Season 1987-88
51ST SEASON
SEASON REPORT
The fifty-first season was the start of a new era for the club with David Mayne becoming the new club secretary and Martin Tytherleigh the new treasurer with William Dunlop having stood down as secretary at the end of the 1986-87 season after fifty years, and Charlie Baker, treasurer and Andrew Dunlop, 2nd team manager also relinquishing their roles.
The season also saw a transfer from the Eastbourne and Hastings Football League to the East Sussex Football League. The change largely came about as the majority of clubs from the Hastings area had previously moved or were planning to move over and nearly all away fixtures were now in Eastbourne. The move also represented a new challenge for the club.
The 1987-88 season was though overshadowed by the death on Saturday, 30th April of William Dunlop, whose dedication to Icklesham Casuals for over fifty years was so much appreciated by everyone involved with the club during that time.
William died peacefully in his sleep at his home at Lunsford Farm in Pett at the age of 72. He had been ill for some time but had still regularly attended matches.
He will always have a place in the club’s history and hopefully the club would continue with the same spirit and high standards that William set. Without William there would be no Icklesham Casuals.
William’s funeral took place at Pett Church on Tuesday, 10th May. The church was packed with friends and acquaintances which showed the high regard in which William was held.
On the playing side, the year was disrupted to a large extent by the weather with hardly a game being played in January and February. This meant both teams playing several matches for four points at the end of the season. The two sides had mixed fortunes in their debut season in the East Sussex League with the first team winning Division One without losing a game, but the second team, having been allocated to Division Five, finished bottom of the table. The reputation for sportsmanship was again maintained with the 1st XI finishing as runners-up for the East Sussex League Sportsmanship Trophy.
Great difficulty was found in trying to obtain opposition for boys games, but in the end it was possible to arrange two matches which resulted in one victory and one defeat.
1ST TEAM
The 1st XI had another successful season, remaining unbeaten in the league all year and dropping only four points to become East Sussex League Division One champions. The side was a friendly one and a major contribution to the success, as in the previous year, was the ability to field a settled side for much of the season with players becoming accustomed to each others style of play. The defence was again solid with only eleven goals being conceded in league games which not only comfortably beat the club record set in the 1986-87 season, but was the lowest of any team in the whole of the East Sussex League with three of the goals being conceded in the final match of the season away to relegated Ticehurst. The standard of opposition, though, was not as high as expected, especially in the early part of the season. Two semi-finals were reached, in the East Sussex Challenge Cup and the Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup, but both ended in defeat against Premier Division opposition.
| 1ST TEAM SEASON 1987-88 Match v Ticehurst Friday, 13th May 1988 Back row (left to right):- Martin Tytherleigh, Gavin Stace, Stuart Adams, Richard Forrest, Jon Fuller, Mick Booker, Hugh Sullivan. Front row (left to right):- David Mayne, Derek French, Bob Baker (captain), Russell Drew, Paul Milton, Steve Beale. |
The league games that will be remembered were the 9-0 win at Heathfield United, the 2-2 draw at home to Pebsham Sibex, where the unbeaten record was only maintained thanks to a visiting defender putting the ball in his own net while under no pressure with only two or three minutes to play and a victory in a four point game against Old Hastonians where the team was trailing 2-0 before an inspired substitution saw the introduction of Steve Beale to score twice himself out of the six goals the side netted in the final twenty minutes.
There were two closely fought games with runners-up Stamco Reserves which both ended in goalless draws. The second of these was played on a Monday evening at Icklesham and for a number of players this was a third match in three days having played in the Old Hastonians fixture on the Saturday and for Viking on the Sunday morning. This included David Mayne who, obviously having put so much effort into the three games, fell asleep in the changing room after the match!
The route to the semi-final of the Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup included a 6-1 replay victory over Premier Division Hooe Sports after a 4-4 draw in the first game. An initial attempt was made to play the replay at Icklesham where the side battled against a very strong wind, rain and hailstones, with Richard Forrest in goal covered from head to toe in mud, to go in at half-time trailing by only one goal to nil with every confidence of taking full advantage of the conditions in the second half to turn the score round when the referee decided to abandon the game. A further victory over Premier Division opposition was achieved against Hastings Rangers in the Hastings. F A Intermediate Cup.
Bob Baker once again led the team and finished top scorer with 27 goals in all matches, ahead of Martin Tytherleigh (17), Jon Fuller (13) and Paul Milton (11). David Mayne appeared in every game while Paul Milton won the Player of the Year award for his outstanding displays on the left side of midfield.
| 1ST TEAM EAST SUSSEX FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CHAMPIONS 1987-88 Back row (left to right):- Stuart Adams, Jon Fuller, Richard Forrest, Gavin Stace, Tony Forster, David Mayne. Front row (left to right):- Paul Milton, Martin Tytherleigh, Bob Baker (captain), Derek French, Russell Drew. |
1ST TEAM PLAYING RECORD
| EAST SUSSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE |
| Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | 15 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 59 | 13 | 32 # |
| Cup | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 28 | 19 | N/A |
| Friendly | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | N/A |
| All Games | 30 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 95 | 38 | 32 # |
| DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULT | GOAL SCORERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/8/1987 | Ferring II | Away | Friendly | 1 – 2 | Bob Baker |
| 25/8/1987 | Pebsham Sibex | Away | Friendly | 2 – 1 | Bob Baker 2 |
| 5/9/1987 | Hastings Rangers | Away | Friendly | 2 – 1 | Bob Baker 2 |
| 12/9/1987 | Pebsham Sibex | Away | League | 4 – 0 | Bob Baker 2 (1 pen), Tony Forster, Martin Tytherleigh |
| 19/9/1987 | Heathfield United | Away | League | 9 – 0 | Paul Milton 3, Bob Baker 2, Tony Forster 2, Derek French, Martin Tytherleigh |
| 26/9/1987 | Mayfield | Home | League | 4 – 1 | Bob Baker 2 (1 pen), Jon Fuller, Russell Drew |
| 3/10/1987 | Ticehurst | Home | League | 7 – 0 | Martin Tytherleigh 4, Bob Baker, Stuart Adams, John Dudley |
| 24/10/1987 | East Guldeford and Camber | Away | League | 7 – 2 | Jon Fuller 3, Derek French 2, Martin Tytherleigh, Bob Baker |
| 31/10/1987 | East Guldeford and Camber | Home | Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 1st Round | 4 – 1 | Martin Tytherleigh 3, Stuart Adams |
| 7/11/1987 | Distillers | Home | A F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round | 0 – 1 | |
| 21/11/1987 | Stamco II | Away | League | 0 – 0 | |
| 28/11/1987 | Mayfield | Away | East Sussex League Challenge Cup 1st Round | 3 – 2 | Martin Tytherleigh, Paul Milton, Russell Drew |
| 5/12/1987 | Old Hastonians | Home | Hastings F A Intermediate Cup 1st Round | 5 – 1 | Paul Milton, Bob Baker, Martin Tytherleigh, Tony Forster, Hugh Sullivan |
| 12/12/1987 | Pebsham Sibex | Home | League | 2 – 2 | Bob Baker, Own Goal |
| 27/12/1987 | Viking | Home | Friendly | 3 – 2 | Jon Fuller, Paul Milton, Bob Baker |
| 16/1/1988 | Hooe Sports | Away | Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 2nd Round | 4 – 4 * | Bob Baker 2, Jon Fuller, Gavin Stace |
| 20/2/1988 | Northeye | Away | League | 2 – 2 | Jon Fuller, Paul Milton |
| 27/2/1988 | Hastings Rangers | Away | Hastings F A Intermediate Cup 2nd Round | 2 – 1 | Jon Fuller, Bob Baker |
| 5/3/1988 | Pebsham Sibex | Away | East Sussex League Challenge Cup 2nd Round | 1 – 0 * | Derek French |
| 12/3/1988 | Mayfield | Away | League | 4 – 0 | Jon Fuller, Paul Milton, Derek French, Martin Tytherleigh |
| 19/3/1988 | Hastings Town II | Home | Hastings F A Intermediate Cup 3rd Round | 0 – 2 | |
| 26/3/1988 | Hooe Sports | Home | Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 2nd Round Replay | 6 – 1 | Bob Baker 3 (2 pens), Derek French, Jon Fuller, Tony Forster |
| 11/4/1988 | Northeye | Home | League | 6 – 0 | Bob Baker 2, Jon Fuller, Martin Tytherleigh, Paul Milton, Hugh Sullivan |
| 16/4/1988 | Old Hastonians | Away | League | 6 – 2 # | Steve Beale 2, Stuart Adams, Hugh Sullivan, Derek French, Paul Milton (pen) |
| 18/4/1988 | Stamco II | Home | League | 0 – 0 | |
| 23/4/1988 | Polegate | Away | League | 1 – 0 # | Martin Tytherleigh |
| 30/4/1988 | Sandhurst | Home | East Sussex League Challenge Cup Semi-Final | 1 – 3 | Paul Milton |
| 7/5/1988 | The Junior Club Tackleway | Home | League | 3 – 1 # | Martin Tytherleigh 2, Derek French |
| 13/5/1988 | Ticehurst | Away | League | 4 – 3 | Bob Baker 3 (1 pen), Hugh Sullivan |
| 16/5/1988 | Harrow | Neutral< | Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup Semi-Final | 2 – 3 | Jon Fuller 2 |
| Notes # Matches v Old Hastonians (16/4/1988), Polegate (23/4/1988) and The Junior Club Tackleway (7/5/1988) played for 4 points East Guldeford and Camber withdrew – record expunged Points awarded for unfulfilled fixture v Heathfield United (Home) (25/4/1988) * After Extra Time < Match played at Robertsbridge Match v Harrow (East Sussex League Challenge Cup 3rd Round) (Away) (2/4/1988) awarded on appeal – not included above Abandoned game v Hooe Sports (Robertsbridge Charity Intermediate Cup 2nd Round Replay) (Home) (13/2/1988) – Score 0-1 (Half Time). Team – R Forrest, M Booker, D Mayne, G Stace, S Adams, D French, M Tytherleigh, P Milton, J Fuller, R. Baker, A Forster. Sub – R Drew. |
2ND TEAM
Unlike the first team, the 2nd XI suffered for much of the season from having an unsettled side and in fact throughout the season forty different players were used. The side found themselves in a division where the difference between the top and bottom sides was not that great, losing only 1-0 to champions Heating Maintenance Hastings, but a combination of bad luck and poor finishing resulted in the team ending up at the wrong end of the table.
The most memorable game came in the Hastings F A Junior Cup tie against Bodiam Reserves from Division Three. The match was tied at 1-1 after ninety minutes and 2-2 after extra time with Bodiam just scraping through 4-3 on penalties. This game also saw the unfortunate injury to Peter Bailey which caused his retirement from football and his reliable performances in the centre of defence were certainly missed.
Everyone in the side tried hard and did not give up even when things were going against them. Jon Dudley was deservedly voted 2nd XI Player of the Year for his performances in midfield, defence and also in goal, while Dale Glazier was awarded the Bert Glazier Cup, originally donated in memory of his grandfather. Both Maurice Sargent and Roger Taylor missed only one match. Thanks were due to both John Oak and Kevin Blackford for refereeing games when no official was appointed by the League.
A definite improvement was seen on the field towards the end of the season.
2ND TEAM PLAYING RECORD
| EAST SUSSEX LEAGUE DIVISION FIVE |
| Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | 22 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 30 | 65 | 13 # |
| Cup | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 30 | N/A |
| Friendly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | N/A |
| All Games | 28 | 3 | 5 | 20 | 33 | 98 | 13 # |
| DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULT | GOAL SCORERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/9/1987 | Hastings Rangers II | Away | Friendly | 1 – 3 | Alan Butler |
| 12/9/1987 | Pebsham Sibex II | Away | League | 1 – 7 | Hugh Sullivan |
| 19/9/1987 | Heathfield Hotspurs | Away | League | 2 – 4 | Hugh Sullivan, Steve Beale |
| 26/9/1987 | Ticehurst II | Away | League | 3 – 2 | Ivan Baker, Roger Taylor, Alex Carmichael |
| 3/10/1987 | Herstmonceux II | Away | League | 1 – 1 | Lee Hill |
| 24/10/1987 | Carshalton III | Home | A F A Junior Cup 1st Round | 0 – 7 | |
| 31/10/1987 | Heating Maintenance Hastings | Away | League | 0 – 5 | |
| 7/11/1987 | Hooe Sports II | Away | League | 3 – 5 | Neil Carman, Lee Hill, Hugh Sullivan |
| 21/11/1987 | Mountfield United | Home | Robertsbridge Charity Junior Cup 1st Round | 0 – 8 | |
| 28/11/1987 | Hastings Rangers III | Home | Hastings F A Lower Divisions Cup 2nd Round | 0 – 7 | |
| 5/12/1987 | Heathfield United II | Away | League | 3 – 3 | Steve Beale, Bill Black, Michael Hambridge |
| 12/12/1987 | Dental Estimate Board II | Away | League | 2 – 4 | Neil Carman, John Dudley |
| 19/12/1987 | Hawkhurst United II | Home | East Sussex League Percy Chambers Cup 1st Round | 0 – 6 | |
| 16/1/1987 | Heating Maintenance Hastings | Home | League | 0 – 1 | |
| 20/2/1988 | Bodiam II | Home | Hastings F A Junior Cup 2nd Round | 2 – 2 * | Russell Drew. Own Goal |
| 27/2/1987 | East Hoathly | Away | League | 2 – 7 | Alan Butler, Lee Hill |
| 5/3/1988 | The Junior Club Tackleway II | Home | League | 2 – 2 # | Chris Morrell, Hugh Sullivan |
| 12/3/1988 | Travaux II | Home | League | 0 – 3 # | |
| 26/3/1988 | Catsfield | Away | League | 2 – 5 # | Hugh Sullivan, Roger Taylor |
| 2/4/1988 | Pebsham Sibex II | Home | League | 0 – 1 | |
| 9/4/1988 | Ticehurst II | Home | League | 0 – 2 | |
| 12/4/1988 | Claverham II | Away | League | 1 – 1 # | John Dudley (pen) |
| 16/4/1988 | Herstmonceux II | Home | League | 2 – 1 | Colin Sinden, Michael Hambridge |
| 23/4/1988 | Heathfield Hotspurs | Home | League | 2 – 5 | Colin Sinden 2 |
| 27/4/1988 | Heathfield United II | Home | League | 0 – 1 | |
| 4/5/1988 | Hooe Sports II | Home | League | 1 – 1 | Russell Drew |
| 7/5/1988 | Dental Estimate Board II | Home | League | 1 – 0 | Own Goal |
| 13/5/1988 | East Hoathly | Home | League | 2 – 4 | John Dudley 2 (1 pen) |
| Notes # Matches v The Junior Club Tackleway II (5/3/1988), Travaux II (12/3/1988), Catsfield (26/3/1988) and Claverham II (12/4/1988) played for 4 points * After Extra Time – lost 3-4 on penalties |
VETERANS
The veterans again entered the Hastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup but due to several players being unavailable through other commitments or injuries they lost in the first round, 5-0 away to Hastings Rangers.
VETERANS PLAYING RECORD
| Competition | P | W | D | L | F | A | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | N/A |
| DATE | OPPONENTS | VENUE | COMPETITION | RESULT | GOAL SCORERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22/4/1988 | Hastings Rangers Veterans | Away | Hastings F A Veterans Invitation Cup 1st Round | 0 – 5 |
SEASON AWARDS
GENERAL MATTERS
Prior to the start of the season the club won the Sedlescombe Six-a-Side Tournament for the third successive year.
The Christmas Draw again proved a financial success although profit was slightly down on the previous year. Thanks went to all those who helped to organise this especially Martin Tytherleigh and Bob Baker.
The end of season get-together was held at the Two Sawyers in Pett and proved an enjoyable evening.
On Saturday, 4th June 1988 an enjoyable cricket match was played against Pett Cricket Club with the game ending in a draw. The Casuals batted first and made a respectable 182 for 7 declared with Pett replying with 121 for 7.
Bert Mayatt starred with both bat and ball, scoring 80 with the bat and then taking 2-9 in the Pett innings. Stephen Crisford hit 48 runs with Stuart Baker making 13 not out and then recording bowling figures of 2-35. John Dunk also took 2-33 for Icklesham.
The Icklesham Casuals cricket team contained current and former players and was:- Dick Crisford (captain), John Crisford, Steve Beale, Gary Grainger, Stephen Crisford, Bert Mayatt, Stuart Baker, Chris Morrell, Jonathan Horobin, John Dunk, David Mayne.
The Annual General Meeting was held in the pavilion at Icklesham Recreation Ground on Wednesday, 22nd June 1988 at 8 pm.