Season 1998-99

62ND SEASON

SEASON REPORT

The sixty-second season of the Club was a disappointing one for the first team who were relegated from the Premier Division but the second team had a good year and the decision to restart the third team was vindicated in spite of some early problems. The veterans failed to progress beyond the group stage of the local veterans competition but still had an enjoyable season.

1ST TEAM

Having only narrowly avoided relegation in the previous two seasons, the first team’s luck ran out this year and they finished bottom of the table with only eight points, recording just two victories. Somewhat surprisingly these came against reigning champions Wadhurst United, 4-1 early in the season and 2-1 away to Hollington United in December. Having struggled in the Premier Division for the last few years, relegation may not prove to be a bad thing, enabling the first team to regroup and consolidate with a season or two in Division One.

The front cover of the match programme issued by Seaford Town for the game on 21st November 1998
The front cover of the match programme issued by Little Common for the game on 27th February 1999
The team line-up page of the match programme issued by Little Common for the game on 27th February 1999

Adam Bourne was leading scorer with 20 of the 39 goals scored by the first team in all competitions and Dave Southall was voted 1st XI Players’ Player of the Year.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
League20221632728
Cup5005720N/A
All Games25222139928
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
5/9/1998Rock-a-NoreHomeLeague1 – 5Adam Bourne
12/9/1998Wadhurst UnitedHomeLeague4 – 1Adam Bourne 3, Jim Taberman
19/9/1998Peche Hill SelectAwayLeague0 – 5
26/9/1998Mill Hill Village IIAwayA F A Intermediate Cup Extra Preliminary Round2 – 3 *Adam Bourne, Jim Taberman
3/10/1998Willingdon AthleticHomeLeague2 – 3Adam Bourne 2
10/10/1998Uckfield TownHomeSussex Intermediate Cup 1st Round1 – 5Adam Bourne
17/10/1998IdenAwayHastings F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round0 – 5
7/11/1998Robertsbridge UnitedAwayLeeford Place Challenge Cup 2nd Round2 – 3 Dave Southall, Iain Curry
14/11/1998Peche Hill SelectHomeLeague0 – 0
21/11/1998Seaford TownAwayLeague2 – 4Grant Murray, Steve Fuller
28/11/1998Northiam 75AwayRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round2 – 4Adam Bourne 2
5/12/1998SandhurstHomeLeague2 – 3Adam Bourne 2
12/12/1998Little CommonHomeLeague2 – 4Iain Curry, Karl Tarrant
19/12/1998Hollington UnitedAwayLeague2 – 1Bob Baker, Mark Taylor
23/1/1999SandhurstAwayLeague1 – 7Mark Taylor
30/1/1999Hollington UnitedHomeLeague0 – 1
6/2/1999Wadhurst UnitedAwayLeague1 – 5Adam Bourne
13/2/1999PolegateHomeLeague4 – 4Jim Taberman 2, Adam Bourne 2
20/2/1999Rock-a-NoreHomeLeague1 – 4Mark Taylor
27/2/1999Little CommonAwayLeague1 – 3Adam Bourne
6/3/1999Seaford TownHomeLeague1 – 5Adam Bourne
13/3/1999PolegateAwayLeague2 – 5Mike Beaumont, Adam Bourne
7/4/1999Northiam 75HomeLeague3 – 4Iain Curry, Mark Taylor, Adam Bourne
10/4/1999Northiam 75AwayLeague2 – 4Sacha Patterson, Adam Bourne
24/4/1999Willingdon AthleticAwayLeague1 – 4Dave Southall
Notes
* After Extra Time

2ND TEAM

This was a good season for the second team who finished third in Division Six with eleven victories in seventeen games. Unlike the other sides, their season was effected by the weather with it being necessary for three matches to be played for six points. One of these was against Willingdon Athletic III which was lost 5-3 and ultimately decided the runners-up place – a victory would have given the 2nd XI second position.

The team only failed to score in one game – a 3-0 defeat to the Junior Club Tackleway from Division Three in the Hastings F A Junior Cup. Seventeen different players found the net during the season but Sacha Patterson was easily top scorer with 32 goals from twenty matches. Ryan Bull was 2nd XI Players’ Player of the Year and Ryan Farley won the Bert Glazier Cup.

The second team was expelled from the Varipack Challenge Cup having beaten East Hoathly II in the second round as Gary Osborn, who played and scored in the game, had played more than eight times including substitute appearances for the first team prior to the match, therefore making him ineligible under the cup rules.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION SIX
CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
League171124523441 #
Cup63032318N/A <
All Games231427755241 #
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
12/9/1998Heathfield United IIAwayLeague1 – 2Sacha Patterson
19/9/1998Silverhill RangersHomeLeague6 – 1Matt Herrieven 2, Jamie Walker 2, Jamie Deroe, Sacha Patterson
26/9/1998Silverhill RangersAwayLeague2 – 1Sacha Patterson, Jamie Deroe
3/10 1998Westfield IIIAwayLeague6 – 2Sacha Patterson 2, Kabir Breathen 2, Jamie Walker, Jamie Deroe
10/10/1998HillcrestAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 1st Round5 – 2Steve Fuller 3, Paul Milton, Sacha Patterson
17/10/1998Old Town EastbourneAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round2 – 5Troy Whyborne 2
24/10/1998The Junior Club Tackleway IIHomeHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round8 – 1Sacha Patterson 4, Duane Daltrey 3, Troy Whyborne
31/10/1998Punnetts Town IIAwayLeague3 – 1Duane Daltrey 2, Troy Whyborne
28/11/1998Wittersham IIAwayLeague2 – 4Matt Herrieven, Sacha Patterson
19/12/1998East Hoathly IIHomeVaripack Challenge Cup 2nd Round5 – 3<Sacha Patterson 3, Gary Osborn, Martin Tytherleigh
2/1/1999Cranbrook Town IIHome>League3 – 1Jamie Deroe, Sacha Patterson, Matt Herrieven
9/1/1999Westfield IIIHomeLeague4 – 2Sacha Patterson 2, Jamie Deroe, Tom Herrieven
6/2/1999East Hoathly IIHomeLeague3 – 2Sacha Patterson 2, Jamie Walker
13/2/1999The Junior Club TacklewayAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 2nd Round0 – 3
27/2/1999Wittersham IIHomeLeague3 – 6Sacha Patterson 3
6/3/1999Wittersham IIAwayHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 2nd Round3 – 4 *Sacha Patterson 3
13/3/1999Cranbrook Town IIHome>League2 – 1Tom Herrieven, Sacha Patterson
20/3/1999Heathfield United IIHomeLeague3 – 3Tony Mitchell, Paul Milton, Sacha Patterson
27/3/1999Willingdon Athletic IIIHomeLeague3 – 5 #Ryan Farley, Sacha Patterson, Tony Mitchell
3/4/1999Little Common IIIAwayLeague2 – 0 #Tony Mitchell 2
17/4/1999Old HastoniansHomeLeague2 – 0 #Ian Carter, Sacha Patterson
24/4/1999Punnetts Town IIHomeLeague3 – 3Sacha Patterson 3
1/5/1999East Hoathly IIAwayLeague4 – 0Karl Tarrant 2, Matt Herrieven, Bob Baker
Notes
# Matches v Willingdon Athletic III (27/3/1999), Little Common III (3/4/1999) and Old Hastonians (17/4/1999) played for 6 points
* After Extra Time
< Match awarded to East Hoathly II as Icklesham Casuals II played an ineligible player
> Both league matches played at Icklesham Recreation Ground

3RD TEAM

The newly established third team by virtue of only entering one cup competition and being knocked out in the first round managed to avoid the fixture congestion suffered by many teams in the East Sussex League.

The decision to resurrect the 3rd XI had been a gamble and one which looked to have backfired when the promised influx of young players from Winchelsea Beach failed materialise. However, having struggled to field a team in the first fixture, this did not prove to be an ongoing problem. Although the third XI did not have the luxury of a settled side there was generally a good level of commitment to the team from throughout the club, manifested in the fact that no less than fifty one different players were used during the season. Also, despite of the early knock back, a significant number of youngsters were recruited – Steve Baker, Steve Bellhouse, David Bolton, Perrie Hart, Marfuz Miah. Graeme Kempster and Luther Sullivan – who all had the ability to become regulars in the higher sides before long.

It was important to create balance in the team with a few old heads (and in some cases a few large guts!) to complement the youth. These older players wisely chose to hide in the back four whilst the youngsters ran around in midfield and consequently there were occasions when the average age of the midfield only just exceeded sixteen whilst the defence comfortably achieved forty.

Given this was the team’s first season, the final league placing was satisfactory, gave a good platform to build on in the coming year as well as strengthening the club in the longer term. Gareth Collier and Andrew Goodsell filled in between the posts in the early games before Ashley Bloomfield became available while James Lock and Damien Ellis were consistent performers. Mick Kempster was invaluable in his support, in providing transport as well as being regular substitute cover for when Peter Baker inevitably pulled his hamstring!

Steve Baker top scored with 7 goals, Graeme Kempster was 3rd team Players’ Player of the Year and Ashley Bloomfield earned the Manager’s Player of the Year award.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION EIGHT
CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
League198110466125 #
Cup100112N/A
All Games208111476325 #
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
12/9/1998White KnightHomeLeague0 – 5
3/10/1998Bohemia UnitedAwaySussex Memorials Challenge Cup 1st Round1 – 2Richard Constantine
10/10/1998White KnightAwayLeague0 – 5
17/10/1998Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club IIIAwayLeague4 – 3Sacha Patterson 2, David Bourne, Richard Cartwright
14/11/1998Hillcrest IIHomeLeague1 – 4Steve Baker
21/11/1998Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club IIIHomeLeague2 – 0Graeme Kempster, Danny Juniper
28/11/1998Wadhurst United IIIAwayLeague1 – 4Hugh Sullivan
5/12/1998Bohemia UnitedHomeLeague1 – 6Matt Herrieven
12/12/1998The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHomeLeague9 – 1Tom Herrieven 4, Sacha Patterson 2, Graeme Kempster, Ryan Bull, Duane Daltrey
19/12/1998Magham Down IIHomeLeague8 – 0Danny Price 3, Steve Hanks 2, Graeme Kempster, Steve Beale, David Mayne
9/1/1999Hawkhurst United IIHomeLeague1 – 6Danny Price
23/1/1999Victoria BaptistsAwayLeague2 – 1Duane Daltrey, Graeme Kempster
30/1/1999Bohemia UnitedAwayLeague5 – 2Steve Baker 3, Tony Mitchell, Jamie Deroe
6/2/1999Hillcrest IIAwayLeague2 – 4Danny Price, James Lock
13/2/1999Victoria BaptistsHomeLeague0 – 2
6/3/1999Hawkhurst United IIAwayLeague0 – 3
13/3/1999Lord WardenAwayLeague0 – 7 #
20/3/1999Wadhurst UnitedHomeLeague4 – 3Troy Whyborne 2, Steve Baker, Kabir Breathen
27/3/1999Magham Down IIAwayLeague2 – 1Steve Baker 2
10/4/1999The Junior Club Tackleway IIIAwayLeague4 – 4Kabir Breathen 2, Marfuz Miah, Troy Whyborne
Notes
# Match v Lord Warden (13/3/1999) played for 6 points
Robertsbridge United III withdrew – record expunged
All home matches played at Harrow Lane
Abandoned match v Victoria Baptists (League) (Home) (24/10/1998). Score – 1 – 0 (25 minutes) (Scorer – Richard Constantine). Team:- Gareth Collier, Nick Bellhouse Snr, Michael Hambridge, David Bourne, Keith Swallow, Peter Baker, Richard Constantine, Graeme Kempster, Steve Bellhouse, Tony Mitchell, Steve Hanks. Substitutes – Richard Cartwright, James Lock, Alex Reardon.

VETERANS

Getting sides out for the local veterans cup competition so early in the season proved to be somewhat problematical due to injuries, unavailability and being let down on one or two occasions. In fact the veterans kicked-off the opening game against Hollington United Veterans with only eight players but were up to eleven shortly after the start. They took the lead through Bob Baker’s free-kick but conceded an equaliser with the last kick of the first half. In a hard-fought second period with both sides looked for the winner, a misplaced pass allowed Hollington to take the lead with about ten minutes remaining. They added a third in the last minute.

The following week the veterans were able to field a much stronger side at Little Common Veterans in a game played in very windy conditions. The team went a goal down in the first half but came back strongly after the break despite playing against the wind with Steve Beale coming off the bench to equalise from a corner and earn a 1-1 draw.

At Westfield in the final group match the veterans once more struggled for a team and although they took and early lead thanks to an own goal, the game ended in a 5-1 defeat. This score line was not really a true reflection of the match with Westfield Veterans taking their chances and Icklesham missing theirs.

In spite of the results and the problems getting out teams, the football was enjoyable. Chris Morrell came along to the first game expecting to be third or fourth substitute and played the whole ninety minutes, then the following week against Little Common he started as substitute and didn’t get on at all! Lennie Hollands only came to the Recreation Ground prior to the Hollington United match to collect a key to the pavilion for his Robin Hood Sunday side and ended up playing all three games – including in goal at Westfield!

VETERANS PLAYING RECORD

CompetitionPWDLFAPoints
Cup3012391
DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
2/9/1998Hollington United VeteransHomeHastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup1 – 3Bob Baker
9/9/1998Little Common VeteransAwayHastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup1 – 1Steve Beale
16/9/1998Westfield VeteransAwayHastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup1 – 5Own Goal

SEASON AWARDS

GENERAL MATTERS

Off the field, the pre-season ‘expedition’ was on a smaller scale this year with a trip for Martin Tytherleigh, Bob Baker, Terri Baker, Dave Harding and David Mayne to the Lake District to climb to the top of the Old Man of Coniston.

Martin Tytherleigh in the Lake District

December saw the publication of issue number 7 of the club fanzine – ‘About Time Too Fuller!’ and was a bumper Christmas Edition! Included was a look back at the 1986-87 season and a review of the Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup triumph of the previous season.

The front cover of ‘About Time Too Fuller!’ – the Icklesham Casuals Fanzine

A sports quiz was organised on behalf of all the Icklesham sports clubs on 16th April in the Memorial Hall to raise funds for improvements to the changing facilities.

In May 1998 Martin Tytherleigh completed a sponsored cycle ride from John O’Groats to Lands End raising money for the Club as well as donating £521.50 to the Cancer Research Campaign.

Martin finished the ride in under seven days, spending 64 hours and 20 minutes in the saddle. The total distance covered was 887 miles which would have been shorter had Martin not got lost north of the Firth of Forth!

The Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday, 7th July 1999.