AWARDS - SEASON 2008-09   1ST TEAM PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR -   Dave Pugh   1ST TEAM MANAGER’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR -   Gavin Moor   2ND TEAM PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR -   Jon Fitton   2ND TEAM MANAGER’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR -   Steve Bellhouse   YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR -   Rob Potter   BERT GLAZIER CUP WINNER -   Dave Harding        100 APPEARANCE AWARD -   Gavin Moor   SUSSEX COUNTY FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION LONG SERVICE AWARDS   Bob Baker Michael Hambridge Keith Swallow Martin Tytherleigh   AWARD FOR 25 YEARS SERVICE TO THE CLUB   - David Mayne

GEORGE COOKE MBE The club would like to offer its congratulations to George Cooke who, as chairman of Middlesbrough Football Club in the Community, was awarded the MBE for services to sport in the recent Queen's Birthday honours list. George played 173 games in goal for the Icklesham Casuals between 1961 and 1970 - 83 for the 1st team, 34 for the 2nd team and 56 for the 3rd team. He was born in Icklesham, attended the local primary school and also played for the cricket club. In 1994 George became a director of Middlesbrough Football Club and had a major role guiding the club from its famous old ground Ayresome Park to its new one at the Riverside Stadium and was instrumental in creating the Charity Middlesbrough Football Club in the Community which helps up to 45,000 Teesiders a year.

ICKLESHAM CASUALS FOOTBALL CLUB Season Report 2008-09 The first team under the management of Martin Tytherleigh and captaincy of Sean Baker started off slowly but improved as the season progressed ending with four successive victories to achieve a 3rd place finish in the first division of the East Sussex League with 10 wins from 22 games. Dave Pugh was top scorer with 28 goals with Steve Pugh getting 25. The last two games of the season saw a 9-0 victory over Ticehurst with Steve Pugh scoring six of the goals and Sean Baker showing another string to his bow with a faultless performance in goal followed by a 6-2 win against Crowhurst, the highlight being Sean Baker’s goal from the halfway line. Having been promoted the previous season the second team consolidated in division four and finished in a very creditable 5th position with 9 wins from 20 matches. After a good start, they suffered a poor run of results, partly due to the loss of several key players for a variety of reasons, but completed the season with a resounding 10-1 win against J C Tackleway II with George McEwan appearing in goal in the second half of the game. Good cup wins were achieved notably against Eastbourne Dynamos (5-0) and Mayfield (2-1) both from higher divisions. Aaron Leech scored his second goal for the club in a cup victory over Catsfield II. Jimmy McGachy was top scorer with 15 goals and Jon Fitton played in every game passing 200 appearances for the club during the season. Michael Hambridge is again due our thanks for a tremendous job in running the side. The veterans reached the final of the Hastings F.A. Veterans Cup but went down to Little Common in the game played at Sidley United’s ground. One notable achievement of which the club is extremely proud is the first team winning the East Sussex Football League Sportsmanship Trophy. This is based on marks given by referees throughout the season and is competed for by all 81 teams in the league. The team was top from the start to the end of the season. The second team finished in 14th place also with a very high average mark. The first team will receive the trophy along with a cheque for £100 at the League’s presentation evening. During the season Martin Tytherleigh made his 750th appearance for the club. It was also good to have Stuart Adams back playing again although disappointing his season ended early through injury and to see Tim Hambridge progress from the second team to become a first team regular. Thank you to all those who contributed to an enjoyable season especially Keith Swallow as secretary, linesman and for pitch marking, Bob Baker as chairman and his work with the veterans, Martin Tytherleigh and Michael Hambridge as team managers and Michael Beaumont and Micky Zysemil for their help in running the sides. Also to Dave Harding for the setting up and running of the club’s website and to everyone who came along to support the teams.

SECRETARYS REPORT 2008/09 SEASON Another wet winter resulted in a rash of postponements and heavy fixture congestion towards the end of the season.  At one point the First Team were playing 3 times in 8 days, amidst fears that ageing limbs would not be able to respond.  Rather than this having  a detrimental effect, however, the team responded and put together a remarkable run of form which saw them ultimately finish 3rd in Division 1 of the ESFL, their best placing for a number of years.  For a team which early on appeared to be flirting with relegation this was a significant achievement (and compares with 8th place in 2007/08).      Highlights of the season were a 9-0 victory at Ticehurst, and a 6-2 defeat of Crowhurst.  Dave Pugh just edged out Steve Pugh as the team’s leading scorer; and in addition to their goals, Neil Hastings’ recall between the sticks was an instrumental factor in the team’s late run. 1st XI League record: P22      W10      D3        L9         For 66   Ag 55   Pts 33 The Second XI in contrast made an excellent start in their first season in ESFL Division 4 and, with a 3-0 away victory became the first side to defeat Eastbourne Galaxy (who were not to suffer another reverse until January).  However, the aforementioned resurgence of the 1st XI was due in part to the promotion of some of the younger players from the 2ndXI - notably Tim Hambridge and Freddie Williams - and their loss was keenly felt by the 2nd XI after Christmas.  Nevertheless, with Ashley Jansen and top scorer Jimmy McGachie holding the midfield together; and Alfie Weller proving highly dependable in goal following an injury which prevented him playing in his usual forward role, relegation was never a serious threat.  A 10-1 victory at Tackleway on the last day of the season ensured that the team ultimately finished a highly creditable 5th (of 12 teams). 2nd XI League record: P20      W9       D2        L9         For 54   Ag 57   Pts 29 The Veterans’ team continued to perform well in the H&DFA competition; and once again reached the final, having finished top of their group and then defeating a strong Wadhurst side 4-0 in the semi-final.  In a re-match of the 2007-08 final, however, Little Common this time reversed the result and we had to settle for being runners-up. The First XI won the ESFL Sportsmanship award (based upon referees’ markings over the whole season), for the first time.  This is a commendable achievement. A total of  70 were players registered for the Club during the season. A significant off the field activity was the development of the Icklesham Casuals website, which has attracted a lot of very favourable comment not just from within the Club, but from many other parties; Icklesham Parish Council even has a link to the site!  This includes a wealth of photographs covering the whole history of the Club; player appearance and goalscorer records; and many other items of interest.  The “news” pages advise of forthcoming events, which also helps to improve communications - an area where we have not been strong in the recent past.   To get this website up and running was a huge undertaking, and we are indebted to Dave Harding for bringing this about and for ongoing management. As ever, a lot of work was required behind the scenes over the season; and the level of postponements (which had the effect of extending the playing season into May) brought additional problems.  The Club is lucky to have a number of very loyal and dedicated officers and supporters and I should particularly like to thank <personnamew:ston>Martin Tytherleigh, Michael Hambridge, David Mayne, Mike Beaumont, Micky Zysemil and Bob Baker for their commitment - not just over the season but over many years. KEITH SWALLOW HONORARY SECRETARY

Michael Beaumont collecting the Sportmanship Trophy and a cheque for £100 from Eddie Potter of the East Sussex Football League - 18th May 2009

HASTINGS HALF MARATHON Sunday 15th March 2009

As I reached the seafront I was up with the leaders - just over 2 miles to go, feeling really strong and confident of winning my first half marathon..........

7 a.m.        Wake up

10.20 a.m.  Lining up ready for the start - can't believe a finely tuned athlete like myself is being made to start so near to the back of the field.

10.30 a.m.  Starting gun goes - set off full of hope and confidence.

10.31 a.m.  Confidence shattered when I realise my chances of winning the race are remote.

10.32 a.m.  Confidence further dented when I realise my chances of finishing the race are remote.

10.33 a.m.  Cross the start line.  

10.43 a.m.  Turn left at the bottom of Filsham Road aiming to run back to the finish line and win the race in record time - sent back by the Race Marshalls - b*****ds.

10.55 a.m.  Harley Shute Road - overtake man in clown costume (no, it wasn't Keith).

11.15 a.m.  The climb up Queensway - the part of the course I am least looking forward to but boosted as I am feeling better than expected at this stage........

11.16 a.m.  Overtaken by man dressed as a Dalmatian and pushing a pram.

11.17 a.m.  Ask man dressed as a Dalmatian and pushing a pram for a lift - told where to go.

11.26 a.m.  Relieved to reach the top of Queensway in a faster time than anticipated - met by a shout of 'What kept you?' Unable to respond due to breathing difficulties.  

11.40 a.m.  Reach the Conquest Hospital - call in for a supply of oxygen and a lie down - no beds available.

11.58 a.m.  The Ridge - receive abuse from John and Gary Osborn.

12.20 p.m.  Arrive at the Old Town and stop off at the Dolphin for fish and chips - it is getting on for one o'clock and I haven't had any lunch yet.

12.35 p.m.  Set off again but soon regret having the pickled egg.  

12.45 p.m.  Crawl past the pier and then Warrior Square on my hands and knees - cursing Keith for talking me into running this and deeply regretting not starting my training until February.  

12.55 p.m.  Scramble over the finish line - relieved, knackered and so looking forward to next years race.  

I would like to thank Keith for giving me a lift down to the race and more so for waiting behind afterwards for me having finished so much earlier himself (even though he was also overtaken by the man dressed as a Dalmatian and pushing a pram!) - I fully appreciate he was losing valuable drinking time.

I would also like to point out to Gavin that if I hadn't been very narrowly beaten by 3178 people (and a man dressed as a Dalmatian and pushing a pram) he would be playing football naked next Saturday.

On a serious note Keith and I would like to thank everyone who supported us with sponsorship - we will be collecting the money shortly! We hope to raise around £250 for the new pavilion fund - if anyone didn't sponsor us but would still like todo so, it's not too late - any further contributions will be gratefully accepted.

David Mayne

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