This photograph was sent in by Jon Ashdown of New Romney. He told us that the Late Frank (Pickles) Igglesden had given it to him on one of his (Frank’s) cycle rides to New Romney, a trip he made most weeks.
Rye Old Boys amalgamated with Rye Football Club in 1938, the new team was named Rye United.
Some of the lads in the photograph went to war in 1939 and came back six years later to play in the United team that went on to win trophy after trophy in those exciting post war years. Two never came back to play the game they loved. Len Edwards was killed at Monte Cassino and ‘Scotchie’ Smith was lost when HMS Kandahar was sunk in the Mediterranean. Stan Bourne became a popular Rye Borough Councillor and ran the Bourne & Son Removal Company that went on, under sons Eric and Roy, to become Bournes UTS, a very important part of Rye’s economy, employing more than 100 persons. Fred Weller became Borough Surveyor and Dave Bone and ‘Pickles’ Igglesden just went on scoring goals.
Standing L to R. ; Frank Mushett, Jim Morphy, Stan Bourne, Fred Weller, Les Bryant and ‘Scotchie’ Smith. Seated ; Frank Igglesden, Albert Underdown, Len Edwards, Dave Bone and Colin Catt
From 2007 February issue of “Rye’s Own”