Mid ~Sussex Times August 28 1992

Celebration time as Albion visit Cuckfield

Cuckfield FC will mark 120 years of formation with a fixture against a Brighton and Hove Albion XI at the Recreation Ground next Wednesday (kick off 6.15pm).

It is the first time a professional outfit have played in the village and it is fitting that Albion should provide the opposition as they themselves, under their former name of Brighton Rangers¹, who featured in Cuckfield’s first chronicled match in the second issue of the Mid Sussex Times back in 1881.

That 4–0 defeat came some eight years after the formation of the club in 1872 when the first players appeared on a pitch at Cuckfield Park wearing red and black hooped jerseys with cricket trousers. Following the formation of the Mid Sussex League, Cuckfield were one of the founder members, finishing fourth out of five in season 1900–01.

It was then that the club adopted today’s colours of white shirts and blue shorts. Many notable local sportsmen have appeared over the years but one individual, Tommy Cook², who started to play for Cuckfield when he was 14 actually went on to be capped by England. Tommy also played for Albion as their much-feared centre forward and eventually became their manager. Other players were not so fortunate. No fewer than 16 gave their lives for their country in the first world war.

In the same year that Tommy Cook was being capped, Cuckfield’s Recreation Ground was opened and they have remained there for the past 67 years.

Since the club’s first league championship in 1946 and first Montgomery Cup win in 1947 they have won both competitions a record seven times each.

The most recent championship was secured in 1989 when the club decided not to apply for County League status.

They did however enjoy seven seasons in County Division Two during the 1950s before resigning from the Sussex League for financial reasons. Today their first XI have three sides competing in the Premier Division, the Mid Sussex Premier Division, the reserves in Division III and the third team in Division VI.

Optimism and enthusiasm for the coming season could hardly be better. For any side to be able to fulfil senior pre-season commitments at the club during the midweek takes some doing but however, with the present blend, the future looks bright.

Ironically the club records were not researched until 1989 and so Cuckfield Football Club were never aware of their centenary season back in 1972. The Football Association have however agreed to credit the club with their retrospective 120th anniversary match next Wednesday. Kick-off is at 6.15pm sharp; you will come into contact with old friends and rivals alike, admission is free and refreshments will be available.

By Simon Langston

Footnotes

1. Brighton Rangers – The early name of Brighton and Hove Albion before the club adopted its modern identity.

2. Tommy Cook – A footballer from Cuckfield who became the only player to both represent England at football and play first-class cricket for Sussex. He also played for and managed Brighton and Hove Albion.