The Seasider - Issue 16, February 11 2023

Home of the Seasiders

THIS is the first programme we have produced this year following a bout of postponed matches caused by the Christmas/New Year break and atrocious weather conditions.

So it’s a double pleasure to be able to welcome Chagford for the Davey Fort for this Devon and Exeter League Division Three game against our Reserves.

Both sides have not enjoyed the best of seasons so I am sure we will see a competitive and hard fought game.

There can be no denying that these are challenging times for grassroots football as we still strive to recover from the effects of COVID. Many clubs are suffering from a surge in unavailability, forcing some out of business.

This club, formed in 1885, three years before the Dorset FA, has a long and proud history and for the past three decades we have enjoyed great success both on and off the field of play. We are proud of the wonderful facilities we have at the Davey Fort, some of the best in local football.

Just a glance at our Honours Board inside the back cover of this programme will show how much success we have enjoyed over the years. What times we have had!

Morale has taken a real battering in the past two years but our committee is working hard to recapture some of that special spirit for which Lyme Regis Football Club is renowned. We can only succeed with the support of players and supporters working together. See future events below.

COMING UP AT THE FORT

Sunday February 19 – Sunday Lunch Club (SOLD OUT)

Saturday March 25 – Live Music with Ghosts Etc

Sunday April 2 – Car Boot Sale

Saturday April 8 – East Raffle

Sunday April 30 – Sunday Lunch Club

The Davey Fort, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3DR

– Established 1885 –

Club Officers

President: Philip Evans MBE

Chairman: Gerard Hitchcock

Vice Chairman: Francesca Evans

Secretary: Robert Thom

Treasurer: Philip Evans MBE

Groundsman: Mark Bailey

Committee Members

All of the above, plus: Howard Larcombe, Heather Larcombe, Martin Rowe, Alex Rowe, Rob Fellingham, Tim Edwards, Rob Larcombe, Dave Reed, Joe Bond, Paul Barlow, Julien Simier, Cam Fowler, Kingsley Wellman

Life Members:

Mrs Kath Wellman

David Cozens MBE

Philip Evans MBE

Les Loveridge

Ellis Hoole

Martin Rowe

Howard Larcombe

Michel Longuet (US Creully)

Programme:

Editor: Philip Evans MBE

Design: Rob Larcombe

Printed by:

Advantage Digital Print

Philip Evans MBE Programme Editor

LRFC 1st Team

Today’s

Matchday

Recent Results

Upcoming Fixtures:

LRFC Reserves

Today’s

Matchday Squad

Recent Results

Upcoming Fixtures:

VIEWPOINT VIEWPOINT THE MANAGER'S Rob Fellingham

FIRST TEAM

FIRSTLY, I just want to say a massive thank-you to all the lads on Saturday. I’m sure it came as a bit of a shock that I was stepping in as player-manager until the end of the season, but they all rallied around and stepped up in a big way.

I’d like to pay tribute to Ju. He’s a legend at this club both on and off the field, his commitment and drive will be impossible to replace. I know a lot of the lads have spoken to him and thanked him for everything he did and his tireless effort.

This club has an outstanding, rich history and it’s a great honour to step in as manager in the short term.

I think everyone would agree a player-manager isn’t the most ideal situation, but I’m confident we can make it work. We’re all good friends here and everyone wants to pull in the right direction.

Luke Clifton has agreed to come up and help out running the 1sts – I couldn’t be more pleased. He was

great in his spell as Ressies manager a few years ago, he’s well respected and a great club man.

I think it goes without saying we as a club are going through a bit of a tough period in terms of players and availability. It’s not unique to Lyme by any stretch – it’s local football in general. Our aim will simply be to bring the lads together and try and make it fun. If it’s fun and people enjoy it, hopefully, they’ll stick around and it might attract a few more to come over in the future.

FAREWELL BONDY! FAREWELL BONDY!

WITH THE gutting news that injury has forced Jo Bond in to retirement, it's only right to look back on a fantastic career for the Seasiders, writes

Howard Larcombe

Overall: 236 goals, best haul was 38 in 2015-16. He trails only Ellis Hoole (541), Graham Vere (529), reserveteamer Pete Peacock (239) and Stuart Rattenbury (237), placing him fifth on the all-time top scorers list.

His first goal for the first team came in October 2008 in a 2-1 win away at Merriott Rovers in the quarter-final of the Coronation Cup. First goal for the senior teams was for the Ressies in the 3-3 draw at home against Forton Rangers (PSL D1) in September 2007.

In all, Bondy scored 27 hat-tricks in some amazing scoring sprees, most notably:

• 11 goals in 14 days in November 2014 (5 v Clyst Valley Res, x3 v Tedburn st

Mary and x3 v Pinhoe).

• x4 hat tricks in a month spanning March/April 2016 (v Culm Unitedhome and away - v Newtown Reserves and v Tipton St John.

• 14 goals in 6 consecutive matches in September/October 2015. Devon & Exeter League (nb, stats only go back to 2018-19): 48 apps 43 goals.

Some player... he will be hugely missed.

Match Photofile Match Photofile

Saturday 28th January 2023

Photo by Philip Evans

Photo by Andrew Graham

Photo by Andrew Graham

Photo by Andrew Graham

Photo by Philip Evans

Photo by Andrew Graham

Photos by Philip Evans

Stephen Rattenbury

1949 - 2023

LYME Regis has been saddened by the death of Stephen Rattenbury, amember of one of the town’s most respected families.

Steve, 73, died at his home in Windsor Terrace, surrounded by his family after an illness, borne with great fortitude.

He was the oldest son of Mrs Celia Rattenbury and the late Mr David Rattenbury and the grandson of Alderman Albert Lane, former town clerk and Mayor of Lyme Regis.

He is survived by his mother, wife Sue, children Kirstin and Alistair, four grandchildren and four brothers – Brian, Stuart, Andrew and Simon.

Steve was educated at St Michael’s Infants and Primary School and the Woodroffe School. He left school at the age of 15 to join the Royal Navy as a Boy Rating serving for 10 years during which time he sailed into most of the major ports in the world.

After leaving the Navy, Steve worked mainly in engineering for such firms as JH Shand of Axminster.

Steve was a respected member of the Lyme Regis branch of the Royal British Legion and the Montague Lodge Freemasons.

He retained a life-long interest in sport, being a popular member of both Lyme Regis Football Club and Uplyme and Lyme Regis Cricket Club and was included in the squad which took part in the cricket club’s 100th anniversary game at Lord’s.

He was also an enthusiastic supporter of the

football club’s twinning arrangement with Creully in Normandy.

Club president Philip Evans MBE writes: “All five Rattenbury brothers are renowned for their sense of humour. Being in their company, you were always assured of an hilarious night out.

“Some of their antics of five brothers growing up in the in Rattenbury family home in Summerhill is the stuff of legends.

“Entertaining runs in the Rattenbury family, their granddad Albert Lane being a great raconteur. Brother Andrew is a well-known actor and talented script writer and Brian is one of Lyme’s most popular stage performers. Stuart and Simon share the family sense of humour.

“In recent times Steve became a member of the Community Players and demonstrated that he was no slouch in comedic delivery.

“Steve was extremely well read, making him an excellent quiz team member, and could hold a conversation on virtually any subject you might want to mention, always enhanced by his unique dry humour.

“We will miss him greatly at the football club where our after-match drinks were always enhanced and made more enjoyable by Steve’s presence.

“His passing is a great loss to Lyme and the sporting fraternity in particular.”

Geoffery "Ginger" Bartlett

THE club was also saddened to hear of the recent death of another former player, Geoffery “Ginger” Bartlett, a skilful inside forward who played for our 1st team throughout the 1960s.

Ginger, a huge Tottenham Hotspurs fan, died in a care home in Weymouth aged 81 (See Archives, page 13).

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THE NEXT GENERATION THE NEXT GENERATION

News from our Youth Section

OUR SENIOR sides may have been left to kick their heels with a number of postponements caused by the recent heavy rain, the club’s Youth Section demonstrated they are made of sterner stuff.

It takes more than a bit of rain to dull their enthusiasm as can be seen in these photos. The Under 11s got back in action earlier in January, losing 2-1 to Westhill Under 11s. Josh Fowler thought he had the equalizer, celebrating with a great whirlybird before seeing his effort had been ruled offside.

Conditions were muddy but the Anning Road playing Field has always drained well and as usual the Under 11s were treated to a hot chocolate after the game.

The Youth Section Committee continues to work hard behind the scenes. In October Jo Fowler and Tracey West organised a Halloween Disco and with then proceeds bought the two sail banners seen here.

Lyme Regis Town Council’s outdoor staff have recently done a great job redecorating the inside of the Anning Road Pavilion for which the club is grateful.

The Under 15s are looking for more players of all abilities to bolster their squad. If you are in Year 10 and would love to play football just come along to a training session on Mondays at the 3G pitch in Axminster (5.30pm to 6.30pm).

From the Archives... From the Archives...

Here’s a pic of our 1st team in the

recently passed away.

including

STATS CORNER

Compiled by Howard Larcombe

RESSIES V CHAGFORD

DEVON

& EXETER DIVISION 3

Today brings the visit of Chagford to The Davey Fort with The Ressies hoping to clinch a league double having won the reverse fixture back in November courtesy of goals from Ben Bowditch, Ethan Matthews, Shaun Sellers and Jonny Davies in a 4-2 victory.

Well done to Steve Batey for clocking up his 175th goal in Seasiders colours last week, a very good return considering he's played in midfield and at centre back for long period of his career. The first record I can find of 'The Chef' on the scoresheet is in the Bantams' – under manager Dick Spiller - 7-3 Dorset Minor Cup R1 win over Kingston Lacy in October 2000 (Ali Rattenbury 2, Ellis Hoole 2, Lee Caddy and Luke Reed netted the others).

ON THIS DAY

17 YEARS AGO

The first team clinched a place in the Crewkerne Charity Cup with Graham White and Dom Rowe on target in a 2-0 win at Merriott Rovers.

6 YEARS AGO

Our Rovers team thrashed visiting Fivehead 8-0 in the PSL Division Three. Pete Peacock (3), Stef Taylor (2), Rhys Evans and Robbie Fowler found the net for Terry White's team.

1960s

Geoffery “Ginger” Bartlett (third from the right), who

The other players are: Pat Rice, Dave Thom, Paul Viney, Johnny Evans, Alan Wellman, David Cozens MBE, Arthur Hodder, Fred Hodder, Sid Long, Jock McLennan. What a team!

Show your support for the Seasiders with clubwear from the official supplier

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MEMBERSHIP AND SPONSORSHIP

MEMBERSHIP

Players - £30

Social - £25

Social membership enables supporters to enjoy the Davey Fort clubhouse Bar and Clubhouse facilities on match days and on other occasions where bar prices the most competitive in town. Members are also entitled to one free use of the clubhouse for family events.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

There are a number of sponsorship opportunities at the Davey Fort. These include:

GROUND PERIMETER ADVERTISING BOARDS

(8 ft x 2ft) at a cost of £380 for three years including artwork.

MATCH SPONSORSHIP

Available for £40 to include four persons who receive a drink from the bar before and after the match and refreshments at half-time. Sponsors get a free advertisement in the Matchday Programme and will present the man-of-the-match after the game with a photo appearing in the LymeOnline newspaper.

For more details contact Philip Evans on 07796 951991.

BALL SPONSORSHIP

Available for £20 to include two persons who receive a drink from the bar before and after the match and refreshments at half-time. Sponsors will get a free advertisement in the matchday programme.

LYME REGIS Association Football Club

Honours Board

DORSET AFFILIATED

Dorset Intermediate Cup: 9 (1994-95, 96-97, 99-00, 2003-04, 04-05, 10-11, 12-13, 13-14)

Dorset Junior Cup winners: 6 (1982-83, 85-86, 86-87, 87-88, 99-00, 2011-12)

DEVON & EXETER AFFILIATED

Premier Division Covid Mini League Champions: 2020/21

Division One promoted: 2017-18

Division Two promoted: 2015-16

Division Three runners-up: 2014-15

Division Four promoted: 2018-19

Division Five promoted: 2017-18

Division Six promoted: 2016-17

Division Seven promoted: 2015-16

Grandisson Cup: 1 (2017-18)

AFC

Football Express Cup: 2 (2016-17, 17-18)

PERRY STREET & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Premier Division: 6 (1957-58, 59-60, 88-89, 2004-05, 09-10, 11-12)

Division One: 2 (1998-99, 99-00)

Division Two: 2 (1961-62, 94-95, 20-21 on PPG basis)

Division Three: 3 (1998-99, 2013-14, 18-19)

Division Four: 2 (1998-99, 2007-08)

Challenge Cup: 6 (1983-84, 86-87, 2005-06, 09-10, 11-12)

Coronation Cup: 9 (1959-60, 79-80, 87-88, 94-95, 97-98, 2004-05, 09-10, 10-11, 11-12)

Daisy Hutchings Cup: 1 (1998-99)

Arthur Gage Cup: 3 (2003-04, 05-06, 09-10)

Tommy Tabberer Cup: 1 (1994-95)

John Fowler Cup: 2 (1986-87, 1988-89, 2018-19)

Bill Bailey Cup: 3 (1988-89, 2000-01, 2016-17)

Jack Venn Cup: 1 (1989-90)

Kenny Hodges Cup: 1 (2011-12)