Season 1986-87

50TH SEASON

SEASON REPORT

Whatever the results, the club’s fiftieth season was bound to be a landmark in its own right. In fact, in many ways it was a very successful one. For the second year in a row, the three teams played their league and cup games without anyone being cautioned or sent-off, maintaining the reputation for good sportsmanship with the 2nd team finishing as runners-up in the Hastings F A Sportsmanship Cup.

For the first time for a number of years, the 1st XI won a trophy, while the 2nd team struggled manfully in a Division obviously too strong for them and the 3rd team enjoyed their football, giving games to those on the way down as well as young players on the way up.

Careful advance planning and much hard work ensured the outstanding success of the club’s Golden Jubilee celebration on 2nd May 1987.

1ST TEAM

The first team was the strongest for some years. One of the main factors in its success was the ability to field a near unchanged side week after week. This resulted in good teamwork and understanding even if the players were of varying individual ability.

Division One of the Eastbourne and Hastings League was a very level one, so that almost all of the games were very close – either drawn or won or lost by the odd goal. A poor start meant that the team ended the season as runners-up by a point to Willingdon Athletic II. Although losing only two league matches and remaining unbeaten in the league after 15th November, the fact that as many as six games were drawn probably cost the 1st XI the league championship. The defence was normally very sound, which was just as well as the team did not score very many goals. The twenty-one league goals conceded broke the previous lowest record of twenty-two in the 1960-61 season.

Bob Baker again led the side with enthusiasm and commitment as well as finishing top scorer with 26 goals. To back up the consistency in team selection, Tony Forster played in every match, Bob Baker and Paul Milton missed just one game each, Stuart Adams, Richard Forrest, Jon Fuller, Andy Harman and David Mayne only two games, Martin Tytherleigh appeared in all but three matches and Russell Drew and Hugh Sullivan were only absent on five occasions.

In the Eastbourne and Hastings League Division One Cup, the first team beat Magham Down, Hampden Park Athletic II and Seeboard to reach the final against Eastbourne Rangers II at the Polegrove, home of Bexhill Town. The final was won 1-0 thanks to a shot deflected into goal and a lot of pressure survived.

The cup winning team was – Richard Forrest, Stuart Adams, David Mayne, Andy Harman, Jon Fuller, Russell Drew, Martin Tytherleigh, Tony Forster, Hugh Sullivan, Bob Baker and Paul Milton with Mick Booker as unused substitute.

1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
2/9/1986Rye UnitedHomeFriendly1 – 0Bob Baker
13/9/1986Magham DownAwayLeague3 – 3Bob Baker 3
20/9/1986Mountfield UnitedAwayLeague3 – 0Martin Tytherleigh, Paul Milton, Own Goal
27/9/1986Eastbourne Rangers IIHomeLeague2 – 2Bob Baker 2 (1 pen)
4/10/1986RafflesAwayLeague1 – 2Own Goal
11/10/1986Eastbourne FishermenHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Challenge Cup 1st Round1 – 2Martin Tytherleigh
18/10/1986Bexhill Town IIHomeHastings F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round4 – 5 *Bob Baker 2 (1 pen), Martin Tytherleigh, Paul Milton
1/11/1986Magham DownHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Division One Cup 1st Round3 – 2Hugh Sullivan, Russell Drew, Bob Baker
8/11/1986Lancing Old Boys IIAwayA F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round5 – 0Bob Baker 2, Andy Harman, Tony Forster, Martin Tytherleigh
15/11/1986Willingdon Athletic IIAwayLeague1 – 2Jon Fuller
29/11/1986Enfield Old Grammarians IIAwayA F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round0 – 5
13/12/1986Hampden Park Athletic IIHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Division One Cup 2nd Round4 – 0Paul Milton 2, Bob Baker 2
20/12/1986Hampden Park Atheltic IIAwayLeague3 – 2Tony Forster, Russell Drew, Hugh Sullivan
27/12/1986BuccaneerHomeLeague2 – 1Bob Baker 2
3/1/1987Willingdon Athletic IIHomeLeague1 – 0Bob Baker
10/1/1987Eastbourne Rangers IIAwayLeague1 – 1Hugh Sullivan
31/1/1987Hollington UnitedAwayRobertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 2nd Round0 – 1
7/2/1987RafflesHomeLeague1 – 1Hugh Sullivan
14/2/1987Eastbourne FishermenAwayLeague2 – 1Tony Forster, Bob Baker (pen)
21/2/1987Hampden Park Athletic IIHomeLeague 2 – 0Martin Tytherleigh, Bob Baker
28/2/1987BuccaneerAwayLeague 5 – 1Hugh Sullivan 2, Jon Fuller, Paul Milton, Bob Baker (pen)
7/3/1987SeeboardHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Division One Cup Semi-Final2 – 0Tony Forster, Hugh Sullivan
21/3/1987SeeboardAwayLeague2 – 2Paul Milton, George Potter
28/3/1987Magham DownHomeLeague2 – 1Bob Baker 2 (1 pen)
4/4/1987Eastbourne FishermenHomeLeague 4 – 0Bob Baker, Andy Harman, Paul Milton, Hugh Sullivan
11/4/1987Mountfield UnitedHomeLeague 2 – 2Bob Baker, Stuart Adams
13/4/1987Eastbourne Rangers IINeutral<Eastbourne and Hastings League Division One Cup Final1 – 0Own Goal
20/4/1987Enfield Old Grammarians XIHomeFriendly4 – 2George Potter, Martin Tytherleigh, Bob Baker, Hugh Sullivan
23/4/1987SeeboardHomeLeague2 – 0Bob Baker 2

NEWSPAPER REPORTS

2ND TEAM

It very soon became evident that the 2nd team along with Mountfield United II were out of their class in Division Two of the Eastbourne and Hastings League and were going to be the whipping boys. Add to this, the fact that the side played short on several occasions due to a variety of reasons. Most of these were perfectly good ones, but did illustrate the difficulty of getting out three sides early in the season owing to cricket and holidays as well as end of season lambing and mid-season injuries and illnesses. No one could envy the captain in such circumstances and great credit was due to Chris Morrell for setting an excellent example of keeping going and of enjoying his football.

2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
1/9/1986Seeboard IIHomeFriendly2 – 3Paul Milton 2
13/9/1986Malvern WayAwayLeague0 – 4
20/9/1986Seeboard (Eastbourne)HomeLeague1 – 6
27/9/1986Linton AthleticAwayHastings F A Junior Cup 1st Round0 – 6
4/10/1986Kings ArmsAwayLeague0 – 5
11/10/1986Park AlbionAwayLeague0 – 5
18/10/1986HartingtonAwayLeague2 – 5
25/10/1986Old Danes IIIHomeA F A Junior Cup 1st Round1 – 3
1/11/1986ParkfieldAwayLeague2 – 8Alan Butler, Ivan Baker
15/11/1986Mountfield United IIAwayEastbourne and Hastings League Division Two Cup 2nd Round0 – 1
29/11/1986Old HastoniansAwayRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round0 – 5
13/12/1986Park RoyalAwayLeague0 – 10
20/12/1986Pevensey and WesthamHomeLeague0 – 9
3/1/1987Seeboard (Eastbourne)AwayLeague1 – 3
24/1/1987Mountfield United IIHomeLeague10 – 1Martin Tytherleigh 3, Peter Bailey 2, Paul Milton 2, Mick Booker, Chris Morrell, Neil Carman
7/2/1987Pevensey and WesthamAwayLeague2 – 9Bill Black,
28/2/1987ParkfieldHomeLeague1 – 5Martin Blackford
7/3/1987Mountfield United IIAwayLeague1 – 1Alan Butler
14/3/1987Kings ArmsHomeLeague2 – 2Wayne Bumstead 2
11/4/1987Park RoyalHomeLeague0 – 6
18/4/1987HartingtonHomeLeague1 – 4George Potter
25/4/1987Park AlbionHomeLeague0 – 5

3RD TEAM

The third XI had an enjoyable year after a poor start. Led by Nick Bellhouse and Paul Hawker, the team were always likely to upset more fancied sides playing with much energy and some skill.

3RD TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
6/9/1986Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club IIAwayLeague2 – 6Trevor Saunders, J Willard
9/9/1986The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHomeFriendly1 – 0Ivan Baker
13/9/1986Charlie BrownHomeLeague0 – 3
20/9/1986Magham Down IIAwayLeague2 – 6Paul Hawker, Derek Morley
27/9/1986Bainbridge ShopfittersAwayLeague2 – 1Paul Hawker, Ivan Baker
4/10/1986Hellingly HospitalHomeEastbourne and Hastings League Division Three Cup 1st Round0 – 7
11/10/1986High BeechAwayLeague0 – 2
18/10/1986Burwash IIAwayLeague1 – 4Scott Ellis
2/11/1986Michael Hambridge’s XIHomeFriendly1 – 4
8/11/1986Hellingly HospitalHomeLeague0 – 3
15/11/1986Park RangersHomeLeague3 – 3Neil Carman 2,
29/11/1986Eastbourne British LegionHomeLeague1 – 1J Willard
6/12/1986Burwash IIHomeLeague3 – 3Paul Hawker, Nick Bellhouse, Neil Carman
13/12/1986Tenterden St Michaels IIIAwayHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 1st Round0 – 4
27/12/1986Fast Heat SportsAwayLeague0 – 11
3/1/1987Charlie BrownAwayLeague1 – 8Scott Ellis
31/1/1987Eastbourne British LegionAwayLeague3 – 0Ian Kinnes 2, Nick Bellhouse
7/2/1987Hellingly HospitalAwayLeague0 – 7
14/2/1987High BeechHomeLeague1 – 8
28/2/1987The Junior Club Tackleway IIIAwayLeague 1 – 0Michael Hambridge
21/3/1987Magham Down IIHomeLeague1 – 7
14/4/1987The Junior Club Tackleway IIIHomeLeague0 – 3
18/4/1987Bainbridge ShopfittersHomeLeague2 – 2Lee Hill,
21/4/1987Bexhill Amateur Athletic Club IIHomeLeague1 – 4
2/5/1987Fast Heat SportsHomeLeague1 – 5Martin Tytheleigh
5/1987Park RangersAwayLeague0 – 4

VETERANS

The veterans as usual entered the Hastings F A Veterans Cup beating Battle Rangers 4-3 before losing in the semi-final to Rye United. Various veterans expressed the view that it was time to re-enter the A F A Veterans Cup which had proved an enjoyable competition until one year when the side had only ten men to go to London.

VETERANS PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
24/4/1987Battle Rangers VeteransHomeHastings F A Veterans Cup4 – 3Hugh Sullivan 3, George Potter
1/5/1987Rye United VeteransHomeHastings F A Veterans Cup2 – 6

BOYS TEAM

Bad weather caused problems with boys games and of several arranged, it was only possible to actually play three of them against Leasam of which two were won and one lost. Will Dunlop hoped that he could devote himself to boys friendlies during the coming season.

BOYS TEAM PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
30/9/1986Leasam HouseHomeFriendly4 – 7Alex Carmichael 2, Nick Prince, Scott Ellis
7/12/1986Leasam HouseHomeFriendly4 – 4Neil Carman 2, Alex Carmichael 2
17/5/1987Leasam HouseAwayFriendly4 – 2Scott Ellis 2, Dale Glazier, David Baker

SEASON AWARDS

ICKLESHAM CASUALS v PETT CRICKET CLUB

Pett Recreation Ground – Saturday, 19th July 1986

A three wicket victory was achieved over Pett Cricket Club in the annual cricket fixture on 19th July helped to a large extent by inept fielding and dropped catches by Pett. John Osborn (24), Nick Jones (20), Stephen Crisford (13) and Ron Barden (11) were the main scorers in the Pett total of 96 all out with Stuart Baker (5-27) and Peter Brown (2-29) among the wicket takers.

In the footballers score of 100-7, Chris Morrell was top scorer with 29 not out and there were telling contributions from John Cornford (24), Michael Coleman (15 not out), Peter Brown (15) and Stuart Baker (10). David Mayne (5-39) and John Osborn (2-25) took the wickets for Pett.

ICKLESHAM CASUALS v ICKLESHAM CRICKET CLUB

Icklesham Recreation Ground – Sunday, 7th September 1986

In the friendly match with Icklesham Cricket Club on Sunday, 7th September, as expected the cricketers came out on top but the footballers pushed them pretty close.

At one stage the Cricket Club were rocking at 64-6 but Stuart Baker arrived at the crease to hit a rapid 52 (which included four sixes) in a total of 127 all out. Jim Gatherum (5-34) and Peter Drew (4-33) were the pick of the footballers bowlers.

In their reply, the footballers were soon in trouble at 29-5 but Warwick Potter (31) and skipper Robin Shearer (30) put on 61 for the sixth wicket. But once the partnership was broken, Paul Stapley (4-6) and Stuart Baker (3-16) mopped up the tail and saved the cricketers blushes leaving the Football Club 115 all out and a twelve run victory.

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

Icklesham Recreation Ground – Saturday, 2nd May 1987

The outstanding event of the season was the club’s Golden Jubilee celebration held on Saturday 2nd May which was an outstanding success. This was attended by around 300 hundred people including four of the original seven who held the first meeting to found the club in 1937 – Les Beeney, Frank Crisford, William Dunlop and Jim Munn. Many old players came considerable distances to be there.

The organising committee comprising John Crisford (chairman), Bill Black, Larry Cooke, John Dunk David French and George Potter did an excellent job in arranging the event.

GENERAL MATTERS

The Christmas Draw was a good money spinner with much credit again due to Bob Baker and Martin Tytherleigh. The new goalposts were a success, but were left in the ground too long at the end of the season owing to the difficulty of getting them out.

The retirement of Charlie Baker, the club’s honorary treasurer for over thirty years to coincide with that of Will Dunlop as Honorary secretary and Andy Dunlop as 2nd team manager and linesman would leave gaps which would be very difficult to fill and it would be up to members to support their replacements.

The fiftieth Annual General Meeting of the club was held at the Robin Hood Inn, Icklesham on Thursday, 15th June 1987 at 8 pm approximately.

CLUB OFFICIALS