LOOKING BACKWARD. Kingstonians' First Season Reviewed.
The record of the Kingstonians F.C. in its first season is not quite so satisfactory as one could have wished. In reviewing the season special difficulties which had to be met by the club must be borne in mind. Although building up from the wreckage which the war made of the Kingston Town and Old Kingstonian clubs the local enthusiasts who were determined upon a resuscitation of senior football in the borough had, to all intents and purposes, to promote an entirely new organisation. In so doing they had first to face financial difficulties, and the promotion and carrying through of the big sports meeting on August Bank Holiday last year, advisable to that end, nevertheless demanded such a call upon the time and energies of the committee and officials as to impose a severe handicap in the task of getting together the actual playing team.

Moreover, unlike some other clubs with which they had to compete - such as Metrogas and Barnet, clubs identified with large employing businesses - old players of the former town clubs were not generally available. New players had to be sought and tried, and the process of getting suitable men to form a regular playing eleven was necessarily difficult and long- in fact, this desideratum has not even yet satisfactorily been attained. Of the players familiar either at the Norbiton or Richmond-road grounds in prewar days only one has continued with the local team- H. E. Crick, who has carried on with the Kingstonians that yeoman service he rendered in pre-war days for the town club.

It is not overlooked that H. Mansey and T. P. Sheehy, popular players in the "O.K.'s" team, have continued to give their help to the Kingstonians, both playing for the reserve team, and occasionally for the first eleven, or that F. J. Sargent, the old Kingston Town back and H. Gibson, formerly of the "O.K.'s" and now of Burberry's, started out with the new club, but the fact remains that of the pre-war stalwarts only Crick continues in the front rank of local senior football.

Misfortune has befallen the club in regard to other players- the losing of the brilliant centre-half, J. Rowe, and the retirement from the game on doctor's orders of that splendidly clever goalkeeper, C. Warner, may be cited as instances.

The difficulties to be faced by the club accordingly have been great, but these difficulties have been courageously met, and, all things considered, the first season may be regarded as one of success. Certainly the club is now firmly established, and around it have been gathered a large band of enthusiastic supporters, as has been demonstrated by the large and increasing "gates" at the Richmond-road ground.

As to the actual playing results, these perhaps may best be tabulated as under:

P. W. D. L. F. A.
Athenian League……………. 22 7 4 11 49 53
Cup-ties ……………………. 12 5 2 5 18 29
Frendlies ………….………... 4 1 0 3 6 8
Total 38 13 6 19 73 90

The results of the Athenian League matches, home and away, were:
Home. Away.
Southall 1-0 2-4
Wimbledon 2-2 1-3
Luton Clarence 2-4 1-2
Metrogas 5-3 1-4
Summerstown 3-4 1-3
Uxbridge 4-0 1-3
Cheshunt 9-2 1-7
Hampstead 2-2 2-2
Chelmsford 2-0 2-3
Bromley 2-2 1-2
Barnet 2-1 2-0
34-20 15-33

The results show unmistakably the advantage of playing at home. It will be seen that of the seven victories in the League six were obtained at home, and of the four drawn games three were played at Kingston. All the five cup-ties lost were on foreign soil, four of the five wins and the two drawn games being at home. Where the goals were scored is also indicated in the appended tabulation, which includes all the matches played:

P. W. D. L. F. A.
Home …………….. 19 11 5 3 51 28
Away ……………… 19 2 1 16 22 62

When A. E. Harry first turned out for the club - against Leyton on December 6th it was remarked in these columns that he would prove a successful goal-getter. Such has been the case, and the clever Surbitonian centre-forward has the credit of having scored most goals (19) for his side. G. R. Stentiford comes next with 12, W. J. Wright follows with seven, whilst H. E. Crick and H. W. Daniells each scored five times. During the latter part of the season the club has been admirably served in goal by W. F. Winyard, and at back by F. Vivyen-Davies and B. J. Rollo- the latter, a fearless tackler and resolute kicker. In the half-back line probably the greatest success has been achieved by A. J. Yates who has invariably shown good form and whose splendid tackling has surprised many opposing forwards and contributed largely to the successes of his side.

It is not the purpose here to comment upon each player's performances. All have done their best, and, let it be said, have played clean sportsmanlike football. Obviously there are players who impress the spectator more favourably than do others, and no player can be expected not to make mistakes, and some will have their off-days. No doubt the Kingstonians selection committee appreciate where the strong and the weak points are, but at any rate they have got together quite an excellent team who have provided football of a good class which has no doubt been appreciated and enjoyed by the many who have paid to watch their play. For its first season the Club has done well; maybe next season will go much better. That is the hope, at any rate.