The team consisted of:
(left hand side back row) Russ Mitchell, Harold Proudley, Tony Bleach, George Leggett, Vic Dorrington, Collier, Jim Carpenter, Sid Gilby.
(left hand side front row) Dick Stares, Eric Dean, Alan Hathaway, Johnny Castle, Charlie Wiltshire.
Lavant Bognor League Team 1953-54
The team consisted of:
(left hand side back row) Harold Dean, Stan mason, Max Triggs, Ted Squires, Ted Rogers, Bob Mason, Ronnie Squires, Reg Britts.
(left hand side front row) Dave Arnell, Jack James, ?, Ray Hill, ?.
The members of the Committee consisted of:
Chairman Mr L.Taylor
Vice Chairman Mr W.Miles
Hon Secretary Mr H.A.Bleach
Hon Treasurer Mrs E.Balchin
Members Mr E.Hathaway, Mr H.Proudley, Mr J.Millier, Mr H.Dean, Mr S.Gilbey.
Hon Secretary Supporters Club Miss B.Hathaway
Captain A.Hathaway
Vice Captain H.Proudley
2nd Team Captain B.Budd
Monthly meetings were held over the course of the season and various topics were discussed and actioned. Some of the key points from these meetings are highlighted below:
30th June 1953
It was agreed that no new players be accepted, who were living in Chichester. All players signed on last year are still welcome. It was decided to see if there was a suitable field for the football pitch, if it was intended moving from the recreation ground.
23rd July 1953
The secretary reported that the football gear was all in good shape except the footballs which are not up to match standard and so it was decided to buy two new ones. An estimate was put forward from Frederick Hill for repairs to the pavilion but the committee decided it was too much and not to accept it. Mr Hathaway and Mr Proudley said they could probably do the repairs and it was left until the 27th July when the committee could look at the pavilion and decide.
11th August 1953
There were discussion as to where the club would play this season and it was finally proposed by Mr Dean and seconded by Mr Hathaway that the club would start playing on the recreation ground and that Mr Taylor and Mr Miles should approach Mr E.G Lock as to the position regarding the meadow at the top of Pook Lane.
24th August 1953
It was decided that the second team should be insured by the same firm as the first team and that Hon Sec should make the necessary arrangements. The Hon Sec reported a leak in the water piping in the Pavilion and Mr T.Squires is to be approached to repair same. Mrs Balchin kindly agreed to arrange the tea at half time for home matches as she had done in previous seasons.
The following team was selected to play Sidlesham in a friendly match on August 27th 1953:
G.Leggett
C.Wiltshire S.Callow
T.Croft A.Hathaway A.Bleach
R.Squires D.Stares E.Dean B.Balchin T.Rogers
Result: Sidlesham 6 Lavant 1
Goal Scorer: T.Rogers
5th October 1953
Mr Miles reported on the Chichester District and Mr Bleach reported on the Bognor District league management meetings. It was reported that no repairs had been done to the pavilion as yet and the Secretary was asked to approach Mr H.Proudley to see if he would do the necessary repairs. Mr Wilson of Sherbourne road, Chichester has approached the club with a wish to join but it was decided that the committee would not make him an exception to the non-Chichester players rule. The teams were picked for next Saturday and the meeting was declared closed.
26th October 1953
Mr Hathaway had reported that he had repaired the two windows broken in the village hall by the football cluband it was agreed he should present the bill to the football club for payment. A cross bar had been broken and it was decided to purchase another from messrs Covers and that it should be erected in place of the repaired one by next Saturday. Mr. Taylor pointed out that there was no regular linesman at the home games and so the Secretary was asked to approach Mr. A. Geese to officiate. It was decide to run a Christmas draw and it was left to Miss Hathaway to find what prizes would be forthcoming and arrange for the tickets to be printed.
The meeting was then closed.
30th November 1953
The Secretary was asked to approach Mr A. Geese to take the position of groundsman as well as linesman. It was decided to ask Mr B.Budd the captain of the 2nd XI, to attend the selection committee meeting to give some advise on selecting the 2nd XI team. The Secretary put forward a scheme to floodlight a goalmouth on the green to enable the players to practice in the evenings and it was left to him to see if it could be arranged.
Owing to a large amount of injuries and the 2nd XI position in the league it was decided to sign on E. Merry from East Dean.
26th January 1954
A letter has been received from Lavant Cricket Club asking if it would be possible for the football club to vacate the recreation ground at the end of February to enable them to prepare a cricket square. This matter was discussed at some length and it was proposed by Mr Miles and seconded by Mrs Balchin that a letter should be written to the L.C.C. stating that we would not guarantee but would endeavour to do this.
22nd February 1954
The Chairman reported that four members of the football club, messrs Taylor, Millier, Miles and Bleach had attended a meeting with the Cricket Club. It has been decided that the recreation ground is in a very bad state and so the football club would finish the season on the meadow at the top of Pook lane, which Mr. E.G Lock has kindly offered to fence off and roll and that the committee would look into the position of playing on this meadow in future. The cricket club have offered their help, both financially and manually in making a decent pitch there. The Hon Secretary presented the financial statement and it was shown that the football club has a balance of £40. The Supporters club are running a dance on Friday Feb 27th for Club Funds.
26th April 1954
It was decided that the committee should approach Mr. E.G Lock on his return from holiday to see if he were agreeable to the Club making certain alterations to the field in Pook Lane to enable a better pitch to be made there. A letter was read out from Mr and Mrs Sid Callow thanking the club for the wedding gift from the members.
4th May 1954
Mr Taylor reported that Mr lock had kindly given permission for any alterations that the football club think necessary could be made to the football field. Mr Taylor also said that he had been in conversation with Mr Chapman as to what steps be taken to fill in a gully in the middle of the playing field. Mr Chapman kindly offered to supply enough soil to fill this gully and Mr lock has offered some grass seed to sow. It was decided to see if it was possible to move the pavilion from the Recreation Ground and to write to the Town and County Planning for permission to erect it in the new field.
21st June 1954
Mr Chapman has said that the soil to fill the gulley in the football pitch would be delivered fairly soon. He has kindly offered to transport the soil free of charge but a charge may be made by the Council for the soil.
A letter has been received from the Rural District Council with regards to moving the football pavilion from its present site to the new field. This letter contains some irrelevant alterations which the council expected the L.F.C to make to the field. This was shown to Mr E.G Lock and he has said he would talk to the council about it.
It was suggested by the Hon Sec that the AGM be held on Tuesday June 03 and the committee unanimously agreed. The necessary notices to be sent out and a committee meeting to be held on Monday to discuss details. The meeting was then closed. 28th June 1954 Mrs Balchin gave the Hon Treasurers Report on the Balance Sheet, which has been audited and signed by Mr W.P.Whale. The club has £6-14-2. Mr Taylor commented that the school fund had not been paid a part of the Groundsmans fee which duties the schoolboys had undertaken, and it was proposed that the sum of £3 be paid to them. Mr Taylor reported on the Bognor League Management Committee. There are five new clubs seeking election to this league and it has been suggested that the league be divided into two halves, either geographically or on merit with promotion and relegation. This is to be decided at the AGM of the league. Mr E.G Lock has said that he has visited the District Council and they will consider giving permission for the erection of the pavilion in the new field on the receipt of the necessary form showing the position etc. Mr Roth has kindly offered to draw up the plans free of charge. The District Council have made one condition that no cars be allowed in the field containing the football pitch.
Mr Taylor has approached Mr Gibbons for his opinion as to the cost of moving the pavilion. He estimated this to be £30 but the committee thinks that this is very much underestimated. A detailed agenda for the AGM was brought up and the meeting closed.
29th June 1954
Annual General Meeting
There were 26 members present.
Canon S.L. Buckwell kindly taking the chair.
The minutes of 1953 Annual General Meeting were read, unanimously carried and signed by the chairman.
The Hon Secretary reported that the Club had entered two leagues last season and had turned out two complete teams every Saturday.
The Chichester league side had finished tenth in the league having won nine games, drawn four and lost thirteen games.
The Bognor league side were not so fortunate and finished bottom, having won three, drawn two and lost twenty-three games.
Fifty players had played for Lavant in the season. Seven had received injuries, which had kept them from football for some time and this partly accounted for the mediocre performance in the Bognor League.
Mr Miles then proposed and Mr Taylor seconded a vote of thanks to the secretary and this was unanimously carried.
The Hon Secretary reported that the club was financially better off than last season although the Supporters club was slightly down. It was mentioned that as there had been an extra team to run there had been extra traveling expenses and it was agreed that it was a satisfactory balance.
Mr Miles proposed that the balance sheet should be adopted, Mr Wiltshire seconded and it was carried.
Mr Miles than proposed a motion that the meeting deplore the fact that only 50% of the members of the club paid their subscriptions of 2 5/6″.
Mr Taylor seconded this and it was unanimously agreed that this was a very poor show.
The Chairman of the Committee then addressed the meeting. He asked if players could be more cooperative in paying subscriptions and notifying the Secretary in good time if unable to pay.
There had been discussions between the Football and Cricket clubs of the village with regard to the Recreation ground. It has been said that if the Football Club continue to play on the ground it will be totally unfit for cricket. As other football clubs have complained about the stones on the pitch and there is always difficulty in arranging home games at the beginning and end of the season, it has been brought to the meeting to decide if the football ground could be moved to the top of Pook lane. The Chairman said it would overcome most difficulties and save a lot of unrest in the village. Mr E.G.Lock had kindly offered the ground & Mr Chapman some soil to fill in the gully in the pitch. The following officials were then elected for the 1954-55 season.
Chairman Mr L.Taylor
Vice Chairman Mr W.Miles Hon Secretary Mr H.A.Bleach
Assitant Hon Secretary Mr P.Barden Hon Treasurer Mrs E.Balchin Members Mr H.Proudley, Mr J.Millier, Mr A.Hathaway, Mr S.Gilbey, Mr S.Gilbey, Mr C.Wiltshire, Mr E.Squires. Captain Mr H.Proudley Vice Captain Mr C.Wiltshire Patron R.E.Coltterill Woods Esq President Canon S.Buckwell Vice President En Bloc Goundsman Hon Secretary was asked to approach P.Jones failing this the committee to appoint someone.
The playing ground was then discussed and it was proposed by Mr K.Duke and 2nd by Mr Hathaway and unanimously carried that the field at the top of Pook lane be used.
It was decided that the gully must be filled in and the pavilion moved at any cost and it was proposed by Mr Taylor and 2nd by Mr Miles that an estimate be obtained from Mr Aldred who is doing work within the village.
Mr C.Wiltshire proposed and Mr Hathaway seconded a vote of thanks to Mr E.G. Lock for kindly offering the meadow and fencing off the playing field. Canon S.L.Buckwell then paid tribute to the Committee on their first season of management in running two teams and ending the season with a good balance. He said he hoped they would progress even further and put the club well on its feet again. There being no further business the meeting was closed. Final League positions 1953-54: Chichester & District League:
| Team: |
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
P
|
| Bosham |
26
|
24
|
1
|
1
|
159
|
35
|
49
|
| Selsey |
26 |
23
|
1
|
2
|
138
|
32
|
47
|
| Sidlesham |
26 |
17
|
5
|
4
|
102
|
52
|
39
|
| W.Dean & Sin. Utd |
26 |
17
|
4
|
5
|
129
|
55
|
36
|
| Chidham |
26 |
13
|
1
|
12
|
84
|
64
|
27
|
| Southbourne |
26 |
12
|
3
|
11
|
71
|
65
|
27
|
| Chichester ‘B’ |
26 |
13
|
1
|
12
|
79
|
72
|
27
|
| Bognor ‘B’ |
26 |
11
|
4
|
11
|
81
|
82
|
26
|
| Graylingwell |
26 |
11
|
1
|
14
|
67
|
81
|
23
|
| Lavant |
26 |
9
|
4
|
13
|
73
|
102
|
22
|
| West Wittering |
26 |
7
|
3
|
16
|
60
|
122
|
17
|
| Whyke Villa |
26 |
5
|
2
|
19
|
44
|
124
|
12
|
| Portfield |
26 |
4
|
3
|
19
|
43
|
125
|
11
|
| East Wittering |
26 |
1
|
0
|
25
|
32
|
152
|
2
|
Bognor League:
| Team: |
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
P
|
| *Aldingbourne |
28
|
25
|
0
|
3
|
184
|
32
|
50
|
| Walberton |
28
|
24
|
0
|
4
|
166
|
30
|
48
|
| tSouth Bersted |
28
|
22
|
3
|
3
|
105
|
31
|
47
|
| Felpham |
28
|
16
|
2
|
10
|
99
|
57
|
34
|
| tBoxgrove |
28
|
16
|
1
|
11
|
94
|
71
|
33
|
| Chidham |
28
|
13
|
7
|
8
|
81
|
92
|
33
|
| Mundham |
28
|
12
|
5
|
11
|
83
|
65
|
28
|
| Westgate Brewery |
28
|
10
|
5
|
13
|
97
|
116
|
25
|
| Colworth |
28
|
10
|
4
|
14
|
76
|
106
|
24
|
| Bosham |
28
|
10
|
1
|
17
|
89
|
108
|
21
|
| Labour Sports |
28
|
10
|
1
|
17
|
73
|
122
|
21
|
| Selsey |
28
|
9
|
1
|
18
|
76
|
117
|
19
|
| Birdham |
28
|
7
|
1
|
20
|
67
|
119
|
15
|
| Sidlesham |
28
|
6
|
1
|
21
|
58
|
135
|
13
|
| Lavant |
28
|
3
|
2
|
23
|
43
|
185
|
8
|
* Denotes four points awarded for cancelled matches. t Denotes two points awarded for cancelled matches.
