Soham Grammar School Summer 1969
Football
The season of 1968-69 was one in which the School teams both reached for the heights and, conversely, plumbed the depths.
Pride of place goes to the Under-15 team who carried on where they left off in the previous season by adding the Fordham Trophy to their list of credits. A number of the team made First XI debuts and they should constitute a considerable asset to School teams in the future.
It would not have been unreasonable in September to have predicted that the First XI would enjoy a successful season in 1968-69. But fate partly, and apathy too, ensured that this was not to be. Two of the previous season's eleven left earlier than expected and the three Senior members of the side all missed half the season through injury. The result was that only once did we field a full strength team. In terms of results this was the worst First XI for many seasons, but one hopes that with a good proportion of the team returning next year they will be able to redeem their reputation.
The Second XI were again enthusiastic and played their football to enjoy it. In particular one remembers their splendid victory at Ramsey; they were the only visiting side to lower the home team's colours.
A team performance of a reasonable standard is what we came to expect of the Under-14 XI. Although they did not possess the number of individually talented players of the previous year's all-conquering team, this year's side had a moderately successful season and if they can play as well as they played at Bury they should do well in next year's Fordham Trophy.
The Junior soccer teams played a comparatively small number of games and won most of them. Above all one remembers a splendid second half against Impington by the Under-13 XI when they crushed their opponents with a display of relentless pressure.
At the end of the season School colours were presented to CD Hill, M Oakman and D Walton who, despite the unfortunate First XI season, had always given a reliable performance.
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last update 1 Dec 2007