Welney Croft Cricket Club
HISTORY
Officers: (since 1905)
President:
Rev.H.H.Wilford 1905-37 Ernie Blows 1960
R.D.Carter 1937-48 Bryan Turner 1969
C.Johnson 1948-52 Joe Bedford 1970-71 & 80
Sidney Scott 1953-59 Arthur Carter 1972-79
Ray Kent 2001-
Chairman:
C.W.Stokes 1932 Bryan Turner 1959-60,62-66
Rev.H.H.Wilford 1933-37 Albert Smart 1961
Horace Kimmons 1934 John Waring 1969
John Prior 1938-47 Bill Oakey 1970
Bill Mortram 1948 Joe Goodger 1975-79
Tommy Watson 1949-51,57 Arthur Carter 1980-81
Sidney Scott 1952-54,56 John Loveday 2000-
Ray Kent 1958,71-74
Secretary:
H.Thurston 1905 Don Scott 1952
A.Dobson 1907-09 Geoff Brown 1953-54
J.W.Booth 1911 Roy Loveday 1956-57
W.Stokes 1912-14,20-21,23-27 Aubrey Carter 1958-64
C.Topham 1922 Paul Laughlin 1965-66
C.H.Ray 1928-39 Tony Smart 1969-71,75-81,99-
Albert Smart 1945-49,51 Fred Newell 1972-74
Reg Rowlett 1950 Bob Frusher 1991-97
Treasurer:
J.Taylor 1905 Ray Kent 1951-66
W.H.Clayton 1907-14 Phil Singleterry 1969-71
W.Dalton 1920-32 David Smart 1972-81
John Blows 1933-39,45-47 Bob Frusher 1991-97
Reg Rowlett 1948 Tony Smart 1999-
Captain:
Rev.H.H.Wilford 1905 Wally Branch 1949
Ernie Blows 1907-09 Doug Scott 1952-3
W.Stokes 1911 Reg Rowlett 1954-5 & 65
J.Hawkins 1912-13 Peter Scott 1956,60,71-2.
J.Rolfe 1914 Gerry James 1957,59,62-4
John Blows 1920-3,25-6,28 & 32 Bryan Turner 1958
Noel Dalton 1924 Paul Laughlin 1966 & 75
H.Kerridge 1927 Michael North 1969
Len Watson 1929-31,34-5,37-9 Ivan Scarff 1970
C.H.Ray 1933 Tony Smart 1973-4
Joe Bedford 1937-9,46-7 David Smart 1976-81
Kit Malkin 1945 & 48 Bob Frusher 1991-7
Albert Smart 1947,50 & 61 John Loveday 2000-
History of Welney Cricket Club
Honours: (known achievements from Club’s records)
Wisbech League Champions (Jeffrey Shield) 1976
Wisbech League Division 2 Winners 1969
Wisbech League Division 3 (joint winners) 1957
Sandall Rosebowl Winners 1977
Sandall Rosebowl Finalists 1976
Sandall Cup Winners 1969
Wisbech Standard K.O Cup Winners 1977
Oldroyd Cup Winners 1973
Oldroyd Cup Finalists 1971 & 74
Mortimore Rosebowl Winners 1980
Mortimore Rosebowl Finalists 1976 & 77
Loughton Cup (6-a-side) Finalists 1974
Hicks Cup (Wisbech Leagues Best Wicket) 1977
Calitheke Cup Winners 1997
Brief History –
Cricket in the village dates back to at least 1884, the Parish magazine of that year recorded that Welney had played against both Outwell and West Head (Stow).
How long the game has been played in this area, that is of the organised form under MCC rules is uncertain, but the village has had a long association with the sport.
The club has experienced many ups and downs over the years, a connection with possibly the most famous English cricketer of all time and on one occasion the club achieved nation wide fame in ‘skittling’ a side out for no runs.
No fewer than seven grounds have been used around our small village and eight regular meeting places – the Cherry Tree,Three Tunns,Lamb & Flag, School, Odd Fellows Hall, Parish Hall, Welney FC Hut (Back Drove) and the present Playing Field Pavilion.
Rev.Herbert Hignett Wilford (1864-1937)
Known to his family and friends as ‘Bertie’, he went to Jesus College at Cambridge University and after having taken his Holy Orders worked for a short time in the London area.
He was a very keen sportsman playing cricket for the University and for a well-known club side in the early 1900’s, London Counties, where he played with and became friendly with W.G Grace.
He followed his grandfather as Rector of Welney when Edward Russell Wilford died in 1899 and was then to spend the rest of his life in the village.
Being a well-known personality he was on the Ouse Drainage Board and over a period of years was Chaplain to no less than six High Sheriff’s of Cambridgeshire.
Reputedly a brilliant preacher and popular figure, he might well have gone further if he had not been so isolated in a remote fenland parish.
He was the last rector to have an active interest in the villages sporting activities, playing for the cricket club in his younger days and later becoming President, Chairman and regularly umpiring. A respected umpire whose services were very often sought after by Wisbech Town C.C.
Also time and energy was devoted in helping both the village Football Club and the Mens Institute, which originally started in the Rectory grounds coach house, until the Parish Hall was built in 1929.
William Gilbert Grace (1848-1915)
He was later to be known as simply ‘WG’ and no cricketer before or since has dominated the world of cricket as he did for nearly 40 years from the middle 1860s.
In fact he was said to be the most recognised figure in England along with Prime Minister Gladstone at the time.
Tall, heavily built and from an early age heavily bearded, WG ( or ‘The Doctor’ as he was later called) was not only an all round cricketer of great skill whose achievements in an unusually long career broke most of the records of the day but was a man of formidable and striking personality who in his own time became a legend of dictatorial ‘gamesmanship’ blended with ‘gruff’ kindliness.
He played for Gloucestershire, London Counties and England (last appearance against Australia in 1899). After 1904 his first class cricket was played mainly for the MCC and the Gentlemen, for whom he made 74 at the age of 58. His zest for cricket seems to have remained undulled as he made 69 not out for Eltham against Grove Park in July 1914 – his last match, just 10 days before the outbreak of World War 1. The next year he died at the age of 67 and was mourned far outside the world of cricket, for he had been a truly national figure.
It was during his London Counties years (1900-04) that WG and Bertie Wilford became friends and he later accepted invitations to stay at the Vicarage, during his semi-retirement from the first class game.
From ‘Reminiscences on the Wilford family’ an amusing occasion was recalled when WG demonstrated his skill at bowling by propelling an egg across the tennis lawn and was able to land it on its tough end without breaking it?
He also played at least one cricket match in the village during the period 1904-14, this was recalled by Ernie Blows (1890-1975), a keen young cricketer himself at the time.
The club were then playing on Maywood farm, a short walk from the Rectory.
On one of his visits WG autographed a cricket bat for the club, but unfortunately this appears to be lost forever, having passed into the hands of one of the club members –what would it be worth today?
Ernie and John Blows
The Blows brothers, Ernie and John have since 1923 become the most famous of the local cricketers, mainly for their achievement of bowling Friday Bridge out for 0 runs.
Both were in business in the building trade operating from the old Carpenters workshop and adjoining Blacksmith shop – in business originally as wheelwrights and later Carpentry and Joinery.
John died in 1950 whilst watching the local football team playing at Highfields Farm.
Ernie (1890-1975) lived much longer and died at the now named ‘Blows Cottage’ at the top of New Road.
Both were popular especially in sporting circles, John having a football trophy donated in his name in recognition of his services, the John Blows Memorial Trophy.
This was played for annually from 1959-84, with all funds raised going to a local charity.
More recently, since 1994, the Blows Brothers cricket trophy has been played for, this being donated by Ray Kent.
Club Grounds (since 1905)
1905-14 Maywood Farm (Mr John Loveday)
1920 Highfields, Welney House Farm (Mr. W.Clayton)
1921-24 Minister Wash ( Mr.Martin)
1925-26 Mr.T.Rolfe’s field
1927-32 Minister Wash
1933-39 Maywood Farm (Mr.W.Bedford)
1945-47 Dalton’s Field (behind Pheonix House and Lamb & Flag)
1948-57 Minister Wash (Mr.C.Johnson)
70. Grange Farm (Mr.J.Bedford)
1971- Village Playing Field
History of the Club
The club is in possession of a minutes book dating back to 1905, from this and other archive material the following is a chronological listing of events associated with the club.
1884 On Monday 14th of July Outwell beat Welney by 1 wicket in a two innings match- Outwell scoring 29 and 41-9wkts and Welney 54 and 15. Head Teacher Mr.Bearcock top scored for the village with 16 runs and Rev.Wilford taking 13 wickets in the match. On the following Saturday Welney beat West Head by 1 wicket – a fixture was scheduled with Lakesend before the end of season.
1904-14 At some time between these years Ernie Blows recalled WG Grace playing cricket in the village on Mr. John Lovedays field at Maywood Farm.
1905 Friendly fixtures were arranged against Upwell, Dairy Houses,Littleport,A.Schachts XI and the Rigger Houpe Club.
1907 Having disbanded the previous season the club reforms.
1911 Mr.John Loveday again kindly offers his field for use under the same conditions as before ‘No bad language shall be used on the field’ and this was to be strictly adhered to. For those guilty of this offence there would be immediate dismissal from the field of play!
1914 Before the First World War the club closes with a balance of £1 – 9 shillings and 10 pence.
1920 The first season after the war there was a large attendance of 40 in the Odd Fellows Hall to reform the club. Mr.Clayton offered his field for matches (Highfields, off Wisbech Road).
1922 The club joins the Upwell and District League with 10 other teams – Upwell Rovers, Squires Drove, Outwell, Friday Bridge, Tipsend & Hole in the Wall, Lakesend, Chrischurch, Nordelph, March & Whitemoor and Emneth.
1923 The club makes the national newspapers sports pages by dismissing Friday Bridge for 0 runs in only 28 deliveries during an Upwell League match played on Minister Wash with brothers Ernie and John Blows taking all the wickets.
1924 The Upwell League has 10 teams with newcomers Wimbotsham, Wimblington, Elm, Hill Street, and Gladroy Villa.
1926 Enough players are available for the formation of a second XI.
1929 At the club’s AGM the treasurer declares the account to be in the ’red’ by 7 shillings and 10 pence.
1937 Club President Rev. Wilford dies suddenly at the age of 73, after 52 years of association with the club.
1939 AGM held on May 12th – Britain declares war against Germany on September 3rd.
1945 War ends with VE day on May 8th.
Another large post war attendance at the AGM (May 18th) reforming the club, playing at Maywood Farm with subscriptions at 5shillings and 2 shillings and 6 pence for under 16’s.
1948 The club enters the Wisbech & District League and the Sandall Cup.
Boys team also formed for the season.
1949 Proposed formation of the Welney United Sports Club (January 24th) with the merger of the Football, Cricket and the Mens Institute clubs. This amalgamation, under the stewardship of Head Teacher Charles Brotherton – club lasted until 1951 (October 17th)
1950 Club stalwart John Blows dies watching the village football team at Highfields.
1954 Club youngster Peter Scott is offered the opportunity of joining the Nottinghamshire Cricket Clubs ground staff on leaving Upwell Secondary Modern School, but reluctantly has to decline.
1955 No fixtures fulfilled.
1956 The club reforms and a motion is passed for playing Sunday cricket at the AGM, later a special meeting is held when Sidney Scott resigns the Chairmanship with Les Hall taking over, the Sunday Cricket motion is then defeated.
1957 Joint winners of the Wisbech League Division 3 with Walsoken.
1958/9 Peter Scott wins Wisbech Cricket League ‘Star Yougster’ competition sponsored by the Saturday Pictorial newspaper for two consecutive seasons.
1960 All fixtures are played away.
1961 Club member Don Scott is elected onto the newly formed Village Playing Field Association.
1962 Club dismissed for only 8 runs, a club record lowest score.
1964 Playing in the first division of the Wisbech League.
1965 Withdraw from the Wisbech league and play all friendly fixtures away.
Peter Bedford is named Wisbech Standard Cricketer of the Week, taking 7 wickets for 12 runs, including a ‘hat-trick’ against Runcton Holme (Bowling analysis 6.3- 2-12-7)
1966 After only 2 fixtures against Ouse Bridge and Wimblington the club disbands, due to a shortage of players.
1969 The club is reformed at a meeting in the Three Tunns and enters the Wisbech Leagueand finish the season completing the Second Division "double", winning the league and Sandall Cup.
Wisbech Leagues Aistrup bowling award for most league wickets presented to Tony Smart.
All home matches played at Mr.Joe Bedford's Grange Farm
Barroway Drove were beaten by 46 runs in the Sandall Cup final at the metal Box ground, Wisbech.(Welney 76-7wkts and Barroway 30)
Welney Past XI (59-4w) beat the current team (56) by 6 wickets.
1970 In January the club holds its first Dinner Dance in the village hall with 100 members and guests. Mr. & Mrs Clive Frusher (Wisbech Standard) presents the trophies.
The League and Sandall Cup being presented to club captain Michael North.
Entertainment provided by the Tony Charles Band.
Pre-season coaching sessions for all club members are held at the school by qualified MCC coach Bryan Turner.
Colin Taylor wins the first Single Wicket Competition beating Paul Laughlin in the final.
1971 First season playing on the new Playing Field.
Oldroyd Cup finalists losing to Walpole Highway by 23 runs at Wisbech Town CC.
1973 Oldroyd Cup winners against March St Marys at Upwell, winning by 68 runs.
Peter Scott scores the first century (105) on the new playing field in a league match against March St.Marys.
1974 Again Oldroyd Cup finalists at Leverington, losing to Walpole Highway by only 4 runs and beaten Loughton Cup (6 a side) finalists, losing to March St.Marys by 2 wickets.
1975 Ernie Blows, one of the clubs most famous former players, dies at the age of 84.
1976 The clubs most successful season winning the Wisbech & District Cricket League, for the first and only time to date, and finalists in both the Sandall and Mortimore Rosebowls.