History of the Veterans side
The Over-40s’ League was started in 1984 as a means of retaining the interest
of older players and ex-team members in their clubs and cricket, and it would
also help maintain friendships formed over many years playing cricket together
or even against each other!
Ou first match was against Macclesfield at home; we scored 165 in our 20 overs
and had them 9 wickets down – when they won with one ball to spare! It was a
good match played in the right spirit.
In the early years we let everybody bowl two overs each. Then came the Trophy,
donated by Wyn Talbot-Butler which changed things. Suddenly teams became ‘pot’
conscious and quite serious in their intent – to win at all costs. One team even
had a paid player who scored 40 in just13 balls and then took 4 wickets for
next-to-nothing in 4 overs! We never did join that unsporting band.
In the Second Millennium teams from the Wirral and Chester were allowed in and
the League was split into two divisions, which meant that we no longer played
all our old ‘arch enemies’, and sometimes we now had to travel afar to play
outlying teams – not an easy task in the ruch hour traffic.
A second trophy was called for, ostensibly for the ‘B’ division winners, so Bill
Brown designed one and donated it, not really caring whether it was awarded for
winning the league or for providing the best suppers!
After each game, at around 9.30pm, players enjoy a good supper. For this players
make a contribution of £5 on the night and, in the early days, this realized a
‘profit’ which was used to provide the free wine at the End-Of- Season dinner.
More recently Bill has had to ‘sub’ the fund because the cost of suppers has
almost double, but we’ve kept the match fee at $5. Ex players also attend the
dinner.
We play the Bowls Section (at bowls!) at the end of each season andt another
engraved shield is put on the trophy. – It’s another very enjoyable, friendly
evening!
Past Captains
|
|
Name |
Number |
Season(s) |
|
 |
Hilton Raines |
1st Skipper |
1984 |
|
 |
Jack Watson |
2nd Skipper |
1985 |
|
 |
Alan Barratt |
3rd Skipper |
1986 & 1987 |
|
 |
Neil McKinna |
4th Skipper |
1988 & 1989 |
|
 |
Bill Brown |
Skipper 5 and 11 |
1990 & 1991, 2002 & 2003 |
|
 |
Jim Harper |
6th Skipper |
1992 & 1993 |
|
 |
Peter Gresty |
7th Skipper |
1994 & 1995 |
|
 |
Nigel Barrington-Smith |
8th Skipper |
1996 & 1997 |
|
 |
Pete Belwood |
Skipper 9 & 12 |
1998 & 1999, 2004 & 2005 |
|
 |
Ian Johnson |
10th Skipper |
2000 & 2001 |
|
 |
Joe Brown |
Ex-vice Captain, Now Bowls Match Organiser |
|
We always welcome new players to the veterans team. If you are interested in
finding out more about veterans cricket at Brooklands, please send us an email by clicking the following link:
