Season 1963-64

27TH SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The 27th season will long be remembered as the year in which the 1st team won the Sussex Junior Cup. It will also provide a landmark in that it was the first season as members of the Amateur Football Alliance.

From a playing point of view the 1st team were a shade less successful, but they took advantage of a favourable draw and played with great spirit and no little skill to win the Sussex Junior Cup out of an entry of no less than 168 clubs. The Reserves, handicapped by injuries and team changes, had their poorest season for some years and finished bottom of Division Two of the Hastings League, but were seldom outclassed. The 3rd team were also bottom of their Division, but were stronger than for a year or two and had few really heavy defeats. Many of their players showed promise.

All told, there were 106 fixtures carried through by the Club.

1ST TEAM

In the league, the first team made a poor start and were without a win until December 28th. The side then had a good run but did badly in the end of the season evening games, where a nucleus of 1st XI players had to carry several reserves in each match, most of whom showed real promise but points were inevitably dropped.

In the Sussex Junior Cup, the 1st team beat Birds Eye (5-2), Brighton Segas (7-2), Buxted (3-1), Burwash (3-2), Drive United, the holders (3-2), Eastbourne Working Men’s Club (6-5) in the semi-final and Longley’s Sports (Crawley) (2-0) in the final at the Saffrons, Eastbourne. The side were at home in all the ties except Brighton Segas, played at Fishersgate and the final itself. The team in the final was: Jim Brunger, Michael Hills, George Potter (captain), Derek Perkins, Jack Brown, Bryan Butler, George Noakes, Colin Relf, Chris Ades, David Ades and Bill Burt. A Celebration Dinner was arranged by the club to mark the achievement.

In the first appearance in the A F A Junior Cup, the first team beat Old Lyonian II 10-0 at Icklesham, won 4-3 away against Unilever II at Eltham before losing to Glyn Mills Bank 5-0 in a replay at Private Banks Ground after a 3-3 draw at home. It was pleasant, but not surprising, to report that the players fitted very well into the tradition of good sportsmanship and post-match hospitality of the Amateur Football Alliance.

The forwards scored a lot of goals when at or near full strength, but the defence, for many seasons the soundest or next soundest in the Hastings League, rather went to pieces as the one hundred and twelve goals against testify. This was partly due to the loss of Warwick Breeds, who broke a leg against Glyn Mills Bank, was in hospital for some time and did not play again all season. However, the marking, covering and tackling left a bit to be desired, though in the Sussex Junior Cup Final itself everyone played very well.

George Potter led the team well and on the whole a high standard of sporting play was displayed with the odd incidents being few and far between. Chris Ades with 40 goals was top scorer followed by his brother David with 31 and Brian Barden who found the net 21 times. George Potter and David Ades appeared for the Hastings League against the Hailsham League. In the Hastings Junior Cup, the side reached the semi-final for the fifth time but as on all the previous occasions they were knocked out at this stage.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
8/1963WestfieldNeutral<Hastings F A Midweek Cup Semi-Final1 – 3Colin Relf
7/9/1963Bexhill Town Athletic IIIAwayFriendly3 – 5Bill Burt, Brian Barden, Harold Stonham
14/9/1963Rest of LeagueHomeFriendly1 – 5Colin Relf
21/9/1963DallingtonAwayLeague1 – 5Bill Burt
28/9/1963Old Lyonian IIHomeA F A Junior Cup 1st Round10 – 0Brian Barden 3, John Parsons 3, Colin Relf 2, Bill Burt, Bryan Butler (pen)
5/10/1963WestfieldAwayLeague1 – 2John Parsons
12/10/1963Bird’s Eye (Eastbourne)HomeSussex Junior Cup 2nd Round 5 – 2David Ades 2, Mick Hills, Bernard Rankin, Own Goal
19/10/1963PeasmarshAwayRobertsbridge Charity Cup 1st Round6 – 2Brian Barden 2, Bryan Butler, Bill Burt, Colin Relf, Own Goal
26/10/1963Unilever (Eltham) IIAwayA F A Junior Cup 2nd Round4 – 3Colin Relf, Brian Barden, John Parsons, Bryan Butler (pen)
2/11/1963Brighton SegasAwaySussex Junior Cup 3rd Round7 – 2Chris Ades 3, Brian Barden, David Ades, Bill Burt, Own Goal
9/11/1963Ore UnitedHomeHastings F A Junior Cup 1st Round11 – 1Chris Ades 6, David Ades 3, Bill Burt, Brian Barden
23/11/1963BuxtedHomeSussex Junior Cup 4th Round3 – 1Chris Ades 2, David Ades
30/11/1963Glyn Mills BankHomeA F A Junior Cup 3rd Round3 – 3Bill Burt, Chris Ades, Bryan Butler (pen)
7/12/1963Glyn Mills BankAwayA F A Junior Cup 3rd Round Replay0 – 5
26/12/1963SandhurstHomeLeague1 – 9Brian Barden
28/12/1963DallingtonHomeLeague3 – 2David Ades 2, Brian Barden
4/1/1964Mountfield UnitedAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 2nd Round6 – 0David Ades 2, Colin Relf, Bill Burt, Chris Ades, Bryan Butler (pen)
11/1/1964BeckleyHomeHastings F A Junior Cup 3rd Round6 – 2David Ades 3, Chris Ades 2, Brian Barden
18/1/1964WestfieldHomeLeague7 – 1David Ades 3, Chris Ades 2, Brian Butler (pen), Brian Barden
25/1/1964Hastings TownAwayLeague4 – 3Chris Ades 2, John Sweet, Brian Barden
1/2/1964BurwashHomeSussex Junior Cup 5th Round3 – 2Brian Barden 2, John Parsons
8/2/1964Seeboard (Hastings)HomeLeague6 – 1David Ades 4, Colin Relf, Chris Ades
15/2/1964Bexhill Town Athletic IIIAwayLeague4 – 1Colin Relf, Chris Ades, David Ades, Brian Barden
22/2/1964Drive UnitedHomeSussex Junior Cup 6th Round3 – 2Chris Ades 2, Norman Hickman
29/2/1964Weald ElectricityAwayLeague10 – 2Chris Ades 6, David Ades 2, John Sweet, Harold Stonham
7/3/1964Hawkhurst UnitedAwayHastings F A Junior Cup Semi-Final3 – 4Colin Relf, Chris Ades, David Ades
21/3/1964Eastbourne Working Men’s ClubHomeSussex Junior Cup Semi-Final6 – 5Chris Ades 4, David Ades 2
28/3/1964WittershamHomeLeague4 – 1David Ades 3, Chris Ades
2/4/1964Seeboard (Hastings)AwayLeague0 – 3
4/4/1964Hawkhurst UnitedAwayLeague2 – 8John Parsons 2
7/4/1964Bexhill Town Athletic IIIHomeLeague5 – 1Chris Ades 2, Brian Barden, Bryan Butler (pen), Own Goal
9/4/1964Hastings TownHomeLeague0 – 4
11/4/1964WittershamAwayLeague1 – 0Mick Hills
13/4/1964Weald ElectricityHomeLeague3 – 1Brian Barden 2, George Noakes
18/4/1964Longleys CrawleyNeutral>Sussex Junior Cup Final2 – 0David Ades, Bill Burt
21/4/1964BodiamAwayLeague1 – 5John Dunk
23/4/1964AppledoreHomeLeague5 – 6Chris Ades 2, Bill Burt 2, Peter Mathews
25/4/1964Hawkhurst UnitedHomeLeague1 – 4Colin Relf
27/4/1964AppledoreAwayLeague2 – 0Chris Ades, Bill Burt
29/4/1964SandhurstAwayLeague0 – 5
1/5/1964BodiamHomeLeague1 – 1Brian Barden

2ND TEAM

The playing record for the second team told its own story. In thirty one matches in all competitions, only four times did the side score three or more goals, whilst in eighteen out of twenty five league games four or more goals were conceded. Yet in game after game the team had a good share of midfield play, but the lack of experience meant the attacks were not finished off to produce goals and mistakes in defence were costly. The season did have real compensation in the young players who came into the side and played well. In the last league game against the champions, St. Michaels, who dropped only three points all year, the 2nd team lost only 4-0 after an even match and included five players who started the season in the 3rd XI. John Dunk, who captained the side had a thankless task, but never lost heart and kept his team going under all circumstances with good support from Andy Dunlop as team manager.

The aim was to gain early promotion from Division Three as the gap between Division One and Division Three football was very wide. An enjoyable friendly against Ibis III on Easter Monday provided a pleasant break.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
9/9/1963Rye United MinorsHomeFriendly1 – 3Derek Bilsby
21/9/1963Hastings Rangers IIIHomeFriendly1 – 3Bernard Rankin
28/9/1963St MichaelsAwayLeague1 – 4Howard Hunt
5/10/1963St MichaelsHomeHastings League Division Two Cup 1st Round1 – 3Mick Bryant
12/10/1963West Hill Boys ClubAwayLeague1 – 3John Dunk
19/10/1963Clive ValeHomeLeague1 – 5John Dunk
26/10/1963Robertsbridge UnitedAwayLeague2 – 6John Sanders, Paul Hearty
2/11/1963Hastings Rangers IIIHomeLeague2 – 2Howard Hunt, Harold Stonham
23/11/1963Battle Rangers IIIAwayLeague3 – 3Bernard Rankin 2, Mick Hills
30/11/1963Bohemia UnitedAwayLeague1 – 6Harold Stonham
7/12/1963Robertsbridge UnitedHomeLeague2 – 5Mick Hills, David Ades
14/12/1963West Hill Boys ClubHomeLeague1 – 4Mick Hills
28/12/1963PeasmarshAwayLeague4 – 2Paul Hearty 2, Harold Stonham, Mick Hills
4 /1 1964Old Hastonians ‘A’HomeLeague1 – 2Peter Turner
11/1/1964Clive ValeAwayLeague2 – 7Howard Hunt, Peter Turner
18/1/1964Old Hastomians ‘A’AwayLeague7 – 2Harold Stonham 2, Colin Cooke, Peter Turner, Mick Hills, Bernard Rankin, Own Goal
25/1/1964Robertsbridge UnitedHomeRobertsbridge Charity Cup 2nd Round5 – 0Peter Turner 2, Bernard Rankin 2, Howard Hunt
8/2/1964Hastings Rangers IIIAwayLeague2 – 7Peter Turner, Harold Stonham
15/2/1964Etchingham UnitedHomeLeague1 – 5Colin Cooke
22/2/1964Silverton RangersAwayLeague2 – 5Howard Hunt, Harold Stonham
7/3/1964BeckleyHomeLeague1 – 6Howard Hunt
21/3/1964BeckleyAwayLeague0 – 5
30/3/1964Ibis IIIHomeFriendly2 – 2Jim Igglesden 2
1/4/1964Bohemia UnitedHomeRobertsbridge Charity Cup 3rd Round0 – 2
4/4/1964PeasmarshHomeLeague0 – 5
11/4/1964Bohemia UnitedHomeLeague1 – 9Roger Beeney
16/4/1964Silverton RangersHomeLeague0 – 2
18/4/1964Mountfield UnitedHomeLeague1 – 5John Moon
22/4/1964Mountfield UnitedAwayLeague2 – 9Mick Bryant, John Sweet
25/4/1964Etchingham UnitedAwayLeague2 – 5Mick Bryant, Bernard Rankin
2/5/1964St MichaelsHomeLeague0 – 4

3RD TEAM

In spite of the fact that the 3rd team, as usual, lost most of their games, they showed an improvement. The fifty four league goals scored was the highest since the 1957-58 season and at the end of a very long season there were plenty of players ready to turn out and play enthusiastically regardless of results. Bert Glazier again took much credit for this for managing the side along with Don Butcher, who set a good example as captain. Had the Sportsmanship Cup been in existence in the 1963-64 season, the third team would have come close to winning it.

Several players were promoted to the 2nd team and some played odd games for the 1st XI. George Cooke in goal showed great promise and certainly enjoyed useful practice, while a number of other boys would soon reach the second team. In the less severe competition of the new Fourth Division of the Hastings League, the side would hopefully show further progress.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
7/9/1963Old Centmodians IIIHomeLeague4 – 5David Johnson 2, Peter Drew, John Sweet
14/9/1963Guldeford Old BoysAwayLeague4 – 5John Sanders 2, David Johnson 2
21/9/1963Old Hastonians IIIAwayLeague0 – 7
28/9/1963UdimoreAwayLeague1 – 5Mick Osborne
5/10/1963Observer AthleticAwayLeague2 – 8John Sanders, Paul Hearty
12/10/1963West Hill MinorsHomeFriendly0 – 8
26/10/1963Eldridge and Cruttenden IIHomeLeague2 – 4Philip Mepham, Peter Drew
2/11/1963SedlescombeHomeLeague0 – 8
9/11/1963Old Centmodians ‘A’HomeLeague3 – 2David Johnson 2, George Potter
23/11/1963Eldridge and Cruttenden IIAwayLeague2 – 5Paul Hearty 2
30/11/1963Rye United MinorsHomeLeague2 – 8Paul Hearty 2
7/12/1963Old Centmodians IIIAwayLeague0 – 8
21/12/1963Seeboard (Hastings) IIHomeLeague1 – 6Brian Luck
4/1/1964Hawkhurst United IIAwayHastings League Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round4 – 3Paul Hearty 3, Own Goal
11/1/1964Old Centmodians ‘A’AwayLeague3 – 10Paul Hearty 2, Philip Mepham
18/1/1964Rye United MinorsAwayLeague0 – 12
25/1/1964RolvendenAwayLeague3 – 6Harold Stonham, Brian Luck, David Johnson
1/2/1964Rye United MinorsHomeHastings League Lower Divisions Cup 2nd Round0 – 6
8/2/1964Seeboard (Hastings) IIAwayLeague1 – 5Paul Hearty
15/2/1964Guldeford Old BoysHomeLeague1 – 5Paul Hearty
22/2/1964Hawkhurst United IIHomeLeague0 – 5
29/2/1964Old Hastonians IIIHomeLeague4 – 0Paul Hearty 3, G Tolputt
7/3/1964RolvendenHomeLeague0 – 1
14/3/1964Etchingham United IIHomeLeague10 – 3Paul Hearty 8, John Moon, Bert Glazier
28/3/1964Wittersham IIAwayLeague1 – 5Brian Luck
4/4/1964Observer AthleticHomeLeague1 – 15Don Butcher
11/4/1964Wittersham IIHomeLeague0 – 2
18/4/1964SedlescombeAwayLeague2 – 14Brian Luck 2
25/4/1964Hawkhurst United IIAwayLeague3 – 4David Johnson 2, Own Goal
UdimoreHomeLeague0 – 4
Etchingham United IIAwayLeague4 – 3David Johnson 2, J Amsdon, Brian Luck

4TH TEAM, MINOR AND BOYS TEAMS

4TH TEAM, MINOR AND BOYS TEAMS PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
19/10/1963Beckley MinorsAwayHastings F A Youth Cup 1st Round1 – 4Bill Perry
West Hill BoysAwayFriendly0 – 17
Peasmarsh BoysHomeFriendly2 – 5M McKenzie, John Archer

GENERAL MATTERS

At the end of April the Club took part in a quiz on the laws of the game organised by the Hastings and District Referees’ Association and finished joint third, just a point behind Battle Rangers and Old Centmodians, who needed to be separated by a ‘play-off’ to decide the winner of the trophy.

The Club was grateful to Len and Denis Swaine who again marked out the pitch at Icklesham and to the unpaid volunteers who did the job at Guestling. Mrs Parsons, in particular, did much to arrange a dance at Icklesham and thanks went to her and to all those who helped with other money-raising efforts. Jack Kent was of valuable assistance with the A F A matches as were the ladies who helped with the tea at these games. Pam Dunlop took dozens of telephone messages.

On a sad note, the Club recorded the death of Paul Hearty, one of the stalwarts of the 3rd team, in a motor-scooter accident. Paul was a good, cheerful sportsman and scored 23 goals for the 3rd XI in the 1963-64 season as well as three for the 2nd XI, including eight in his final match for the Club – a 10-3 victory for the third team over Etchingham United II on the 14th March. Paul would be sadly missed for a long time. The Club also lost Jack Benge, treasurer for several years and who retained a great interest in the Club’s activities although being away from the district.

At a Sussex County Football Association Council meeting in May, the Hastings League’s application for Division One to be given intermediate status was granted. The splendid achievement of the first team in winning the Sussex Junior Cup must have had an influence on the Council to accept the Hastings League into the intermediate fold.

The Annual General Meeting took place on Thursday, 23rd July 1964 at the Robin Hood Inn, Icklesham.

CLUB OFFICIALS