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.

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 PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
18/8/1987Ferring IIAwayFriendly1 – 2Bob Baker
25/8/1987Pebsham SibexAwayFriendly2 – 1Bob Baker 2
5/9/1987Hastings RangersAwayFriendly2 – 1Bob Baker 2
12/9/1987Pebsham SibexAwayLeague4 – 0Bob Baker 2 (1 pen), Tony Forster, Martin Tytherleigh
19/9/1987Heathfield UnitedAwayLeague9 – 0Paul Milton 3, Bob Baker 2, Tony Forster 2, Derek French, Martin Tytherleigh
26/9/1987MayfieldHomeLeague4 – 1Bob Baker 2 (1 pen), Jon Fuller, Russell Drew
3/10/1987TicehurstHomeLeague7 – 0Martin Tytherleigh 4, Bob Baker, Stuart Adams, John Dudley
24/10/1987East Guldeford and
Camber		AwayLeague7 – 2Jon Fuller 3, Derek French 2, Martin Tytherleigh, Bob Baker
31/10/1987East Guldeford and CamberHomeRobertsbridge Charity
Intermediate Cup 1st Round		4 – 1Martin Tytherleigh 3, Stuart Adams
7/11/1987DistillersHomeA F A Intermediate Cup
1st Round		0 – 1
21/11/1987Stamco IIAwayLeague0 – 0
28/11/1987MayfieldAwayEast Sussex League
Challenge Cup 1st Round		3 – 2Martin Tytherleigh, Paul Milton, Russell Drew
5/12/1987Old HastoniansHomeHastings F A Intermediate Cup
1st Round		5 – 1Paul Milton, Bob Baker, Martin Tytherleigh, Tony Forster, Hugh Sullivan
12/12/1987Pebsham SibexHomeLeague2 – 2Bob Baker, Own Goal
27/12/1987VikingHomeFriendly3 – 2Jon Fuller, Paul Milton, Bob Baker
16/1/1988Hooe SportsAwayRobertsbridge Charity
Intermediate Cup 2nd Round		4 – 4 *Bob Baker 2, Jon Fuller, Gavin Stace
20/2/1988NortheyeAwayLeague2 – 2Jon Fuller, Paul Milton
27/2/1988Hastings RangersAwayHastings F A Intermediate Cup
2nd Round		2 – 1Jon Fuller, Bob Baker
5/3/1988Pebsham SibexAwayEast Sussex League
Challenge Cup 2nd Round		1 – 0 *Derek French
12/3/1988MayfieldAwayLeague4 – 0Jon Fuller, Paul Milton, Derek French, Martin Tytherleigh
19/3/1988Hastings Town IIHomeHastings F A Intermediate Cup
3rd Round		0 – 2
26/3/1988Hooe SportsHomeRobertsbridge Charity
Intermediate Cup 2nd Round Replay		6 – 1Bob Baker 3 (2 pens), Derek French, Jon Fuller, Tony Forster
11/4/1988NortheyeHomeLeague6 – 0Bob Baker 2, Jon Fuller, Martin Tytherleigh, Paul Milton, Hugh Sullivan
16/4/1988Old HastoniansAwayLeague6 – 2 #Steve Beale 2, Stuart Adams, Hugh Sullivan, Derek French, Paul Milton (pen)
18/4/1988Stamco IIHomeLeague0 – 0
23/4/1988PolegateAwayLeague1 – 0 #Martin Tytherleigh
30/4/1988SandhurstHomeEast Sussex League
Challenge Cup Semi-Final		1 – 3Paul Milton
7/5/1988The Junior Club
Tackleway		HomeLeague3 – 1 #Martin Tytherleigh 2, Derek French
13/5/1988TicehurstAwayLeague4 – 3Bob Baker 3 (1 pen), Hugh Sullivan
16/5/1988HarrowNeutral<Robertsbridge Charity
Intermediate Cup Semi-Final		2 – 3Jon Fuller 2

NEWSPAPER REPORTS

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

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
5/9/1987Hastings Rangers IIAwayFriendly1 – 3Alan Butler
12/9/1987Pebsham Sibex IIAwayLeague1 – 7Hugh Sullivan
19/9/1987Heathfield HotspursAwayLeague2 – 4Hugh Sullivan, Steve Beale
26/9/1987Ticehurst IIAwayLeague3 – 2Ivan Baker, Roger Taylor, Alex Carmichael
3/10/1987Herstmonceux IIAwayLeague1 – 1Lee Hill
24/10/1987Carshalton IIIHomeA F A Junior Cup 1st Round0 – 7
31/10/1987Heating Maintenance HastingsAwayLeague0 – 5
7/11/1987Hooe Sports IIAwayLeague3 – 5Neil Carman, Lee Hill, Hugh Sullivan
21/11/1987Mountfield UnitedHomeRobertsbridge Charity Junior Cup
1st Round		0 – 8
28/11/1987Hastings Rangers IIIHomeHastings F A Lower Divisions Cup
2nd Round		0 – 7
5/12/1987Heathfield United IIAwayLeague3 – 3Steve Beale, Bill Black, Michael Hambridge
12/12/1987Dental Estimate Board IIAwayLeague2 – 4Neil Carman, John Dudley
19/12/1987Hawkhurst United IIHomeEast Sussex League
Percy Chambers Cup 1st Round		0 – 6
16/1/1987Heating Maintenance
Hastings		HomeLeague 0 – 1
20/2/1988Bodiam IIHomeHastings F A Junior Cup 2nd Round2 – 2 *Russell Drew, Own Goal
27/2/1987East HoathlyAwayLeague2 – 7Alan Butler, Lee Hill
5/3/1988The Junior Club Tackleway IIHomeLeague2 – 2 #Chris Morrell, Hugh Sullivan
12/3/1988Travaux IIHomeLeague0 – 3 #
26/3/1988CatsfieldAwayLeague2 – 5 #Hugh Sullivan, Roger Taylor
2/4/1988Pebsham Sibex IIHomeLeague0 – 1
9/4/1988Ticehurst IIHomeLeague0 – 2
12/4/1988Claverham IIAwayLeague1 – 1 #John Dudley (pen)
16/4/1988Herstmonceux IIHomeLeague2 – 1Colin Sinden, Michael Hambridge
23/4/1988Heathfield HotspursHomeLeague2 – 5Colin Sinden 2
27/4/1988Heathfield United IIHomeLeague0 – 1
4/5/1988Hooe Sports IIHomeLeague1 – 1Russell Drew
7/5/1988Dental Estimate Board IIHomeLeague1 – 0Own Goal
13/5/1988East HoathlyHomeLeague 2 – 4John Dudley 2 (1 pen)

NEWSPAPER REPORT

VETERANS

The veterans again entered the Hastings F A Veterans Cup but with several players being unavailable through other commitments or injuries they lost in the first round, 5-0 away to Hastings Rangers.

VETERANS PLAYING RECORD

DATEOPPONENTSVENUECOMPETITIONRESULTGOAL SCORERS
22/4/1988Hastings Rangers VeteransAwayHastings F A Veterans Cup 1st Round0 – 5

SEASON AWARDS

ICKLESHAM CASUALS v PETT CRICKET CLUB

Pett Recreation Ground – Saturday, 4th June 1988

The cricket match with Pett Cricket Club in June 1988 ended in a draw with the footballers recording a score of 182-7 dec. thanks in no small measure to a knock of 80 from Bert Mayatt whose innings included two sixes and eleven fours. Bert and Stephen Crisford who made 48 added 137 for the fourth wicket. Stuart Baker with 13 not out was the third highest scorer.

In reply, Pett were unable to meet the run rate despite good contributions from Dave Troughton (36), Peter Brown (16) and Andrew Dunlop (16) and ended on 121-7. Bert Mayatt proved useful with the ball taking 2-9 while John Dunk (2-33) and Stuart Baker (2-35) were also among the wickets.

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.

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.

The Annual General Meeting was held in the pavilion at Icklesham Recreation Ground on Wednesday, 22nd June 1988 at 8 pm.

CLUB OFFICIALS