I read with interest Tommy Carr's reference to the cricketing prowess of Sir Charles Aubrey Smith (Letters, February 16).

The Sussex County Football Association was formed in 1882 and, in those early days, football was played primarily by "Gentlemen" as indicative of the involvement of the Ardingly, Lancing and Hurstpierpoint Colleges.

Burgess Hill Football Club was no exception and included professional men such as doctors, solicitors and members of the nearby Wyberle Military Academy. The Club President, J F Cornish, was the managing director of Wyberle and Smith taught higher mathematics to the young cadets aspiring to join Woolwich and Sandhurst. He joined the town football club, where he became known as the "lightning right winger" and was a member of the team that won the Sussex Senior Cup three seasons in succession, in 1884, 1885 and 1886. The trophy was then presented to the club and holds a proud position in its trophy cabinet. During his period with the club, he was also selected to play for the Sussex FA Representative Eleven.

He left the club after the 1886-1887 season, when he embarked at Tilbury in September on the Orient Line ship Iberia on his way to Australia to captain the Shaw and Shrewsbury Cricket Team.

-Peter Strange, Doubledays, Burgess Hill