Notice Board

Saturday, 3 May 2014

Beat the Quizmaster at Upchurch Village Hall

Gloria Knight

Tel: 01634 363271
Email: pottibird-alias@yahoo.co.uk

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The Formation of Upchurch Football Club

Back row: Mr Bissell, Fred Wilson, Colin 'Nippy' Edmonds, Dick Hales, John Adie,

Brian Stephens, Barry Madden, Steve Todd (secretary).

Front row: Mickey Chambers, John Cook, Billy Hales, Don Diffey, Stan Lacy.

While Upchurch Football Club battle away in Division 1 of the Rochester & District League, players and officials may not be aware that the club dates back more than a century in the village and has produced some great teams and players over the years with numerous championship and cup winning teams.

Although football became popular during the second part of the 19th century leading to the setting up of professional and amateur leagues countrywide, an official village football club did not emerge in Upchurch until 1907. In the years leading up to this information in the village magazine shows that matches were played on the recreation ground but these were just occasional friendly games.

Local businessman George Cremer and Holywell headmaster J. H. Maltravers created the idea of an official village football club and held the first A.G.M in the Church Room on July 27th, 1907. After advertising for players 31 men and boys turned up to join as members. In a lengthy debate a set of club rules was formulated and a subscription of 2/6d was charged to each member, to be paid before September 1^st. The club was registered as Upchurch United F.C with club colours of light and navy blue stripes. A committee was also formed. This comprised of Messrs Anderson, Wyles, Cremer, Ellis and Lambkin. Arthur Lambkin became captain, village butcher Bill Hales vice-captain, Mr. J. H. Maltravers, secretary and George Cremer chairman. The Recreation Club in Horsham Lane served as the headquarters.

Players were supposed to reside in the village to qualify as members but if outsiders wished to join then it was possible with committee approval. Farmer Frank Stevens gave permission for the club to use Holywell Meadow as its home ground and Chairman George Cremer purchased a hut to be placed there for changing purposes.

First team players included striker Bill Hales who scored 29 goals in the first season, defenders were Horace Holloway and William Philpott, midfielders Ernie Hart and Arthur Lambkin while other names included Sifleet, Tadman, Morris and Trigg.

The First team joined Division Two of the Sittingbourne & District League, a boy’s team was also formed and it was hoped to run a reserve team. The reserve team did not materialise but after training in August the First XI started the season in September and finished fifth in a division of seven teams. The team obtained 12 points from 12 games. They won five, lost five and drew two.

In its second season, 1908/09 in an enlarged league, the club became much more successful and by the end of March they were in top position with 17 points from 12 games. However, the other challengers, H.M.S Actaeon, who went on to win the championship and RGA had games in hand which they won, leaving Upchurch in third position. In their final game of the season Upchurch defeated Murston Reserves 3-1.

David Wood.

Upchurch soon became an established club in the area and continued to compete in the Sittingbourne & District League. They later switched to the Free Church League which they won in 1928/29 and again in 1934/35 when they also won the Chatham Memorial Cup. After this they played in the New Brompton League and then in the Rochester & District League in which they were undefeated for two seasons during the early 1950s. They also won the Kent Junior Cup C section in 1948 and were joint champions in the league and then the Quarter Century Cup in 1956. In the past decade the First Team have won the Sittingbourne Charity Cup in 2001 and the Quarter Century Cup in 2005.

Goalscorers over the years have included Billy Hales in the pre-World War One years, Cyril Wraight in the 1930s, Billy Hales junior in the 1950s, Les Woolley and Wilf Busbridge in the 1960s and Terry Morgan in the 1980s. Colin ‘Nippy’ Edmonds became the longest serving player from 1947 to 1971 while Bob Barnes who played in goal for the reserves as a 15 year old went on to become a professional with Sheffield Wednesday.

Although the club’s original colours were light and dark blue stripes they later wore blue shirts and white shorts then green and white stripes, all white with green trimmings and finally black and white stripes and black shorts.

The club played at several grounds including Holywell Meadow, 'Piwit' in Poot Lane and the recreation ground. Until recently they played at Beechings Green in Gillingham then to a new ground at Holywell Meadow.

Upchurch Football Club flourished until the 1970s and usually fielded two teams every Saturday but disbanded for a while before re-joining the Rochester & District League in which they continue to participate.

About David:

David Wood was born and raised in Upchurch and is able to write from personal experience about many people and aspects of the village and of changes that have taken place over the years making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and a detailed historical study of the village. David's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters.

price £12 + p+p £2.

David Wood.

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Thursday, 1 May 2014

Fire Brigades Union Strikes

The Fire Brigades Union have called a series of strikes on the following dates:

Friday 2nd May, between noon and 5pm
Saturday 3rd May, between 2pm and 2am
Sunday 4th May, between 10am and 3pm

Kent Fire and Rescue Service will continue to answer and deal with 999 calls, but will not be operating at the normal level of service, so it is important to take extra care.

Please take a few minutes for a few safety checks to keep your home, business and family safe and help reduce unnecessary calls.

Kent Community Messaging

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Tuesday, 29 April 2014

Temporary Road Closure - Otterham Quay Lane

It will be necessary to close part of Otterham Quay Lane, Upchurch (Swale) from Monday 12th May 2014 for up to 3 weeks.

Otterham Quay Lane will be closed from the junction with Wallbridge Lane to the entrance to the Caravan Park.

The alternative route is via Otterham Quay Lane, A2 Moor Street, London Road, Oak Lane and Wallbridge Lane.

The closure is to enable Kent County Council to safely carry out drainage and carriageway repairs and improvements. These are the works that had to be delayed at the end of last year, following the emergency closure of Oak Lane.

Due to the nature of these works, it will not be possible to re-open the road outside the working hours.

These works are weather dependent, and adverse weather may affect how quickly they can be completed.

The Kent County Council Highway Helpline phone number is:

03000 418181 - Ask for Drainage Team.

For details of roadworks, please see: www.roadworks.org

Regards,

Phil Lightman

Road Closures Co-ordinator, East Kent Division
KCC Highways and Transportation
Ashford Highway Depot
Javelin Way, Ashford, TN24 8AD
Phone: Highway Helpline 03000 418181
E-mail: roadworkseast@kent.gov.ukspace
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