*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Syd Jest
Appearances: 22+2 Goals: 4
Date / Year of birth: 4th July 1943
Position: Utility
Season of first appearance: 1968/69
Season of last appearance: 1974/75
Also played for: Ramsgate Athletic, Brighton & Hove Albion (12,0), Gravesend & Northfleet, Ashford Town, Sheppey United, Deal Town and Ramsgate
Versatile, energetic Ramsgate-born player who started his career with Ramsgate in 1958 aged just 15 before being signed by Brighton at the start of December 1961.
Syd made his first team debut for the Seagulls on 9.12.61, playing at right-back in a 2-1 home defeat against Derby in Division 2, and went on to make a total of 12 senior appearances for Brighton up to the end of the 1963/64 campaign. He also featured in around 50 reserve team games during his time at The Goldstone Ground.
Having been released by Brighton Syd joined Gravesend & Northfleet for the 1964/65 season. He was ever-present in the Fleet side during the campaign, making 49 appearances and scoring three goals.
Syd rejoined Ramsgate for the 1965/66 campaign and after the Rams beat Margate on 7.1.67 'Gate manager Almer Hall praised Syd, describing him as "a tremendous asset to the Ramsgate side." In February 1968 Syd requested a transfer due to the 'barracking' he was constantly receiving from a section of Ramsgate supporters but it wasn't until November 1968 that he got the move he'd been hoping for.
Margate signed him on a free transfer in the face of competition from Dartford and Folkestone and Syd made his debut for the club in a 4-0 defeat at Romford on 23.11.68. He played on the left wing but later played as a striker and at right-back in the course of his 22 appearances (two as sub) during the remainder of the 1968/69 season. Playing as a striker Syd scored four goals in his first six games, two of them in a 6-0 win over Sheppey on 2.12.68. He was described as a "most genuine grafter" by the local press but at the end of the season he was released.
Syd joined Ashford in August 1969 and scored three times in 18 Southern League appearances for the Nuts & Bolts during 1969/70.
He returned to Ramsgate in September 1970 but was released in December 1971. Syd then joined Sheppey and helped them to win the Kent League during the 1972/73 season.
He had a spell at Deal during the 1973/74 campaign before returning to Margate during the early part of the 1974/75 season.
Syd became a regular in the reserves and also made a one-off appearance for the first team, playing at right-back in a Kent Messenger Trophy tie against Ashford at Hartsdown on 3.4.75.
Syd also played for the reserves during the 1975/76 season and again appeared once in the first team, playing as a striker in a Kent Floodlight Trophy game at Ramsgate on 8.4.76. However he left the club at the end of the campaign when the reserve team was disbanded for financial reasons.
Syd then rejoined Ramsgate for the 1977/78 season, principally as club trainer, but then departed once more at the end of the campaign.
However he returned to Southwood as club trainer in May 1981 and in November 1982 Syd became the Rams manager, replacing Phil Gilbert after his resignation. He was sometimes forced to make up the numbers during a difficult time for the Rams.
Syd remained in charge of the Rams for the start of the 1983/84 season but was replaced by Bryan Clifton soon after the campaign began.
His first name was sometimes spelt 'Sid' and he worked as a painter & decorator during his time with Margate.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
SLC |
KSC |
KFC |
SLCH |
|
1968/69 (MFC) |
20 (75) |
2 |
4 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (18TH OF 22) |
1R |
3R |
RU |
W |
W |
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
KMT | |
|
1974/75 (MFC) |
1 (66) |
0 |
0 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (7TH OF 22) |
4QR |
2R |
RU |
2R |
GR |
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
KFT | |
|
1975/76 (MFC) |
1 (65) |
0 |
0 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION (11TH OF 22) |
3QR |
2R |
1R |
SF |
W |