New book charts club’s history

It is an exciting time for Costessey Sports Football Club as they embrace Senior football this season after finishing runners-up in Anglian Combination Division Two last term.

The club has come a long way and its early days are recounted in Paul Oxbury’s nostalgic 332 page book Close of Business.

The publication charts the history of the now defunct Norwich Business Houses League, which various Costessey teams competed in for many years.

At the League’s 1949 annual meeting, there were lengthy discussions about the need for additional pitches.

Parish Councils were aware of their post-war responsibilities to provide facilities and in August of that year it was reported that a new sports club had been formed in Costessey.

The club aimed to make full use of a piece of ground which the parish council had spent £300 on clearing.

The 11 acre meadow sloped down towards the River Tud, with the ruins of Costessey Hall forming a backdrop.

Costessey Sports Football Club began life in the Business Houses League with a 1-1 draw against Earlham Men’s Club.

Six wins in the Norfolk Primary Cup left them on the verge of a county cup final appearance in their first season.

An injury meant they had to play the entire second half of their semi-final without their goalkeeper, and his stand-in was beaten five minutes from time.

However, in 1951 the club reached the Primary Cup final, and a Carrow Road crowd of 695 saw Costessey beat Yarmouth League side Rollesby 5-2, thanks to goals by Sissen (2), Norman, Cannell and Smith.

A second promotion saw Costessey reach Division One of the Business Houses League and with two games of their debut season in the top flight remaining they required three points to clinch the 1951-52 championship.

A midweek win over Norwich CEYMS Reserves, set them up for a final match with St John’s and they won 5-1 to finish with 35 points from 22 games.

The trophy was on display when the Sports Club held its annual meeting at the Reading Room in Old Costessey and members also heard reports on the cricket and netball activities from Owen Barnes.

A year later a 3-0 revenge win against RAF St Faith’s saw the club retain the League championship with 47 points from 26 matches.

Buoyed by the success, Sports decided to make the step up and were elected to the East Anglian League at its annual meeting at the Assembly House.

Whilst the 1st XI moved on to bigger things, Costessey Sports’ association with the Business Houses League carried on as the reserves side played in the competition until 1965, an ‘A’ side between 1951 and 1972, and a short-lived ‘B’ side for two seasons at the start of the 1960s.

During that period there was sadness in 1959 at the death of founder member Norman Bentley.

To perpetuate his memory Costessey Sports and Mr Bentley’s employers, Boulton & Paul, provided a cup to be competed for annually between teams representing the club and the firm.

In 2006 a side called Costessey Crown joined the Business Houses League, reaching the final of the historic Shoe Trades Cup a year later and then arriving in the top flight.

By now Costessey Sports had returned to the League and during the 2007-08 season the goals of Gary Cartwright and promptings of experienced skipper Paul Grothier enabled them to not only win all their away games, but also the Division Three title. It was the start of a revival for the club which has culminated with their most recent success

Close of Business (£14.99) is available online or in store from the City Bookshop in Davey Place, Norwich, or by emailing themidweekmen@gmail.com