Part 3

 

Getting Involved in Mile Oak F.C.

June 02 2026

After the war, there was a big migration of families to the estates that were going up in the North Portslade area. The only places to play being a fair walk away, the Village Green seems to have become the ideal place to play.

About that time, a chap called Bob Howett moved into Sefton Road. He had been previously involved with one of the Shoreham clubs, so he was quite knowledgeable in the way local football was set up. This was done with a certain amount of funding from the Mile Oak Residents Association and the backing of Peter Gladwin.

Somehow I got involved in this. I believe Reg Blowes was the Treasurer, also Ron Kerly, as well as Don Brookes. My job was assistant secretary, with the responsibility of collecting money for a football swindle every week, again backed by Mile Oak Residents.

Mile Oak F.C. is Born

We had a good blend of players playing friendlies at first, then we entered the Brighton, Hove and District League. With the blend of players that we had, we soon started being a force to be reckoned with. We started to become successful and, for several seasons, were among the medals.

At that time, the Sussex County F.A. put out an appeal for recruits to become referees. Being surplus to requirements as a player, my name got put forward.

Every Sunday morning for some weeks, I went to Goldstone Lane to Cyril Poulter, who lived right by Brighton's ground. Cyril was a football league linesman who really knew his stuff.

The Referee Test

After several weeks, I was ready to be examined as to what I had learned at my Sunday morning sessions. I was sent to Oddfellows Hall in Queen's Square, Brighton, to be tested by Clive Izard (Secretary of the County F.A.), Syd Viccars (Referees Secretary), and Bob Tindall (Brighton League Treasurer).

In those days, I had no transport and was trying to get to Hellingly and Eastbourne for county matches. League lines seemed to take all day Saturday and half the evening. Then I had to leave because of a change of job and working Saturdays, which put an end to my football career.

I still stayed in the game for a while, becoming a referee assessor and, at the same time, the Vice-Chair of the Brighton, Hove and Worthing F.A. By this time I was driving, so getting to Worthing's ground at Woodside Road once a month didn't seem so bad.

As with many things, sadly, my wife died about 15 years ago. Having an elderly dog to look after, the house, and other things to carry out, I withdrew from doing all my hobbies.