Season 1979-80 saw Clanfield win the Premier Division title followed by Juventus and Leigh Park United. At the bottom were St Luke’s and Court Lane. Coming up from the Senior Division were Locks Heath.

Clanfield, under the management of Chris Rogers were worthy winners that season with Dickie Hyde and Deve Mew leading the way with plenty of goals, while Derek Greaves and Geoff Burden were always prominent.

For the start of the next season they were hoping to have proper changing facilities with running water and a separate room for the referee, a welcome change from changing in the old “Shed”.

If ever there was a mass cancellation of matches due to waterlogged pitches around the area, this was one venue I could always be sure a game would be on, due to the chalky sub soil the drainage was perfect.

I remember back in those days they had aspirations of moving up into County football and its pleasing to see they achieved their goal and they are comfortably placed in their division today. With the village doubling in size due to all the development taking place in that area they should hopefully find new talent easier to find.

Juventus were a side to always attract quality players. They changed there name a few times over the years to Fosters, North End United among others.

Teddy Orsmond was the manager ably assisted by Bob Cummins as secretary, Martin Downer took over the managerial reins one season, I remember. Derek Pope, now supremo at Havant Town joined them from Moneyfields.

Andy Stewart who had starred for Pompey joined them along with Mark Boyle – a winger who I really enjoyed watching play. Les Fitzjohn, once of Fareham Town, the Trevaskis brothers Terry and Trevor, Mickey Webb and Nigel Fisher in goal.

Meanwhile, up front Stuart O’Connell, aka Lucan was always a threat, along with Wayne Morris and the Clements brothers – the list was endless of the quality players who turned out for them.

I enjoyed watching them as they were a side that always had good players and produced exciting football, not your kick-and-rush style.

Finally, at the end of the 79/80 season came the exciting news that Fratton Park was to stage the Portsmouth Senior and Junior Cup Finals. The Senior Cup was contested between Horndean and Leigh Park United and the Junior A final was between Fleetlands and Jubilee United – the latter a match that saw a streaker run across the pitch to the amusement of the players and the watching supporters.

Both matches were played on Saturday 3rd May 1980. It was a really special occasion for these clubs as playing at Fratton Park was considered their Wembley and it gave local players a chance to play at a stadium they normally only saw their heroes play on.

It was very generous of Portsmouth FC to afford this opportunity to local clubs. It would be a wonderful gesture to see this happen again and even to see Schools cup finals would be something special for the kids.

THE SCOUT