BRITISH RAIL FOOTBALL TEAM
1969 / 1970 Season
By Paul Blackman
Back in around 1967 a Gentleman named Bob Cox who worked in the Port Offices at the Ferry Terminal started a Sunday football team called British Rail Newhaven.
We met every Monday evening in the Railway Club which was just over the old swing bridge on the right hand side, as you went towards the Station. (Is it still there ?)
We played our home games at Lewes Road Recreation Ground when it was much bigger than it is now. It was a good team and we started in Division 10 of the Sussex Sunday League and within 4 years were in Division 2 (being promoted more than one league at a time of course).
This is a picture of the 'First Team' taken at Fishersgate in Shoreham during the 1969/70 season. I think we were playing in Division 4 then.
Back Row left to right: Paul Cooper (who use to turn up every Sunday to 'run the line' in all weathers), Trevor Blacktin, 'Butch' Meacham, Alan Tapp (Club Captain but probably injured when photo was taken), Mike Smith, Alan ('Pringle') Prior, Ray Wells, Bob Young, Bob Cox (the man who may made it all happen, if you're still around Bob thanks very much),
Front Row left to right: Bob Jones, Dick Sorrell, Pete Woolford, Paul Blackman, Ricky Atkinson, Bob Hitchcock.
I think this was the season we went through undefeated.....unless of course you know different.