Looks like the entrance to the camp looking towards what is now Canvey Heights with Small Gains on the right on the other side of the wall.
Author
By Janet Penn
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28/02/2017
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This is how I remember it at this date . We moved our van here in 1964? as Jack King was offering the lowest ground rents at the time . In the foreground is the new pumping station to take the flow of grey water from the new chalets being constructed in the field SW of Georges Bingo Hall and Arcade . The 3 toilet blocks serviced the caravans . The central block housed clothes washing facilities later a launderette . We were given plot D2 opposite Georges and the first toilet block . The car I believe was Dennis Kings kit car which he owned just prior to buying the light metallic blue E-type Jaguar. The Estate Manager Mr Collins had a dark red Mercedes Benz 190 which is probably in the drive beside the reception . His family were housed in the building behind the main reception on the left . The boats were also stored there. This is out of season , no boats alongside the jetty . Susan Kings horses were kept on the strip of grass between the lakes opposite their large chalet bungalow which can be seen just to the right of the lampost by the car .Their was a mini supermarket next to that . The horses were moved from their to the far East of the camp which became the ‘ horses field ‘ to build a new road through eventually . This photo may be just before the setting out of the swimming pool next to the club , opposite the King’s family home .I think this is the time when Brian Hills took over from the previous entertainment manager Harry (?) a much older guy . I am not sure whether Brian was initially housed in the large caravan , 5 th on the right as Brian later bought a house nearby . This may have been occupied by his younger brother Les and his young wife as it was later moved next row along to ours in D2 . When they moved into more suitable accommodation we bought it . Joan King ,bless her , had power laid on to our replacement van ,a 4 berth Pemberton Star at roughly the same time , by Trevor the site warden who had one of the new chalets being built . My mum was a talented seamstress and made clothes for Joan and the kids , she copied the latest London fashions . We all got on very well . My mum often worked behind the bar during the holidays .It looks like the swing park and paddling pool had not been built at this stage as it should be visible between the left lamp post and edge of the photo . The green in front of the lakes was used for little competitions and Geoff and I often paired up for egg throwing and other things . We all played football ,so Brian organised team games up next to the horses field , which was full of ruts and dips that filled with water during bad whether. If you can play on this ground you can play on anything . Les assisted .This was the start of Kings Football Team that was eventually entered into the Thames Valley League. Many players were Islanders , but my brother Stuart and I soon became accepted as token Islanders as we spent so much time there . Most weekends , holidays , even Christmas ! Geoff played in goal , I played in defence , others included Tony ( Larry) Leeming , Steven Yeo (Yo-Yo) , Tony Nash , Steven Morris ( Brian’s adopted son ) . Apart from Geoff , I was the youngest but we were big and fit for our age . When the under 13s team was created Geoff played for both and I still played for the under 15s as although eligible , I could only play the fixtures that were set up for the senior team as we traveled together as a family from London. The site expanded rapidly , requiring a large new wood store to be built for constructing Chalet units . It’s not visible and was built on the corner of the road opposite the chalets backing onto the lake and the sea wall . It was taller than the chalets . At this time each of the toilet blocks housed fire fighting equipment in the tank rooms above mainly consisting of ex WD foot pumps and buckets . Trevor also used the Austin Champ as an ersatz fire engine painted red . Apart from the ritual burning of our first old hardboard van around this time , I recall only 1 fire in a caravan on our field with no one injured in all the time we were there , many years ! The club itself was decorated in a fishing theme with nets and lobster pots hanging from the ceiling in the bar area . The dance area was more traditional club style . Jack had built the African Bar with a colour TV to watch the Football , but this was replaced with the kids disco which was originally a make shift area off the main dance area behind folding doors . Really a toddlers play area . As older kids we often helped out there . It was around this time too , that Radio Newlands was created that kept the holiday makers informed of what was going on . Brian ran this too , and was responsible for the many top acts that played there . Troggs , Herman’s Hermits an endless list ! They also had Malcolm Roberts on a Sunday afternoon , no not THE singing star but me ! Geoff and I would learn the latest songs by Beatles , the Stones etc , but he was too shy to get up and sing ,so I did it ! The organist and drummer didn’t know how to play them , so they followed me as best as they could ! It must have sounded terrible ! I did get Geoff up to do a duet with me , that popular waltz piece by Esther and Abbey Offerim- ‘Darling go Home’ , as I sung the main part , I think I may have been wearing one of Geoffs sisters hair pieces ! If I didn’t sing , I would do some crazy dancing on the dance floor if no one was dancing.I get the impression that the holiday makers really enjoyed it as they laughed and cheered after my performances ! After helping clearing up when the club closed , we had to leave through the back door through the crate store . This is where the PA for the camp was and the music requests kept . I could not resist the temptation to drop mine on the top . A favourite was Fire by Arthur Brown . A perfect number for the adults with hangovers first thing in the morning ! A nod to Brian Bibby and Ron Leeming ( Tony’s Dad) who were the doormen at the club , now sadly long gone . I don’t remember any trouble at the club the family atmosphere created made sure everyone had a good time .
Newlands ( Kings) was like a town within a town during this period and the King’s always did their best to lay on something for the owners , whether it be great free entertainment , Fireworks displays or the free Christmas Parties for the kids . Joan’s early death shocked us all .
It was a great period for Newlands and for Canvey Island itself as I know the camp was responsible for many Londoners to uproot and move their. A big Hi to Lorraine and Beverley Windsor who relocated there with mum Maureen from Harlesden in London . Good wasn’t it !
I hope this note a few memories .
By Malcolm Roberts (07/12/2018)
Initially the first team was Newlands Sports run by Brian Hill but eventually an older team was created by Les Hill.Their first season was 1967/68 in the Thames Valley League and was a major success with the team beating Falcon Boys of Southend in the Whymead under 13s Knock Out Trophy.Newlands were 3-0 up into the second half with Kieth Shirley scoring the first 2 goals and Barry Hewitt the 3rd. Falcons pulled back 2 but Newlands finished strong.The trophy was presented by John Baber of Southend United.The team was Ian Draisy in goal.Defence Tony Nash,Peter Wellman.Midfield Steven Morris,David Fox, Kevin Merrick and Colin Gowen.Forwards ,Stuart Roberts,Kieth Shirley,Jeffery Burder and Barry Hewitt. With Geoff King standing in as substitute. Tony Leeming who could not make it from his home in Tottenham as he would have most certainly joined the forwards in exchange for a smaller midfield line up. (source and photos from Canvey News, May 10th 1968.On file at the National Newspaper archives.)From there two under 14s teams were formed for the following season.Three strong players in the form of TonyLeeming,Stuart Roberts and Peter Wellman were set up with the addition of newcomer Steve Yeo to spearhead the newly created Kings Sports.After a short season with Billy Ward in goal Davey Dunne joined Kings from Mornington boys as goal.The new team consisted of Davey Dunne,Peter Wellman and Colin Jones in defence.Midfield was Stevy Kew, Steve Yeo, Geoff Dingle. Peter Collins, David Dean.Fowards were Stuart Roberts,Tony Leeming and Steve Fordham.Geoff King , in real terms ,was 4 years to young for the under 14s but finished off as goaly for Kings when David Dunne left. He was promoted ahead of his years from the under 13s.Malcolm Roberts played in the under 13s but rarely made the journey from his home in Dagenham. On one weekend however he did play for the under 14s team on a Saturday when they were players down with flu and then played again on the Sunday ,scoring a goal against Hullbridge United.Tony Leeming had by then moved to his new home on Canvey Island but Stuart Roberts travelled regularly from his home every weekend to play for Kings and Kindly accommodated by his good friends father, Ron Leeming.Leeming and Roberts would share the the goal scoring and at the end of Kings first season Leeming narrowly pipped Roberts for top scorer at the team awards but Roberts went home with the shield of Team Player.In the following two years Newlands and Kings recombined and went on to win many trophies.One season Roberts banged in 5 in one game. and Leeming follows the following week with 5 of his own.The team had success abroad in International Boys Club tournaments the best of which was an invitation tournament in Majorca in 1971. Les Potten scored the equaliser against Porto Christo in the semi final and Robets headed in the winner. The final ,was against La Salle who were the boys team tho Majorcas top professional team and was played at the In terminational Stadium withe several thousand spectators.Roberts was on the bench first half and we were down 2-0 at half time.Roberts joined in after half time and made both the goals for Captain Alan Aitken which put the game into a penalty shoot out of 4 penalties per team as after extra time the start of the mens match was being delayed. Yeo,Potten and Roberts were selected to take a penalty with Alan Aitkin to take the first. La Salle put theres away and Alan replied.Yeo had an unnerving hack at the grass but fortunately the keeper dived the wrong way and it trickled over the line.Their last penalty was saved brilliantly by the very young Geoff King leaving Roberts the unenviable task of shooting for the winner.It was 2 winners in 2 games for him.The team returned to their Hotel with the cup they keep and which was nearly burnt clean of all its silver plate with all the Bacardi and Coke that was drunk from it. The squad was Geoff King,Ian Draisy,Kevin Merrick,Kenny Divine,Lol Trevyllian,Ray Deakin, Nick Pooley,Les Potten,Steven Morris,Alan Aitken,Stuart Roberts,Tony Leeming and Steve Yeo
By one of eleven (21/12/2018)
Hi Stuart , I wrote the piece as an overview for Newlands at that date , not as an appraisal of your goal scoring ability . You make it sound organised ! It was anyone who turned up on the Horses Field to play the weekend in the potholes and horse muck at first . Yes I remember the 1968 season well. We actually lived on Canvey Island in the caravan , you were at Furtherwick Park , I went to William Reid with Geoff before he transferred school to Leigh Beck . The 68 season didn’t get off too well as during August it rained through until September flooding the low lying areas of the Island including pitches . I went back to William Reid in September term in my swimming trunks as we had to wade to get off the camp . That was my busiest weekend playing football I believe , according to you . As we played Leigh Rangers at Belfairs I think ( I missed a penalty , sent the keeper the wrong way and rolled it in but the pitch was on the side of a hill and it clipped the wrong side of the post . Still got a slagging off you guys ) . The Hulbridge goal was a blinder , Geoff rolled the ball to me ( traditional right back in those days ) and and I charged down the pitch and scored . I think we beat them 5-1 and you guys scored enough goals already. Played Concorde Rangers at Canveys pitch near the sea front . Some team in Basildon we beat ( Jack actually drove the wrong way up the A127 coming back ! Luckily not too much traffic on a Sunday back then) , some team I can’t remember in Central Park in Dagenham ( which I thought was odd as we lived there ) and we had spectators too ( Fred and Henry ). I’ve no idea how many matches I played and don’t actually care . I know all the guys you mention of course ( except Colin Jones) as they were all friends ( until Nicky Pooley ‘ disappeared ‘ ……! ) and remember you getting dropped in favour of Mo , when selection was made on Friday nights in the club on ocassions . Kenny Devine remained a good mate of mine into the 80s and Nashy of course , and I spent a lot of time with Tony Leeming during those early days and his dad would often rustle up a steak and chips for us at their place in Clinton Drive . Its how it was , we all knocked around with each other . There was a weird sideline to this . You or one of the other older local lads would tell me that some local kid had ” offered me out ” for a fight , name the venue , normally the ‘ Seafront ‘ , hoardes of pushbikes would follow me getting a crossy and the opponent wouldn’t be there ! A kid called Kenny Blomm was supposedly one such character ! That was the darker side of being a young well liked teen on Canvey back then . Couldn’t name one player in the U13s though except Geoff. Mo ( Steven Morris) was probably the weakest player in the side but Brian’s ward , which is probably why you had to sit out games . Geoff asked me to go to Mexico with him in 1970 for the World Cup finals , but I turned the offer down . He never offered anyone else . Graham had asked me to go to Italy to look after Miles and Jackie and nothing to pay for that year . Geoff was over the moon showing off Emlyn Hughes No 10 shirt to me when he got back ! There wasn’t enough money for both of us to go to Majorca in 1971 as it was a semi sponsored deal and I was already playing football , Rugby and swimming for the school as well as working at the Dagenham WM Club after you left school , so Mum paid for your part . I used to compete in the galas at Newlands new pool and win medals for swimming and diving , but I never got to go to Ostend or Blankenburg or any of the Channel hop football tournaments either., as Mum simply couldn’t afford both of us , so I dropped out . Eventually , I stopped going unless the caravans needed decorating or something sorting out , and I think both the caravans were sold in 1975/6 , but you continued to go to Canvey . I saw Geoff King play rugby for Sir John Cass school at St . Peters in Dagenham when he asked me after a brief visit . I did bump into Pete Wellman and his Dad , Reg , later in the 70s at Dagenham Football Club a few times when Pete was playing for them and saw his Dad in the clubhouse .
By Malcolm Roberts (21/12/2022)
As a response to the “overview”, as M.Roberts would declare it ,I did write of myself but much less than the said author did of his self. Herein I respond only to correct the statements in his account and add something to the history of the founding Newlands Sports and Kings Sports. The car outside the office belonged to the accountant at the gate reception . It was an Opel GT and from new had a fault with the headlights closing. I road in it on a few occasions as I was entrusted by Joan King to take the weeks takings from the Kings Club house on a Monday morning. Looking back I can only think that the few hundred yards I covered was less conspicuous than Joan making the trip direct to the bank as there was definitely a few footpads who would take a chance on that being the most obvious route one for Joan. There was some unsavoury characters always trying to pull a fast one and I remember one incident, and well the name of the perpetrator, who after being banned for a glassing incident turned up a week later ,with his entire face and head bandaged ,claiming to be the victim of the incident. The group that night was Unit 4 Plus 2 and the music was stopped while the bandit was slowly unmasked and then led out of the door by then bouncers Brian Bibby and Brian Ackerman. I don’t remember Dennis Kings E type but his Boss Mustang was Metallic Blue. The football teams was started by the regular camps Sunday event of residents versus campers . Organised primarily by Dave Day, the original camp entertainments manager with the assistance of a young fellow called Michael Mamarta ( spelling ?). The campers team changed every week , as it would ,apart from myself , M Roberts, Tony Leeming, Andy Skeggs and Bob and George Coleman , from whom I bought my first scooter, years later. We were the back bone of the campers as we were there all summer. In the days between Tony and I would cycle up to Charfleets Estate where most of the residents team was from and where, amongst the new housing developments, there was a self organised 6 a side league that Tony and I joined in. Tony lived /stayed with the ‘Terry’ family on Newlands while his Dad , the irreplaceable Ron Leeming, was living in Tottenham whilst house hunting on Canvey.I remember the Terry family being on the camp committee along with Raz Green , Pam Carlton and others. Brian Hill took over as entertainments manager from Dave Day and his was the boost needed to organise all the fun on Newlands Holiday Camp, especially football. From amongst the residents and half residents ,as Tony and I were, Newlands Sports were borne and after we had won the Trophy in the Thames Valley League there was enough interest in our club to create 2 teams . Reg Wellman took on the new Kings Sports with Tony, Steve Yeo, Pete Wellman, Steve Fordham, Collin Jones, Peter Johnson,Stevey Kew,Brian Deal and myself as the back bone of the new team. We went through a few keepers, Billy Ward and Davey Dunne before Geoff King, ahead of his years proved to be a great No 1. Jeff Dingle, joined us a couple of seasons down the road. M.Roberts played a couple of times for us when we were short but was in Kings Juniors when he performed the heroics of which he scribes and was never at any Friday night selection to see me side lined as my place was well established and he was at home with mother while I jumped the train to Benfleet every Friday night to be picked up at the station by Ron and Tony. Mo was Brians stepbrother but I never knew how and why but I was never sidelined for him or for any body, in fact we were never in the same team as he played (? ) in the Newlands Sports team that was in a different league ( Basildon District )than our Kings Sports team. The teams merged on 3 occasions for visits to Bredene (Belgium) , Valkenburg ( Holland) and Majorca but that was to make up the numbers for a full team as not all could afford to go ALL of my holidays were paid for by MYSELF. Belgium was a combination of a paper round for Hewitts in Broad St Dagenham and Friday evening , straight after school ,and all day Saturday delivering sheet music around Soho for Fred Byfield and his partner Henry. Valkenburg trip ( 1970 ) was paid for by working for Kings Club as a postman collecting glasses until 2am and then up at 6am to crate the empties, top up the bar and hoover the whole club carpet, 7 days a week. It was Alan Clark ( Leeds United ) No 22 that +Geoiff caught back from Mexico and I still have a final programme that Geoff gave me. Majorca (1971) was paid for out of my wages in Kings Club also, but on top of that I raised a massive amount to subsidise for the trip by way of a sponsored dawn until dusk football match, which included a 90 minute match against a mens team from the Road Hauliers Association (RHA) who made a contribution despite us beating them and Tony and I sharing the goals. I was promoted by Joan King to manager of the children’s room where I worked the bar, while American Pat Regan and and another lady looked after the children. It was there that I made another big contribution to the Majorca trip by making and selling (of all things) balloon animals taught to me by the childrens entertainer. Majorca was the nemesis for the team ,however, as on the selection for the cup final team word had got out that Mo had protested to Brian until he got a place in the team. Brian resolved this by announcing Kenny Devine and I sharing the match with me on the second half. On that selection night Alan Harding ( not Aitkin as per my error in previous scribblings) lead the protest against Mo being selected and Tony Leeming and Geoff King made Jack King aware of what was going on. Before half time people were booing Mo off the pitch and with us being 2-0 down ,Jack took the matter to Brian in front of the parents who had joined the tour. My mum was there but I asked her not say anything , and she didn’t until she realised that Mo was staying on and Kenny was coming off. It was difficult for Brian but I had my day still. Mo was a liability but despite a defence being weaker with Kenny off and Mo still on ( but now in defence) we were strengthened up front where I made both Alan Hardings goals and he made his point by selecting me to take the final and, what proved to be, the most critical penalty. Alan was our hat trick hero and handed me the cup which I think gave to Geoff for his brilliant penalty save. As a return reunion the two teams , Newlands (under Brian) and Kings ,now under Dicky Roberts, played a friendly at Canveys ground but Majorca had done the damage and Tony, myself, Ray Deakin, Steve Yeo, Alan Harding , Nicky Pooly, Les Potter, Alan Jones (no relation to Colin) all jacked it in. Brian also left the employ of Kings and bought his own club. We all got together again for a while playing under a guy named Mick but we were all in full time employ then and it was difficult to get a team together. Nick Pooley went to the States to play pro football and I was signed on by Ford United . Tony played for Dagenham Reserves for a while and I did a “shared season” production racing a 500 Kawasaki with some old scooter club mates .I, Tony and few others remerged later as the Lobster Smack Team at Canvey just after I’d bought our first house in Ilford and it was then that we would bump into Brian occasionally running a kids team. I was saddened to learn of Brians death some years back. It was at a young age and he was a caring man and created a lot of happy memories for “Campers and Residents” alike. In memory of Jack and Joan King, Dennis King, Brian Hills and the man my children called Grandad Ron, Ron Leeming
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This is how I remember it at this date . We moved our van here in 1964? as Jack King was offering the lowest ground rents at the time . In the foreground is the new pumping station to take the flow of grey water from the new chalets being constructed in the field SW of Georges Bingo Hall and Arcade . The 3 toilet blocks serviced the caravans . The central block housed clothes washing facilities later a launderette . We were given plot D2 opposite Georges and the first toilet block . The car I believe was Dennis Kings kit car which he owned just prior to buying the light metallic blue E-type Jaguar. The Estate Manager Mr Collins had a dark red Mercedes Benz 190 which is probably in the drive beside the reception . His family were housed in the building behind the main reception on the left . The boats were also stored there. This is out of season , no boats alongside the jetty . Susan Kings horses were kept on the strip of grass between the lakes opposite their large chalet bungalow which can be seen just to the right of the lampost by the car .Their was a mini supermarket next to that . The horses were moved from their to the far East of the camp which became the ‘ horses field ‘ to build a new road through eventually . This photo may be just before the setting out of the swimming pool next to the club , opposite the King’s family home .I think this is the time when Brian Hills took over from the previous entertainment manager Harry (?) a much older guy . I am not sure whether Brian was initially housed in the large caravan , 5 th on the right as Brian later bought a house nearby . This may have been occupied by his younger brother Les and his young wife as it was later moved next row along to ours in D2 . When they moved into more suitable accommodation we bought it . Joan King ,bless her , had power laid on to our replacement van ,a 4 berth Pemberton Star at roughly the same time , by Trevor the site warden who had one of the new chalets being built . My mum was a talented seamstress and made clothes for Joan and the kids , she copied the latest London fashions . We all got on very well . My mum often worked behind the bar during the holidays .It looks like the swing park and paddling pool had not been built at this stage as it should be visible between the left lamp post and edge of the photo . The green in front of the lakes was used for little competitions and Geoff and I often paired up for egg throwing and other things . We all played football ,so Brian organised team games up next to the horses field , which was full of ruts and dips that filled with water during bad whether. If you can play on this ground you can play on anything . Les assisted .This was the start of Kings Football Team that was eventually entered into the Thames Valley League. Many players were Islanders , but my brother Stuart and I soon became accepted as token Islanders as we spent so much time there . Most weekends , holidays , even Christmas ! Geoff played in goal , I played in defence , others included Tony ( Larry) Leeming , Steven Yeo (Yo-Yo) , Tony Nash , Steven Morris ( Brian’s adopted son ) . Apart from Geoff , I was the youngest but we were big and fit for our age . When the under 13s team was created Geoff played for both and I still played for the under 15s as although eligible , I could only play the fixtures that were set up for the senior team as we traveled together as a family from London. The site expanded rapidly , requiring a large new wood store to be built for constructing Chalet units . It’s not visible and was built on the corner of the road opposite the chalets backing onto the lake and the sea wall . It was taller than the chalets . At this time each of the toilet blocks housed fire fighting equipment in the tank rooms above mainly consisting of ex WD foot pumps and buckets . Trevor also used the Austin Champ as an ersatz fire engine painted red . Apart from the ritual burning of our first old hardboard van around this time , I recall only 1 fire in a caravan on our field with no one injured in all the time we were there , many years ! The club itself was decorated in a fishing theme with nets and lobster pots hanging from the ceiling in the bar area . The dance area was more traditional club style . Jack had built the African Bar with a colour TV to watch the Football , but this was replaced with the kids disco which was originally a make shift area off the main dance area behind folding doors . Really a toddlers play area . As older kids we often helped out there . It was around this time too , that Radio Newlands was created that kept the holiday makers informed of what was going on . Brian ran this too , and was responsible for the many top acts that played there . Troggs , Herman’s Hermits an endless list ! They also had Malcolm Roberts on a Sunday afternoon , no not THE singing star but me ! Geoff and I would learn the latest songs by Beatles , the Stones etc , but he was too shy to get up and sing ,so I did it ! The organist and drummer didn’t know how to play them , so they followed me as best as they could ! It must have sounded terrible ! I did get Geoff up to do a duet with me , that popular waltz piece by Esther and Abbey Offerim- ‘Darling go Home’ , as I sung the main part , I think I may have been wearing one of Geoffs sisters hair pieces ! If I didn’t sing , I would do some crazy dancing on the dance floor if no one was dancing.I get the impression that the holiday makers really enjoyed it as they laughed and cheered after my performances ! After helping clearing up when the club closed , we had to leave through the back door through the crate store . This is where the PA for the camp was and the music requests kept . I could not resist the temptation to drop mine on the top . A favourite was Fire by Arthur Brown . A perfect number for the adults with hangovers first thing in the morning ! A nod to Brian Bibby and Ron Leeming ( Tony’s Dad) who were the doormen at the club , now sadly long gone . I don’t remember any trouble at the club the family atmosphere created made sure everyone had a good time .
Newlands ( Kings) was like a town within a town during this period and the King’s always did their best to lay on something for the owners , whether it be great free entertainment , Fireworks displays or the free Christmas Parties for the kids . Joan’s early death shocked us all .
It was a great period for Newlands and for Canvey Island itself as I know the camp was responsible for many Londoners to uproot and move their. A big Hi to Lorraine and Beverley Windsor who relocated there with mum Maureen from Harlesden in London . Good wasn’t it !
I hope this note a few memories .
Initially the first team was Newlands Sports run by Brian Hill but eventually an older team was created by Les Hill.Their first season was 1967/68 in the Thames Valley League and was a major success with the team beating Falcon Boys of Southend in the Whymead under 13s Knock Out Trophy.Newlands were 3-0 up into the second half with Kieth Shirley scoring the first 2 goals and Barry Hewitt the 3rd. Falcons pulled back 2 but Newlands finished strong.The trophy was presented by John Baber of Southend United.The team was Ian Draisy in goal.Defence Tony Nash,Peter Wellman.Midfield Steven Morris,David Fox, Kevin Merrick and Colin Gowen.Forwards ,Stuart Roberts,Kieth Shirley,Jeffery Burder and Barry Hewitt. With Geoff King standing in as substitute. Tony Leeming who could not make it from his home in Tottenham as he would have most certainly joined the forwards in exchange for a smaller midfield line up. (source and photos from Canvey News, May 10th 1968.On file at the National Newspaper archives.)From there two under 14s teams were formed for the following season.Three strong players in the form of TonyLeeming,Stuart Roberts and Peter Wellman were set up with the addition of newcomer Steve Yeo to spearhead the newly created Kings Sports.After a short season with Billy Ward in goal Davey Dunne joined Kings from Mornington boys as goal.The new team consisted of Davey Dunne,Peter Wellman and Colin Jones in defence.Midfield was Stevy Kew, Steve Yeo, Geoff Dingle. Peter Collins, David Dean.Fowards were Stuart Roberts,Tony Leeming and Steve Fordham.Geoff King , in real terms ,was 4 years to young for the under 14s but finished off as goaly for Kings when David Dunne left. He was promoted ahead of his years from the under 13s.Malcolm Roberts played in the under 13s but rarely made the journey from his home in Dagenham. On one weekend however he did play for the under 14s team on a Saturday when they were players down with flu and then played again on the Sunday ,scoring a goal against Hullbridge United.Tony Leeming had by then moved to his new home on Canvey Island but Stuart Roberts travelled regularly from his home every weekend to play for Kings and Kindly accommodated by his good friends father, Ron Leeming.Leeming and Roberts would share the the goal scoring and at the end of Kings first season Leeming narrowly pipped Roberts for top scorer at the team awards but Roberts went home with the shield of Team Player.In the following two years Newlands and Kings recombined and went on to win many trophies.One season Roberts banged in 5 in one game. and Leeming follows the following week with 5 of his own.The team had success abroad in International Boys Club tournaments the best of which was an invitation tournament in Majorca in 1971. Les Potten scored the equaliser against Porto Christo in the semi final and Robets headed in the winner. The final ,was against La Salle who were the boys team tho Majorcas top professional team and was played at the In terminational Stadium withe several thousand spectators.Roberts was on the bench first half and we were down 2-0 at half time.Roberts joined in after half time and made both the goals for Captain Alan Aitken which put the game into a penalty shoot out of 4 penalties per team as after extra time the start of the mens match was being delayed. Yeo,Potten and Roberts were selected to take a penalty with Alan Aitkin to take the first. La Salle put theres away and Alan replied.Yeo had an unnerving hack at the grass but fortunately the keeper dived the wrong way and it trickled over the line.Their last penalty was saved brilliantly by the very young Geoff King leaving Roberts the unenviable task of shooting for the winner.It was 2 winners in 2 games for him.The team returned to their Hotel with the cup they keep and which was nearly burnt clean of all its silver plate with all the Bacardi and Coke that was drunk from it. The squad was Geoff King,Ian Draisy,Kevin Merrick,Kenny Divine,Lol Trevyllian,Ray Deakin, Nick Pooley,Les Potten,Steven Morris,Alan Aitken,Stuart Roberts,Tony Leeming and Steve Yeo
Hi Stuart ,
I wrote the piece as an overview for Newlands at that date , not as an appraisal of your goal scoring ability . You make it sound organised ! It was anyone who turned up on the Horses Field to play the weekend in the potholes and horse muck at first .
Yes I remember the 1968 season well. We actually lived on Canvey Island in the caravan , you were at Furtherwick Park , I went to William Reid with Geoff before he transferred school to Leigh Beck . The 68 season didn’t get off too well as during August it rained through until September flooding the low lying areas of the Island including pitches . I went back to William Reid in September term in my swimming trunks as we had to wade to get off the camp .
That was my busiest weekend playing football I believe , according to you . As we played Leigh Rangers at Belfairs I think ( I missed a penalty , sent the keeper the wrong way and rolled it in but the pitch was on the side of a hill and it clipped the wrong side of the post . Still got a slagging off you guys ) . The Hulbridge goal was a blinder , Geoff rolled the ball to me ( traditional right back in those days ) and and I charged down the pitch and scored . I think we beat them 5-1 and you guys scored enough goals already. Played Concorde Rangers at Canveys pitch near the sea front . Some team in Basildon we beat ( Jack actually drove the wrong way up the A127 coming back ! Luckily not too much traffic on a Sunday back then) , some team I can’t remember in Central Park in Dagenham ( which I thought was odd as we lived there ) and we had spectators too ( Fred and Henry ). I’ve no idea how many matches I played and don’t actually care .
I know all the guys you mention of course ( except Colin Jones) as they were all friends ( until Nicky Pooley ‘ disappeared ‘ ……! ) and remember you getting dropped in favour of Mo , when selection was made on Friday nights in the club on ocassions . Kenny Devine remained a good mate of mine into the 80s and Nashy of course , and I spent a lot of time with Tony Leeming during those early days and his dad would often rustle up a steak and chips for us at their place in Clinton Drive . Its how it was , we all knocked around with each other . There was a weird sideline to this . You or one of the other older local lads would tell me that some local kid had ” offered me out ” for a fight , name the venue , normally the ‘ Seafront ‘ , hoardes of pushbikes would follow me getting a crossy and the opponent wouldn’t be there ! A kid called Kenny Blomm was supposedly one such character ! That was the darker side of being a young well liked teen on Canvey back then .
Couldn’t name one player in the U13s though except Geoff. Mo ( Steven Morris) was probably the weakest player in the side but Brian’s ward , which is probably why you had to sit out games .
Geoff asked me to go to Mexico with him in 1970 for the World Cup finals , but I turned the offer down . He never offered anyone else . Graham had asked me to go to Italy to look after Miles and Jackie and nothing to pay for that year . Geoff was over the moon showing off Emlyn Hughes No 10 shirt to me when he got back !
There wasn’t enough money for both of us to go to Majorca in 1971 as it was a semi sponsored deal and I was already playing football , Rugby and swimming for the school as well as working at the Dagenham WM Club after you left school , so Mum paid for your part . I used to compete in the galas at Newlands new pool and win medals for swimming and diving , but I never got to go to Ostend or Blankenburg or any of the Channel hop football tournaments either., as Mum simply couldn’t afford both of us , so I dropped out . Eventually , I stopped going unless the caravans needed decorating or something sorting out , and I think both the caravans were sold in 1975/6 , but you continued to go to Canvey . I saw Geoff King play rugby for Sir John Cass school at St . Peters in Dagenham when he asked me after a brief visit . I did bump into Pete Wellman and his Dad , Reg , later in the 70s at Dagenham Football Club a few times when Pete was playing for them and saw his Dad in the clubhouse .
As a response to the “overview”, as M.Roberts would declare it ,I did write of myself but much less than the said author did of his self.
Herein I respond only to correct the statements in his account and add something to the history of the founding Newlands Sports and Kings Sports.
The car outside the office belonged to the accountant at the gate reception . It was an Opel GT and from new had a fault with the headlights closing. I road in it on a few occasions as I was entrusted by Joan King to take the weeks takings from the Kings Club house on a Monday morning. Looking back I can only think that the few hundred yards I covered was less conspicuous than Joan making the trip direct to the bank as there was definitely a few footpads who would take a chance on that being the most obvious route one for Joan.
There was some unsavoury characters always trying to pull a fast one and I remember one incident, and well the name of the perpetrator, who after being banned for a glassing incident turned up a week later ,with his entire face and head bandaged ,claiming to be the victim of the incident. The group that night was Unit 4 Plus 2 and the music was stopped while the bandit was slowly unmasked and then led out of the door by then bouncers Brian Bibby and Brian Ackerman.
I don’t remember Dennis Kings E type but his Boss Mustang was Metallic Blue.
The football teams was started by the regular camps Sunday event of residents versus campers . Organised primarily by Dave Day, the original camp entertainments manager with the assistance of a young fellow called Michael Mamarta ( spelling ?).
The campers team changed every week , as it would ,apart from myself , M Roberts, Tony Leeming, Andy Skeggs and Bob and George Coleman , from whom I bought my first scooter, years later. We were the back bone of the campers as we were there all summer.
In the days between Tony and I would cycle up to Charfleets Estate where most of the residents team was from and where, amongst the new housing developments, there was a self organised 6 a side league that Tony and I joined in. Tony lived /stayed with the ‘Terry’ family on Newlands while his Dad , the irreplaceable Ron Leeming, was living in Tottenham whilst house hunting on Canvey.I remember the Terry family being on the camp committee along with Raz Green , Pam Carlton and others.
Brian Hill took over as entertainments manager from Dave Day and his was the boost needed to organise all the fun on Newlands Holiday Camp, especially football.
From amongst the residents and half residents ,as Tony and I were, Newlands Sports were borne and after we had won the Trophy in the Thames Valley League there was enough interest in our club to create 2 teams . Reg Wellman took on the new Kings Sports with Tony, Steve Yeo, Pete Wellman, Steve Fordham, Collin Jones, Peter Johnson,Stevey Kew,Brian Deal and myself as the back bone of the new team. We went through a few keepers, Billy Ward and Davey Dunne before Geoff King, ahead of his years proved to be a great No 1. Jeff Dingle, joined us a couple of seasons down the road.
M.Roberts played a couple of times for us when we were short but was in Kings Juniors when he performed the heroics of which he scribes and was never at any Friday night selection to see me side lined as my place was well established and he was at home with mother while I jumped the train to Benfleet every Friday night to be picked up at the station by Ron and Tony.
Mo was Brians stepbrother but I never knew how and why but I was never sidelined for him or for any body, in fact we were never in the same team as he played (? ) in the Newlands Sports team that was in a different league
( Basildon District )than our Kings Sports team.
The teams merged on 3 occasions for visits to Bredene (Belgium) , Valkenburg ( Holland) and Majorca but that was to make up the numbers for a full team as not all could afford to go
ALL of my holidays were paid for by MYSELF. Belgium was a combination of a paper round for Hewitts in Broad St Dagenham and Friday evening , straight after school ,and all day Saturday delivering sheet music around Soho for Fred Byfield and his partner Henry.
Valkenburg trip ( 1970 ) was paid for by working for Kings Club as a postman collecting glasses until 2am and then up at 6am to crate the empties, top up the bar and hoover the whole club carpet, 7 days a week.
It was Alan Clark ( Leeds United ) No 22 that +Geoiff caught back from Mexico and I still have a final programme that Geoff gave me.
Majorca (1971) was paid for out of my wages in Kings Club also, but on top of that I raised a massive amount to subsidise for the trip by way of a sponsored dawn until dusk football match, which included a 90 minute match against a mens team from the Road Hauliers Association (RHA) who made a contribution despite us beating them and Tony and I sharing the goals.
I was promoted by Joan King to manager of the children’s room where I worked the bar, while American Pat Regan and and another lady looked after the children. It was there that I made another big contribution to the Majorca trip by making and selling (of all things) balloon animals taught to me by the childrens entertainer.
Majorca was the nemesis for the team ,however, as on the selection for the cup final team word had got out that Mo had protested to Brian until he got a place in the team.
Brian resolved this by announcing Kenny Devine and I sharing the match with me on the second half.
On that selection night Alan Harding ( not Aitkin as per my error in previous scribblings) lead the protest against Mo being selected and Tony Leeming and Geoff King made Jack King aware of what was going on.
Before half time people were booing Mo off the pitch and with us being 2-0 down ,Jack took the matter to Brian in front of the parents who had joined the tour. My mum was there but I asked her not say anything , and she didn’t until she realised that Mo was staying on and Kenny was coming off. It was difficult for Brian but I had my day still.
Mo was a liability but despite a defence being weaker with Kenny off and Mo still on ( but now in defence) we were strengthened up front where I made both Alan Hardings goals and he made his point by selecting me to take the final and, what proved to be, the most critical penalty.
Alan was our hat trick hero and handed me the cup which I think gave to Geoff for his brilliant penalty save.
As a return reunion the two teams , Newlands (under Brian) and Kings ,now under Dicky Roberts, played a friendly at Canveys ground but Majorca had done the damage and Tony, myself, Ray Deakin, Steve Yeo, Alan Harding , Nicky Pooly, Les Potter, Alan Jones (no relation to Colin) all jacked it in.
Brian also left the employ of Kings and bought his own club.
We all got together again for a while playing under a guy named Mick but we were all in full time employ then and it was difficult to get a team together. Nick Pooley went to the States to play pro football and I was signed on by Ford United . Tony played for Dagenham Reserves for a while and I did a “shared season” production racing a 500 Kawasaki with some old scooter club mates .I, Tony and few others remerged later as the Lobster Smack Team at Canvey just after I’d bought our first house in Ilford and it was then that we would bump into Brian occasionally running a kids team.
I was saddened to learn of Brians death some years back. It was at a young age and he was a caring man and created a lot of happy memories for “Campers and Residents” alike.
In memory of Jack and Joan King, Dennis King,
Brian Hills and the man my children called Grandad Ron, Ron Leeming
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