This years
cricket season starts with a home fixture on Saturday April 28th
against Northants side Ecton Hall.
There are matches arranged most week-ends, so if any one is interested in a game please contact one of the following to declare your availability:
Spectators/Supporters
are always welcome.
John
Loveday (Chairman) Tel.
01354-610353 or 610492
Dennis
Birch Tel.
01354-610242
Tony
Smart (Secretary) Tel.
01223-312373
April 28 ECTON
HALL (h) Saturday
May 6 ELY
TOWN HOUSE (a)
13 FELTWELL (h)
27 PRICKWILLOW (a)
31 MARKET
HARBOROUGH (h) Thursday 2.30
June 10 OLD
WILHADS (h)
17 DENVER (a)
24 MARCH
TOWN III (h)
July 1 FELTWELL (a)
8 HILTON (h)
15 BRENTWOOD
& HAVERING LP - St.Catherine’s College
21 CASTLE
BYTHAM (h) Saturday
29 OLD
WILHADS (a)
August 5 PRICKWILLOW (h)
12 HILTON (a)
19 Blows
Brothers Trophy
Sept 1 STAMFORD
GREY BEARDS (a) Saturday 1.30
9 DENVER (h)
16 LITTLEPORT (a)
Officers:
(since 1905)
President:
Rev.H.H.Wilford 1905-37 Ernie
Blows 1960
R.D.Carter 1937-48 Bryan Turner 1969
C.Johnson 1948-52 Joe Bedford 1970/71
& 80
Sid
Scott 1953-59 Arthur Carter 1972-79
Chairman:
C.W.Stokes 1932 Bryan
Turner 1959-60 & 61-66
Rev.H.H.Wilford 1933-35 & 37 Albert Smart 1961
Horace
Kimmons 1934 John Waring 1969
John
Prior 1938-47 Bill Oakey 1970
Bill
Mortram 1948 Joe Goodger 1975-79
Tommy
Watson 1949-51 & 57 Arthur Carter 1980-81
Sidney
Scott 1952-54 & 56 John Loveday 2000-
Ray
Kent 1958, 71-74
Secretary:
H.Thurston 1905 Don Scott 1952
A.Dobson 1907-09 Geoff Brown 1953-54
J.W.Booth 1911 Roy Loveday 1956-57
W.Stokes 1912-14,20-21,23-27Aubrey Carter 1958-64
C.Topham 1922 Paul Laughlin 1965-66
C.H.Ray 1928-39 Tony Smart 1969-71,75-81
Albert
Smart 1945-49,51 Fred Newell 1972-74
Reg
Rowlett 1950 Bob Frusher 1991-97
Treasurer;
J.Taylor 1905 Ray Kent 1951-66
W.H.Clayton 1907-14 Phil Singleterry 1969-71
W.Dalton 1920-32 David Smart 1972-81
John
Blows 1933-39,1945-47 Bob Frusher 1991-97
Reg
Rowlett 1948 Tony Smart 1999-
Captain:
Rev.H.H.Wilford 1905 Wally
Branch 1949
Ernie
Blows 1907-09 Doug Scott 1952-3
W.Stokes 1911 Reg Rowlett 1954-5
& 65
J.Hawkins 1912-13 Peter Scott 1956,60
& 71-2
J.Rolfe 1914 Gerry James 1957,59,62-4
John
Blows 1920-3,25-6,28&32 Bryan Turner 1958
Noel
Dalton 1924 Paul Laughlin 1966 & 75
H.Kerridge 1927 Michael North 1969
Len
Watson 1929-31,34-5,37-9 Ivan Scarff 1970
C.H.Ray 1933 Tony Smart 1973-4
Joe
Bedford 1937-9,46-7 David Smart 1976-81
Kit
Malkin 1945 & 48 Bob Frusher 1991-7
Albert
Smart 1947,50 & 61 John Loveday 2000
Honours: (known achievements from
Clubs records)
Wisbech
League Champions (Jeffrey Shield) - 1976
Wisbech
League Division II Winners -
1969
Wisbech
League Division III (Joint Winners) -
1957
Sandall
Rosebowl Winners -
1977
Finalists -
1976
Sandall
Cup Winners -
1969
Wisbech
Standard K.O Cup Finalists -
1977
Oldroyd
Cup Winners -
1973
Finalists - 1971,74
Mortimore
Rosebowl Winners -
1980
Finalists -
1976,77
Loughton
Cup (6-a-side) Finalists -
1974
Hicks
Cup (Wisbech Leagues Best Wicket) -
1977
Cricket
in the village dates back to at least 1884, the Parish Magazine of that year
recorded that Welney had played against both Outwell and West Head (Stow). How
long the game has been played in this area, that is of the organised form under
official MCC rules, is uncertain but the village has had a long association
with the sport. The club has experienced many ups and downs over the years, a
connection with possibly the most famous English cricketer of all time and on
one occasion the club had nation wide fame for achieving the impossible of ‘skittling’ a side out for no runs. No fewer
than seven grounds have been used around our small village and eight different
regular meeting places Cherry Tree, Three Tunns, Lamb and Flag, School, Odd
Fellows Hall, Parish Hall,Welney FC Hut (Back Drove) and the present Playing
Field Pavilion.
Rev. Herbert Hignett Wilford
(1864-1937)
Known
to his family and friends as “Bertie”, he went to Jesus College, Cambridge
University and after having taken his Holy Orders worked for a short time in
the London area. He was a very keen sportsman
playing cricket at University and for the well known club side in the
early 1900’s London Counties, where he played with and became friendly with
W.G.Grace. He followed his grandfather as Rector of Welney when Edward Russell
Wilford died in 1899 and was to spend the rest of his life in the village. He
was a well known personality being on the Ouse Drainage Board and over a period
of years he was Chaplain to no less than six High Sheriffs of Cambridgeshire.
Reputedly a brilliant preacher and popular figure, who might well have gone
further if he had not been isolated in a remote fenland parish.
He
was the last rector to have an active interest in the villages sporting
activities and playing for the cricket club in his younger days, later being
President & Chairman and even umpiring. He also devoted time and energy in
helping the Football Club and the Mens Institute, originally starting it within
the Rectory grounds coach house, until the Parish Hall was built in 1929.
William Gilbert Grace (1848-1915)
He
was later to become known simply as “WG” and no cricketer before or since has
dominated the world of cricket as he did for nearly 40 years from the middle
1860s. In fact, he was said to be the most recognised figure in England along
with the Prime Minister Gladstone at the time. Tall, heavily built, and from an
early age heavily bearded, W.G (or “The Doctor” as he was later called) was not
only an all round cricketer of great skill whose achievements in an unusually
long career broke most of the records of the day but was also a man of
formidable and striking personality who in his own time became a legend of
dictatorial ‘gamesmanship’ blended with ‘gruff’ kindliness. He played for
Gloucestershire, London County and England (last appearance against Australia
in 1899). After 1904 his first class cricket was played mainly for the MCC or
the Gentleman for whom he made 74 at the age of 58.
His
zest for cricket seems to have remained undulled as he made 69 not out for
Eltham against Grove Park in July 1914 – in his last match, 10 days before the
out break of World War I. The next year he died at the age of 67, and was
mourned far outside the world of cricket, for he had been a truly national
figure.
It
was during his London County years (1900-04) that WG and Bertie Wilford became
friends and WG later accepted invitations to stay at the Vicarage, during his
semi retirement from the first class game. From “Reminiscences on the Wilford
Family” an amusing occasion was recalled when WG demonstrated his skill at
bowling by propelling an egg across the tennis lawn and was able to land it on
its tough end without breaking it? He also played at least one game of cricket
in the village during the period 1904-14, this was recalled by Ernie Blows
(1890-1975), a keen young cricketer himself at the time. The club were playing
in Mr.John Lovedays field at the time on Maywood Farm, so it would only have
been a short walk from the Rectory.
On
one of his visits W.G autographed a cricket bat for the club, but unfortunately
this appears to be lost forever, having passed into the hands of one of the club
members – what would it be worth today?
The
Blows brothers, Ernie and John have since 1923 become the most famous of local cricketers, mainly for their
achievement of bowling Friday Bridge out for 0 runs.
Daily Mirror article dated 22 June 1923
Both
were in business in the building trade operating from the old carpenters
workshop, adjoining the Blacksmith shop, and in business originally as
wheelwrights.
30 July 1947 Wisbech Standard Article
John
died in 1949 whilst watching the local football team on Highfields, Ernie
(1890-1975) lived much longer. He died whilst living at the now named “Blows
Cottage” at the top of new Road.
30 July 1947 Wisbech Standard Article
Both
were popular especially in sporting circles, John having a football trophy
donated in his name in recognition of his services, the John Blows Memorial Cup
(1959-84) and more recently the Blows Brothers Cricket Trophy, donated by Ray
Kent (first played for in 1994).
Club Grounds (since 1905)
1905-14 Maywood Farm (Mr.John Loveday)
1920 Hihgfields, Welney House Farm
(Mr.W.Clayton)
1921-24 Minister Wash (Mr.Martin)
1925-26 Mr.T.Rolfe’s field
1927-32 Minister Wash
1933-39 Maywood Farm (Mr.W.Bedford)
1945-47 Daltons Field (behind old shop and Lamb
& Flag)
1948-57 Minister Wash (Mr. C.Johnson)
1958-70 Grange Farm (Mr J.Bedford)
1971- Village
Playing Field
The
club is in possession of a minutes book dating back to 1905, from this and
other archive material the following is a chronological listing of events
associated with the club.
1884 On
Monday July 14th Outwell beat Welney by 1 wicket in a two innings
match: Outwell scoring 29 and 41-9wkts and Welney 54 and 15. Head Teacher Mr. Bearcock
top scored for the village with 16 runs and Rev. Wilford taking 13 wickets in
the match. On the following Saturday Welney beat West Head by 1 wicket and
before the end of the season two matches were played against Lakesend.
1904-14
At some time
between these years Ernie Blows (1890-1975) had recalled the time that W.G.Grace had played cricket in the village.
This was confirmed in ”Reminiscences of the Wilford Family”. He was a friend of
Reverend H.H.Wilford, both having played cricket for and London Counties. The
local club were then playing on Mr. John Loveday’s field at` Maywood Farm.
1905
Friendly
fixtures arranged against Upwell, Dairy Houses, Littleport, A.Schachts XI and
the Rigger Houpe Club.
1907Having disbanded the previous
season the club again reforms.
1911
Mr.John
Loveday again kindly offers his field for use under the same conditions as
before “No bad language shall be used
on the field” and this was to be strictly adhered to. For those guilty of the
offence there was to be immediate dismissal from the field of play!
1914
Before the
First World War the club closes with a balance of £1 - 9 shillings and 10
pence.
1920
The first
season after the war there was a large attendance of 40 in the Odd Fellows Hall
to reform the club. Mr.Clayton offered
his field for matches (Highfields off Wisbech Road)
1922 The club joins the Upwell and
District League with 10 other teams – Upwell Rovers, Squires Drove, Outwell,
Friday Bridge, Tipsend & Hole in the Wall, Lakesend, Christchurch, Nordelph,
March & Whitemoor and Emneth..
1923
The club make
the national newspapers sports pages by dismissing Friday Bridge for 0 runs in
only 28 deliveries during an Upwell League match played on Minister Wash.
Brothers Ernie and John Blows taking all the wickets.
1924
The Upwell
League has 10 teams with new comers Wimbotsham, Wimblington, Elm,Hill Street
and Gladroy Villa.
1926 Enough players are available
for the formation of a second XI.
1929 At the clubs AGM the treasurer
declares the account to be in the ‘red’ by 7 shillings 10 pence.
circa 1930 Welney CC
Back: J Pryor, J Bedford, B Taylor, Harvey, C Kent, H Wilson, M
Peacock, Rev Wilford
Front: W Mottram, A Carter, L Watson, R James, W Scott
1937Club President Rev.Bertie
Wilford dies suddenly after 52 years of association with the club, at the age
of 73 years.
1939 AGM held on May 12th
and Britain declares war against Germany on September 3rd.
1945War ends with VE day May 8th. Another post war large attendance at the AGM
(May 18th) reforming the club, playing at Maywood Farm with
subscriptions 5s 0d and 2s 6d for under 16’s.
1948 The club enters the Wisbech
& District League and the Sandall Cup. Boys team also formed for the
season.
1949 Proposed formation of the
Welney United Sports Club (January 24) with the merger of the Football, Cricket
and Mens Institute clubs.This amalgamation, under Head Teacher Charles
Brothertons stewardship, only lasted until 1951 (October 17th).
1950 Club stalwart Johnny Blows
dies watching the village football team at Highfields. Second XI playing
fixtures for 2 seasons.
1954 Club youngster Peter Scott is
offered the opportunity of joining the Nottinghamshire Cricket Clubs ground
staff on leaving Upwell Secondary Modern, but reluctantly has to decline.
1955 No fixtures fulfilled.
1956 The club reforms and a motion
is passed for playing Sunday cricket at the AGM, later a special meeting is
held when Sidney Scott resigns the Chairmanship with Les Hall taking over, the
Sunday Cricket motion is then defeated.
1957Joint winners of the Wisbech
League Division 3 with Walsoken.
1958/9 Wisbech Cricket League “Star
Youngster” sponsored by the Saturday Pictorial newspaper is won by Peter Scott
for two consecutive seasons.
1960 All games are played away .
1961 Club member Don Scott is
elected onto the newly formed Village Playing Field Association.
1962 Club dismissed for only 8
runs against Newton, a club record lowest score.
1964 Playing in the first Division
of the Wisbech League.
1965 Withdraw from the Wisbech
League and play all friendly fixtures away.
Peter
Bedford is named Wisbech Standard Cricketer of the Week, taking 7 for 12,
including a hat-trick against Runcton Holme (Bowling Analysis 6.3-2-12-7)
1966 After only 2 fixtures against
Ouse Bridge and Wimblington the club disbands, due to a shortage of players.
1969
The club is
reformed at a meeting held in the Three Tuns and enters the Wisbech League and
finish the season completing the Second Division “Double”of the league and
Sandall Cup. Wisbech League Aistrup Bowling award to Tony Smart. All home
matches played at Grange Farm (Mr. Joe Bedfords) Barroway Drove beaten by 46
runs in the Sandall Cup Final at the Metal
Box ground, Wisbech. (Welney 76-7 wickets and Barroway 30.) Welney Past XI
(59-4w) beat the current team (56) by 6 wickets.
1970 In January the club holds its
first Dinner /Dance in the village hall with 100 members and guests. Mr & Mrs Clive Frusher (Wisbech Standard)
present the trophies. League trophy and Sandall Cup being presented to club
captain Michael North.Entertainment provided by the Tony Charles
Band.Pre-season coaching sessions for all club members are held at the school
by qualified MCC coach Bryan Turner. Colin Taylor wins the first Single Wicket
Competition beating Paul Laughlin in the final.
1971 First season playing on the
new Playing Field.
Oldroyd
Cup finalists, losing to Walpole Highway by 23 runs at Wisbech Town C.C
1971 Welney CC at Wisbech Town CC – Oldroyd Cup Finalists
1973 Oldroyd Cup winners agaist
March St Marys at Upwell winning by 68 runs Peter Scott scores the first
century (105) on the new playing field in a league match against March St.Marys
1974 Oldroyd Cup finalists at
Leverington, losing to Walpole Highway by only 4 runs and beaten Loughton Cup
(6 a side) finalists, losing to March St.Marys by 2 wickets.
1975 Ernie Blows one of the clubs
most famous former players dies at the age of 84.
1976 Welney CC ‘Wisbech League Champions’ Secretary – ken Morton presents the “Jeffrey Shield” to Captain David Smart
1976 The clubs most successful
season winning the Wisbech and District Cricket League, for the first and only
time to date, and finalists in both the Sandall and Mortimore Rosebowls March
St Marys beating Welney by 4 runs at
Wisbechs Metal Box ground in the Sandall final and losing to Southery
& Ouse Bridge by 28 runs in the Mortimore Rosebowl final at Littleport.
1976 Welney CC Wisbech League Champions Presentation Dinner at the Lamb & Flag, Welney
The
season culminated in a Presentation Dinner at The Lamb & Flag with Wisbech
League Secretary, Ken Morton presenting the Jeffrey Shield (Division I winners)
to captain David Smart and individual momentoes to the players
1976 Wisbech League Champions
1977 Another successful season for
the club winning the Wisbech Leagues premier knock out competition the Sandall
Rosebowl, beating Barroway Drove at Leverington. The Wisbech Standard reported
“the match was one of the quickest and most one sided finals on record, the
Wisbech Leagues pacemakers skittled Barroway out for only 22 runs and reached
the victory target without loss in just 3.2 overs”.
The
club made its first appearance in the Wisbech Standard K.O final, losing to
March St.Marys by 2 wickets, later in the season the Mortimore Rosebowl final
was played at Littleport, again losing to Denver by 8 wickets.
At
the end of season Presentation Dinner, held at the Lamb & Flag, the Wisbech
League Chairman Jim Rawlings presented The Sandall Rosebowl and the Hicks Cup
(for the Leagues best wicket) to club captain David Smart, the Sullivan Cup to
Steven Smart for holding the most catches in the league, and the clubs own
Batting award to John Copping and Bowling award to Peter Laughlin.
1978 Club members decide to
withdraw from the league and play mainly friendly matches. The Kirkland Cup is
entered, for the first time in over 20 years against Wilburton (played away
over 2 evenings) and beaten by 40 runs. The clubs Batting and Bowling awards,
both won by Tony Smart.
1979 Enter the Pymore Sunday
League with Pymore,Ely Sugar Beet Factory, Ouse Bridge and Denver.
1980 Pymore Sunday League entered
again and the club finally win the Mortimore Rosebowl at the third attempt,
beating Denver at Littleport by 7 wickets.
1981 At the clubs AGM held in the
Playing Field Pavilion, both the Secretary and Treasurer resign without any
volunteers to fill the posts or the groundsmans duties, Chairman Arthur Carter
decides to call a later meeting, hoping for someone to come forward before
disbanding the club. The club fails to fulfill any fixtures for the season and
disbands with £128 in the bank.
1990 Welney C.C reforms under the
guidance of Bob Frusher.
1991 New all weather artificial
strip laid for the wicket on the Playing Field, for the first season of the
reformed club.
1992 Welney Past XI beats the current team by 5 wickets.
1993 Welney Past XI again win the
challenge match this time by only 2 wickets.
1994
The current team
finally beats the Past XI by 37 runs with Bob Frusher top scoring 123
runs. Scores Welney 278 – 6 wickets and
the Past XI 241 all out.
1998 Bob Frusher resigns all posts
and disbands the club without funds, the all weather wicket later being removed
at the request of the Playing Field.
Welney CC at St Catherines College, Cambridge Aug 2000
1999 Meeting held in the Three
Tunns to reform the club only 4 members attend. 45 letters of appeal sent to
former players to raise funds for the new club. Over £600 raised for new
equipment.
Over/Under
40’s match and fixtures against Littleport and Brentwood & Havering Labour
Party were played.
2000 At the AGM held in the Lamb
& Flag, 10 members attend and the Clubs new name being adopted “Welney
Croft Cricket Club”, a full fixture list of friendly matches is played. Stuart
Singleterry records the highest score in the clubs history 150 not out
(including seven 6’s and fourteen 4’s)
at home against Feltwell. End of season Presentation Dinner at the Lamb &
Flag over 35, members, wives and guests attend with the guest speaker /
presenter being John Dye former Kent and Northants county cricketer.
Award
winners – Cricketer of the Year & Bowling awards (Dennis Birch)
Batting &
Catching awards (Stuart Singleterry)
Captains award (Kevin Scarff)
A
special award was presented to all-rounder Peter Scott who had played for the club over a 50 season
period, first playing at the age of 11 on Minister Wash and finishing the close season runners up in
both the batting and bowling averages.
Enjoyable
evening with entertainment provided by Peter Scott and Paddy Stronge.
2001 Blows Brothers Trophy,
donated by Ray Kent, to be played for first time since 1997.