their weight. In view of the heavy cost of hired transport, the Club was especially indebted to those members who gave help with lifts.

On the social side, whist drives organised by Bob Rich and Laurie Butler at Icklesham and Pett respectively, realised useful sums for Club funds, but no dances were held. The match levy for home games worked quite well and Mr Gurney Tyler helped by taking collections when the attendance justified it.

The Annual General Meeting of the Club was held at the Robin Hood Inn, Icklesham on Thursday, 28th July 1955 at 8 pm.

CLUB OFFICIALS