Sadly, 1966-67 will be remembered, not for the fine set of results achieved by all sides in the Club, but for the raising to the ground of the Pavilion on 11^th December 1966. Built in 1931-32 in co-operation with Beddington Cricket Club it was made almost exclusively of timber. This together with a high wind, meant the end was extremely rapid. The Fire Brigade was able to save the bathing area (complete with dip bath) and dressing rooms, but much cleaning had to be done before these could be used. Having recently re-painted, installed a new ceiling, a new bar and electricity (it was one of the last pavilions to retain the old gas lighting and heating), it was particularly galling. In addition, a large number of photos, momentos and memories were lost in the blaze. An appeal fund was started immediately and the whole Club was brought together by this tragedy. Letters of support and cheques towards the appeal fund poured in from old and current members, including a donation from Bernard Davis who played in the 1905 team. Teas were initially held in the Beddington Park pavilion, later at St Mary’s Church Hall on Beddington Lane and eventually at the former "Scott’s Café" building where the Animal Sanctuary now stands. The bar was moved to the Fox & Hounds in Carshalton, who soon took the advice of the Club membership and invested in some jugs! It was later moved to the "Scott’s Café" building, which was just about adequate and enabled the Club to entertain their visitors, if not in the style to which many of them had been accustomed.

Fire Destroys the Beddington Park Clubhouse

Elimination from the AFA Senior Cup at the first hurdle to Edgeware Rovers 1-2 was a bitter blow. Once the league campaign got underway, the 1^st XI found the Division 3 sides to their liking, and their first three games produced more wins than the entire previous season in Division 2. They just missed out on promotion, suffering only 2 defeats – a distinct improvement on the previous season. They also enjoyed a successful AFA Surrey Senior Cup run. After seeing off Old Wokingians 4-3, Reigate Priory 4-3, John Fisher Old Boys 1-0 and Old Wilsonians 5-1 they reached the final at Northern & Employers’ Ground at Copers Cope Road, Beckenham on 11 March. A David Driscoll goal after 40 mins was enough to defeat Bank of England and secure the cup for John Harlow’s side.

1st XI 1966/67 - AFA Surrey Senior Cup Winners
(Standing): T.Whitehyrst, J.Dummer, R.Woolvin, D.Thomas, D.Rowles, R.Pillings, H.Walter (President)
(Kneeling): M.Moth, B.Backers, J.Harlow, D.Driscoll, K.Ward

In the AFA Surrey Junior Cup Peter Moorhouse’s 2s reached the final, beating Witan 7-4, Old Salesians 2-1, Economicals 5-0 and St George’s Hospital 1^st XI 1-0. However, they were overpowered 3-1 by Old Reigatians in the final at Temple Bar Ground, Kingswood.

The 4s reached the quarter finals of the AFA Novets Cup, finished 3^rd in Division 1 and the 5s gained promotion to Division 1 with a record of:

The 6s also won promotion to Division 1 for the first time with a record of:

At the October Committee meeting, it was decided to abandon the traditional naming of the sides (Reserves, "A", "B", etc) and refer to teams as 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th & 6^th XIs to be in line with other clubs and the 7^th XI was reformed. The Club toured to Woolacombe in Devon taking a party of about 30.

After 35 years service, Peter Coates retired as groundsman on 8^th October 1966 - appropriately on Old Sweats Day. He was to continue as Bar Steward in Chief, but left a massive gap to be filled. To demonstrate the extreme dedication which Peter gave to his beloved Club, here is the set of instructions that Peter left for his replacement (either his son or son-in-law), when he took over for a Saturday while Peter was away on holiday. It gives an idea of the amount of work that Peter put in at the Club every Saturday.

The Club News was decorated by a typically poetic contribution in celebration of Old Sweats Day from "Richmond" Johnson.  It can be sung to the tune of "The Church is One Foundation"…

The stirring cry went round Sir, 
"We fear not aches nor pain;
Let’s forth unto the ground Sir,
And belt the ball again".

Though chairs they scarce could vault on, 
(Old age must take the blame),
The Old Sweats of Carshalton, 
From bed and couch they came.

Ye Gods! And could they TALK Sir,
Their language rather free,
But some could barely walk Sir,
And some could hardly see.

Young Sweats to make assault on, 
Their spirits strong and staunch,
The Grandpas of Carshalton,
Complete with bulging paunch.

And so they took the field Sir,
I pray you do not scoff,
And swore they would not yield Sir,
And Gillie Reay kicked off.

Deserting Isaac Walton,
For sporting field anew,
The "Has Beens" of Carshalton,
Were once again on view.

My! How they all enthused Sir,
To win the Victor’s Crown;
T’was muscles long unused Sir,
And FAT that let them down.

Their wounds don’t rub the salt in
For Heaven knows they tried,
The "Once Weres" of Carshalton,
Have still their stubborn pride.

So let us give them praise Sir,
For how could they contend,
With feet they could not raise Sir,
And knees they could not bend.

Now please don’t lay the fault on,
Their courage don’t decry,
The Old Men of Carshalton,
Faced "Anno Domini".

Then let’s cut out the jeers Sir
For who are we to sneer?
Instead give hearty cheers Sir,
And toast them all in BEER!

So lay the Hops and Malt on,
And broadcast o’er the air,
"THE OLD SWEATS OF CARSHALTON,
GOD BLESS THEIR THINNING HAIR!"