The history of Bec Korfball Club

2007 - 2008

Tom Brady, former GB Captain and Vultrix player, is appointed squad coach and Liam Clarke coaches the club.

The club recruit well over the summer and are easily able to field 4 teams throughout the season.

The first team achieve their best league finish in many years finishing 5th after running league leaders Trojans and 2nd placed Mitcham close in the second half of the season. The second team finish a 4th having used 24 different players throughout the season. The third team finish 3rd despite a poor start to the season.

2006 - 2007

Steve Green from Mitcham coached the squad. Ian de la Mothe coached the club. The first team finished 7th in the premier league and beat North Downs in the relegation play off to maintain their premiership status. The second team finished 4th behind Mitcham 2, Trojans 2 and Kwiek 2 in the reserve league. Bec 3 finished 3rd in the London premier league behind promoted Wildcats and Highbury 1. Bec 4 finished bottom of the London 1st division - 36 different players played for Bec 4 in 2006-2007.

Graham Box and Dave Synott coached the club in the first year back in the Premier League.

2004 - 2005

Bec Korfball Club appointed Graham Box and Dave Synott as squad coaches for their promotion campaign. The first team achieved promotion at the first attempt, winning every game.

2003 - 2004

Bec 1 appoint Liam Clarke as coach and a relegated in a tight Premier League campaign on 6 points. Bec needed 5 points from their last three games against Nottingham, Trojans and Kwiek. Nottingham were beaten convincingly away and Trojans held to a draw at home. Bec led Kwiek until the final minute when Kwiek equalised, relegating Bec. Bec 2 finished 7th in a 9 team reserve division. Bec 3 finished 5th in the LDKA first division.

1999 - 2000

Bec finished 4th in the league, behind Mitcham, Nomads and Croydon with a record of won 7, drew 1, lost 6, goals for 193, goals against 220

1998 - 1999

10 April 1999: Cup Final, Crystal Palace - Mitcham (26) - Bec (6): Pete Broome, Phil Crafter, Tonya Crafter, Barabara van Neirop, Jackie Hoare, Sarah Stalker, Richard Crabb, Steve Johnson, Ian Budhu, Steve Wright, Abi Cook, Jo Ross

Under 14's: Mitcham (10) - Bec (9) - "After watching the first 5 minutes one could have been excused for thinking one was going to see a Mitcham walk over. Bec had not managed to get the ball into their attack once and Mitcham had swept to a 2 goal lead. But the beauty of our sport is that attackers must become defenders and vice versa. Bec won and converted a penalty, then at 3-1 down won and missed a penalty only to be given a second penalty successfully converted within just a single minute. The tension hotted up. Bec had lost their nerves and were playing for all they were worth. Half time saw them equal 4-4.

The excitement continued into the second half with Bec taking the lead only to give away another penalty and watch Mitcham as they stormed away to lead 10-7 with just 2 minutes to go. Bec chased scoring 2 goals in ust a single minute and the crowd held their breath as Liam Sollis took final aim - but the golden goal was not needed. Mitcham breathed a sigh of relief and took the prize. Well done both teams.

Bec: Daniel Carter, Hayley Cuffie, Tara Edwards, Amy O'Neil, Davesh Patel, Liam Sollis, Sam Wilson, Francine Woolcock, William Buttinger, Paul Furtado, Monica McLean. Coaches: Donald Forrester and Jackie Hoare.

1998

"Bec has been celebrating its 50th anniversary in some style. A magnificant formal dinner/dance was held in June for 100 people it gathered together many `golden oldies' as well as current members. It was brilliant to see so many people of such different ages having fun. The LDKA made a presentation of a banner to the club while the club recognised the following people for their outstanding contributions: Peter Saunders (co-founder), Barry Almond (club captain for many years), Audrey and Eddie Buckland (for their input over 4 decades) and Fiona Keyte and Graham Anderson. The event was organised by Fiona Cockburn with her customary aplomb. Not content with this we went on to hold a brilliant tournament. I head the pre-tournament bash was good, but unfortunatley I have little recall of it (!) The tournament itself was fantastic, with bright sunshine and a very friendly atmosphere - as you might expect with six teams of juniors and about 10 of seniors (some very senior). Thanks are due to Graham Anderson for pulling it all together and to everyone who helped."

1997 - 1998

National League: Premier Division consisted of two pools. Bec finished 3rd in Pool B behind Nomads and Croydon and above Borough Green, Invicta and Cambridge City, having played 10 games, won 6 and lost 4. Scoring 161 goals, letting in 135. In the second round (playing off for places 5th-8th) Bec finished 7th below Trojans and Nottingham and above Borough Green. Bec 2 finished 4th in the reserve league, behind Mitcham, Croydon and Nomads

1994 - 1995

The last season before the introduction of the reserve league.

1993 - 1994

Bec 1 were in the premier division and with two-thirds of the matches played were 5th in a 7 team league.

1991 - 1992

The outdoor London league became a 2-zone competition. Bec enlisted the services of Doug McKenzie, the former Trojans player, as coach who helped out at the end of the previous season when Cej Burgess departed.

Late 1980's

Bec travel to the tournaments in the Hague. An e-mail from one of the Dutch teams taking part:

Hi,

I'm frank from korfball club Olympiaan at the Hague Holland. In the late 80's we played some tournaments with Bec at Easter. The team with Gary and Mick, Michelle and Dave Buckland Ian And the lot..

Always had a great time with you guys !! They were crazy !! Cheers!

Met vriendelijke groet,

Frank Dorsman

1988 - 1989

Bec 1 finish last in the summer micro (2nd division) competition.

1987 - 1988

Bec play their national league games at Croften (while Nomads play at Tooting!) There are no Bec teams in the London indoor league. Bec 1 are 7th half way through the London Outdoor league, just above North Downs. There is no mention of Bec 2. But there is a league in Surrey? "Finishing fourth last season must be seen as a success for Bec after they had to rebuild their club. Coach Cej Burgess will settle for the same position, or maybe a place higher, in what he calls their second rebuilding year. Early setbacks this season include the loss of both Michelle Buckland and Shareen Behardian to injury, leaving a very much weaker four of Sharon de la Mothe, Fiona Keyte, Jill Hill and Lynn Nicholls. Much better prospect for Bec from the boys, with rejuvenated Gary Tilbrook joining Ian de la Mothe, Ridwaan Behardian, Mick Hooker and Graham Anderson. The decision not to supplement club training with a special first team training night has to be called into question. Burgess aims mainly for fitness and technique in his players and says that he will not constrain them with a rigid system to play to. Bec should do well against the weaker teams but will struggle against the bigger clubs' professionalism. Bec finish 4th in the Summer Micro league competition.

1986

National League begins

1979

Bec 1 finished 4th in the London 1st division behind Mitcham, Croydon and Vultrix and ahead of Nomads, Vultrix 2 and Mitcham 2. Bec 2 finished the division 2, just above Old Pelhamians. Bec 3 finished 2nd in Division 4. Wandsworth again lost to Croydon in the borough championships. Bec played Nomads in the London Winter Micro (2-zone) cup and drew 10-10 in regular time. Bec won on penalties 4-3. Bob Rengers was the top scorer in the winter micro competition scoring 19, Pete Evans was 4th with 10, Jackie Slaughter and Barry Almond were joint 6th with 8 goals a piece. Bec changed their ground and instead of playing on Tooting Bec common they went to play at Openview Sports and Social Club, Openview off Burtonwood Lane.

1978

Bec 1 finished 4th in the outdoor league behind Vultrix, Mitcham and Croydon and above Nomads, Mitcham 2 and Warlingham.

Bec 2 narrowly avoided relgation finishing 6th in Division 2 just above Nomads 2.

Bec 3 finished second in Division 4 just below Croydon 3.

Bec 1 finished 6th in the first Winter Micro League. Rob Rengers finished 4th in the outdoor league scorers with 22 goals (4 goals behind top scorer Allan Robson of Vultrix). Anne Rheason of Vultrix was top female goal scorer and 5th overall with 17 goals. Eddie Buckland was joint 14th top goal scorer with 14 goals.

Bec 3 put 17 goals past Old Pelhamians 2 in the first round of the BKA cup. Anita Lucas was in the GB squad for the World Youth Tournament.

1977

London League: Vultrix won the league because of a better goals per game ratio than Mitcham. Mitcham would have won on goal difference. "This is Vultrix's third successive title but they nearly lost the title when they drew 6-6 with Bec at the end of the season but increadibly Mitcham were held 9-9 by Croydon on the same night." Wandsworth came second in the inter-borough championship, losing to Croydon. Bec 1 were defeated in the Semi-Final of the cup by Croydon 6-2. No Bec players made the top 22 goal scorers.

Bec 1 came second in the LDKA league to Vultrix.

1975

London League: Wandsworth inter-borough champions

1973 - 1974

Bec 1 Division 1 winners

Bec 1 beat Vultrix in the BKA Cup

1972 - 1973

Bec 1 Division 1 winners

1970 - 1971

Bec 1 Division 1 winners

Bec 1 beat Mitcham in the BKA Cup

1967 - 70

Bec 1 Division 1 winners

1966 - 67

The first ever micro tournament was held at Crystal Palace in 1966 to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Wandsworth korfball club.

Bec 1 beat Thornton in the BKA Cup

1965 - 66

Bec 1 Division 1 winners

Bec 1 beat Mitcham in the BKA Cup

1961 - 62

Bec 1 beat Wandsworth in the BKA Cup Bec 2 Division 2 winners

1955

Rudy Muller, one of the first GB captains, joins Bec at the start of a successful period during the late 50's and 60's.

1952 - 54

Wandsworth London Division 1 winners

1952

At that time London was only one of a number of korfball centres and not even the largest nucleus of the game. In Yorkshire clubs like Rotherham & District Boys Welfare Club were running three teams including seniors and juniors and Spartan K.C. from the same area had two sides. The London League consisted of only 5 teams and finished as follows:

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Mitcham 1	16	14	1	1	102	29	29
Wandsworth	16	10	4	2	95	63	24
Bec	16	5	2	9	59	70	12
Croydon	16	4	3	9	56	82	11
Mitcham 2	16	1	2	13	34	113	4

1949 - 1950

Bec Korfball Club established.

Wandsworth London Division 1 winners.

1948 - 49

Preliminary discussions are held regarding the formation of Bec Korfball Club.

Wandsworth London Division 1 winners.

1947

Wandsworth played Croydon in the first national club match in May 1947. Wandsworth won 15-1.

Pre-History

"The first organised game [of korfball] ever to be played in England took place at the `News of The World' sports ground in Mitcham on 17th July 1946. It was a demonstration game between two Dutch sides sent over by the Dutch Korfball Association. The Dutch sides did further demonstration matches around England. They were all well received and it is perhaps surprising that the foundation of Korfball here was not more widely spread. The following month saw the foundation of the British Korfball Association before any actual club was established. The area of interest in Korfball was then centered in London and the Sheffield/Rotherham area of Yorkshire, but the formation of clubs was slow.

After the visit of the Dutch teams a large party of English sportsman and women travelled to Zeist in Holland to learn how to play the game. From this trip the first two clubs were founded - Croydon and Wandsworth. The London and District Korfball League was founded two years later in 1948. The first season was due to start in January of that year but due to bad weather, the league was postponed to March when an abridged series was played. The results of this series was:

Wandsworth A

Croydon B

Wandsworth B

Croydon A

The league proper was got underway in September 1948 when Mitcham Korfball Club entered. The club had its origins in the 1946 demonstration match but despite several practice sessions the club did not start competitive games until 1948. The 1948-49 season ended with Wandsworth even stronger than before.