It had been the intention to include in the copy of this year’s "Salvatorian" the full results of all the matches played in the 1963-64 season. Unfortunately, the results book has been mislaid, and all efforts to trace it have failed. As a result one has to resort to memory, and this allows only a summary of the season to be given.

The 1st XI had a satisfactory, if not altogether successful season. There were too many weaknesses, that needed to be overcome, and the replacements were not to hand. However, the school did manage to beat the Staff 6-0 after being lucky to get away with a draw 2-2 in the first encounter. We were very fortunate to have I. Sadler, a South African lad over here for a year, in goal for us, and he was surely the personality of the year as far as the 1st XI were concerned. D. Scott captained the team, and did the job very well. With a number of this team present this year, it is to be hoped that better results will be forthcoming.

The U.15's were largely responsible for forming the 2nd XI, and again their results were average. In the local Schools Competition, The Brady Cup, they were beaten, rather disappointingly, by Blackwell, 5-1 in the first round. P. McGovern, a member of this team, played regularly for Harrow Schools throughout the season.

The U.14's had a fairly good year, and have the makings of a useful team. They reached the final of the local competition, and drew 2-2 with Harrow Weald, thus sharing the Watkin Shield. J. Shanahan was, once again, a regular member of the Harrow Schools team.

The U.13's had quite a reputation to uphold, and did so, very commendably throughout the season. They too reached the final of the local competition, and played brilliantly, to win 9-2 against Blackwell. D. Dury and H. Murray played regularly for Harrow, whilst A. Tobin played the occasional game.

The U.12's settled down after an indifferent start, and reached the semi-final of the Cox Shield, going down 5-2 to Blackwell, the eventual winners. There is much promise in this team - whether it materialises or not remains to be seen.

In the Lipton Trophy, the U.16 Competition run by the London Schools F.A. we had a bye in the 1st round, and in the 2nd round played North Paddington Secondary. This we won 2-1, in the 3rd round travelled to Enfield, to lose by the same margin to Ambrose Fleming.

Taken by and large, the strength, as regards football, is definitely to be found in the lower half of the School, where greater numbers afford greater selection. It is true to say that more football matches than ever were played during the course of the season, and that we enjoyed a fair degree of success. We look forward to the time in the very near future when the results amongst the Senior XI's are comparable to those of the Junior XI's.

School v Staff - 13th Nov. 1963

Staff - Mr. Martin, Mr. Shovelton, Mr. O'Connell; Mr. Tora, Fr. Louis, Fr. Campion; Bro. Colum, Mr. Richards, Mr. Crawford, Fr. Raymond, Mr. Tufnell.

School - Sadler, Burke, McGovern; O’Shea, McGuire, Kelly, Prevatt, Silver, Madden, Scott. Limbrey.

Result Draw 2-2

The School v Staff match took place amidst the usual threats and predictions. The ground was very heavy following torrential rain, though the afternoon was dry and sunny. The 1st XI started off as though the result was a foregone conclusion, but if it was - then they found difficulty in getting the ball into the net. The stalwart Staff defence stood firm though the "go it alone" policy of the school forwards certainly helped. As the half wore on, so the Staff attack came more into the picture - and only a brilliant save by Sadler prevented a goal by Fr. Raymond. Came half time, and still the score sheet was blank. How the School must have been regretting those rash predictions.

The second half commenced with the Staff on the attack, and very much on top. It came as no surprise therefore, when they scored through Mr. Tora, who followed up a back pass to Sadler by McGovern.

When challenged, Sadler obligingly dropped the ball, and the Staff were one up. What a shock. Back swarmed the School, but the defence stood firm. The ball repeatedly cleared, and by now the clinging mud was certainly slowing everyone down. Then came a corner on the right taken by Silver. It dropped into the area, someone kicked it, it hit Madden in the back, and shot into the goal. What a break. Delight for the School - rueful smiles from the Staff. Worse was to follow, however. Soon after a ball from the right found Madden unmarked on the edge of the area, and he scored a very good goal to put the School in the lead. The Staff now took quite a roasting. Mr. Martin, in goal, saved splendidly on many occasions, and everyone tried very hard to get back on level terms. Suddenly a cross from the right, by Mr. Crawford, found Fr. Raymond, and he lobbed the ball over Sadler’s head to even matters. And so the Staff got their draw - and I don’t think the School, looking back on the match, will begrudge their honour. Well played both sides. It was an exciting and a sporting game, with a draw a fair result.