Soham Grammarian Summer 1967
FOOTBALL
Generally speaking a season of moderate results. There were no really outstanding successes and only a few bad defeats.
At First Eleven level it has been a season for rebuilding, a season for experimentation and when these two facts are taken into consideration the season's record is reasonable.
Played Won Drawn Lost 1965-66 19 6 4 9 1966-67 19 8 2 9 Only two colours remained from the previous season, Porter, the captain, and Burton, and these two together with Neate formed the backbone of the team. Rebuilding with an eye to the future was the theme for the season, and it is comforting to note that although Porter, Burton, Crompton, Dunham, Ellis and Seaton will be leaving, the other people who have played for the Eleven this year will still be with us. (This should mean that we will start the year with nine people with First Eleven experience).
In an attempt to build a team capable of playing fluid football, attractive and effective, initially a 4-2-4 system was tried, but this was later changed to 4-3-3. The systems have been a limited success this season, but the real test will come next season when the players are really used to them.
In the first half of the season a number of heavy defeats were suffered, notably at the hands of Bury, March and Newport. Only one of these defeats was avenged, namely Bury, who had beaten a weakened Soham side 10-0 at Bury, were themselves defeated 6-4 at Soham. This was a fine victory for the School, for it was Bury's only defeat at the hands of another school side in the season, but full marks to Bury for their fine win against us earlier in the season.
At the end of the Autumn Term victory and defeat were evenly balanced at seven all. The second half of the season brought only one more victory-against Orton Longueville, two draws against Cambridge University Falcons and Ramsey, and two defeats, at the hands of Downing College and The Grammar School for Boys, Cambridge. The Grammar School match was the best of the season, with our visitors proving worthy victors by 5 goals to 3. In this game the School were defeated by a team who controlled the ball more effectively and played together more as a team than any other opponents had done during the season.
The Second Eleven suffered as a result of the wholesale transfer of many of the previous season's U15 XI into the 1st XI. Twenty eight different people played in nine matches, consequently the team never really settled down. Of the nine games played three were won, five lost and one drawn. Next year it is hoped to have a separate member of staff responsible for the 2nd XI, and an extended fixture list. With few vacancies in the First Eleven, next season should be an improved one for the Second Eleven.
The Under Fifteen team had a mixed season. In the Fordham Cup they scored heavily early on in the competition, but failed to qualify for the final when they lost in the zonal final to Swavesey, the eventual Cup winners. There are some promising players in this side. Anderson and Ritson have already made their 1st XI debut. Other members of the team will be trying for 1st XI places next season, and others will be strengthening the 2nd XI.
The Under Fourteen Eleven had a season of mixed fortunes, as did the junior teams, but one hopes that they enjoyed their football and played hard.
Colours:
Old. SC Porter, AJ Burton.
New. DF Neate, RC Hiner, PV Dunham, FB Crompton, M Barnett.Inter-House Football:
Senior: Hereward. Middle: Cromwell. Junior: Cromwell.BJB
If you can add recollections or photos to this page, please contact the editor
last update 2 Dec 2007