DAVID CHARLES SITCH by Greg Stevens
Born 18 July 1938
This year, 2018, sees the eightieth birthday of one of my oldest, closest and dearest friends, Dave Sitch and one of Grenfell’s most popular and respected cricketers. Time, I think, to reflect on his career.
 I was with Dave (in his MCC tie) at Lord’s for England v India just 4 days before his 8Oth |
My friendship with Dave goes way beyond that of cricketing team mate. Over the years he became entwined with my family life as godfather to my son, Simon and with my one-time business venture when his own accountancy business practice was appointed our auditor. In the last fifty or so years, it would be impossible to say how many days we have spent together at County or Test cricket matches, a couple of hundred maybe. Other than that, we just hang out in pubs.
The first thing to clear up is why he is popularly and universally known as “Joe”. Unfortunately I cannot, he picked up the nickname at school for no apparent reason and it has just stuck. The school in question is Dartford Grammar school; Dave was born and raised in Bexley , the only child of Charles and Connie.
 1977. Godfather Dave with Simon. Teresa in background |
He started playing cricket with Lamorbey C C juniors progressing to the senior side from the age of sixteen. Short in stature, he is about 5’ 7”, but with powerful upper body strength he was a right-arm fast bowler delivering from a short but rapid run-up. Unusually, speaking generally, he preferred bowling in plimsolls rather than boots. He was also an athletic fielder. Blessed with speed and a big throw he was an outstanding out-fielder. He continued to play for Lamorbey until 1965 but they reduced their fixtures to Sunday only consequently Dave looked for a Saturday team and for 1959 and 1960 seasons played additionally for Burroughs Wellcome.
His career with Grenfell began in 1961 after being introduced to the club by Vic Mason one of his Lamorbey team mates who had played Saturdays for Grenfell since 1959. Not quite 23 years old Dave was the youngest player in an aging team where apart from Alan Coupland and Alan Cartwright the others were all in their thirties, even forties. He made an immediate impact; in 15 matches he took 29 wickets from 147 overs, the third most used bowler and second in the averages with his first five wicket analysis, 5-49 against Greenheath.
Two years later (1963) he was the main strike bowler. Nobody bowled more than his 199 overs which yielded 34 wickets (av. 14.47). Always a decent tail end batsman he emerged that year as a seriously useful lower middle order batsman. Not a big hitter but an orthodox batsman with a classic stance and a model cover drive it was his best ever seasons total; 154 runs at a noteworthy average of 12.83. He also achieved his career best highest score of 33 versus Met Police on 25 August. It was a remarkable match in that Grenfell, batting second, were three wickets down without a run on the board and the first thirty-one runs scored were all attributed to Ron Stevens. Ron went on to make 53 and only Dave, batting at number seven made any other significant contribution against a hostile bowling attack.
I was beginning to play a few matches in 1963 and it was batting with Dave that I have good reason to recall. Our arch rivals at that time were Dagenham Dock and we were playing them in an all-day fixture. On a sunny mid-June day we had batted really well to be about 130 for 2 by lunch. For lunch they took us to their nearby works canteen for a two-course meal washed down with copious amounts of beer. As a 16-year-old schoolboy my indulgence was carefully monitored but not so my team-mates – and it told. On resumption of play, in about five overs, we descended from 130 for 2 to 140 for 9 when I walked out to join Dave. Sensing my nervousness – I had only had two previous innings – Dave came to greet me with “Will you let me call all the runs?”
“ Yes, please”, immediately relieving me of one of my fears.
“Ted”, I told him (Ted Gorham was our captain), “says not to come back until we’ve made it at least 150 runs”. I had no confidence that I could stay around that long but Dave sprinted a quick run to get me off the mark when I nudged a ball past third slip. Thereafter Dave took control, shepherding most of the strike but whenever I was left to face he would come down the wicket with words of encouragement. At 149 I found the sureness to sweep at a slightly leg-side delivery and watched it go through mid-wicket for 4. I’d brought up the 150 and scored my first boundary! Dave hit a couple more boundaries and Ted was delighted to be able to make a face-saving declaration.
It was my first experience of Dave’s unselfish attitude towards team mates’ performance.
The following season brought Dave’s most wickets in a season. He was the leading bowler his 43 wickets coming in 185.2 overs at an average of 10.76 with three five wicket analyses. The best of these remains his best ever; 8 – 28 against Old Colfeians on 9 August. Opening the bowling from the bottom end of the J&P ground, our home pitch, a bouncer struck the opposition’s opening batsman on the head causing a severe cut behind his ear as he turned away. With their top batsman led off to hospital the remaining batsmen showed no heart for an aggressive spell of bowling and Dave ended with 8 – 28 (and a retired hurt). That they lost nerve was not surprising as we also showed no desire to pick up a ball covered in blood. The week before Dave had taken 5 – 44 against strong opponents, Peek Frean. His 6 – 25 against Eltham Oddfellows on 4 July had been his previous best.
The stock bowling of medium pace bowlers Alan Coupland and Taffy Holman had overtaken Dave as the most used bowlers and leading wicket takers and although Dave was the third used bowler in 1965 with 131 overs he took only 14 wickets with conditions favouring swing and spin bowling.
With his objective observations and positive outlook he was always a captaincy candidate so it was no surprise when he was elected vice-captain for both 1966 and 1967 seasons. As it happens skipper Stan Chisnell’s domestic circumstances gave Dave an unusually large number of opportunities to lead. A good tactician, quick to recognise his teammates’ skills he readily utilised their abilities but modestly overlooked his own. Consequently in 1967 he bowled only 17 overs. Under Dave, a friendly, jovial, hospitable character invariably at the hub of social events, team spirit was predictably high. Win or lose it was common practice to socialise with opponents providing drinks from a large jug. With this in mind, at the Club’s 1966 annual dinner and dance, in a mock award, Dave was ceremoniously presented with the Joe Sitch Trophy. An eight-pint enamel coated jug painted with the club’s insignia and bearing his name. This jug accompanied us to every game for the best part of the next twenty years.
It is worth recording that 1967 was arguably our most successful season with only three games lost. Dave captained eight of the matches and was unbeaten. He was never interested, though, in taking on the captaincy permanently and consistently refused to accept nomination to do so. He was however a popular ad hoc choice whenever the captain or vice- captain were unavailable. Inevitably it meant he would be handling a weakened team and on at least three occasions I recall him apologising to the opposition, “Sorry but we are not very strong today” anticipating their disappointment. However, always a bold captain, on winning the toss he elected to bat. On each of these occasions his hotchpotch side responded and we posted impressive scores and went on to win.
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Front Row: John Strelley, Dave Sitch, Phil Blake, Stan Chisnell, Alan Coupland, Keith Finch. |
A 1969 XI. Back row: Harold Tozer, Len Johnson, Greg Stevens, Clyde Cartwright, Ian Curle, Ken Angelo, Alan Wild.1969 was an unusual season in that five bowlers, Ken Angelo, Keith Finch, Ian Curle, Pete Cocklin and Alan Coupland took 269 wickets between them and only six bowlers made the averages. Dave was among many fine bowlers that were unused and barely made the “also bowled”. 1970 was not much better, he was again underused bowling only 35 overs and taking only 3 wickets. He came back in favour under Alan Coupland’s captaincy with 10 wickets (av.12.10) in 1971. That same summer he shared in a 7th wicket stand of 87 against Bowrings on 5 June with Ken Angelo. Ken made 92 and Dave 21. It was a club record which stood for 39 years. His godson, Simon Stevens figuring prominently in the new record in 2010.
A big change came in 1972. I captained the side against City of London Poly and having employed the off spin of Stan Chisnell who met with some success felt another spinner from the other end would be good but we didn’t have one. I seen Dave bowl spin in the nets and in warm up and asked him if he would give it go. Perhaps he had already bowled spin and I had forgotten. Anyway, he did give it go and
took three wickets. What makes Dave such a good bowler is that he bowls an impeccable length and line, whatever he bowls, and he makes it look so natural. The fact is, though, that it is not a gift but the result of dedicated practise. Dave was a regular at winter nets. Throughout the nineteen-sixties at Eltham Baths and the White Hart and when in the nineteen-seventies they moved to Messeter Place, at the other end of Eltham, the Rising Sun.
Anyhow, from then on he became the Club’s first choice spin option finishing that season with 9 wickets in his new role and second in the averages. 9 wickets (av 17.88) in 1973, 11 (av.15.27) in 1974 saw him finishing in the top half of the bowling averages. In 1975, in which year Ken Angelo took 101 wickets, his 17 wickets (av.11.41) placed him second in the averages and brought his first five wicket analysis as a spinner, 5-24 against Old Colfeians in the opening match of the season. The drought summer of 1976 was a batsmen’s summer, not good for any bowlers but especially poor for the spinners, the hard dry wickets too firm to offer turn. ”Like bowling on glass” he once said. Nevertheless his 13 wickets at a very respectable average of 12.69 saw him third placed amongst the regular bowlers, his best that year 5-38 versus strong opponents, Elmstead.
He played only two matches in 1977 but bowled two respectable spells taking 6-30 in 15 overs. In 1978 and 1979 he was averaging 5 to 6 overs a game and 10 wickets (av. 14.20) and 14 wickets (av. 14.14) respectively again placed him in the top half. In 1980 he was well used, bowling 92 overs in 13 games and taking 19 wickets (av. 13.36), his best season’s total since 1964. It was one game in this season that he gave me a bit of advice that stayed with me for the rest of my playing career. It was a home match against Bexley and I had been brought on as the second spinner after Dave had taken a couple of early wickets. To my delight the ball was taking big turn and I too took a wicket. Dave continued to trouble the batsman and took a couple more wickets but I was starting to leak runs. I queried with Dave why they were getting after me and not him. “You’re turning every ball you bowl and they are reading it. I don’t spin every ball.” From then on neither did I. He finished with 5-30 that day.
Similarly, in 1981 he was the fifth most used bowler with 89 overs in 13 games but this time with only 12 wickets. It happens sometimes. 1982 sees my second spell as captain and I use Dave as first change bowler more often than not; in 17 games and 113 overs he takes 27 wickets at an average of 15.81. Only Alan Coupland and Keith Finch take more (and Keith only one more) as he finishes third in the averages. It is his third best seasons total at the age of forty-four.
6-48 against AEI (Gravesend) in 1983 was his best return as a spin bowler as he takes 15 wickets for the season from 72 overs in 11 games. John Heinson his captain in 1984 continues the ploy of using Dave as a first change bowler and he takes 17 wickets from 81 overs in 13 games. They are his last. He plays only a handful of games in the next season but we have joined the League and after just one game in 1986 he decides that at 48 years old he is too old for such competition.
 2005. Dave with Len Johnson at the Clubs 70th Anniversary celebration fixture |
It was a fun filled illustrious career throughout which he was held in high esteem by his fellow players but it was not the end of his association with the Club. When he stepped down from the vice captaincy in 1968 it had been to take on the office of Treasurer a position he held through to 1988 retiring from it in 1989. Exemplary in his devotion and commitment to the club it was not just as a player that he is well regarded.
The role of treasurer was one for which he was eminently suited having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1961 through the arduous and protracted route from articled clerk. The practice for whom he started, Sunderland, Mountstephen & Co went through a merger with national accountants, Cork Gully & Co, insolvency specialists. Uncomfortable and unhappy in such a large corporation Dave left in the nineteen-seventies to become a partner with an old acquaintance Ken Jeffries in K.A.Jeffries & Co based in East Dulwich. He remained there for the rest of his working life, partially retiring at age 65 but continuing for another ten years before finally calling it a day.
Dave was also a good footballer. Fast, direct, able to play on either wing but mostly outside-right and was both accurate and powerful in his use of the ball with either foot. In short, he was an ideal winger. From 1953 to 1956 he played Saturdays for Heathside Sports FC in the Dartford & District Minor League and as an adult in the Dartford & District premier or division 1 for Dartford Heath FC from 1956 to 1966. On Sundays he played for Lamorbey FC in the Kent Suburban League from 1955 to 1966. Team mates included fellow Lamorbey cricketers Mick Way and Hector Mullens. Mick and Hector were close friends socially as well as sportingly and Dave introduced them both to Grenfell on a permanent basis when Lamorbey CC folded in 1972.
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By 1964 I and my friends were working in London. One, John Garner, was based in Gracechurch Street and I would meet him some lunchtimes at The Falstaff pub in Eastcheap which coincidentally was next door to Dave’s then office. I didn’t arrange to meet up with Dave on these occasions but inevitably we did. My friends and I. also frequently bumped into Dave at Charing Cross station after a Friday night in London where we were all looking to catch our last train home. It was my good fortune that my destination, Hither Green, was on the same route as Dave’s, Albany Park. Conversation kept us awake for my part of the journey but Dave, sadly, quite often ended up at the end of the line, Dartford. It was in these talks that Dave would encourage me to persevere with my own qualifications. Good advice and in later years I sought him out for more.
In 1981 I had determined set up my own business as an insurance broker. Knowing Dave had had a similar experience going into partnership at K A Jeffries I wanted to know if my idea would work or was a madness. His counsel was most supportive and I learned it would more probably preserve my sanity but was cautionary about the pitfalls. I also had a crash course in small business book-keeping. I enjoyed our working together over the next ten or so years and I discovered how diligent, reliable, knowledgeable and efficient he is. The ultimate professional. Underpinned by a wry sense of humour.
One day Dave was in our office carrying out an audit while an office supplies representative was trying to get our interest in a new photocopier. “It has all the latest bells and whistles”. The dry wit and sarcastic tone went totally over the head of the all too earnest salesmen when Dave intervened, “Why would a photocopier need bells and whistles?”
During this period, we were able to recommend each other’s’ clients to our respective businesses. One, Peter Cullen, I had met many years previously in Dave’s company. When, in the nineteen-seventies, I worked in Chancery Lane Dave was a member of a private drinking club in nearby Fleet Street. Sometimes he would invite me. My meeting Peter on one of these occasions is insignificant in so far as it was in this establishment that Dave met a pretty, Irish girl, Teresa Garvey, who worked there. In 1976 they were married and celebrated their ruby (40th) anniversary two years ago.
Apart from sport, a big passion of Dave’s is walking and hiking. Sometimes in the Kent countryside but also in the Austrian Alps it has become a pastime he shares with Teresa. A little known ability of Dave’s is that he is fluent in German language.
I remember the wedding well and while I am sure there would have been a stag party I don’t recollect it. Not having total recall of a night out with Dave is not an uncommon experience. One of my favourite stories begins when we got caught in torrential rain and took refuge in the Beehive in Footscray, Eltham. Where we had been before that I have no idea or where we were going that we would be passing the Beehive. Dave needed to get home to Bexley and I had to get back to Maidstone. This was well out of our way. Anyhow we hung our raincoats to dry and had a drink or two!!! I did get home but the following morning I could not find my raincoat. In its place was a slightly damp navy blue anorak. I rang Dave,
“Dave, any chance you’ve got my raincoat?”
“Why would I have your coat?”
“Because I’ve come home with somebody else’s and I’m hoping it’s yours”
If this doesn’t seem preposterous you need to know that Dave is short and stocky and I am six inches taller and thin.
“I’ll check,” he said and came with, “is yours a khaki mac?”
“That’s it. Is yours a navy blue anorak?”
“Yes”
Never mind that the difference in our respective builds meant they would not have fitted either of us, they were not even the same colour!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAVID. MAY THERE BE MANY MORE OF THEM AND THE GOOD TIMES CONTINUE.
CAREER RECORD
Matches: 347 Runs: 815 Highest Score: 33 Average: 6.13
Most Runs in a Season: 154 (av. 12.83) in 1963
Wickets: 361 Best Bowling: 8 for 28 Average: 15.43
Most Wickets in a season: 43 (av. 10.76) in 1964
Catches: 55
Offices: Vice- Captain 1966 and 1967
Hon. Treasurer 1968 to 1988
Five Wicket Analyses
8 – 28 Old Colfeians 9-Aug-1964
6 – 25 Eltham Oddfellows 4-Jul-1964
6 – 30 Oyez 8–May-1965
6 – 48 A.E.I. (Gravesend) 30–Jul -1983
5 – 20 Private Banks 27-Jul-1963
5 – 24 Old Colfeians 27-Apr-1975
5 – 30 Bexley 5-Jul-1980
5 – 31 Hartley C.C.C. 21-Aug-1982
5 – 33 Blackheath Wanderers 6-July-1974
5 – 34 West Wickham 29-Jul-1962
5 – 38 Elmstead 29-May-1976
5 – 44 Peek Frean 1-Aug-1964
5 – 49 Greenheath 1-Jul-1961
5 – 49 Coney Hall 6-Jul-1983
| SEASON BY SEASON | ||||||||||||||||
| MTS | INNS | NO | RUNS | HS | AV’GE | CTS | OVERS | MDNS | RUNS | WKTS | AV’GE | 5wi | ||||
| 1961 | 15 | 14 | 4 | 64 | 16 | 6.40 | 1 | 147 | 37 | 365 | 29 | 12.58 | 1 | |||
| 1962 | 13 | 9 | 2 | 53 | 20 | 7.57 | 4 | 117 | 28 | 294 | 21 | 14.00 | 1 | |||
| 1963 | 20 | 15 | 3 | 154 | 33 | 12.83 | 3 | 199 | 47 | 492 | 34 | 14.47 | 1 | |||
| 1964 | 21 | 13 | 3 | 49 | 12 | 4.90 | 4 | 185.2 | 48 | 463 | 43 | 10.76 | 3 | |||
| 1965 | 20 | 14 | 5 | 53 | 19* | 7.90 | 3 | 131 | 29 | 370 | 14 | 26.50 | 1 | |||
| 1966 | 22 | 14 | 4 | 41 | 9 | 4.10 | 3 | 58.2 | 7 | 196 | 14 | 14.00 | ||||
| 1967 | 18 | 10 | 6 | 56 | 15* | 14.00 | – | 17 | 2 | 72 | 4 | 18.00 | ||||
| 1968 | 16 | 9 | 1 | 30 | 9 | 3.75 | 5 | 36 | 5 | 157 | 8 | 19.62 | ||||
| 1969 | 14 | 10 | 2 | 14 | 5* | 1.75 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 28 | 2 | |||||
| 1970 | 16 | 8 | 3 | 22 | 6 | 4.40 | 1 | 35 | 4 | 114 | 3 | |||||
| 1971 | 16 | 12 | 3 | 47 | 21 | 5.22 | 3 | 41.4 | 11 | 121 | 10 | 12.10 | ||||
| 1972 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 33 | 21* | – | 41 | 9 | 110 | 9 | 12.22 | |||||
| 1973 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 13 | 5* | 3 | 46 | 5 | 161 | 9 | 17.88 | |||||
| 1974 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 16 | 11 | 1 | 42 | 6 | 168 | 11 | 15.27 | 1 | ||||
| 1975 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 59 | 7 | 194 | 17 | 11.41 | 1 | ||||
| 1976 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 12 | 2 | 51 | 6 | 165 | 13 | 12.69 | 1 | ||||
| 1977 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4* | 15 | 7 | 30 | 6 | 5.00 | ||||||
| 1978 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2* | 1 | 48.1 | 5 | 142 | 10 | 14.20 | |||||
| 1979 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 6 | 2.75 | 4 | 58 | 10 | 198 | 14 | 14.14 | ||||
| 1980 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0* | 1 | 92 | 9 | 254 | 19 | 13.36 | 1 | ||||
| 1981 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 29 | 10* | 2 | 89 | 11 | 301 | 12 | 25.08 | |||||
| 1982 | 17 | 7 | 3 | 33 | 16 | 8.25 | 4 | 113.2 | 8 | 427 | 27 | 15.81 | 1 | |||
| 1983 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 15 | 9 | 2.50 | 3 | 72.3 | 3 | 314 | 15 | 20.93 | 2 | |||
| 1984 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 34 | 27 | 1 | 81 | 4 | 325 | 17 | 19.11 | |||||
| 1985 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 10 | 3.00 | – | 20 | 1 | 89 | 0 | |||||
| 1986 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0* | – | 4 | 0 | 21 | 0 | ||||||
| TOTAL | 347 | 196 | 63 | 815 | 33 | 6.13 | 55 | 1847.2 | 310 | 5571 | 361 | 15.43 | 14 | |||
JOHN DUFFELL
FIFTY SUMMERS WITH ‘JD’
It occurred to me recently that this summer sees the fiftieth that I have shared with my friend John Duffell, universally known by the soubriquet JD.
A good time, then, for me to reflect on our friendship, his achievements and his contribution to the cricket club; a contribution that continues with him reliably standing as umpire most weekends. Also, another chance for me to recount my favourite stories – which I never tire of telling!
With only a couple of exceptions today’s players only know John and I as umpires but it is true for both of us that that is not how we would wish to be remembered. Umpiring is an unfulfilling substitute for playing and this is best exemplified by JD himself when three summers ago in 2012 Grenfell were a player short. With wickets tumbling and the danger that high scoring Madhu Singireddy would be stranded having run out of partners someone came up with the notion of recalling the umpire to see if he would be willing to don the pads. JD did not need asking twice and even managed 5 not out. A repeat of this situation in the following year, 2013 leaves me with one of my happiest and abiding memories of JD. Fielding in the mid off position a catch was spooned up in his direction. Lumbering forward, eyes on the ball, JD nearly didn’t get there but tumbling forward he managed to gather the catch close to the ground. Oh happy days! Sixty-six years old and still moments to treasure! In his career JD took many spectacular catches but none to such acclaim as he got on this on this day and none where the square leg umpire (me) rushed over to high five him!
It was in the midst of 2005, one our most successful summers, that JD announced his retirement. This was a big surprise as I think we all believed that he would die with his pads on. In fact many of us thought we had witnessed that very event only for him to suddenly push the ball to silly mid-off and call “one”.
It was an innocuous end to a long and distinguished career that had begun forty years earlier in 1966. That was in the days of black and white television and before England had won the World Cup. Our only subs were an annual sub of £2 and tea was a shilling (5p). I was playing on the day of John’s first game which was at the Civil Service ground on the junction of the A20 and the South-circular roads at Eltham. I don’t recall how he performed but his appearance was made memorable when having been asked by the skipper, Stan Chisnell, if he would mind fielding at square leg, JD replied that indeed he would mind. Mine were not the only eyebrows raised at John’s audacity. JD had still to learn that such requests from captains are purely rhetorical. Knowing Stan, the proper etiquette would have been explained to him that very evening in no uncertain terms. If they had got off on the wrong foot, Stan was to become much admired by JD and vice versa. A gritty left handed opening bat, Stan worked for his runs, he had a limited range of shots but which he played to great effect; traits that JD would also display.
That was the first of many games that I played in with JD and our cricketing careers ran in parallel thereafter, there being only two months between our ages. As he did on his debut, JD couldn’t help leaving without some controversy and I recall consoling his last captain, Martin Secrett, “Don’t worry, Martin, you aren’t the first captain JD thought to be wanker.” At various times he has thought it of all of them – and expressed it.
What his remarks did demonstrate was JD’s commitment. There has not been a more devoted and competitive cricketer in my time at the club and that allows for the fact that we could fill a bus with players on whom such description would rest easily. It would be fair to say that JD expected every one of his team mates to share his resolve. However, whatever irks JD he still remains loyal to the cause and I think that an admirable quality.
As to his ability, his was no precocious talent but a technique developed by practise and dedication. Handicapped by virtual blindness in his left eye which can just about distinguish between light and dark – he consequently adopted a very square on stance to compensate and use his right eye. Predominantly a back foot player and playing quite late he was at his best against the fastest of bowlers when, using the bowlers own speed, a square cut or leg glance would deflect the ball to the third man and fine leg areas – often gathering boundaries as these are big areas to defend against a speeding ball. His signature stroke however was a square drive (that not many of us can play); positioning himself square in front of stumps and leaving it until late he would drop a heavy bat driving it off his toes past cover point. Another shot recognisably typical of JD was the sweep when he would drop low and strike the ball either backward of square leg or through mid – wicket. Most important to his success was the soundness of his defence and the mental strength to resist playing shots he couldn’t play. Eminently suited to opening the batting it was a role he relished for some thirty or more seasons forging many successful partnerships. The most prolific of these was with John Heinson; his first with Stan Chisnell and others included Ken Angelo and, sometimes, me.
The statistics for JD are quite staggering and we all know that they are important to him but there is no doubt that many times over the years JD has provided some priceless runs in the Grenfell cause. His biggest strength is not only that he likes to occupy the crease; it is that he has the capability and concentration to do it. Throughout his career he has been a very prolific run-scorer. After serving his apprenticeship at 9, 10, 11, JD was promoted to open on a regular basis I would guess around 1968. He responded in 1970 with a seasons total of 924 runs (av.30.80 )including 7 fifties. A club record at that time it remains his season’s best and was sandwiched between 548 runs (18.90) in 1969 and 547 (24.86)in 1971. His only blip was in 1972 but JD was not the only one to suffer a decline in form that summer and he recovered to post 462 (30.80), 426 (23.67), 418 (34.83), 420 (26.25), 468 (29.25) and 456 (24.00) in the six seasons between 1975 and 1980, a model of consistency. But the best was yet to come. In 1981 he scored 745 (av. 35.48) with 6 fifties and followed that in the seasons 1982/3/4 with 657 (av. 28.63), 502 (av. 33.47) and 739 (av. 46.19), the last with another 6 fifties. He topped the batting averages in 1970, 1971, 1975 and 1983.
Assuming he has played his last, but until he has a mobility scooter I would not rule out another, he has made 699 appearances. It may well be a conservative estimate to suggest that we played more than 500 matches together. He is the club’s leading run scorer of all time with a monumental 13,044 runs at an average of 24.93. He never made a century, his highest individual score being 91 not out in an undefeated partnership of 204 with John Heinson. That was the only double century partnership in which he figured but he shared in another 23 century partnerships and a further 141 stands over fifty. Remarkable statistics. With thirty-five different partners it is interesting to analyse the most recurrent of them. 30 were with John Heinson and 30 with me. Of the others, 10 were with Tony Haylock, 9 with Keith Finch, 7 each with Stan Chisnell, Phil Blake and Kevin Laroche, 5 each with Ken Angelo and Pete Emmison. These names are all contemporaries of JD and are a nod to a peak era in the nineteen seventies and eighties. With the possible exception of Stan Chisnell and John Heinson the most conspicuous feature of all these partners is that they are all renowned strokemakers. However, he also shared 5 (two of them century) with Gary Willson in the nineteen-nineties when in his veteran status. Others of the nineties and noughties to share stands with JD include Brian Mullens (3) Jamie Muddiman (2) Matt Stevens (2) Simon Stevens (2) Danny Demarzo (2)and John Jones – again, all aggressive batsmen. What all this suggests is that JD was at his best when providing support to the more adventurous of his teammates. For my part he has always been my favourite partner and I know that Kevin Laroche often remarked on the value and security of having JD as a partner.
Commencing in 1977 JD began an association with John Heinson that was to yield 30 partnerships over fifty, 22 of them as openers and 10 of them becoming century stands. Bizarrely JD has only twice held a club record, the longest being that of 176 undefeated with John Heinson for the third wicket v Higham & Mockbeggar on 25 September 1982. That it occurred for the third wicket and not the first is because both had arrived late at the ground. It stood until 2000. His other, 69 with Alan Coupland v Blackheath Wanderers for the 7th wicket on 14 June 1970 was exceeded just one year later.
His first stand over fifty was in conjunction with me when, as nineteen year olds, we put on 79 for the 3rd wicket against United Dairies on 5 June 1966, in his debut season. Scrutiny of our partnerships shows that over 40 seasons we made fifty stands for every wicket from first to eighth! Our last together, and coincidentally the last either of us was to make, was an unbeaten 63 for the 7th wicket against Broadway on 18 August 2002. Ten of our thirty stands were as openers and much as I enjoyed batting first I was mostly regarded as an all-rounder and usually gave way to more specialist batsman. However in 1993 the Saturday League XI were not enjoying any success but JD and I were nevertheless astonished to be recalled (aged forty-six) by a desperate skipper, John Heinson, to open the batting against League leaders, Met Police on 7 August. We surprised ourselves with our response putting on 71 and two weeks later followed it up with 59 against ROTA.
Although not a big hitter of the ball, JD was (and in fact right up to his last innings) an accumulator, master of the push and run. It did get me into trouble with him once when we were playing against Suburbagas. He pushed and ran, I started out from the non-strikers end but soon realised that I wasn’t going to make it to the other end so I turned and went back. As JD was very quick it was touch and go whether I got back before he got home. With the wicket duly broken at the other end we both stood our ground while the umpires tried to decide which one of us was out. I was more than a bit annoyed with JD.
“You might at least call,” I said.
“O.K.” he casually replied, “heads”!
John will doubtless have his own views on what was his best innings. I have mentioned his highest but others stand out in my memory. The first was against Statics on 12 June 1971, a game in which he was not scheduled to play but a frantic telephone call summoned him when we were a man short. He arrived just in time to go in at number seven as we were too soon 64 for 5 (despite a fifty from Pete Emmison!). JD led the recovery but a big total still did not look possible at 109 – 8 when an inexperienced sixteen – year – old Graham Strelley joined him. Graham was urged only to hold up his end and with JD commandeering the strike whenever he could they put on 49 – of which John scored 48!! Yes, 48. Their undefeated partnership enabled Grenfell to declare at tea on 158 – 8 of which JD had scored 76 not out including a rarely, for him, struck six.
One more innings that averted a disaster was his 86 v Blackheath Wanderers on 14 June 1970. I was at number six and not anticipating batting before lunch in an all – day match so finding myself going out to bat within the first half hour with the total at 11 – 4 was a concern that the whole game could be over by lunch. It was not to be as JD and I put on 77 although I was still out before lunch. Alan Coupland followed me in and with JD they steadily added another 69 for the seventh wicket before John was out enabling a more than respectable total.
However, it was another innings against Blackheath Wanderers that is especially impressive. On a green and hostile wicket we only needed 73 to win having bowled them out for 72. JD scored 41 not out as we won by only four wickets and was the only batsman on either side to get into double figures!
During the drought summer of 1976 it was very, very hot and JD and I opened the batting facing just 4 or 5 overs before tea. Our opponents, Tilling Stevens, having declared early setting us a target of some 200 plus. For some reason we started like a train and had thirty or so runs on the board by teatime but in the oppressive heat running between the wickets had been very tiring. As we came off I suggested that we cut out some of the quick singles when we restart. “Good idea,” agreed JD, “we’ll cut out yours”
I said he was quick. For those of you that have only known JD in the last few years you probably cannot imagine that he was an outstanding and agile outfielder. Small and slightly built he was quick across the ground with a good pick-up and throw. At a time when we had a lot of young players with good arms I’m still inclined to think that John‘s throw was the longest and most accurate. He also was a sound catcher and a brave close fielder when required.
If batting and fielding were JD’s strengths he was also a decent slow left arm bowler and could keep wicket, making him more than useful to have around. His early career was hampered, as was mine and any other prospective spinners, by having captains who were not believers in spin bowling. In later years he had too much competition for his craft but more so was he preserved for his batting. Nevertheless he bowled more than 800 overs for the club taking 145 wickets at an average 24.01. His best, 5 -24 v Britannic House on 29 August 1976. Overall, he took 166 catches (29 as wicket-keeper) and 5 stumpings.
In 1981 he became the third winner of the Founders Trophy after Kevin Laroche and John Heinson had been the first two winners. 1981 was JD’s best season since 1970.
Recent years have seen him the recipient of the Jean Pearce award for his umpiring commitment but he has also previously served the Club in official capacity; Assistant Secretary 1970 – 73 (inclusive) and seven years as Treasurer from 2000 to 2006. Beyond that he provided invaluable help and support when, for the 1997 season, Grenfell took the decision to continue as a Sunday only club. The decision was not popular with every member and some were lost but JD and I saw it as an opportunity to encourage and develop a younger team. We had a strategy to go with our ideal; depending on the situation one of us would bat at one and the other at six and, in the field, keep Keith Finch bowling from one end for as long as possible. Need I express our thrill at the young players progress and the delight at the extension to our playing careers at fifty years old?
I was surprised in my research to discover that JD was not a Club Captain until 1996 although he was first a vice-captain in 1980.He will have skippered many times in his career, often, I now suppose, as the senior player in the absence of appointed captains. The enigma with JD’s captaincy is that it is far removed as you can get from his image as a batsman. Whereas JD’s batting was usually about not taking risks, he was surprisingly bold as a captain, always looking to ring changes, to make things happen. Happy to declare leaving gettable targets or to gives runs away if it means opening a game up for opponents to chase.
Most of you will know that even when not skippering a side he’s still very attentive to what is happening and often gives invaluable advice. We were playing a team, Cobham, near Gravesend and for those of you not familiar with the ground it is a near perfect batting strip and in all the years that we played there, no side had ever been bowled out. Bearing this in mind and having a side very short of bowlers, on winning the toss I elected to bat second as our best chance of getting a win. It was a boiling hot day and the whole thing backfired on me as within an hour they had reached some 100 for 1 and I had already used five bowlers. I was looking for inspiration when JD caught my attention. Oh, good I thought, JD will have something useful to offer.
“Do you want some advice, skipper” he asked.
“You bet” I said
“Did you win the toss?”
“Yeah”
“And you put them in?” he exclaimed
“Yeah, well?” I asked
“Well,” he says after a thoughtful pause “I wouldn’t have done that” and walked away.
If JD and I are not alike as players I can at least say we are similar in our approach to captaincy. Another reason I am so fond of him is that my most prolific seasons as a batsman coincided with when I was promoted to open the batting with him. There were many amusing exchanges between us, on the field as well as off, and a lot of leg pulling.
On the personal front he has been married to the delightful and long suffering Anne since 1972 with whom he has a daughter, Suzanne and son, Peter. But their lives have not been without tragedy when their first born, son Stuart, died after three days having been born with respiratory difficulties. An unbearable loss with which they have coped stoically despite their suffering. For a long while John enjoyed a successful globe-trotting career as a commodity broker specialising in nuts but it came to a premature end. An uncomplaining Anne endured rheumatoid arthritis for most of her life but as her health deteriorated John has spent the last twenty years as her carer.
LEONARD FRANK JOHNSON Born 09.03.1929.Died 26.02.2014
Born in Blackheath with a brother and a sister, married to Julia with four children, Peter (1958), Nicholas (1960), Clare (1964) and Gregory (1968) and eight grandchildren. Only one of the grandchildren lives in the UK as Peter now resides in New Zealand with four children and Greg in USA with his three children.
Len was one of a talented quartet of cricketers comprising himself, Keith Newton, Derek Dennis and Pat Harris, all of whom remained lifelong friends, introduced to Grenfell by Harold Tozer in 1951. Len was considered to be the batsman in the group but after limited success in his first two seasons he developed into a useful right arm medium bowler and took 370 wickets in a remarkably long career.
In all he played 534 games for the Club over 38 seasons. What is extraordinary is that he played more than half (276) after the age of forty (an age at which most players contemplate retirement) and finished aged fifty-nine. He also took more than half of his wickets (194) in this latter period. The most wickets he took in a season however were 28 (av. 8.66) in 1956.
It was in this early period that an incident occurred when Len, attempting a slower delivery, bowled a head high beamer, the batsman, taking avoiding action, pulled away towards the square leg direction only for the ball to drop in an arc and land on the bails. Len immediately acquired the nickname “Bomber” by which he was affectionately known to team-mates throughout his career.
Always among the leading fielders each season, although Len was not the most athletic he was swift and energetic in the outfield with a long throw, a reliable catcher and on occasions took some exceptional catches. In all he held 147 catches (1 as wicket-keeper)
While his batting never quite realised its early promise Len established a sound defensive technique making him a more than useful stop gap opening batsman.
His highest score 42 not out was against Dulwich Parkside in 1970 further distinguishing himself in the same match by taking 7 -17, his best ever bowling performance. The local newspaper, Kentish Mercury, heralded his success with the main headline in its sports pages “Johnson flays the bowlers and slays the batsmen”. Needless to say it attracted a lot of mickey-taking from the other players which Len took with good heart to the extent that he circulated the myth that he had written the report himself ( – he hadn’t, of course).
His previous best score, 41 v Catford Postal a decade earlier, was as an opening batsman. The innings of which Len was most proud, conversely, was at the opposite end of the batting order against Old Wilsonians in 1979. Last man in with the score at 109 for 9 of which Kevin Laroche had scored 90 there seemed every likelihood that Kevin would be left stranded short of a hundred. After all no-one else had got a double figure score but Len was determined to survive to get Kevin to his century. In the end they put on 51 undefeated and were able to declare at tea-time, Kevin delighted to have got his ton.
It should be mentioned that this was not Len’s first significant last wicket stand. In 1952 he and Bob Rolfe created the then Club record stand of 41 in which Len’s contribution was 0 no out! The record stood for three years.
His most runs in a season 139 (av. 13.90) was 1970.
He took five wickets or more in an innings on ten other occasions with one, 5-23 v B.I.C.C. in 1977, which included a hat-trick. Dramatically the hat-trick was completed when the third batsman spectacularly shattered his own stumps in the rare dismissal of hit wicket.
Clubs like Grenfell can only exist because of the commitment and dedication of its officers and in this regard Len’s unselfish devotion was unprecedented and he will always be held in the highest esteem by those who knew him. He served as Secretary 1957, 1975/6/7/8/9/80. Treasurer 1964/5/6/7. Fixture Secretary 1968/9/70/1/2/3/4. Assistant Secretary 1953.
Elected to Life Membership in 1975 and appointed chairman in 1981 following the elevation of Ron Stevens to President. Created Vice President in 1992 and became President in 1997 on the death of Ron Stevens. If that was not enough, Len also served on the committee for A.K.C.C. (Metropolitan District) from 1984.
Before joining Grenfell C C, Len served National Service in the Army between 1947 -49. A keen sportsman, he played soccer in the Brockley & District and Metropolitan Leagues and for various Post Office teams, usually at right back and “hung up his boots” at age 35. He played table tennis in the Wandsworth League and also swum competitively. Recreationally he indulged in cycling, tennis, golf and badminton.
Len’s cricket career was ultimately based on him playing once a week as he also had other passions which he indulged with similar enthusiasm; travel, history (churches and archaeology) and was a practising digger as a member of the West Kent Group of Archaeology and the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit. Member of the Beckenham Photographic Society.
He was quite partial to a beer or two as well.
GRENFELL CAREER
Batting and Fielding Bowling Wicket-
Keeping
| YEAR | MTS | INNS | NO | RUNS | HS | AV’GE | 50 | CTS | OVRS | MDN | RUNS | WKTS | AV’GE | 5WI | CTS |
| 1951 | 21 | 21 | 3 | 83 | 22 | 4.61 | 5 | ||||||||
| 1952 | 20 | 19 | 4 | 46 | 15 | 3.07 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 1 | |||
| 1953 | 16 | 13 | 4 | 57 | 16* | 6.00 | 7 | 28 | 5 | 104 | 10 | 10.40 | |||
| 1954 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 11 | 3* | 1.57 | 6 | 26 | 5 | 69 | 6 | 11.50 | |||
| 1955 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2* | 1.00 | 1 | 27 | 2 | 113 | 8 | 14.13 | |||
| 1956 | 14 | 11 | 6 | 20 | 8* | 4.00 | 9 | 84.1 | 13 | 242 | 28 | 8.65 | 2 | ||
| 1957 | 18 | 15 | 3 | 64 | 19 | 5.33 | 5 | 71.1 | 15 | 240 | 15 | 16.00 | 1 | ||
| 1958 | 14 | 7 | 2 | 43 | 16 | 8.60 | 6 | 65.2 | 4 | 266 | 15 | 17.73 | 1 | ||
| 1959 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 35 | 9* | 5.83 | 3 | 56.3 | 9 | 188 | 13 | 14.46 | 1 | ||
| 1960 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 97 | 41 | 13.85 | 3 | 30.4 | 5 | 118 | 4 | 29.50 | |||
| 1961 | 13 | 13 | 50 | 13 | 3.80 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 25 | 4 | 6.25 | ||||
| 1962 | 14 | 11 | 3 | 58 | 13 | 7.25 | 4 | 42 | 6 | 170 | 6 | 28.33 | |||
| 1963 | 16 | 13 | 5 | 113 | 26* | 14.12 | 5 | 59.3 | 16 | 170 | 12 | 14.16 | 1 | ||
| 1964 | 15 | 12 | 3 | 37 | 10 | 4.11 | 2 | 76.2 | 10 | 294 | 17 | 17.29 | |||
| 1965 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 67 | 23* | 6.70 | 4 | 67 | 20 | 250 | 12 | 20.83 | |||
| 1966 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 46 | 36 | 11.50 | 3 | 44 | 6 | 153 | 9 | 17.00 | |||
| 1967 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 104 | 25 | 14.85 | 4 | 2.5 | 0 | 9 | 2 | ||||
| 1968 | 14 | 8 | 2 | 33 | 10 | 4.71 | 5 | 59.2 | 13 | 189 | 14 | 13.50 | 1 | ||
| 1969 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 78 | 20* | 11.14 | 2 | 25.1 | 5 | 66 | 8 | 8.25 | |||
| 1970 | 20 | 16 | 6 | 139 | 42* | 13.90 | 6 | 123.2 | 27 | 334 | 23 | 14.52 | 2 | ||
| 1971 | 19 | 16 | 4 | 112 | 38 | 9.33 | 9 | 72 | 9 | 274 | 11 | 24.90 | |||
| 1972 | 22 | 21 | 4 | 123 | 23 | 7.23 | 5 | 39.5 | 9 | 136 | 8 | 17.00 | |||
| 1973 | 15 | 9 | 1 | 75 | 21 | 9.37 | 2 | 49 | 5 | 238 | 6 | 39.66 | |||
| 1974 | 13 | 8 | 97 | 33 | 12.12 | 2 | 66.3 | 15 | 202 | 13 | 15.53 | ||||
| 1975 | 18 | 12 | 3 | 33 | 15 | 3.66 | 1 | 85 | 22 | 305 | 10 | 30.50 | |||
| 1976 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 35 | 14 | 8.75 | 3 | 63 | 12 | 210 | 5 | 42.00 | |||
| 1977 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 29 | 24 | 4.83 | 5 | 72.4 | 17 | 204 | 15 | 13.60 | 1 | ||
| 1978 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 34 | 11 | 6.80 | 5 | 95 | 22 | 281 | 12 | 23.41 | |||
| 1979 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 27 | 17* | 2 | 59.1 | 10 | 243 | 9 | 27.00 | ||||
| 1980 | 16 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 2* | 2 | 71.3 | 9 | 232 | 16 | 14.50 | 1 | |||
| 1981 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 5* | 2.50 | 42.5 | 3 | 180 | 8 | 22.50 | ||||
| 1982 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 5* | 1 | 44 | 4 | 178 | 7 | 25.43 | ||||
| 1983 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 4* | 3 | 44 | 12 | 143 | 6 | 23.83 | ||||
| 1984 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 54 | 17* | 5 | 97 | 24 | 237 | 11 | 21.54 | ||||
| 1985 | 16 | 10 | 4 | 16 | 12 | 2.66 | 6 | 78 | 9 | 293 | 9 | 32.55 | |||
| 1986 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 18 | 15* | 19.2 | 1 | 94 | 4 | 23.50 | |||||
| 1987 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 24 | 0 | 157 | 10 | 15.70 | |||||
| 1988 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 18 | 6* | 2 | 22 | 2 | 102 | 3 | 34.00 | ||||
| TOTAL | 534 | 386 | 117 | 1905 | 42* | 7.08 | 146 | 1948.1 | 347 | 6729 | 370 | 18.19 | 11 | 1 |
FIVE WICKET ANALYSES
| 7 | – | 17 | V | Dulwich Parkside | 25/07/1970 | ||
| 7 | – | 30 | V | Moss Bros | 23/06/1968 | ||
| 7 | – | 42 | V | Lamorbey | 08/07/1956 | ||
| 6 | – | 19 | V | Greenwich Police | 02/05/1970 | ||
| 6 | – | 23 | V | A.S.E. (Gillingham) | 06/05/1956 | ||
| 6 | – | 26 | V | Racial Brotherhood | 24/05/1959 | ||
| 5 | – | 23 | V | B.I.C.C. | 19/06/1977 | ||
| 5 | – | 24 | V | Recorders | 08/09/1957 | ||
| 5 | – | 27 | V | Private Banks | 31/08/1963 | ||
| 5 | – | 31 | V | Bromley NALGO | 10/08/1980 | ||
| 5 | – | 40 | V | Northmet | 08/06/1958 |
STANDS OVER FIFTY
5 81 J. Duffell 70* & L. Johnson 38 Old Colfeians 12-Sep-1971
1 72 G. Stevens 48 & L. Johnson 33 Coney Hall 8-Sep-1974
6 67* S. Chisnell 52* & L. Johnson 42* Dulwich Parkside 25-Jul-1970
5 63 P. Cocklin 52* & L. Johnson 18 Cassington 17 –Jul-1960
3 62 L. Johnson 12 & A. Coupland 53 Peek Frean 31-Jul-1965
7 62 K. Angelo 28 & L. Johnson 39 Leybourne 7-Jun-1970
7 59 K. Finch 71 & L. Johnson 12 Christchurch Inst 4-Aug-1984
10 51* K. Laroche 122* & L. Johnson 17* Old Wilsonsonians 23-Jun-1979
3 51 L. Johnson 41 & R. Stevens 18 Catford Postal 3-Jul-1960
10 41 R. Rolfe 44 & L. Johnson 0* Nil-Des 2-Jun-1952
MICHAEL JOHN BLAKE
Born 18 September 1941. Died 21 June 2016.
By Greg Stevens
I met Mike through my friendship with Ken Angelo when in the 1965/6 season Ken persuaded Mike to turn out for our Sunday soccer team, Cedar Rangers. As soccer was not his preferred winter sport I have no doubt Mike had been the victim of Ken’s unashamedly persuasive plea technique, (“Broken your foot? You can still hop, though, can’t you? Tell you what we’ll play you where you’ve only got to head it”).
Mike had been a pupil at Aske’s Grammar School with whom he maintained an association throughout his life, at various times serving on the committees of both the Old Boys’ Rugby and Cricket sections. The fact that Mike, with his body battered and bruised from Saturday’s Rugby encounter, would turn up on Sunday morning to help out a pal was typical of his spirit and his commitment to his friends. By his own admission he was not good at football; only 5 foot 4 inches he was nevertheless a resolute, rugged right- back and I saw enough to think that I wouldn’t like to be against him on a rugby field.
With the formation of Westhorne Athletic, Mike’s (reluctant) soccer career appeared to end although he often attended matches with his good friend, Dave Golding to watch from the touchline and enjoy a drink afterwards. Then, when Westhorne started a 3rd eleven in 1969 Mike was one of the first to respond to an appeal for players. “What was I thinking of?” he often said in later years.
However, the bond that underpinned my relationship with Mike was not soccer but cricket. In the successive summers of 1966, 1967 and 1968 I played mid-week cricket for Greenwich Tax Office for whom I opened the batting with Mike. I like to think it was a successful partnership and I recall an instance when we put on a century stand against Belair C C, both getting a fifty.
At this time Mike was playing his club cricket for Dulwich Rosebery. His father, Frank, had been a wicket-keeper/ batsman for the Rosebery before him and Mike (like all sons of players) had been pressganged into a debut at age thirteen and played regularly from the age of sixteen.
Without question his prime cricket years were spent at Dulwich Rosebery C C but there was still plenty more to come when he joined Grenfell in 1975 on the sad demise of Dulwich Rosebery. If the weight of his runs were history it was at Grenfell that he achieved his highest ever score and his best bowling performance.
Predominantly a batsman, compact in defence and classic in style he could be attractive to watch when at his best. He was only an occasional bowler but more than useful as a slow left arm spinner.
When Mike joined Grenfell he was Assistant Secretary at Leyton Orient F C; the demands of this position heavily impacted on his availability and things did not significantly improve when he changed occupation in 1976 to serve on Great Britain’s Olympic Committee. Sporadic appearances meant he struggled for form although 1979 gave a glimpse of Mike’s true ability.
Oddly, the Olympic Year 1980 (presumably by when his work was done) saw a regular availability and his best season to date with 247 runs (av. 20.58) and 9 wickets (50.2 Overs, av. 24.00).
His good form continued through 1981, 1982 and 1983 despite a second term appointment on the GB Olympic Games Team Management restricting his appearances. 1983 saw his highest place in the batting averages when he finished fourth with 137 runs (av. 19.44). He also was making progress as a spin bowler, his 15 wickets (av. 17.73) included his first five wicket analysis (and career best thus far) with 6 -63 v Bromley NALGO on 7 July.
He managed only three games in 1984 before his Olympic Games involvement curtailed his season but even although he could not play the Club felt his influence as Hector Mullens explained in his (1985) article Our Fiftieth Anniversary (embracing the years 1975-1984) in paying tribute to Mike Blake.“Since taking over as Fixture Secretary in 1982 to allow Greg to take the captaincy he has worked tirelessly. The loss of our “home” facilities at Delta Metal’s sports ground and the advent of league cricket decimated our established fixture list and it has not been easy to reconstruct, especially as wanderers. No doubt his experience as a professional administrator stands him in good stead but he is equally committed to the amateur game simultaneously serving his old school, Old Askeians and recently joining our Ron Stevens and Len Johnson on the A.K.C.C. Committee. Despite this workload he has been instrumental in finding us new ground facilities at National Dock Labour Board in Sidcup after two years wandering. He is ambitious for us. One of his first initiatives was to replace winter nets by entering us in the Indoor Cricket League and he currently presses us to join the Metropolitan League. He believes that induction into League cricket is irresistible for the future despite our own reservations that we are an aging and declining side that needs refreshing before we can contemplate such a move. In Mike’s view recruitment will be impossible unless we have league recognition.”
While Hector was extolling Mike’s administrative contribution Mike was playing some of the best cricket of his career. His Olympic involvement concluded, Mike was able to commit to a full season; consequently 1985 saw him accumulate his most runs in a season, 346 (av.13.84) and most wickets in a season, 43 (av.18.18). This remarkable season also saw him achieve his best ever score 101 not out v Nat West Bank C C in the opening match of the season. He was the oldest Grenfell player at 43 years 8 months to achieve every batsman’s aspiration. He was also the first to reach the landmark for Grenfell without having scored a fifty. His obvious delight was shared by all his team mates that evening and made for a perfect start to the the season socially. With Joe Sitch retiring during the season, Mike became the go to spinner in many games bowling 188 overs in total and taking 7 – 41 v Coney Hall on 10 August , his best ever performance as a bowler. He also finished the season with 5-32 v Basildon on 29 September. He was also among the leading fielders with 9 catches.
Under Mike’s counsel we entered the Metropolitan League for 1986 with mixed reactions. Mike himself among those who considered themselves too old for, and not expecting selection for, League matches. Surprise then that Mike was chosen and, by and large, bowled a full allocation of 10 overs in the League games – although wickets were at a premium. Less in demand for his batting, his technique did not lend itself to lower order batting and he was not at his best in the late order. Nevertheless he had another decent season. 246 runs (av. 10.25), 21 wickets (av. 36.90 ) and 8 catches.
By 1988 Mike absolved himself from League matches and he took the opportunity to step up his involvement with Old Aske’s for whom he had been secretary for some years. He was however persuaded for another season when, in 1989, Grenfell recalled all its veterans in an attempt to create a League second eleven. Most enjoyed successes that they thought were past, Mike no exception as he just missed out on a fifty when he scored 44 against Sidcup. After just one game in 1990 the second eleven experiment failed and Mike finally hung up his boots.
Among Mike’s attributes was a very dry sense of humour. Not given to sledging he was, however, renowned for his put downs and some have survived. Before they become apocryphal, let me repeat a couple of examples.
At Erith, Mike having got part bat on a wide off- side delivery sliced it past gully field for a boundary four, the displeased bowler ran through to Mike at the crease,
“Is that your best shot?” he demanded.
Mike, as calm as ever, “No,” shaking his head, “That was all it needed. It wasn’t worth my best shot.”
On another occasion against Crayford, Mike was having a bit of a torrid time against an onslaught of short pitched bowling. Mike was leaving it alone much to the bowler’s frustration, who, in exasperation, finally accused Mike with,
“You haven’t got many shots, have you, mate?” To which Mike responded with
“That’s just because you haven’t got many deliveries.”
My own favourite though involved Mike helping me out as an umpire. Our fiftieth anniversary tour was blighted by bad weather. In an endeavour to provide us with some cricket our opponents in one of the fixtures agreed to play a shortened game of 20 overs a side commencing after an early tea. We batted second and seemed to be heading for a comfortable victory when we were slowed by the home team bowlers adopting a negative leg-side line. Mike was batting and the tactic clearly infuriated him as both batsman found difficulty in scoring, Mike especially so as his strength was always his off-side. It came to the last over and after some runs squeezed off the first two deliveries we were left with one to win off four balls. Two hit Mike on his pads going down leg side. The next Mike moved across his stumps and waved at a ball that passed a foot or so outside leg stump. Wide enough for me to call a wide. It wasn’t particularly controversial but not as satisfactory as hitting the winning run. As I pulled stumps the bowler was trying to tell me that it wasn’t as wide as some that I hadn’t called. Mike who had to pass by me (my back was to pavilion) stopped to intervene on my behalf.
“Which stump do you think it was it hitting?” Mike asked.
“Well, it wasn’t hitting any”
“It was missing the wicket, then?”
“Yes, “agreed the bowler
“So,” Mike began deliberately and the expression on the bowler’s face became priceless as he suddenly anticipated where Mike’s sentence was going, as with slow enunciation he finished, “it….was…. wide”!
As Hector alluded in his article, Mike gave generously of his time to those organisations with which he was concerned. That he never seemed to have spread himself too thinly is a compliment to how seriously he took and assiduously undertook all his assignments. Well educated, well informed and erudite Mike led an interesting life. At one time Assistant Secretary at Leyton Orient, he then served eight years on the Great Britain Olympic Team Management. The Olympic years encompassed the Moscow (1980) and Los Angeles (1984) Games where both were shrouded in controversy; the Americans leading a boycott of the Moscow games and then the Russians boycotting Los Angeles. The political shenanigans were outside Mike’s role but nevertheless made for a difficult and demanding time. After the Olympics he returned to sports journalism and broadcasting and embarked on long harboured project to write the biography of Charlton Athletic’s legendary goalkeeper, Sam Bartram working closely with Sam’s daughter. Published in 2006 it was successful enough to go to reprint in a revised edition and is now available on Kindle. He followed this up with another publication, Great British Olympians which has been equally well received by reviewers.
Another venture commenced around 1986 when he went into partnership with Bruce Birchall our erstwhile compatriot from Old Brockleians forming Sports Tours UK.com arranging tours to the UK for both adult and juvenile sports clubs. Which side of the ether this alliance was forged is uncertain but has continued to this day.
Two stories of Mike have recently emerged.
Jim Waddell recalls, “A lovely chap. We once shared a train journey down to Devon for one of our tours. I think Mike bought every Sunday paper for the journey.! Fond memories!”
Andy Littlechild has this story about Mike. “We once found ourselves on the same quiz team at a Grenfell event. We were doing OK but not setting the world alight. The next round was on trophies where the quizmaster named the trophy , we had to name the sport. One trophy was called the Gordon Bennett Cup. Like a shot , Mike answered without hesitation “that’s easy ….ballooning” . He was right. For those of you that knew him, the fact he knew this wouldn’t surprise you at all, that was the nature of the man”
If his livelihood depended on professional sport he also cared passionately about the recreational game.
GRENFELL CAREER RECORD
| Year | Mts | Ins | NO | Runs | HS | Av’ge | CT | Ovrs | Mdn | Runs | Wkt | Av’ge | |||
| 1975 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 39 | 19 | 5.57 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 21 | 0 | ||||
| 1976 | 14 | 13 | 2 | 117 | 22* | 10.63 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 47 | 2 | ||||
| 1977 | 13 | 10 | 1 | 98 | 38 | 10.88 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 81 | 2 | ||||
| 1978 | 11 | 10 | 0 | 88 | 32 | 8.80 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 17 | 4 | ||||
| 1979 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 138 | 36 | 19.71 | 1 | 23.3 | 2 | 76 | 8 | 9.50 | |||
| 1980 | 14 | 14 | 2 | 247 | 40* | 20.58 | 3 | 50.2 | 5 | 216 | 9 | 24.00 | |||
| 1981 | 12 | 12 | 2 | 164 | 47* | 16.40 | 1 | 33 | 5 | 141 | 8 | 17.63 | |||
| 1982 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 118 | 23 | 11.80 | 7 | 26.2 | 2 | 147 | 9 | 17.70 | |||
| 1983 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 137 | 37* | 19.57 | 2 | 62 | 5 | 266 | 15 | 17.73 | 1 | ||
| 1984 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 51 | 36 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||||||
| 1985 | 30 | 29 | 4 | 346 | 101* | 13.84 | 1 | 9 | 188 | 15 | 782 | 43 | 18.18 | 2 | |
| 1986 | 30 | 27 | 3 | 246 | 41 | 10.25 | 8 | 168 | 13 | 775 | 21 | 36.90 | |||
| 1987 | 22 | 20 | 4 | 98 | 15 | 6.12 | 7 | 101.1 | 5 | 423 | 15 | 28.20 | |||
| 1988 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 15* | ||||||||||
| 1989 | 9 | 8 | 0 | 112 | 44 | 14.00 | 2 | 35 | 1 | 149 | 6 | 24.83 | |||
| 1990 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 20 | 0 | ||||||
| 206 | 185 | 26 | 2026 | 101* | 12.74 | 1 | 55 | 828.2 | 57 | 3172 | 142 | 22.47 | 3 |
STANDS OVER FIFTY
3 117* J.Duffell 90* & M.Blake 37* Raglan 12-Jun-1983
3 114* M.Blake 101* & J.Connell 60* Nat West Bank 4-May-1985
2 86 M.Blake 35 & J.Connell 49 Southfleet 15-Jun-1985
1 85 J.Duffell 31 & M.Blake 101* Nat West Bank 4-May-1985
2 77 J.Heinson 100*& M.Blake 21 Old Colfeians 17-Jun-1979
3 77 M.Blake 36 & A.Haylock 64* Kemnal Manor 23-Jul-1979
4 69 J.Duffell 69* & M.Blake 38 Suburbagas 29-May-1977
3 60 G.Stevens 36 & M.Blake 47* Cobham 26-Jul-1981
4 59 M.Blake 47 & M.Mullens 26 Phoenix 2-Sep-1981
1 59 J.Duffell 24 & M.Blake 36 A.E.I. 10-Jun-1984
6 58 M.Blake 30 & I.Walker 33* Old Colfeians 1-Jun-1986
3 56 M.Blake 36 & P.Blake 26 Bromley NALGO 10-Aug-1980
3 52 J.Connell 57 & M.Blake 14* Coney Hall 10-Aug-1985
2 51* J.Heinson 35* & M.Blake 22* Wellcome 0/0/82
3 51 M.Blake 19 & P.Blake 28 I.N.O. 10-Aug-1975
4 51 M.Blake 20 & A.Thomas 34 West Kent Wndrs 1-Aug-1976
3 51 J.Heinson 48 & M.Blake 21* Locksbottom 23-Sep-1979
3 50 M.Blake 40 & P.Blake 12 Leybourne 1-Jun-1980
4 50 G.Stevens 27 & M.Blake 14 Met.Police 16-Aug-1981
CLYDE CARTWRIGHT by Greg Stevens
We are sad to have to say farewell to one of our most popular of all players. A decent, kind and gentle person he was passionate about cricket, playing 756 games for the club. It seems unlikely that any team picture taken between 1956 and 1989 will not have Clyde in it. I am slightly dumbfounded when I now contemplate that our respective playing careers overlapped twenty- five seasons, a quarter of a century. I had, of course, known him before I began playing and he continued an involvement as an umpire after his playing days. But it was not just as a player that he made his mark. He was a committed member of the club, involved in all its activities and events; generous with his time and support although he never took office. He was the epitome of a good club man and much appreciated and respected for it by all his fellow members. One of the earliest car owners in the club it was inevitable that he would give lifts to matches, his little four-seater invariably squeezing in five passengers as well as transporting the club gear. It seems likely that the club bag with all the bats, pads, gloves and other equipment would also have resided in the boot of Clyde’s car for the best part of twenty seasons (and throughout the intervening winters).
It was jointly with Keith Newton that Clyde, in 1959, set about compiling the club’s history – the very records from which I will draw for this tribute. It was in his capacity as unofficial club historian (there is no official one) that he wrote the obituaries for Stan Chisnell, Pete Cocklin, my brother Rog and Graham Strelley.
Born in London 3rd September 1932 the middle brother of three sons. His younger brother, Alan, also played for Grenfell. All three boys were encouraged into cricket by their father who had only played a limited amount himself but loved the game. Older brother Percy showed little interest but Clyde and Alan played interminably in the street, school playground and public parks in between air-raids during the war years. During this time Clyde discovered that he could seriously spin the ball and did so to wind up his little brother who cajoled him to bowl straight “so I can hit it”.
Aged 12 he joined the local Boys Brigade where he first met an older Deptford lad, 15 years old Stan Chisnell. Although they played some organised matches these were dominated by the older boys and Clyde got few opportunities to show what he could do.
At age 15 he left school and began a printing apprenticeship with publishers, McMillan & Co with whom he remained all his (50 year) working life eventually qualifying as a photo typesetter operator and finishing his career as a proof reader. His apprenticeship was interrupted in 1951 with two years National Service with the Royal Artillery and Ordinance Corps stationed in Germany. In these years attempts were made to play cricket matches between the various military units but being in Germany no facilities were readily available and they spent longer preparing patches of ground for play than they could make the matches last.
On leaving the army he joined the Boys’ Brigade Old Boys Association where he renewed his acquaintance with Stan Chisnell and met fellow old boys Harry Pearce and Derek Dennis. Some prearranged cricket was played and Derek Dennis, who was captain of Grenfell, having successfully introduced Stan Chisnell to Grenfell in 1955 invited Clyde to join in 1956.
Tall for his generation, maybe 5’ 10” and slim built Clyde was a genuine left hander who bowled and batted with an easy, fluent style and ran with a loping, long-legged action with an air of nonchalance that belied the swiftness of his reactions. He was a reliable catcher, specialising in the gully where he would position himself to make the most of his left-handedness. Invariably among the leading fielders, he excelled in 1963 with 17 catches for the season. A slow left arm bowler equally at home whether bowling over or around the wicket he didn’t offer variety, a single, repetitive action, almost monotonous, simply delivering in a high arc pitching around middle and off stump and spinning it big, turning away from a right-handed batsman.
It was Clyde’s good fortune to start under the captaincy of Derek Dennis who was experimenting with turning himself into an off-spinner and had become a keen advocate of the value of spin bowling. Clyde with 170 overs and off-spinner, Stan Chisnell with 105 were the most used bowlers and the leading wicket takers with 51 and 30 wickets respectively.
If his impressive debut season was aided by a sympathetic skipper it got better in his second season under the leadership of Bill Ash. Bill, himself, was a wily leg-spinner who brought both guile and boldness to his captaincy. Early in the 1957 season, on 2nd June, Grenfell having only posted a modest score against strong opponents Cyphers Bill chose to open the bowling with himself and Clyde daring them to chase what should have been an easy target. Clyde responded brilliantly taking six wickets for just three runs as they collapsed against an unexpected opening spin attack.
Using Clyde as opener or early first change was a tactic Bill would resort to frequently and in a summer which saw Clyde bowl a mammoth 309 overs and take 73 wickets (av. 12.37) only Peter Cocklin matched his wicket haul.
His 1958 season got off to a tremendous start when in the third match on 11 May, opening the bowling, he took 9 -27 against Sirius C C. It was the best individual analysis by anybody at the time and remains the third best ever to this day. He followed that up with 5-16 in the next game against Metrogas. By now, Bill was giving Clyde the first over of an innings although it is quite likely that his opening partner, Peter Cocklin, as a fast bowler, still got choice of ends. His remarkable form continued throughout the summer; 12 wickets (6-15 and 6-29) in one weekend, 6-13 and 5-27 in the last two matches. All in all he had 9 five wicket analyses and finished the season with a then Club record 97 wickets (av. 10.44) in a monumental 355 overs. Only Ken Angelo with his 101 wickets in 1973 has superceded his season total.
A by-product of Clyde’s spin dominance was that Bill Ash’s wrist spin enjoyed something of a renaissance in his wake. Stan Chisnell became captain in 1959 and adopted a far more orthodox approach. Despite himself being a spinner Stan generally preferred a more hostile, fast bowling attack. In fact, 1959 was a very hot summer and most bowlers found it hard going on batting friendly wickets. Nevertheless, Clyde’s 33 wickets (av. 14.60) from 151 overs was a very commendable performance as was his return of 33 wickets (av.15.42) in 1960. In 1963, though, it all went wrong for Clyde; he had developed “the yips” a recognised but not understood condition. The encyclopaedia describes it as the loss of fine motor skills in athletes. The condition occurs suddenly and without apparent explanation usually in mature athletes with years of experience. It is poorly understood and has no known treatment or therapy. Many are forced to abandon their sport at the highest level. The yips manifest themselves as twitches, staggers, jitters and jerks. The condition occurs most often in sports which athletes are required to perform a single precise and well-timed action such as bowlers in cricket and pitchers in baseball, golfers and darts players. Famously, Surrey’s Keith Medlycott was forced into retirement at age only 26 by the condition and England’s Phil Edmunds had a couple of seasons in the wilderness until he came back with a totally reformed action.
Everybody wanted Clyde to recover but the reality was that he could not get it right even in the nets or in pre-match knock-ups. A couple of decent returns in 1972 looked promising but given similar opportunities to bowl in 1973 he proved too erratic.
Resigned to not being able to bowl he resolved to improve his batting which he had pretty much neglected in his early years. Always an elegant looking batsman he had a good technique, good enough to be used as an emergency opening bat. Ted Gorham always told the story of his first game for the club when Clyde opened the batting without looking out of place although he did not score many runs. The following game Clyde was in his usual number ten spot. Not realising that Clyde had only been a stopgap Ted thought this was an incredibly hard club to play for when an opener fails and is then relegated to the bottom of the order.
Unlike most left-handers Clyde was not strong playing off his legs. He was an upright, front foot player whose best shots were on the drive – through cover, mid-off and mid-on. His transformation from bowler to lower middle order batsman was successful enough for the decade between 1967 and 1976 to yield over 900 runs (nearly half of his career total) at a reasonable average. The most runs in a season was 146 (Av. 7.30) in 1970. His highest score was 47 v City of London Poly on 25 August 1973. Batting at number five that day he shared a fifth wicket stand of 77 with Bill Davies.
He shared in only two other fifty wicket stands but for a year he and his brother Alan held the tenth wicket record stand with 48 v Meadows on 21 May 1961. It is probably apocryphal but according to Stan Chisnell what made it remarkable was that there were about six missed run out opportunities. In one such moment, the brothers were stranded together mid-wicket, both well short of completing a run, when the return to the bowler’s end was overthrown. However instead of completing the run they were on they turned around and went back, scoring nothing when they might have had two.
Overtly Clyde was good natured, mild mannered and warm-hearted but you don’t get to be a successful cricketer, even at Club level, without a serious competitive element and one memory I have exemplifies his steely determination. I was only about eighteen years old and we played Petts Wood. I don’t remember how I did except that I would have been one of the failures. Batting second we were eight wickets down and with no chance of getting enough runs to win when Clyde went in, instructed by skipper Ted Gorham to hold out for the draw. The Petts Wood bowler who did the most damage was a hostile fast bowler George Armitage, a burly Yorkshireman. He was clearly getting frustrated that Clyde was only playing defensively and he let him know it but, of course, there was no way Clyde would engage in a slanging match. Eventually a delivery caught the edge of Clyde’s bat and, without being a catch, the ball flew through the slips for a boundary. It being an unintentional shot Clyde muttered a “sorry” to the bowler as he ran down the wicket. It may seem as difficult now as it did then to imagine how a softly spoken word so outraged the bowler. “Sorry? Sorry?”, he repeated, “I’ll give you fuckin’ sorry”. Consequently, every delivery to Clyde, surrounded by close fielders was intimidatingly short pitched and followed up with more verbal abuse. In his rage though, he was playing into Clyde’s hands who remained implacably calm and just let the ball harmlessly through to the wicket-keeper. Eventually it came down to the last ball, Armitage to Cartwright, and with two wickets to fall we could not now lose. Another short-pitched delivery but this time Clyde put in a big, fearless front footed step and meeting the ball on the up pulled it through a vacant mid- wicket area for four. He had had the last word, albeit unspoken.
He wasn’t just mentally strong, despite his slender frame he was physically tough as well. This was typified by an incident in a match against Temple Bar. In the field, our bowler dropped a return throw near the stumps, Clyde raced in to pick up the loose ball. Just as he got it in his grip the batsman, running through, trod on his hand. His third and fourth fingers were broken and the studs on the batsman’s boot sliced the back of his hand. It was a bloody mess that required seventeen stitches. Required to bat on his return from the local hospital we tried to talk him out of it. It would be nice to say that he successfully defended and saved the game but he was too badly hurt and was soon out without scoring. In fact, his hand was so badly damaged he couldn’t drive. Fortunately, we had a spare driver, Alan Wild, who was able to take Clyde home. Unable to play for a two weeks Clyde generously lent the car to Alan so that the club gear and a couple players still got to matches while Clyde came along as an umpire.
In 1976 he was, for the first time, afflicted with a bad back which restricted his appearances although he was still a useful contributor when he did play. In 1978 a reoccurrence of his back troubles not only affected his availability but never fully fit from then on his performances were also impeded. However, it speaks volumes for his spirit and magnitude that he continued to play, on demand and often painfully, for another ten years finally announcing his retirement at the end of the 1988 season, signing off grandly with 2-25 in a 6 over spell.
Always a willing umpire he then volunteered himself in 1989 as umpire for the Saturday second XI League matches but it should be no surprise that the records show that on six occasions he was obliged to exchange the white coat for flannels and he ended up playing another six matches! Sixty years old at the end of the 1992 season Clyde decided that even umpiring was too much for his debilitating back injury and packed it all in.
He had never sought office but was my vice-captain for consecutive seasons in 1973 and 1974 although by his own admission it was a responsibility he didn’t enjoy; readily recognizing that his was a default appointment when Dave Sitch declined nomination to stand in deference to continuing as Club Treasurer. An advocate of Kevin Laroche for the role he was happy to relinquish the position in favour of Kevin in 1975. Always a contender for the Jean Pearce trophy the purport of which might well have been designed for him it is surprising therefore that he did not win the award until 1985, an achievement rendered especial when on this occasion he was honoured to be presented with it by Kent and England cricketer, Derek Underwood. However, as a fore-runner to the Jean Pearce trophy Clyde had been the recipient in 1970 of a specially engraved tankard in recognition of his commitment and off – the- field support to the wellbeing of the Club.
In the nineteen-eighties, his employers had moved their operation to Basingstoke a journey that Clyde commuted daily from his mother’s home in Deptford. In 1984 Clyde began working, for the second time, on compiling the Clubs history. His employer, McMillans, granted him permission to utilize their facilities in his own time which entailed him driving all the way to Basingstoke on a Saturday morning and returning in the afternoon to play cricket!! It was for this level of commitment that Clyde was so admired by generations of Grenfell Club members.
An ever present for every Club tour during his career; he drove me to the Isle of Wight in 1966 and over twenty years later in 1987 I roomed with him and John Heinson in Devon. On these occasions, without the responsibility of driving, he often let his hair down more than we usually saw.
There was one evening of pure slapstick which occurred on the 1970 Devon tour. Clyde was one of those rested for a match and along with the other rested players enjoyed a few extra beers in the afternoon. It was uncharacteristic for Clyde to over-imbibe which made his behaviour all the more comedic when he stumbled into the late-night hotel bar brandishing his camera and proclaiming himself the official team photographer. His guise for this self-appointed role inexplicably included sun-glasses, a flat cloth cap and a transparent pac-a-mac worn over khaki shorts. He reeled unsteadily around the bar and the camera flashed – flash, flash, flash as we smiled, embraced, raised glasses and were gathered into groups. Having bumped into the furniture for the umpteenth time and satisfied he taken enough shots he finally announced his retirement for the night. The following morning at breakfast someone asked how many pictures he’d got. “Unfortunately,” he paused, “I forgot to put any film in the camera.”
On the 1985 fiftieth anniversary tour we had a free day and the club entered four teams in the afternoon quiz. I found myself in a team that included Clyde where it turned out not to be false modesty when he declared that he would not be much help, “I only know Sport”. Having offered no suggestions to questions on athletics and horse racing he revised his knowledge, “not sport so much as just cricket and football”. He did surprise us therefore in the Geography round when he knew Karachi was the capital of Pakistan. “They play cricket there” he explained but he was wrong when it turned out that the chief produce of Columbia was cocoa beans and not cocaine.
He never regarded himself as much of a footballer and although he played some matches for the Boy’s Brigade Old Boys alongside Harry Pearce and Stan Chisnell he was not a regular and did not play after 1955. Instead he met on the South terrace on Saturday afternoons with a group of fellow enthusiastic Charlton Athletic supporters within Grenfell cricket club – Frank Cambridge, my father Ron Stevens, Les Pearce, John Strelley and Keith Newton. He later worked with Keith Newton from 1959 onwards in researching and gathering together Club records. Another special friendship developed with Peter Cocklin, often ending up in Peter’s home for a late supper.
Never married, he was an avuncular figure among us children of players, bigheartedly giving his time to give structure to and oversee our pitch side games. He was something of a mentor to my younger brother, Rog, who like himself was a left hander that Clyde was convinced he could coach into a quality spinner. That my brother did not quite make it (for Grenfell) is no reflection of the encouragement he received from Clyde.
Late in life, Clyde took it upon himself to look after his widowed mother and even though he had a flat at Basingstoke he preferred to stay with her making the daily trip to the old family home in Deptford. Soon after his retirement in 1997 he had a double hip replacement but his body became increasingly gnarled with other arthritis. Eventually he moved to Maidstone, Kent to be near his brother Percy.
However, he was always much closer to his younger brother Alan and was a welcome addition on their family holidays. Alan, sadly, died in 1994 but his widow Marion and children John and Susan will especially mourn Clyde’s passing. Our thoughts are with them as we all miss but fondly remember a gentle and good-humoured man.
CAREER RECORD
Matches: 756 Runs: 1,949 (av. 5.72) Highest Score: 47 Most Runs in a Season: 146 (av.7.30)
Overs: 1,456.4 Wickets: 336 (av.14.07) Best Bowling 9 – 27 Most Wkts in a Season: 97 (av.10.44)
5 Wicket Analyses: 13 Catches: 169 Most catches in a Season: 17
WICKET STANDS OVER FIFTY
Wkt Runs Between Opponents Date
5th 77 C. Cartwright (47) and W. Davies (43) City of London Poly 25 Aug 1973
6th 68 G. Stevens (43) and C. Cartwright (28) Swanscombe 5 Jul 1970
4th 51* A. Haylock (108*) and C. Cartwright (6*) Metrogas 19 Aug 1978
10th 48 A. Cartwright (22) and C. Cartwright (21*) Meadows 21 May 1961
FIVE WICKET ANALYSES
9 – 27 v Sirius 11-May-1958
6 – 3 v Cyphers 2-Jun-1957
6 – 13 v A.S.E. (Gillingham) 14-Sep-1958
6 – 15 v Walworth 10-Aug-1958
6 – 39 v Acons St Helens 9-Aug-1958
6 – 40 v Wat. Bonded Warehouse 26-May-1958
6 – 53 v Trinity 2-Jun-1956
5 – 14 v Cassington 26-Aug-1956
5 – 16 v Metrogas 17-May-1958
5 – 21 v Eltham & Ladywell 22-Sep-1957
5 – 24 v Farnborough 16-Aug-1958
5 – 27 v Centymca 20-Sep-1958
5 – 43 v Pinchin & Johnson 29-Jun-1958
SEASON BY SEASON
| Year | Mts | Inn | No | Runs | Hs | Avge | 50 | Cts | Over | Mdn | Runs | Wkt | Av’ge | 5wi | |
| 1956 | 30 | 18 | 4 | 37 | 9 | 2.60 | 7 | 170.1 | 35 | 505 | 51 | 9.90 | 2 | ||
| 1957 | 36 | 31 | 3 | 116 | 15 | 4.14 | 9 | 309.1 | 71 | 903 | 73 | 12.37 | 2 | ||
| 1958 | 38 | 17 | 8 | 28 | 12 | 3.11 | 11 | 355.2 | 77 | 1013 | 97 | 10.44 | 9 | ||
| 1959 | 32 | 16 | 7 | 66 | 10* | 7.33 | 9 | 151.2 | 34 | 482 | 33 | 14.60 | |||
| 1960 | 36 | 24 | 7 | 52 | 8 | 3.05 | 6 | 145.4 | 28 | 509 | 33 | 15.42 | |||
| 1961 | 31 | 29 | 13 | 102 | 21 | 6.30 | 4 | 84 | 16 | 255 | 14 | 18.21 | |||
| 1962 | 31 | 21 | 5 | 112 | 20 | 7.00 | 5 | 65 | 10 | 234 | 11 | 21.27 | |||
| 1963 | 27 | 19 | 4 | 74 | 13 | 4.93 | 17 | 19.3 | 3 | 55 | 1 | ||||
| 1964 | 27 | 16 | 2 | 41 | 10 | 2.92 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 29 | 0 | ||||
| 1965 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 79 | 19* | 7.90 | 3 | 16 | 1 | 52 | 5 | 10.40 | |||
| 1966 | 21 | 19 | 3 | 21 | 11 | 3.50 | 5 | ||||||||
| 1967 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 79 | 19 | 7.90 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||||
| 1968 | 23 | 13 | 3 | 83 | 16 | 8.30 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||||
| 1969 | 29 | 21 | 2 | 93 | 14 | 4..89 | – | 9 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |||
| 1970 | 33 | 23 | 3 | 146 | 28 | 7.30 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | ||||
| 1971 | 26 | 15 | 4 | 19 | 5 | 1.88 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 32 | 0 | ||||
| 1972 | 28 | 20 | 3 | 124 | 20 | 7.29 | 5 | 35 | 6 | 182 | 8 | 22.75 | |||
| 1973 | 26 | 16 | 3 | 81 | 47 | 6.23 | 11 | 26 | 1 | 149 | 3 | ||||
| 1974 | 24 | 15 | 4 | 104 | 38 | 9.45 | 5 | 5.3 | 0 | 37 | 0 | ||||
| 1975 | 28 | 16 | 8 | 108 | 37* | 13.50 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 67 | 4 | 16.75 | |||
| 1976 | 16 | 12 | 4 | 74 | 17* | 9.25 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||||
| 1977 | 20 | 12 | 5 | 41 | 17 | 5.85 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 66 | 0 | ||||
| 1978 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 57 | 13 | 11.40 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 0 | ||||
| 1979 | 20 | 9 | 1 | 26 | 8 | 3.25 | 3 | ||||||||
| 1980 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 5 | 3.00 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 16 | 0 | ||||
| 1981 | 15 | 9 | 2 | 25 | 6 | 3.57 | 3 | ||||||||
| 1982 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 39 | 14 | 4.85 | 1 | ||||||||
| 1983 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 5* | 1.75 | – | 3 | 0 | 25 | 0 | ||||
| 1984 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 1 | |||||
| 1985 | 19 | 10 | 6 | 16 | 5* | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |||||
| 1986 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 25 | 20 | 5.00 | 1 | ||||||||
| 1987 | 16 | 7 | 5 | 35 | 15 | 3 | |||||||||
| 1988 | 14 | 7 | 2 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 25 | 2 | |||||
| 1989 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 5 | 1 | |||||||||
|
|
756 | 473 | 132 | 1949 | 47 | 5.72 | 169 | 1456 | 229 | 4727 | 336 | 14.07 | 13 |
KEITH JOHN BISHOP
Born 21 May1948, Died 18 November 2014
A left handed batsman, right arm fast medium bowler and good outfielder with a big throw. As a young man Keith had been a fast bowler who scored useful runs in the middle and late order however Keith was aged thirty-six by the time he was introduced to the club by Harry Pearce and described himself then as a mediocre all-rounder. He was too modest; his bowling might have lost its pace and edge but he proved an excellent batsman. In his first season he scored two fifties from the early middle order and such was his impact he was voted, jointly with John Heinson, Player of the Year 1984. The following season Andy Thomas, a shrewd captain, looking for a right hand – left hand opening partnership elevated Keith to opening batsman. It was an inspired move. Keith thrived on the extra responsibility as opening bowlers struggled to maintain a constant good line against the combination. A belligerent and hard hitting batsman strong on his legside Keith’s technique was simple; stood upright with bat slightly backlifted he would move back and across blocking anything straight but, playing late, picked off anything drifting legward or, as bowlers tried to adjust their line, showed a full faced bat to slap through the covers any deliveries slanted too far on his offside. As his innings progressed the block would become a push-drive back past the bowler.
In his first season in his new role he accumulated 576 runs at an average of 27.42. In his ten seasons with the Club he passed 500 runs in a season a remarkable five times with a best in 1989 of 916 (av. 32.71) in which same year he won for a second occasion, outright this time, the Founders’ Trophy Player of the Year.
Elected captain for 1988 and 1989 if he was not a great strategist he certainly led from the front and by example being the leading runscorer for both seasons and taking an impressive 22 (4 as wicket-keeper) and 19 catches respectively.
Although always a scorer of big fifties a century had eluded him until 1991 when at the age of forty-three he scored 108 not out against Petts Wood in the last game of the season after having been disappointingly dismissed on 90 the week before. The following 1992 season saw him participate in three century partnerships with John Heinson, two of them undefeated taking the Club to ten wicket victories, 141 * v Carlton and 127* v the ever strong Met Police. The third was another 141 also against the Met Police in the return fixture a month after their undefeated stand (making it 268 before they could be parted). In all his career it is perhaps surprising that he appeared in only six century partnerships (five of them with his opening partner, John Heinson) but he could so dominate an innings that those batting with him often found little opportunity to contribute.
After such a prolific past Keith struggled in 1993 and at the aged of forty-five conceded that the game was up and hung up his boots without completing the season. In all he scored 4,722 runs (average 24.09) with 1 century and 25 fifties, took 9 wickets and 86 catches including 4 as a stand-in wicket-keeper.
A career fireman, shift work had affected his commitment to club cricket in his early years and he had never settled with any Club for more than a season or two. However, throughout, he played mid – week for the London Fire Brigade at their Mottingham ground.
He had joined the fire service at East Ham in 1968 and served at several other stations over time. Early on he received a commendation when he rescued four children from a fire. Following the notorious fire at King’s Cross Tube Station in 1987 Keith was to join and ultimately lead a special unit based in Lambeth to report on and improve fire prevention and safety at all London’s underground stations. He achieved the rank of Assistant Divisional Officer and retired in 1998 after a maximum thirty years’ service.
Keith met Christine in 1992 had a daughter Krystal in 1995 before marrying in 1997. Following retirement Keith and Christine moved to Tibenham, Norfolk in December 1998 after the birth of a son, Alexander in Sept 1998.
While a fireman, Keith had pursued his passion for the restoration of antique furniture; an interest that was eventually to provide him with an alternative livelihood following retirement from the fire brigade.
Apart from cricket, Keith had played some football as a young man and remained a keen supporter of Charlton Athletic.
Sadly, he leaves a widow Christine and two teenage children and is also survived by his parents, Ken and Janet and a younger brother Ian.
CAREER RECORD
| Year | Mts | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Av’ge | 100 | 50 | Cts | Ovrs | Mn | Runs | Wkt | Av’ge | 5wi |
| 1984 | 14 | 13 | 1 | 290 | 63 | 24.16 | – | 2 | 6 | 2.3 | 0 | 17 | 2 | – | |
| 1985 | 22 | 22 | 1 | 576 | 73 | 27.42 | – | 3 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 21 | 0 | – | |
| 1986 | 28 | 28 | 2 | 535 | 60* | 20.57 | – | 3 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 33 | 0 | – | |
| 1987 | 21 | 20 | 0 | 316 | 69 | 15.80 | – | 2 | 7 | 15 | 1 | 61 | 3 | – | |
| 1988 | 36 | 36 | 5 | 630 | 80* | 20.32 | – | 2 | 18 | 37.1 | 5 | 193 | 4 | 48.25 | – |
| 1989 | 32 | 32 | 4 | 916 | 70 | 32.71 | – | 7 | 19 | – | |||||
| 1990 | 21 | 20 | 0 | 401 | 70 | 20.05 | – | 1 | 6 | – | |||||
| 1991 | 19 | 19 | 2 | 526 | 108* | 30.94 | 1 | 2 | 2 | – | |||||
| 1992 | 17 | 17 | 3 | 449 | 90 | 32.07 | – | 3 | 7 | – | |||||
| 1993 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 83 | 30 | 11.85 | – | – | 1 | – | |||||
| Total | 217 | 214 | 18 | 4722 | 108* | 24.09 | 1 | 25 | 82 | 63.4 | 7 | 325 | 9 | 36.11 | – |
INDIVIDUAL SCORES OVER FIFTY
108* v. Petts Wood 22/09/1991
90 Falconwood 15/09/1991
90 Met. Police 25/07/1992
84* Carlton 12/09/1992
80* Lower Halstow 10/07/1987
73 Coney Hall 10/08/1985
70 Old Colfeians 04/06/1989
70 Lower Halstow 16/07/1989
70 Shoreham 06/05/1990
69 VCD Elmstead 30/05/1987
68 Highbury Fields 03/09/1989
63 Clapham Old Xaverians 30/06/1984
63 Red Dogs 05/08/1989
60* Christchurch Institute 10/05/1986
60 Coney Hall 09/08/1986
59* Addington 08/09/1991
59* Met. Police 25/06/1992
59 City of London Poly 22/07/1989
58 Christchurch Inst 15/07/1989
55 Swanscombe & Greenhithe 13/07/1985
55 City of London Poly 13/05/1989
53 Basildon 29/09/1985
53 Borstal 07/08/1987
52 Vine 18/09/1988
51 LESSA 29/09/1984
51 Lower Halstow 21/09/1986
STANDS OVER FIFTY
1 141* K.Bishop 84* & J.Heinson 49* Carlton 12-Sep-1992
1 141 J.Heinson 56* & K.Bishop 90 Met.Police 25-Jul-1992
2 137* J.Heinson 76* & K.Bishop 80* Lower Halstow 10-Jul-1988
1 127* K.Bishop 59* & J.Heinson 53* Met.Police 25-Jun-1992
3 111 K.Bishop 36* & J.Connell 75 Granby 18-Jun-1988
1 111 K.Bishop 108* & J.Heinson 43 Petts Wood 22-Sep-1991
2 98 K.Bishop 60* & A.Haylock 59 Christ Church Inst. 10-May-1986
1 93 K.Bishop 58 & D.Johnson 27* Christ Church Inst. 15-Jul-1989
5 89 K.Bishop 46 & K.Finch 36 India & Millwall 17-Aug-1991
4 86 K.Bishop 70 & J.Heinson 33* Lower Halstow 16-Jul-1989
4 79* A.Panchasara 64*& K.Bishop 44* Christ Church Inst. 24-Sep-1989
2 79 K.Bishop 70 & D.Johnson 39 Shoreham 6-May-1990
2 78 K.Bishop 108* & D.Barlow 29 Petts Wood 22-Sep-1991
4 76 K.Bishop 63 & A.Haylock 47 Clapham O.Xaver’ 30-Jun-1984
2 75 K.Bishop 48 & A.Haylock 30 Eynsford 26-Apr-1986
4 73 K.Bishop 55 & M.Mullens 20 City of London Poly 13-May-1989
2 70* J.Duffell 31* & K.Bishop 40* Sherwood 1-Jul-1984
1 69 A.Haylock 34 & K.Bishop 73 Coney Hall 10-Aug-1985
4 69 C.Shears 58 & K.Bishop 44* Crockenhill 2-Jul-1988
2 68 J.Connell 69* & K.Bishop 60 Coney Hall 9-Aug-1986
2 68 K.Bishop 35 & K.Secrett 35 Christ Church Inst. 15-Aug-1987
1 66 K.Bishop 29 & A.Haylock 105 Irving 29-Jun-1985
2 66 S.Walsh 24 & K.Bishop 52 Vine 18-Sep-1988
2 66 K.Bishop 59 & J.Connell 19 C.O.L.P. 22-Jul-1989
2 63 K.Bishop 40 & A.Haylock 26 LESSA 21-Sep-1985
2 63 K.Bishop 38 & J.Connell 54 Phoenix 17-Jun-1989
2 61 K.Bishop 73 & J.Connell 67 Coney Hall 10-Aug-1985
2 61 J.Heinson 90* & K.Bishop 41 Metrogas 17-Jun-1990
4 60 J.Connell 17 & K.Bishop 44 Marcus 20-Aug-1988
2 59 R.Tull 33 & K.Bishop 70 Old Colfeians 4-Jun-1989
1 58 K.Bishop 20 & J.Waddell 41 Charlands 24-Jun-1987
2 58 K.Bishop 53 & K.Secrett 17 Borstal 9-Aug-1987
2 56 J.Duffell 17 & K.Bishop 32 Crayford 5-May-1990
4 56 A.Littlechild 20 & K.Bishop 40 Crayford/Dartford 20-Jun-1992
4 55 K.Bishop 38 & S.Walsh 29 Granby 21-May-1988
4 52 A.Newman 20 & K.Bishop 59* Addington 8-Sep-1991
2 52 K.Bishop 24 & J.Duffell 21 Selkent 23-Aug-1986
2 50 J.Heinson 45* & K.Bishop 30 Ex Blues 15-May-1988
1 50 K.Bishop 90 & A.Newman 17 Falconwood 15-Sep-1991
LEONARD CHARLES NAYLOR
Born 25 December 1928. Died 14 November 2014.
Len was a right handed lower middle order batsman with an orthodox technique – but cricket was not his first sport. He was an outstanding hockey player and played to an exceptional high standard having been introduced to the sport during his National Service with the Army (1947-49). It was not until he was thirty-four and his hockey demands diminished that he found time to take up his second passion, cricket, on a regular basis. He was introduced to the cricket club by Bill Ash in 1963. Despite having had operations to remove damaged cartilages when he was still a young man he continued with both sports into his forties and was a good ground fielder in defiance of his age.
In his first season he scored 132 runs (av. 11.00) which remained his best. Batting at number six, his best score was 38 v RACS on 24.08.1963 sharing in a stand of 61 with Ted Gorham. His only other participation in a fifty stand was 53 for the seventh wicket with Stan Chisnell v Goddington on 20.08.1967. Len’s contribution was 32.Batting in the middle order many of Len’s innings were only a cameo of his talent as he often found himself with only tail-enders for support. An easy-going, likeable personality he was a popular player.
He became close friends with Harry Pearce and the two of them formed a business partnership trading as a hardware shop in St Mary’s Cray, Orpington. At one time Len incurred a frozen shoulder and missed a couple of seasons. It handicapped him somewhat in his later seasons and sadly he subsequently also developed Multiple Sclerosis. He bore this painful condition in typical uncomplaining fashion and in the nineteen-nineties could be found as a bar steward at the STC Ivor Grove club when the Club were playing their cricket there.
Married late in life to Bobbie they were thrilled to be blessed with a baby daughter, Jill born on Christmas Eve 1972. Len was 44 years old the following day.
In 2002 he suffered a heart attack from which he recovered after surgery but in which a defective heart valve was discovered. A recent five week spell in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at Woolwich saw a pacemaker fitted but Len remained unwell and was re-admitted to Darenth Hospital where unfortunately he developed pneumonia and died.
He leaves his widow, Bobbie and their daughter Jill and is survived by an older brother, Arthur. A younger sister, Doris, died in 1988.
JOHN HARRY STRELLEY
Born 20.03 1929. Died 14.06.2011
John was a stylish, wristy right handed batsman and an excellent wicket-keeper. A short man at only 5’6” he played predominantly off the front foot and had an exquisite cover drive and classic square cut. Despite his lack of height, or rather because of it, he attacked short pitched bowling with the hook deep over fine leg (possibly the only shot he played in the air). He was undoubtedly the outstanding batsman of his generation finishing top of the averages on nine occasions, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1968, 1973 and second in 1960 and 1963. Scored 500 runs in a season six times (four consecutively between 1960 and 1963) with a seasons best of 847 (av. 36.82) in 1962. His highest score was 116 not out against Kidbrooke on 16 September 1955 with thirty-nine other scores over 50, eight which came in the summer of 1962.
In partnership with Stan Chisnell their stand of 157 v. Cyphers on 01.06.1958 was the first club partnership to exceed 150 and stood as the second wicket record for thirty five years. As a number three batsman it was the fourth time John had held the second wicket record partnership. When Derek Dennis left the club John moved up to open the innings where he shared two more century partnerships with Stan and another thirteen stands over fifty making them the most successful opening partnership of all time. In all he shared eight century partnerships, three of them with Ron Stevens. His century partnership, 114, with Harold Tozer v. Quantums 19.07.1953 stood as the Club’s sixth wicket record until 2005.
He was also without peer as a wicket keeper. His unfussy style belied the speed of his reactions and his agility behind the stumps. Fearless and encouraging, he preferred to stand up to all but the fastest of bowlers and his record number of dismissals is testimony to his effectiveness and judgement. Created a club record of 41 dismissals (30 ct and 11 st) in 1964.
Born in India to an English father and Indian mother, the fourth of seven children with three brothers and three sisters. He was raised and educated at a boarding school in India until the family returned to England after the Second World War – too late for John to be considered for National Service. He started work immediately at Johnson & Phillips with whom he remained throughout their various mergers and acquisitions for his working life, retiring at age 65. His father was an engineer on the Woolwich Ferry.
Around 1950 a young widow with three daughters, Ruth Blanchett, was employed by J & P and was assigned to John in a secretarial capacity. An office romance blossomed after John found out Ruth had a television and invited himself to watch what must have been one of the first televised football matches. In 1952 they were married and had two children of their own, Yvonne in 1953 and Graham in 1955.
Ruth and the family accompanied John to every game throughout his entire playing career; Ruth’s youngest daughter Pauline kept score from the age of ten for many years (and would have been a major contender for the Jean Pearce trophy if it had been in existence in those days). Graham later played for club but died tragically young at age 42 from bowel cancer.
A shy and quiet man but not unsociable, John once lent his piano to the Club for the visit of Dagenham Dock C.C. It is not known what Ruth made of this gesture as its removal, delivery and return, due to its weight and unwieldy nature and the insufficient capacity of a Ford Anglia as its carrier, proved to be traumatic manoeuvre not least to the instrument itself.
John was also a fervent Charlton Athletic supporter and managed to continue attending matches until near his death. Sadly John’s retirement was blighted by ill health, first he was diagnosed with Prostate cancer for which he had surgery and then some years later suffered a heart attack. Cancer returned later and John who had been invalided in his own home for some two years spent his last month in St. Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham.
He is survived by his widow Ruth, his step daughters Ruth (also), now married for a fourth time and living in Brixham, Val and her husband Ray Malyon – who played a few games for Grenfell – and their two sons living in Eastbourne. Sadly Pauline’s marriage broke up and she now lives with her half-sister, Yvonne in Brockley, South East London. Pauline has two adopted children and Yvonne two sons who often accompanied John to Charlton matches.
GRENFELL CAREER
Batting Bowling Wicket Keeping
| Year | MTS | INNS | NO | RUNS | HS | AVGE | 100 | 50 | CTS | OVR | MDN | RUNS | AVGE | CTS | STS |
| 1951 | 27 | 27 | 2 | 265 | 44 | 10.60 | 23 | ||||||||
| 1952 | 13 | 13 | 1 | 131 | 29* | 10.92 | 2 | 5 | |||||||
| 1953 | 14 | 14 | 2 | 277 | 86 | 23.08 | 3 | 9 | 5 | ||||||
| 1954 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 507 | 91 | 20.28 | 3 | 13 | 6 | ||||||
| 1955 | 31 | 30 | 6 | 697 | 116* | 29.04 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 6 | |||||
| 1956 | 20 | 19 | 4 | 441 | 81 | 29.40 | 1 | 13 | |||||||
| 1957 | 21 | 21 | 3 | 450 | 83 | 25.44 | 2 | 10 | 4 | ||||||
| 1958 | 16 | 15 | 349 | 69 | 23.26 | 2 | 9 | 3 | |||||||
| 1959 | 17 | 16 | 1 | 371 | 59* | 24.66 | 2 | 12 | 1 | ||||||
| 1960 | 27 | 27 | 2 | 591 | 82* | 23.64 | 3 | 18 | 5 | ||||||
| 1961 | 24 | 24 | 543 | 68 | 22.62 | 3 | 20 | 2 | |||||||
| 1962 | 27 | 27 | 4 | 847 | 72* | 36.82 | 8 | 15 | 8 | ||||||
| 1963 | 22 | 22 | 2 | 508 | 93* | 25.40 | 1 | 18 | 7 | ||||||
| 1964 | 29 | 29 | 2 | 467 | 56* | 17.29 | 2 | 30 | 11 | ||||||
| 1965 | 19 | 19 | 2 | 250 | 61* | 14.70 | 2 | 6 | 3 | ||||||
| 1966 | 27 | 27 | 1 | 393 | 45 | 15.11 | 19 | 3 | |||||||
| 1967 | 13 | 13 | 1 | 188 | 41 | 15.66 | 11 | 3 | |||||||
| 1968 | 15 | 15 | 360 | 76 | 24.00 | 1 | 12 | 2 | |||||||
| 1969 | 22 | 22 | 2 | 326 | 61 | 16.30 | 1 | 16 | 5 | ||||||
| 1970 | 11 | 10 | 214 | 53 | 21.40 | 1 | 4 | 2 | |||||||
| 1971 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 39 | 16 | 5 | |||||||||
| 1972 | 10 | 10 | 106 | 22 | 10.60 | 2 | 5 | ||||||||
| 1973 | 12 | 10 | 1 | 265 | 69 | 29.44 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | |||||
| 1974 | 11 | 11 | 3 | 137 | 42* | 17.12 | 2 | 1 | |||||||
| 1975 | 16 | 16 | 1 | 243 | 58* | 16.20 | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||||||
| 1976 | 6 | 6 | 60 | 19 | 10.00 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
| Total | 480 | 472 | 41 | 9025 | 116* | 20.94 | 1 | 39 | 14 | 296 | 85 |
HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORES
116* v Kidbrooke 18.09.1955
93* v Dagenham Dock 16.06.1963
91 v National Coal Board 05.09.1954
86 v Nunhead 03.07.1955
86 v Quantums 19.07.1953
83 v Pinchin & Johnson 30.06.1957
82* v British Ropes 28.05.1960
81 v United Dairies 13.06.1956
81 v Old Addeyans 02.07.1960
76 v Borstal 18.06.1968
75 v U.G.B. 21.05.1953
73 v Comrades 22.05.1954
72* v Greenheath 28.04.1962
70 v Glovers 08.05.1954
69 v Stones 25.07.1953
69 v Cyphers 01.06.1958
69 v Cornhill 21.07.1973
68* v Acons St Helens 28.07.1955
68 v Petts Woods 23.09.1961
62* v Meadows 20.05.1962
62 v Wat Bonded W’hse 26.05.1958
61* v Dartford 12.07.1965
61 v Petts Wood 16.06.1952
59* v Locks Bottom 23.05.1959
58” v Met Police 10.07.1955
58* v Old Colfeians 27.04.1975
58 v Dagenham Dock 18.06.1961
57 v Clacton Police 07.06.1962
57 v Private Banks 01.09.1962
57 v B.I.C.C. 16.08.1959
56* v Old Colfeians 13.09.1964
56 v Darenth Park 02.09.1962
54 v Private Banks 28.07.1962
53 v Statics 09.05.1970
52 v Dagenham Dock 18.06.1961
51 v Dartford 22.08.1964
Plus four other fifties unidentified
DEREK JAMES DENNIS
Born 01.01.1929, died 23.10.2011
Born and raised in Swansea with an older sister.
A right handed batsman with a very correct technique and a good range of shots; he excelled at a push and run style designed to pressurise the fielding side and rotate strike. Originally an all-rounder bowling at a brisk medium pace his bowling was less utilised as he rose to open the batting where for some seasons he formed a formidable partnership with Stan Chisnell. A fine fielder equally adept as a close catcher or an outfielder. Derek was one of a talented quartet of close friends along with Keith Newton, Pat Harris and Len Johnson all of whom were introduced to the Club by Harold Tozer in 1951. Derek had met Harold when he joined the post office following his National Service.
Captain for three seasons from 1954 to 1956 he was a deep thinker about the game and a good tactician; his leadership was distinguished by his attention to detail symbolised by regularly changing fielders’ positions to keep them involved in the match and avoid complacency. He also advocated batting in partnerships so that when a wicket fell the surviving batsman, should disregard any momentum he had achieved in his own innings and take responsibility for getting the incoming batsman “off the mark” and help him to settle in.
Topped the batting averages in 1954 but his best aggregate was 681 runs (av. 24.66) in 1959 with his best score 76 v Private Banks on 05.09.1959. In that same summer he scored 66 in an opening stand of 150 with Stan Chisnell (76) v R.O.F.S.A. on 18 July which stood as the club record opening partnership for 14 years. Over his career he scored another four individual fifties. His best bowling performance 6 – 29 v. L.P.T.B on 21.06.1953 was his only five wicket analysis. Most wickets in a season 33 (av. 7.81) in 1952.
A broken wrist early in 1957 meant he missed the remaining season when he introduced his then brother-in-law, Brian Fisher as a stand-in for three matches. Brian was subsequently, in 1960, to entice Derek to join him at Streatham Wanderers, a Surrey League side. His success continued at the higher standard and he scored the century (115), his only one, which had eluded him at Grenfell. He went on to skipper them also. However, ill health, a serious chest infection, haunted him in the late nineteen-sixties and he missed two seasons.
Thereafter he returned to Grenfell for just two matches in 1970 and 1971 but was still dogged by frail health and the resurrection of his career was ill-fated. Intriguingly, bearing in mind his notion of batting in partnerships both his innings produced fifty run partnerships; 60 with Greg Stevens at United Dairies in 1970 and, in a rerun of their successes more than a decade previously, 57 with Stan Chisnell v Tilling Stevens in 1971.
Workwise, now secretary of the South Eastern District Post Office Sports and Social Club he also became involved with the A.K.C.C. through Len Johnson and was responsible for putting together some A.K.C.C. representative teams for some high profile matches between 1969 and 1972. Utilising his Grenfell connection Stan Chisnell, Barry Vernon, Greg Stevens, Ken Angelo and Keith Finch all played at his invitation. It was when playing for one of these teams in 1970 that Greg Stevens and Stan Chisnell encountered 15 year old Kevin Laroche playing for the opposition and immediately approached him and his father, Alf, about playing for Grenfell.
However personal matters were to turn sour; he lost his position at the Post Office and following a divorce Derek began to pursue a career in umpiring. Already standing in Surrey League matches he graduated to Surrey 2nd XI and eventually became a first class umpire – a rare achievement at the time as he had never played first class cricket. Although only on the register for 1979 and 1980 he continued as a career umpire and umpire coach. He would be recalled for one day matches from time to time and as late as 1991 was umpiring in the B & H one day games. In 1983 he was the stand-by umpire for India v West Indies in the World Cup match at the Oval where Greg Stevens and Dave Meggitt were delighted to bump into him as he arranged access for them to the exclusive members Pavilion and Bar.
His Wisden obituary states that as a youngster he had played football alongside the Welsh legend John Charles. That may well be correct but most of us thought this anecdote related to him playing cricket with John Charles as Derek described him as a very strong and fiery fast bowler.
Happily, Derek’s personal life improved and sadly he leaves a widow, Pat.
GRENFELL CAREER
Batting and Fielding Bowling
| Year | MTS | INNS | NO | RUNS | HS | AV’GE | 100 | 50 | CTS | OVERS | MDNS | RUNS | WKTS | AV’GE | 5WI |
| 1951 | 21 | 21 | 1 | 211 | 36 | 10.55 | 6 | 74 | 20 | 210 | 30 | 7.00 | |||
| 1952 | 14 | 13 | 2 | 121 | 46 | 11.00 | 8 | 107.3 | 34 | 258 | 33 | 7.81 | 1 | ||
| 1953 | 13 | 13 | 156 | 29 | 12.00 | 1 | 91 | 23 | 219 | 23 | 9.52 | ||||
| 1954 | 12 | 12 | 1 | 240 | 52 | 21.82 | 2 | 1 | 66 | 19 | 137 | 20 | 6.85 | ||
| 1955 | 28 | 26 | 4 | 396 | 39* | 18.00 | 13 | 29 | 7 | 82 | 6 | 13.67 | |||
| 1956 | 23 | 22 | 4 | 319 | 36 | 17.72 | 9 | 97.5 | 24 | 261 | 25 | 10.40 | |||
| 1957 | 5 | 5 | 111 | 36 | 22.20 | ||||||||||
| 1958 | 28 | 28 | 2 | 368 | 54 | 14.15 | 1 | 5 | |||||||
| 1959 | 25 | 25 | 1 | 681 | 76 | 24.66 | 3 | 5 | 16 | 0 | 74 | 0 | |||
| 1964 | 1 | 1 | 6 | ||||||||||||
| 1965 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |||||||
| 1970 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 19* | 19* | 2 | |||||||||
| 1971 | 1 | 1 | 29 | 29 | 1 | ||||||||||
| Total | 173 | 169 | 16 | 2657 | 76 | 17.32 | 6 | 52 | 482.4 | 128 | 1241 | 138 |
HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL INNINGS
76 v Private Banks 05.09.1959
66 v R.O.F.S.A. 18.07.1959
54 v Moss Bros 20.07.1958
52 v British Ropes 21.08.1954
51* v United Dairies 22.08.1954
And one other fifty unidentified (1959)
FIVE WICKET INNINGS ANALYSIS
6 – 29 v. L.P.T.B. 21.06.1953