Erith & Belvedere   8          McKee 10, 20, 30, 44, 50, 60, Ross-Gower 70, Pocock 85

Royal Naval Depot 2          Clayton 75, Roddis 80

Kent League, 4 October 1924

 

Continuing the series counting down the 100 most memorable games in our history.  Today, the day that completed our most remarkable scoring sequence ever.  The Deres’ third season started with great optimism following the run to the Amateur Cup Final the previous spring.  Our first league match wasn’t until 6 September, the latest date in the year we’ve ever begun a league campaign.  And as for the dramatic events of the next month, let’s hear from our correspondent:

 

EXTRAORDINARY GOAL SCORING – R. McKEE’S RECORD

 

By scoring 6 goals on Saturday for Erith and Belvedere against Royal Naval Depot, Reg McKee accomplished the feat for the third time in four weeks.  Against Woolwich on September 6th he scored 6 goals; against Woolwich on September 27th he scored 6; and against the Depot on Saturday he scored 6 of the 8 scored by Erith.

 

McKee is a young player, who a couple of seasons ago was in Fraser and Chalmers’ team in the Erith Junior League.  His play in the Hospital Cup final so impressed the Erith and Belvedere Club that they persuaded him to play in the Kent League side last season.  After his first match at centre-forward he was dropped for a week, and then appeared at inside-right, and held that position throughout the season, being top scorer for his side.

 

McKee has put on weight and speed, and, a powerful shot with either foot, is always dangerous within 30 yards of the goal.  It is rumoured that bigger clubs are desirous of obtaining his services.  He is employed in the blacksmiths’ shop at Fraser and Chalmers, and lives at Erith.  Much of his success this season has been due to the unselfish play of his colleagues, who have often made openings and then passed to him instead of trying to score themselves.  Supporters of the Deres are hoping this clever player will remain with the team and lead it to further success in cup matches.

 

ERITH’S EIGHT – AND McKEE’S EIGHTEENTH – R.N.DEPOT DEFEATED

 

Seats in the new stand, another big scoring feat by Reg McKee, and victory by 8-2 against the Royal Naval Depot in the Kent League, placed Erith and Belvedere supporters on good terms with themselves on Saturday at Park View.  The Depot just about deserved their goals, but Erith’s eight were the outcome of some brilliant play.

 

Captain Prince Cox, the referee, controlled the match capitally, and gave an object lesson to others when he refused to give a penalty against the visitors for a case of accidental handling near goal.  The game was a clean and fast one, and although the Depot goal fell eight times, the team played up well to the finish.

 

In the first few minutes, the home forwards gave promise of what was to come.  Good passing between Bush and Gooch led to a fine centre, and McKee, on the spot had his shot charged down.  Another move by Gooch followed, and after he had worked into position, he surprised the defence by passing across instead of shooting, and McKee easily scored.

 

The game continued in a fast pace, with some fine combination on both sides.  Bush, in particular, executed many clever movements.  After Harling (an Erith man, by the way) had shot over in a Depot attack, Wilson got in a series of very fine clearances.  From one of these Bush sent Gooch away with a perfect pass, and the winger placed his centre just right for McKee to head the ball in for No 2.  This was a good goal: the Depot backs left McKee unmarked, and he judged his header to an inch.  Russell, the new man, was cheered for a run and shot, while Ross-Gower also tested Aitken.

 

An attack on the Depot right and a centre from Harling promised a goal, but Underwood handled.  By swinging the ball about, the visiting forwards often made headway, and once C Evans did well to save from Underwood.  The third goal came from a run on the Erith left, Russell’s centre being diverted by Gower to the feet of McKee, who took the ball almost to the line, wide of the goal, and then shot on the turn and place the ball in the far corner of the net (3-0).

 

The Depot never lost heart at these reverses, Ward in particular often making openings, but generally the kicking of Wilson and the coolness of Bob Evans kept their forwards well out.  In one attack, however, Sullivan tried to pass to Clayton, who was well placed, and Wilson stopped the pass with his hand.  Fisher took the penalty kick, but although he shot hard, C Evans saved and gave a corner, falling over in an effort that was loudly cheered.  A run by Russell and Gower brought the fourth goal just before the interval, McKee again putting the finishing touch.

 

In the second half the Erith forwards again played a dazzling game, with halves and backs well up in support, and excitement grew as McKee was encouraged to get “another six”.  His colleagues, unselfish to a degree, played to that end, and soon his fifth came from a centre by Russell.  Ross-Gower had got through before that, but his shot hit the post.  After missing from a few yards out, when the ball bounced badly, McKee got his sixth after fast combination with Ross-Gower.  He was heartily congratulated by colleagues and opponents, while the big crowd yelled appreciation.

 

Still the cry was for more goals, and, wondrous to behold the next goal was scored by Ross-Gower, who trapped a centre from Gooch and banged the ball in from six yards (7-0).  Ross-Gower’s goal was especially popular, as he had worked hard in providing the openings.  The Depot even now were playing up well, and Ward went very near with a header, and Clayton had a good shot punched out by C Evans and another tipped over.  A centre from Harling brought the Depot a goal, Clayton scoring from close in, and five minutes later Roddis scored another from a pass by Ward, C Evans failing to stop a slow bumping shot. Erith now took command again, and Russell neatly forced Fisher to give a corner.  Pocock got to the ball and shot; it went back to him, and he placed it in the corner of the net to complete the remarkable scoring.  Ten goals in one match makes football reporting easy!

 

Deres: Cyril “Taffy” Evans; Bob Evans and “Tug” Wilson; Albert Marks, A Pocock and J Clarke; Ernie Gooch, C Bush, Reg McKee, Walter Ross-Gower and Bert Russell.

R.N. Depot: Aitken; Fisher and Franklin; Montague, Ward and Sollitt; Harling, Roddis, Clayton, Sullivan and Underwood.

 

Reg McKee’s scoring spree pretty much ended there.  He scored again the following week, reaching 20 goals for the season on 11 October, which was a record for the earliest date to reach 20 in a season until Alfie May beat it 90 years later.  However, he finished 1924-25 with “only” 27 goals for the season.  In summer 1925 Reg signed for Gillingham, with whom he went on to score 13 goals in 38 league games.  He also played twice for Charlton in March 1927, before returning to Park View and contributing five goals in two games to E&B’s championship challenge in 1928-29.  His final Deres record was 59 goals in 89 appearances.

 

He returned to Park View in May 1943, refereeing the semi-final of the ladies’ tournament for Wings for Victory week.  The Kentish Times described him as president of Magnet AC (Fraser and Chalmers’ sports club) and “the popular dance MC” (which meant something different in 1943!).  He later emigrated to Australia.