There has not been a football team in competitive football at Castlethorpe for a long time, but there is plenty of keeness over thier Division III debut.
About 20 players have signed at present, mostly village lads, who intend to give a good account of themselves. They will play in colours of balck and white.
Mr. G. White is chairman of the club, Mr. C. Markham treasurer, and Mr. H. Limbrey secretary.
First fixture is a month off yet, but will be a local derby against Hanslope Reserves at Castlethorpe.

NUMBERED SHIRTS IN THE

P. J. B., a writer of Stoke Goldington football notes, sends us the following:
“I think the Castlethorpe Football Club contributor to your paper must have misread the paragraph in my football notes which referred to North Bucks League clubs wearing numbered jerseys.
“Stoke Golgington Sports do not claim to be the first local club to wear such jerseys. They do not possess numbered jerseys yet, but they will in the near future. Unaware that the idea had already been utilized locally, I merely suggested that Stoke should give the lead. Here is the paragraph:
“What a blessing it would be if the small fry followed in the wake of the pros. And sported numbered jerseys. It would make things much more simple for the local scribes. Couldn’t Stoke give the lead?”
“There is no claim to distinction in that.
“If Castlethorpe are the first North Bucks League club to wear numbered jerseys, on behalf of the Stoke Goldington Club I congratulate them on their helpful enterprise and wish them a successful season!”
[But the Peters at New Bradwell have had numbered shirts for several seasons.

THOSE NUMBERED
“FRIESIANS”

TO THE SPORTS EDITOR

Sir, I do not wish to take up too much of your valuable space, but I would like to enlighten both Stoke Goldington and Castlethorpe, that numerals were worn by New Bradwell St. Peter’s for the first time on Saturday, 4^th October, 1947, at North Crawley in the Bucks Junior Cup, a game which St. Peters won by five goals to one, and have been worn by that club’s team since. The Peters can claim to be the first in the district (Including Wolverton T. and B.R. F.C.) the next club was Bletchley Town.

R. H. Pateman

Olney Reserves 5 - Castlethorpe 3

This was Castlethorpe's first league game for nearly 20 years and they hoped for a successful start. Unfortunately their goalkeeper, N. West, was unfit at the last moment and this rather disorganised the team.
Olney started in great style and were three up in the first 20 minutes. Castlethorpe fought back and L. Ray scored from a penalty to make the visitors down 4-1 at the interval.
Castlethorpe had more of the second-half play and went close on several occasions. T. Hope and H. West scored for them, but olney were able to add to thier lead. The visitors tried hard to draw lebel in the last stages but the home defence held out strongly.

Division III

Buckingham Athletic Res. 2. Bletchley L.M.S. Res. 2
Towcester Res. 4. New Bradwell Res. 2
W.I.P.A.C. Res. 2. Wicken 3
Olney Res. 5. Castlethorpe 3.

Division III

Castlethorpe 7. W.I.P.A.C. Res. 0
Olney Res. 2. Deanshanger Res. 7.
Hanslope Res. 2. Tickford R. 1.
Thornborough 1. Towcester Res. 4.
Bletchley L.M.S. Res. 8. Buckingham Ath. Res. 0

Division III
Third Division Table
Up to and including 23 Sept.

Castlethorpe 2 - New Bradwell Reserves 0

Castlethorpe brought a good win with a goal scored in each half by Hope. The Peter's had to make five changes from the original team selected, but their defence was in good from and did well to keep the score down to two gaols.

Castlethorpe 4. Bletchley B.B.O.B. Res. 5.

In a challenge match the visitors from Bletchley ran out winners by 5 – 4. But for some grand work in defence by Tapp they would have won more decisively. Both sides scored once in the first half – the home team through Weston from a free-kick, to which Tofield replied ten minutes before half-time. The Old Boys opened the second half strongly and Lowery banged in three quick goals (his first of the season). The remaining gaols came from Rainer (O.G.) for Bletchley, and Weston and Felton for the home side.

Hanslope Reserves 3 - Castlethorpe 4

Despite slippery conditions this was a surpisingly good and fast game. The teams were well matched and the eveness of the game is reflected in the score.
Hope scored two goals in the first half from penalties awarded for hands. He played a fast and intelligent game and was well supported by Garrett and the left-half. In the second half Hanslope took the lead for the third time through Chilton, only for the point to be nullified by a splendid goal by Hope - a fast low shot, which gave Brown no chance. Both sides strove desperately and eventually Clutton got what proved to be the winning goal.
For two such well-matched sides who gave a clean exhibition of football perhaps the result was disappointing fro Hanslope, whose play seamed to merit a division of the spoils. The players of both sides deserve commendation for the way they played in difficult conditions in a local "Derby" and for the backing they gave the referee.

Deanshanger Rs. 3, Castlethorpe Res. 2

Now coaching British Timken, ex-Welsh international inside forward Leslie Jones must have been pleased with his side’s performance against Castlethorpe on Saturday. British Timken were the masters in this encounter and trounced the North Buckinghamshire League leaders 5-1 in the Shield semi-final.
George (3) and Craig (2) got the goals for Timken while Castlethorpe’s reply was notched by Crick. Hill, the Castlethorpe centre-forward, had unhappy day—Timken centre-half Thorpe saw to that.

Towcester Beat
Castlethorpe

In the final of the Towcester Charity Cup, on Towcester football ground on Saturday evening. Towcester beat Castlethorpe 3-0. The cup and medals were presented to the winning team by Mr. P. G. P. Clarke, headmaster of Towcester Grammar School.
Afterwards a dance was held at Towcester Town Hall. Art Lewis dance orchestra providing the music.

CASTLETHORPE, winners of Division II of the North Bucks Football League.

Formed two seasons ago, Castlethorpe were promoted  from Division II at the end of their first season and next season sees them in the first division. The league cup which captain A. Garratt is holding is the first soccer league cup ever to go to the village. The other trophy on view is the North Bucks shield.

Back row (left to right): J. Wilson. R. Bates. J. Russell, Vic Old, S. Brownsell, A. Collyer and Frank Freeman (trainer).
Front row:; A. Crick, D. Chilton. F. Hill, A. Garratt and Vivian Old.

DAI PLAYS FOR

NORTH BUCKS LEAGUE

Four matches opened the season of the League on Saturday, all of them reaching a definite result. In Division I, Castlethorpe had a 5-1 win at Silverstone, who have always been difficult to beat on their own ground. Buckingham Town “A”, whose first team are to play in the new Hellenic League, lost by six clear goals to Bletchley.

Silverstone 1, Castlethorpe 5

All is well at Castlethorpe. The Friesians are well satisfied with the result of their first game of the season.
On Saturday Silverstone won the toss and set Castlethorpe to face the wind. From the kick-off Garratt hit the crossbar. Two minutes later the Silverstone centre forward found the visitors’ net with a good shot. This seemed to take the Castlethorpe defence by surprise but after a spell of mid-field play they began to settle down and were at times playing good football.
It was a surprise when Hill made the score 1-1. He collected a good pass from Garratt and went on to score 2-1 after good work on the right-wing by Old.
Just before half-time Silverstone began to slow down, and Kelly went through to score a good goal.
After the interval Castlethorpe were well on to and Kelly went on t score his second goal to make the score 4-1. Now it was the home side’s turn to do the attacking, but the Castlethorpe defence, with Virco, Wilson and Macpherson all in grand form, held the home forwards at bay.
Virco pushed two shots over the bar and saved a point blank shot from Silverstone’s centre-forward. With ten minutes to go Old was injured and had to leave the field for a time. Garratt moved to wing-half, and Kelly scored his hat-trick with the best goal of the match.
Castlethorpe showed the same spirit in this match as that which took them to second place in the table last season.
The game was well controlled by Referee Atkins (Wolverton) Thanks to Silverstone for a good sporting game.

Towcester go down 5-1

IN their first home game of the season on Saturday, Towcester Town were beaten 5—1 by Castlethorpe, last season’s runners-up in Division I. of the North Bucks League.
Down 2—1 at the interval. Towcester, having frequently proved the Castlethorpe defence to be vulnerable, might have been expected to swing the balance with the considerable advantages of wind and slope, in the second-half.
But Botwood’s hat-trick for Castlethorpe in the first quarter-of-an-hour after the interval settled the matter and pointed the moral. His sheer pace the up the hill emphasised Towcester’s slowness on the ball and off the mark, and his decisive shooting exposed their indecision in the goalmouth.
The best that can be said for Towcester is that their shortcomings, were particularly their lack of cohesion, were typical start-of-the-season complaints.

STONY STRATFORD LEADER
GETS 12 GOALS IN 3 GAMES

MANY the North Bucks League clubs were engaged in cup-ties last week.
In the Towcester Charity Cup semi-final.
Towcester entertained and, although the visitors led by the only goal scored at halftime, the home side netted twice in the second half—the winning goal being scored just before time.

There was a “battle royal” in the semi-final of the Stantonbury Charity Cup between league champions Deanshanger and this year’s unbeaten leaders, Castlethorpe.
Both teams netted once and thus have to replay. But Deanshanger might have emerged victorious, for they missed a penalty.
The third round the League Challenge Shield saw no shock results and the fancied teams all won through.
The revised draw favours New Bradwell St, Peters, for they should defeat Great Linford. But the other game will a grim struggle between the two Army teams —C.AD. (Buckingham) and R.A.O.C. (Whitfield).
There were three fixtures Division I. the North Bucks League, and both the bottom teams —Tickford and Paulerspury —were defeated by the same margin, 6-1. Stony Stratford the victors over Tickford. Four of their goals were scored by centre - forward Bunny Wills, which brings his personal tally to 12 goals in the last three matches.

There are only three division matches again this week. A close struggle should take place at with Deanshanger visitors.
Another Interesting match should be that between the two bottom teams, Pury and Tickford. In Division III.A on Saturday, Winslow United Reserves provided the "Terriers”-—57 Med. Wksp (R.E.M.E.) —with-their first win the season. Steeple Claydon disposed Preston easily -6-0.
In the “B” section, Deanshanger Reserves were too good for Paulerspury Reserves; but the game between Moulsoe and Castlethorpe Reserves was abandoned after 70 minutes.

In the Buckingham Senior Charity Cup, unbeaten league leaders Castlethorpe won their second-round fixture against Buckingham Athletic 4-0.

NORTH BUCKS LEAGUE

Results for last Saturday.
Division I: Brackley Town 5. Olney Town Silverstone B.L. 4, Deanshanger Ath. 2.
Division II: C.A.D (Buckingham) 9 Winslow Utd. 3: Potterspurv 2, Roade 2; Towcester Town Res. 1, R.A.O.C. (Whitfield) 1.
Division III A: Preston Bissett 6 Mursley 6; Steeple Claydon 7. 57 Med. Workshops (R.E.M.E.) 0; Westbury Starline 1. Whaddon 0.
Division IIIB: Wolverton Wanderers 1, Castlethorpe Res. 3; Olney Town Res. 1 Cosgrove St. Peter 6: Deanshanger Ath. Res. 6. McCorquodale’s 1: Shutlanger Utd. 2, Sherington Sports 3.

RETURN GAME The return match is being played at Towcester to-morrow and another hard struggle can be expected. Unbeaten leaders the North Bucks League, Castlethorpe, played in the semi-final of the Leighton Challenge Cup against Polish team Glydnia Stars—and lost 3—1.

CASTLETHORPE CRASH AGAIN CUP GAME

ALTHOUGH unbeaten in the North Bucks League, the leaders, Castlethorpe, suffered their second successive defeat in cup competitions on Saturday.
They were knocked out of the Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup divisional final by Bierton. The previous week they had been knocked out of a local cup.
Castlethorpe were hoping to uphold their reputation in the Intermediate Cup particularly after disposing of Wolverton in the previous round.
They were well beaten, however. The home side rattled in four goals without reply.
In the league, Towcester achieved the double over Stony Stratford. But as in the previous week, it was only in the closing stages that Towcester made sure of both points.
Silverstone met Brackley and shared the points. That one point is sufficient to put them at the head of the table; but they have played four more matches than Castlethorpe.

Shutlanger surprised Castlethorpe Reserves with a 2—1 win.
After their long absence from League encounters due to cup fixtures, leaders Castlethorpe return to the fray to-morrow with a home fixture against Yardley Gobion.

Results from last Saturday
Division III. (B): Castlethorpe Res. 1. Shutlanger United 2: Cosgrove St. Peter 7, Sherington Sports 3: Deanshanger Ath. Res. 8. New Bradwell St, Peter’s Res. 1; Paulerspury Res. 5. McCorquodale’s 1; Moulsoe 0, Olney Town Res. 2. To-morrow’s fixtures: Division I: Buckingham Town “A” v. Stony Stratford Town; Castlethorpe v. Yardley Gobion.

Tomorrow's fixtures:
Division III. (B): Deanshanger Ath. Res. v. Castlethorpe Res.; Moulsoe v. Wolverton Wanderers; New Bradwell St. Peter’s R. v. Paulerspury Res.; Shutlanger United v. Olney Town Res.

North Bucks Soccer: The leaders, Castlethorpe, resumed League activities, and won comfortably 5-1 against Yardley Gobion.
This week sees fine clash between the Friesians and runners-up Silverstone, but Castlethorpe have the ground advantage and should pull it off.

CASTLETHORPE REMAIN UNBEATEN

SILVERSTONE paid their first visit to Castlethorpe last week. But like so many clubs, they were unable to smash that unbeaten record. The home side won by two clear goals.
Meanwhile, the fight for leadership of Division III goes on . This week, Deanshanger Reserves top the table following their 4—3 win over Paulerspury Reserves. Castlethorpe Reserves were surprisingly held to a 3—3 draw by the youthful Wolverton Wanderers.

Division III B: Castlethorpe Reserves 2 dealt a blow to Cosgrove St. Peter 1.

SATURDAY'S RESULTS

Division 1: Brackley Town 7. Paulerspury 5; Buckingham Town ‘A’ 2, Tickford Sports ‘A’ 3; Castlethorpe 5,
Division III (B) Shutlanger Utd. 7. Castlethorpe Res. 2.

IT WAS EASY FOR CASTLETHORPE

Castlethorpe justified their position at the top of the North Bucks League with a convincing 5-1 victory over Towcester at Castlethorpe.
The ball was heavy and the pitch a morass, but the home side adopted the right style and never lost control. The ball was in the visitors’ half for most of the match and only Collins in defence played anything like his normal game for Towcester. Lockwood (2), Kelly (2) and Hill scored for Castlethorpe and Osborne replied for Towcester.

RUNNERS-UP POSITION IS STILL OPEN

ALTHOUGH Deanshanger, at present second in the North Bucks League, held unbeaten leaders Castlethorpe to a draw in the semi-final of the Stantonbury Charity Cup, the Friesians repeated their league successes over the challengers and won the replay 5-3.

In Division III. B. Olney Reserves shocked Castlethorpe Reserves with a 7-2 win:

LAST SATURDAY’S RESULTS

Division 1: Olney Town 1, Castlethorpe 4.
Division III B: Castlethorpe Res. 4, Moulsoe 2.

Division III (B): Castlethorpe Res. 7, Sherington Sports 1.

NORTH BUCKS LEAGUE CASTLETHORPE TAKE THE CHAMPIONSHIP

With only a couple of weeks of the football season left and with championships at issue, North Bucks League officials are having a busy time.
It is all plain sailing in Division One for Castlethorpe with their 4-1 victory over Stony Stratford last Saturday made sure of the title. Their efforts are now being concentrated on repeating Deanshanger’s achievement of last season when they won the title —for the third time in succession without losing a single match.
The Friesians have a difficult task in hand, however, they have to meet the runners-up-Deanshanger—twice before fixtures are completed.
Castlethorpe have had a busy time for last week-end they beat Tickford’s in the final of the Stantonbury Charity Cup. Beat Stratford in Stony’s last match of the season, and on Monday beat Buckingham Athletic.

NORTH BUCKS LEAGUE ATTRACTIVE ENDOF-THE-SEASON GAMES PROMISED

THE North Bucks League is ending its football season with some particularly attractive games. There are two grand scraps tomorrow. Division I champions Castlethorpe, oppose the runners-up and champions for the last three seasons, Deanshanger.

THEIR HAPPY YEAR

This is a happy year for the Friesians. In their first season in Division 1, they were runners-up; now, in their second year, they have won the champion ship. They have also taken the Stantonbury Charity Cup and reached the divisional final of the Berks and Bucks Inter-mediate Cup, disposing of Wolverton en route.
Castlethorpe met defeat in the final of the Buckingham Cup.

Division III (B): Castlethorpe Res. 7. McCorquodale's 2

NORTH BUCKS LEAGUE FINAL POSITIONS IN NORTH BUCKS LEAGUE

There was a big surprise for Castlethorpe supporters when the champions were beaten 2-1 by the runners-up Deanshanger, in a special match between champions and runners-up, held at Castlethorpe on Saturday. This was Castlethorpe’s first defeat in league football during the season.

UP—AND DOWN

Division 1; Champions Castlethorpe. Runners-up Deanshanger Ath. Relegated Yardley Gobion. Tickford Sports “A”. Division II: Champions . C.A.D, (Buckingham). Runners-up . New B’well St. Peter. Relegated Thornborough. Great Linford- Division III: Champions Bletchley C. C. Runners-up Shutlanger Utd. Challenge shield: Winners .. C.A.D. (Buckingham) Runners-up New B’well St. Peter.

RECENT RESULTS Saturday. Division I Championship match. Castlethorpe 2, Deanshanger Athletic 3.

Champions Castlethorpe had one of their hardest fixtures to open the season—away to Silverstone. However, the Friesians made a good start, being 4 —1 victors.

DIVISION III. Castlethorpe Res. 5, Steeple Claydon 6; Westbury Starline 2. Deanshanger Ath. Res. 4: Thornborough 0. Great Linford 6: Preston Bissett 2, Mursley 3.

TO-MORROW’S GAMES Division I. Castlethorpe v. Stony Stratford T.;

Tomorrow sees several key matches – a good one should be Brackley v. Castlethorpe.

8 TEAMS STILL UNBEATEN IN N. BUCKS LEAGUE

THERE were no shock results in last week’s North Bucks League matches. But now the season is well under way, it interesting to note that there are eight teams who have not yet suffered defeat. At the other end the scale, 11 teams have failed to record a point. Castlethorpe still top Division 1, but they only just made the grade at Buckingham Town. Close on their heels are Deanshanger who won at Brackley, Bradwell St. Peters, who are third, made short work of Stony Stratford and ran out —2 victors. Stony ere one of the point-less sides.

Division III: Buckingham Athletic Reserves 0, Castlethorpe Reserves 5.

NO WALK-OVER
FOR CHAMPIONS
CASTLETHORPE

MOST attention was focussed on the first round of the Buckingham Senior Charity Cup last week-end. lit was thought that league champions Castlethorpe would have walk-over against Division III, team Winslow but the visitors put up great fight and the Friesians only won 3-1.

Division III. Great Linford, lost their proud title to a strong Castlethorpe Reserves team, who won by the only goal of the match.

ODDS LENGTHEN AGAINST
CASTLETHORPE?

WHAT odds would local bookmakers offer now on the runners for the North Bucks League stakes ? After recent performances, the odds on Castlethorpe pulling off the double must be lengthening. Although they retained their 100 per cent, record last week, they only beat Buckingham Athletic by the odd goal of three. And the Athletic are bottom of the table.
In contrast, Deanshanger beat the other Buckingham team—the Town—by 10—1. Deanshanger also have 100 per cent, record and New Bradwell St. Peters have not lost game yet. They beat Brackley 4—0 and are second in the table. Another side whose chances must not be overlooked are Towcester Town. They have only lost one game to date. A good long shot are the Army team R.A.O.C Whitfield, who will finish far from the bottom of the league on their present form. They thrashed Silverstone 7-2  on Saturday. Great Linford, who suffered their first Division III. defeat a week ago, had the humiliating experience of a hiding from Deanshanger Reserves. They thus lost their position at the head of the table Steeple Claydon, who won 7-1 against Thornborough.

The clash of the North Bucks League “giants” took place last week in a  re-arranged match. Deanshanger last year’s runners-up—visited Castlethorpe—last year’s champions. Goals were few and far between. Deanshanger did well to earn point with a 1—1 draw. This puts the Northants club at the head of the table.

Division II., Steeple Claydon, just kept their place with a 2 —1 victory over Tingewick. Rivals Mursley were held to a 2—2 draw by Castlethorpe Reserves.

Deanshanger are now sitting tight on top of the North Bucks League table with 15 points from eight matches. New Bradwell and Castlethorpe who were without league fixtures last week —have each obtained 11 points from six games.

TWO UNBEATEN SIDES CRASH IN NORTH BUCKS

Two of the North Bucks League’s unbeaten top trio met their Waterloo in the Cup encounters last week. Biggest surprise was the defeat of league champions Castlethorpe by the young Army team C.A.D. Buckingham. The Army side are right on the target at present After their defeat of Stratford the week before they slammed home eight goals to the Friesian’s five. This was in the Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup, in which Castlethorpe did so well last season.

CASTLETHORPE GET HANDSOME REVENGE

LEAGUE champions Castlethorpe had their revenge last Saturday. A week earlier, they suffered their first defeat of the season —in the Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup—at the hands of CAD Buckingham. When they visited the Army camp on Saturday in a league encounter the Friesians were full strength and determined to keep their unbeaten league record. Keep it they did with “one-way traffic’’ —the champions winning by seven goals to nil.

League champions Castlethorpe continued their challenge for this year’s honours when they beat Buckingham Town. They are now two points behind leaders Deanshanger with a game in hand. [5-1].

CASTLETHORPE PROVE THEY ARE MASTERS

NORTH Bucks League champions Castlethorpe met C.A.D., Buckingham, for the third time in a month, and proved that their defeat by the Army side in the first encounter was only a fluke. After their 7-0 victory two weeks ago, they drummed C.A.D. 6-2 in Buckingham Senior Cup.

Steeple Claydon—who head Division lll—were losing 4-3 at home to Castlethorpe Reserves, when the match had be abandoned 10 minutes from the end.

ROUND two of the battle between Deanshanger and Castlethorpe took place last week, when the two North Bucks League “giants” met in the Stantonbury Charity Cup. Deanshanger made full use of their ground advantage to end up victors by 4—1.

To-morrow sees another blank day for Division I. clubs but for those in Division II. and Division III, there will be plenty of action and Division II. leaders, Potterspury, will have a hard task at Roade. Steeple Claydon, who top Division III., will have to watch their step against Castlethorpe Reserves but their challengers. Great Linford, who have the same number of points, have an even stiffer proposition in visiting Mursley.

CASTLETHORPE F.C.
CELEBRATION

Presentations to secretary Bert Tapp and captain Bert Garratt were surprise highlights at Castlethorpe F.C.’s celebrations last Saturday at the “Carrington Arms”. The past season was the most successful in the short history of this village club – winning the first and third divisions of the North Bucks League and the Stantonbury Charity Cup. Mr. Tapp was handed a wristlet watch by Mr. Garratt, the captain expressing the appreciation of players, officials, and supporters for the hard work during the season. Then Mr. Garratt got a surprise being handed a condiment set on silver stand – a tribute to his leadership.

An enjoyable evening was spent with music by Mr. Pidgen, of New Bradwell.

Division II