Amateur Football Alliance

Southern Amateur League

Chapter Five - 'The 1960s'
The years 1962/63 will long be remembered for their adverse weather conditions. The late frosts and a damp Summer of 1962 built up to a cold and snow laden Winter of early 1963, when from Boxing Day till early April, Winter sports were sadly curtailed. In fact the Club was closed altogether until Saturday 9 February.

With the loss of rent from the Collegiate School, which closed in 1964, attention was turned to other lettings, extending special efforts and social activities, not to mention the opening of the Bar on Sundays in Summer and Winter at midday and evening. The Brewers, at this time, being very helpful in providing new tables and chairs for members' comfort. By 1970 the Bar takings had exceeded the £7000 mark giving a net profit of just under £2000 for the year. Special efforts enabled a surplus of income over expenditure to be shown, and the Club finances in a generally healthy state with an Accumulated Fund of over £1000. During this time both ground and pavilion received attention as required and further drainage and extension to water supplies were carried out.

Apart from winning the AFA Senior Cup in 1959/60 the 1st and Reserve sides were relegated, and it was not until the late 60s that the Club fully recovered. In 1960/61, the Reserves, having been relegated at the end of the previous season, regained their Division 1 status by being promoted at the first attempt. However, the 1st XI were relegated in 1963/64 but three years later saw them back in the 1st Division for the 1967/68 Season which was Championship year indeed. They promptly won the Championship and were joined in success by the 3rd, 4th and 5th XIs who also won their Leagues, and for good measure by the 6th XI who were runners up in theirs. The reserves were again relegated at the end of 1966/67, but were back to the 1st Division in 1968/69.

The Golden Jubilee Season 1969/70 was one of which all could be justly proud. The 1st XI after an excellent start, dropped points in their later games and eventually finished in third place. The Reserves were champions for the second successive Season. The 3rd XI were runners-up, the 4th XI finished in third position in their League and were narrowly defeated in the semi-final of the Novets Cup, while the 5th XI were also third. The 6th XI having lost only one League game, were another side to be League Champions. The 7th XI upheld the Cub's record of high League positions, finishing third. A Dinner was held at The Press Club when founder members, Messrs. F.G. Lavers, the Club's first Captain, W. Heald, H.H. Gower and J. Follett, the first Treasurer, honoured the Football Club with their presence. Some representative honours were gained during these years by the selection of G. Wilson, D. Carter, M. Fuzedale and P. Knight for the AFA who were also joined by several others in gaining places in the SAL League side.

Features worthy of note included a Junior Section for U16 and U18 for five years from 1958 to 1963. Training Courses at Winchmore Hill School and the snows of early 1963 when the League programmed had to be cancelled. The report of 1963/64 recorded that 'the 5th XI under T. Watson were Champions of the League having been alternately cajoled and goaded to victory. Artistry, pattern weaving and guile had no place in this rugged often ruthless but highly successful campaign'. The 6th and 7th XIs entered the SAL in 1960/61 and 1967/68 respectively. Finally 1965/66 saw the commencement of Sunday League football and 1968/69 the start of the annual five-a-side competition.
 
Season 1960-61
(Southern Amateur League)
Reserves Winners SAL Reserve Team Section Division 2 and promoted.
Fifth team finish bottom of Division One and are relegated to Division 2.

Season 1961-62
(Southern Amateur League)
Third XI runners up Third Team Section.

Season 1962-63
(Southern Amateur League)
Following the heavy snow that fell on Boxing Day 1962, a fall that lay for nearly three months, the SAL was forced to abandon the season. Some friendly matches were played in late February and March but no record has come to light at present.

The Club has no record of the matches that were played before the abandonment

Season 1963-64
(Southern Amateur League)
First XI Relegated to Division Two.
Fifth XI Winners Fifth Team Section Division Two and are promoted.

Season 1964-65
(Southern Amateur League)

Season 1965-66
(Southern Amateur League)

Season 1966-67
(Southern Amateur League)
First XI Winners of SAL Senior Section Division 2 and promoted
Reserves relegated to Division Two Reserve Team Section
Fifth XI relegated to Division Two Fifth Team Section
Sixth XI relegated to Division Two Sixth Team Section

Season 1967-68
(Southern Amateur League)
First XI Champions Senior Section SAL
Third XI Champions Third Team Section SAL
Fourth XI Champions Fourth Team Section SAL
Fifth XI Winners Fifth Team Section Division 2 and promoted
Sixth XI Runners Up Sixth Team Section Division 2 and promoted

Season 1968-69
(Southern Amateur League)
Reserves Winners Reserve Team Section and promoted
Fifth XI Runners up Fifth Team Section
Sixth XI Runners up Sixth Team Section
7th XI entered SAL

Season 1969-70
(Southern Amateur League)
Reserves Champions Reserve Team Section
Third XI Runners up Third Team Section
Fifth XI Runners up Fifth Team Section
Sixth XI Champions Sixth Team Section

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[page updated 1 March 2003]