The first Angels youth teams
When Manchurian Harry Haslam arrived as the new Tonbridge FC manager in February 1960 it was apparent there was the need for young players to support the first team as well as the reserves following a crop of injuries in the first few months along a heavily congested fixture schedule. Harry had been inspired by the Busby Babes and aimed to set up a youth system for the Angels.
Calls went out for young players to come forward with the intention to set up Tonbridge Youth team for the following season. Whilst a Tonbridge & District League youth team played against a Gillingham FC Colts on the 15 April 1960, a Tonbridge FC youth team for the following 1960/61 season did not materialise.
However Harry Haslam's persistence to follow the Manchester United's Busby Babes youth football model came to fruition by the summer 1961. The Tonbridge JAC's (Juniors And Colts) was formed with the 'Colts' playing in the East Sussex adult League to provide an appropriate challenge for the youngsters.
The Courier on the 5 January 1962 reported that: "The club has its newly formed Colts team. With nearly 40 youngsters playing regularly. The manager has a wonderful reserve of potential footballers to draw on—an advantage shared by few other Southern League clubs."
The following month, the interest in the Colts team enabled the team to play their next league fixture on the Angel Ground against the Hastings Civil Service on the 10 February 1962. The Colts ran out comfortable 7-1 winners, as detailed the Courier report dated the 16 February 1962 below:
"Tonbridge Colts strengthened their promotion bid by slamming the seasiders for seven at the Angel on Saturday in an East Sussex League Division Two tussle. This was the first time they had played on the Angel Ground on a Saturday afternoon and they attracted nearly 300 spectators. Leading 3-1 at half-time. The Colts simply over-ran Hastings in the second half to score four more . But some are in urgent need of heading practice. Although he had little to do John Morley, the Colts' 14-year-old new goalkeeper from Eastbourne showed some nice touches and made one excellent save. Tonbridge goals were scored by Roberts (2), Tully (2), Marks (2) and Hendy."
The Colts team's success on the pitch resulted in a runners spot in East Sussex League's Division Two, which was a fantastic achievement for the youngsters in their first season.
Such was the success of the JAC's, that the following two seasons 1962/63 & 1963/64, the JACs fielded three teams, two teams playing in the East Sussex League (First XI in Division One and Second XI in Division Two), whilst the younger players played in the Tunbridge Wells Minor League. The club also enjoyed local league minor cup wins as well as playing in the Kent Minors Cup.
Future Angels Manager
A number of JAC's players moved onto the reserves and through to the first team, the most notable being goalkeeper Tony Burns, who in later years returned as the first team manager. The now defunct Flying With The Angels website provided an insightful interview with Tony Burns from around twenty years ago on his memories of playing for the JAC's
"Nearly 30 years later Tony Burns returned to Tonbridge as
manager and we met and talked about the fun we had playing for the JAC's. There
was still no money for Tonbridge to run a youth team but that did not stop
Harry, so why should it stop us now. Arthur Hull had provided the JAC's with
footballs back in the 60's, so we now approached his sons who are running the
shop. Despite the recession they donated a full set of playing kit."
By the 1964/65 season, the JAC's fortunes had waned, as they could only field a single team in the East Sussex League, with the team finishing second bottom in Division One. Unfortunately it signified the end of the JAC's. Whilst Harry Haslam continued as the club's first team manager for another three seasons, the club did not run another JAC's team or any other youth football team during the rest of Harry's tenure.
Playing Record
1961/62: Colts finished runners up in the East Sussex League Division Two
1962/63: First XI Colts competed in the East Sussex League Division One
1962/63: Second XI Colts competed in the East Sussex League Division Two
1962/63: Juniors competed in the Tunbridge Wells Minor League
1963/64: First XI Colts finished seventh in the East Sussex League Division One
1963/64: Second XI Colts finished eleventh in the East Sussex League Division Two
1963/64: Juniors finished sixth in the Tunbridge Wells Minor League
1964/65: Colts finished Thirteenth in East Sussex League Division One
The future .....
The Angels would have to wait another 25 years, including two false starts before the current Tonbridge Angels Youth team was finally established in 1990. But those stories are for another day. Harry's JACs shone brightly and showed what could be achieved if you give kids a chance.
Comments
Post a Comment