15? We scored 30...

I would, however, take this opportunity to inform you that in 1954-55 a group of us young, but enthusiastic, budding footballers got together under the supreme guidance of Frank Cox, a most supreme and talented player for both Arundel and Sussex senior teams post-war and our great mentor, to form a local youth team.

Frank, I believe, may still be in some form associated with the current operation of Arundel FC.

Both Frank and another kind and generous person, Edward Millard, headmaster of St Philip’s Catholic School at the time, entered our team – I think we were called Arundel Boys’ Club – in the Sussex Minor League and Mr Millard allowed us the use of the school as changing rooms for home matches.

The Duke of Norfolk also allowed us to use the football pitch previously laid out in the grounds of the Duke’s Arundel Park, just off the main London Road.

We entered the league with great trepidation and excitement. We were all great friends.

We started the season well, winning our first match, and soon gelled into a formidable team – nobody could beat us. We ended up winning every match that season and won the league outright at our first attempt.

Duke Bernard was also well pleased with our efforts and a celebration evening was arranged at the school, at which we were awarded our medals.

I am sure all the lads involved in this wonderful episode in our lives would like to thank Frank for his faith in us and the dedication he showed.

Likewise, without the kindness of the late Mr Millard and the late Duke Bernard, we would not have been able to achieve that success. They were three remarkable people.

The main purpose of this glimmer of past football history is to state we won two matches, home and away against Littlehampton Sea Scouts, 30-0 and 31-0 respectively. Could this be repeated in this day and age? I wonder.

I cannot remember who scored all those goals but I do know we all had a share.

Some of us were subsequently recruited into the Arundel FC senior team with varying degrees of success and spent many happy days there.

Roger Martin

Mill Farm Drive

Pagham