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History
(extracted from "The Origins of Cricket - the history of two Hampshire Clubs" by Douglas Smith 1980 and published by Odiham and Greywell Cricket Club) |
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Odiham Cricket 1764-1906
The first recorded match was played in the summer of 1764 against Alresford. The match was
played at Alresford and Odiham lost by a margin of 26 runs. The composition of the Odiham team
is probably irrelevant owing to the following comments on club continuity and the use of
"mercenaries".
One of the most important factors in the history of cricket clubs,
is that in the early days of the game, at the end of each season it was usual to call tradesmen, members and other
debtors and creditors to an annual meeting with the object of presenting bills or paying dues and wagers.
Effectively, then, the Club was wound up and usually reformed the following year.
The second most relevant factor in early cricket was the wide use of "mercenary" players. For
example, the Odiham team at Alresford included three "guest" players - picked men from
Farnham and Bentley.
The early club game was structured in a way we do not know now. A "Club" would consist of
gentlemen (land owners, military or professional men) plus hired "assassins" (strong, talented ball
players, usually of lower born or lesser opportunity stock). A working man with talent would be
paid and transported free of charge to and from matches. One can imagine a comparative
situation to prize fighters, since the sponsor would expect a return on his investment from
successful bets with other gentlemen who also offered their proteges for combat.
The greatness of Alresford and adjacent clubs seems to have expired by 1800. However, Odiham
had in any case beaten Alresford on Tichbourne Down by 33 runs in 1787. "Silver" Billy Beldham,
the great Hambledon batsman played in this match for Odiham and one wonders at the cost to the
Club of this "hired-gun". As a matter of interest probably the greatest side Hambledon ever
fielded included both David Harris of Odiham and Billy Beldham.
Local records of the Odiham Club for the period 1787 to 1823
are non-existent it would seem, but in 1823 Odiham played Basingstoke at Basingstoke and in 1824 a home fixture
took place. In 1825 eleven of the employees of Odiham, Greywell and Warnborough Wharves played an eleven of the
Basingstoke Wharf for 2/6d per man. Basingstoke were the richer at the end of the game having
won by nine wickets ! Games between Odiham and Basingstoke were a regular event during the
1800s. One of the most interesting or perhaps frustrating started on 8th September, 1834. It
followed a match won by Basingstoke against Odiham and North Warnborough at Basingstoke on
25th August, 1834. Although the return match started on 8th September, it did not finish until 16th
September!
Although Basingstoke won the first encounter at home by only six runs,
the return at Odiham was a more decisive victory for the bigger town, there being four Basingstoke wickets in hand
at the end of the match.
The 1835 season seems to have given Odiham revenge. An eleven of
Basingstoke, Basing and Hackwood confronted Odiham and North Warnborough at Basingstoke on 20th July, and Odiham
and North Warnborough won by four wickets.
1843 was a year of great interest and suspense in Odiham versus
Basingstoke battles. On the 3rd August Odiham lost at home by nine wickets, but redeemed themselves in the return
match at Basingstoke a week later by a nineteen run win. The "conquering match" as the deciders were
called, was an anticlimax. Played on 4th September, 1843 it ended in a draw. Available records
show few early match results other than those already mentioned, and other games against
Basingstoke. For example, Odiham beat Basingstoke on 19th August, 1853 by 47 runs, on 30th July,
1855 by 7 runs and on 20th August, 1855 by one wicket. On 21st July, 1856 Basingstoke beat Odiham
by 24 runs.
Odiham played regularly in the 1850 - 1860 period against Basingstoke, Godalming, Guildford and
other clubs, and they ran a colts side with Odiham lads, who although recorded as being beaten
twice by Basingstoke lads, are also recorded as having beaten them in 1856. Odiham cricket was
certainly played on Odiham Common in 1847 and no doubt before then. The seasons seem to have
been long in duration, since the closing match of the 1847 season took place on 22nd October of
that year! That game started at 10:00 am and finished with a dinner at the King's Arms at 3:00
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The overlap between the Odiham Cricket Club and Greywell Cricket Club was evident during the
1800s. For instance Mr. T.D. Porter, a Greywell Captain, apparently played for Odiham in 1853.
Notable in early Odiham cricket were such names as the Frere brothers, who became celebrated in
County Cricket, Aaron Cooper, Charles Heath, Henry and Charles Seymour, Charles Monk and
Decimus Trodd. During the mid to late 19th Century these stalwarts helped to build a Club which
has gone on providing cricket and social facilities to those interested in the game.
It is some years since Odiham has provided an exceptional player to the County, but David Harris was a local lad, Billy Beldham saw fit to play at least once for the Club, the Freres were involved in Odiham cricket and C.S. Bodington, son of the Rector of Upton Grey, was "brought out" by Odiham Cricket Club for the benefit of the Hampshire County Eleven. There may have been others in the past, and there certainly should be more in the future. We will dwell on early Odiham cricket for a little longer. Let us remember Dr. Angell James, Mr. Tobias Frere - the father of the Frere "boys" - Edward Porter, all of whom contributed to records in one way or another. Let us also consider the many Public Houses which existed in Odiham during the 19th Century including the "Cricketers" (still standing as a private house by the Canal bridge). From this hostelry Edward Porter ran the Grasshoppers Cricket Club for several years. This club played about twelve matches a season, and at its demise in about 1890 Odiham cricket also temporarily died. The continuity of cricket on the Common was broken, anyway, in about 1875 when the game moved to the park. However, after around four years it was back on the Common, being forced away from its new venue, it would seem, by tennis ! From 1890 - 1895 competitive cricket in Odiham appears not to have existed, but the game was revived in that latter year principally through the efforts of Dr. Angell James and a Mr. Reynolds. The new President was the late Sir George Petre, and so began a new era of Odiham cricket which the Petre family was to oversee for many decades. Under the captaincy of Dr. James, The Odiham Cricket Club flourished. During the first season 17 matches were played and an average of 20 matches became the norm. Of the 19 games played in 1905, 12 were won, 6 lost and one drawn. The Odiham team were all local players and the matches were against good clubs of the day. One member took 67 wickets in a season for an average of 6 runs. A security of land tenure existed, since in 1898 a piece of ground was enclosed for cricket on Odiham Common. The turn of the Century forged yet another link between Odiham and Greywell; an arrangement with Mr. R Mulford, of the Greywell Club, which resulted in an annual match against the strong London and South West Railway team, which lasted for 25 years. We close the early days of Odiham cricket at 1906. A following article deals with They Greywell Cricket Club who were to merge with Odiham much later. From 1906 to the present day is more recent history and we trust that the last 82 years will provide the reader with less basic facts and a more personal comment by those involved with local cricket today. Commenting, finally, on Odiham Cricket Club's early days, we cannot pass on without reference to the fact that one of the well known early Winchester Club players was H. Misslebrook. This Misslebrook kept the Cricketers Inn at Otterbourne and was familiarly known as &Father Misslebrook&. The worthy Secretary of Odiham from 1976 - 1979 bears a similar name and was educated at Winchester College, coincidence ? Some Odiham players at the turn of the Century included: A. Cooper, C.I. Barton, A. Childs, C. Gotelee, G. Neville, N. Scoones. W. Jeames, R. McIntyre, J. Angel-James, J.A. James, S. Loader and I. Bodington. |
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In Greywell Village Hall there is a glass case containing three stumps, varnished with metal tops.
The stumps are roughly of today's height. The case is labelled as follows:
"These stumps were used in a cricket match between a local team of twenty-two players, and an All England XI at Greywell September 8, 9 ,10 1862"
Along side this case is a copy of the score sheet which reads as follows:
"Extracted from Scores and Biographies Vol 7 p 425". | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Colonel May of May's Bounty Fame and one of the most respected latter day figures of Hampshire
Cricket, painted a picture of the match at Greywell in his book "History of Cricket in North
Hampshire". He stressed that there were 1500 spectators on the second day, and the United XI,
which included Wisden and Lillywhite, stated that the wicket was the best outside London. On the
third day it was very wet in the morning and the United XI were six for four chasing eighteen runs
to win. Needless to say, England won, and the men of Odiham and Greywell who participated in
the match, could only but wonder where they went wrong. This is clearly indicated by the
scorecard !
A few comments on some of the United All England XI players: Roger Iddison (23 and 0) born in Bedale, Yorkshire in 1834. Played his first match at Lords in 1862. With G. Freeman was founder of the United North of England XI in 1869. Mainly a batsman, but something of a lob bowler (1 for 14 off 32 balls against Odiham). Robert Carpenter (108 and 8 not out against Odiham). Born in Cambridge in 1830. W.G. Grace said of him: "he may be safely placed as one of the finest of our great batsmen, his defence considering he did not play forward, being perfect". Grace commented at some length on Carpenter, including: "breaking the hearts of many a twenty-two, who saw victory slipping out of their grasp owning to patience and coolness". Carpenter who played with and against Grace sharing a hundred partnership for England at Lords against Yorkshire, and Notts, commented that it was harder running between the wickets with Grace than chasing the balls Grace shot around the field ! William Caffyn. Born Reigate, Surrey in 1828, he was the crack Surrey player for many years and a member of the first England team to visit Australia in the same year as the "Odiham etc" match. Caffyn stayed in Australia at a very high salary, and is considered the originator of quality Australian cricket. He played alone in 1860 against an XI of Winchester, a single-wicket match. Caffyn scored 35 and 1; Winchester 4 and 4 and Caffyn had only two fielders. Henry Frere. Born in Odiham in 1830, was one of the most famous local cricketers. "MCC Scores and Biographies" describe him as Hampshire's best bowler, and he played fourteen of the County against an all England XI at Southampton. John Lillywhite. The Lillywhite family are from Sussex. William Lillywhite died in 1854, having bowled overarm illegally during part of his time. The family are famous for the sale of cricket equipment and books, and were all nationally known cricketers. John Wisden. Born in 1826 and at 36 years of age can be considered to be in his prime when he played against the Odiham area twenty-two. His bowling figures in this match are particularly interesting, and if one considers that in 1850, playing for the North versus the South, he took all ten wickets clean bowled, it is a miracle our older day local heros survived at all. He is recorded as bowling balls that turned a yard from the off ! At 5ft 4 inches he was as fast round arm bowler who later turned to lob bowling. John Wisden is of course the founder of "Wisden's Cricketer's Almanack". A few comments on some of the "22 of Odiham and Greywell with Holmes and Stubberfield". There were in fact twenty-two including Holmes and Stubberfield ! It was usual for the United All England XI to play 22 of an area, such was the difference in the standards of their game from the local level. Three Mulfords played in this match. W.H. Mulford was one of three brothers who practically started the Greywell Club, and kept it going for many years. The family were timber merchants and were largely responsible for the opening of Hook Railway Station, having brought pressure to bear on the London and South West Railway Company. W.H. Mulford was also a member of Hartley Row, latterly Hartley Wintney Cricket Club, for twenty years. The Ede family were founder members of the Hampshire County Club. H. Holmes played for Hampshire and scored 57 and 64 against Bucks, in 1866. Bryan. Probably one of three brothers of Basingstoke, noteworthy in County Cricket. D. Chute. Probably the Rev. D.W. Chute, once Rector of Sherboune St. John. Vyne Cricket Club. T. Porter. No doubt T.D. Porter of Well, famed as a captain and Odiham and Greywell cricketer. No story is without a mystery, and we must admit that Holmes and Stubberfield are to us "mystery men". We cannot easily trace them so leave the matter to the "Holmes and Watson" in you, the reader. We have discovered that Stubberfield also played for the 22 of Hampshire against the United All England XI in 1861, and 1862. Holmes scored 74 for the players of Hants versus 14 Gentlemen of the County in 1865. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Greywell Club would appear to of much more recent origin than Odiham, although available
records may be insufficient to substantiate this. We can trace a start date of the Greywell Club to
1858, and there are references to matches versus Alton up to 1872.
The Vyne Cricket Club came into existence in the 1850s, and the patron was the Chute family. In
1863 they beat Greywell by an innings and 13 runs.
The Greywell players were: T Mulford, P Mulford, Woodman, E Paul, F Edwards, W Mulford, J D
Porter, Barly, Boyd, R Mulford, T Barker. Peter Woodman was the "father" of the then unexpired
Upton Grey Club.
On another occasion the Vyne played Greywell and won by one run (scores 21 to 20) ! In this
match T E Bagge of Cambridge University played for the Vyne and immediately prior has scored 62
and 60 for the Gentlemen versus the Players. Against Greywell be bough a "pair of ducks" and the
Greywell players are recorded as saying "we did not think much of that Gentleman's play".
The Mulford family were the prime movers in early Greywell cricket, and it would seem their
influence was considerable. There were four brothers - William Henry, Robert, John James and
George Frederick. Also involved in early times of the Greywell Club were four brothers of another
family - the Seymours; John, Edward, Henry and Arthur. These were members of an old banking
family belonging to Odiham. Other early Greywell cricketers, include Platts and a Platt, the latter
being from Up Nately. The Captain was Thomas D. Porter, a farmer from Well, previously of
Hursley near Winchester.
The Greywell team usually gave a good account of themselves against the Vyne, Alton, Farnham,
Beech Hill. Oakley Park, Hackwood Park, Fresham and Holybourne. The ground was in a meadow
near St. John's Castle on the Basingstoke Canal, the Club appears from the records to have existed
continuously until 1872, during which time (14 years) they played around 180 games winning about
110 of them. Only occasional matches were played after 1872 until 1884 when F S Cole took over.
In 1894 Mr Cole left Greywell and a new Mulford took the reign - Mr J F Mulford - he was still in
charge into the early 1900s.
The significance of Winchfield in 1889 is apparent by the note in the Greywell score-book of that
year "Greywell Cricket Club, Winchfield, Hants".
On 19th July, 1889 Greywell played Hackwood Park - the Raynbird family club. Hackwood scored
110 in their first innings, Greywell 149. An encounter later that season was against Winchfield.
The Ennismore Club were played on 9th August. Ennismore batted first and scored 65 all out, and
Greywell 47. Ennismore second innings 53, Greywell 59 - a twelve run win for Ennismore. A match
against Basingstoke Wharf (the Basingstoke Canal Company employees) brought the following
scores: Wharf 34 and 19 for 3, Greywell 33.
In a match against Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot on 24th August, Greywell batted first and scored
128 for 5 against Cambridge Hospital's 19 runs. In the return against Hackwood Park, Greywell
scored 125, Hackwood Park replied with 92, and Greywell batting third had 9 on the board for the
loss of four wickets. The result was presumably a draw.
On September 7th 1889 Winchfield were all out for 37 in their first innings and declared at 59 for
four in their second. Greywell scored 58 and 25 for 7. The local Derby on 13th September against
Odiham is recorded as follows: Greywell 24 all out and 76 all out. Odiham 16 all out and 24 for 5.
The teams were:
Greywell- F G Cole, W H Parker, A Barker, H E Cole, E White, A Poulter, F S Cole,
W Barker, H Miller, F Goffe, C Portsmouth.
Odiham- T A Lodge, F G Wickham, D A Loader, C Heath, A Cooper, W Brooks, S Loder,
J A Driver, JL Brooks, D Roffey, Brenchley.
This was the final match of 1889, but on 26th May 1890 Greywell did battle against Winchfield and
on June 9th Greywell played Basingstoke with no result. Still in 1890, against Winchfield, Greywell
scored 137 and Winchfield 42 and 24 for four. Greywell thrashed the Downside Club, 144 against
their 19 on 1st August 1890. Basingstoke mustered 40 and 38 against Greywell's 100 on 25th August,
1890. Hackwood Park on 28th scored only 17 and 27 against Greywell's 124. The final match of
1890 season was against Hartley Wintney, date 30th August.
The Raynbirds and Mulfords were still active in local cricket as we open the pages of Greywell's
1891 scorebook. On June 20th, that year, Basingstoke scored 119 for 9 against Greywell's 52 and 32
for 5. Hackwood scored 112 and 67 for 2 against Greywell's 118 for 8 on the 11th July. There was
obviously not too much Greywell cricket that year, since the next game did not take place until 5th
September, again against Hackwood Park (Mulford with friends and mercenaries versus Raynbird
with friends and mercenaries). Greywell 78 and 96. Hackwood 73 and 76 for 5.
1891 saw further activity. July 25th Greywell 130, Winchfield 75. Monday August 10th, Greywell
130, Winchfield 40 and 49 for 6.
Whilst it is possible that the scorer was inebriated, examine the following players batting scores in
the August 29th 1891 match Greywell versus Winchfield:
J Cordery - 12511112231211211
C R Seymour - 111111111111111112111211321111211112111311111111111
F Maturin - 2122111221111112112121111211111
Very noticeable in scanning the scorebook of Greywell are the low boundary scores which gives
rise to the arguments that modern mowers have given more to the game than the likes of Trevor
Bailey and Geoff Boycott ! For example take the August 29th game of 1891, Greywell versus
Hackwood Park. The scores were Hackwood Park 69, Greywell 148 for 9. J Cordery scored 29 for
Hackwood including a 5, C R Seymour scored 51 for Greywell and F Maturin 39. Neither scored
more than 3 with a single strike.
One cannot leave the Winchfield game or any other of the Greywell Club without paying particular
tribute to the Barker family who appeared so regularly and with so much effect over so many
years. In a return match against Hackwood on 2nd July 1892, Seymour really got a move on in the
second innings scoring 31 (1112221411331111131) out of 93. On Tuesday August 11th , (did they
ever work regular days ?) Crookham at home scored 161 for 3, a big score in those days, and
Greywell replied with 120 (H E Cole 72). The "needle match" return was another excellent game -
Greywell 86, Crookham 95.
Greywell played Winchfield on 23rd July and 10th August, 1892. Seymour in the latter game had
another patient innings, this time playing for Winchfield ! He extended himself scoring thirty -five
singles three twos and two threes for 44. He must have been a joy to watch !
Greywell were well beaten on 12th August, 1892 by Hackwood Park, the old enemy. On 23rd May
1893 Greywell played Winchfield, Greywell 105 (A Mulford 26, H Kettle 37), Winchfield 31 and 23.
The next Greywell scorebook in our possession takes up the Club story from 8th August 1901, and
the Barkers are still very much in evidence. Matches were played versus Odiham, Hook, Winchfield
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Members Personal Recollection 1906 - 1972
For the period 1906-1929 (23 years) we have very few records and are unable to obtain personal
recollections on the Odiham and Greywell Club's activity. However, in 1929 Captain Petre started
a Saturday XI at Odiham. Prior to that year, Odiham cricket had been confined to a Wednesday XI
since the playing of Sunday cricket was banned in the area. One of Captain Petre's first acts was
to fence in the ground (the wicket had been enclosed earlier) and he also met the Club's
expenses. It was at this time that he conscripted the late Alf Hill (who was and O&GCC Honorary
Life Member) who was then playing cricket for North Warnborough. Captain Petre's team consisted
mostly of his estate employees from the Whitehall end of Odiham and since they were not, in the
main, cricketers they naturally lost many of their early encounters.
The first Saturday game was against Long Sutton who included Chico Yalden , a well known figure
whose family not only farmed in Long Sutton but also owned the village shop, pub and
milk/newspaper round. Other early Saturday games were against Up Nately, Water End, and
Mapleduewell.
Alf Hill remembers that transport to away games was very different from today and bicycles were
a regular site at the games. Occasionally Captain Petre conveyed his team in a horse drawn
carriage. Alf played in the first Sunday fixture which was also the first Sunday game for the
opposition, Basingstoke. Also in 1929 S R Hooker (umpire for the Club in the 1980S and father of
Malcolm Hooker) played for Farnham against Odiham Wednesday XI, home and away.
After the war Alf Hill was Captain/Secretary for Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday cricket and well
remembers playing against the outstanding all-rounder Arthur Barker (another O&GCC Honorary
Life Member) of Greywell. Other players of this period included Dickie Baldwin - brother of an
England Umpire, the Clinker family, Cyril Froud (an outstanding wicket-keeper) and two figures
from Lord Wandsworth College, Topham and Geary. However, Crondall, who played on the private
estate of Ichell Manor, were the strongest side of the era and Odiham used to play their 2nd XI.
Alf Hill "hung up his boots" in 1956 having scored 11 centuries in local cricket, with a highest
score for Odiham of 118 not out and having a reputation for hitting sixes over the cottages behind
the pavilion at Hartley Wintney.
It was in the early 1950's that the Greywell Cricket Club and the Odiham Cricket Club merged but
unfortunately the former brought few players and no finances, and so did nothing to solve the
Odiham shortage of young players.
For the post 1956 period we are indebted to the memories of Geoff Cruickshank. He arrived in
Odiham in 1956 to start Danetree School in the High Street. He had previously be playing cricket
for Andover and had one season with Basingstoke. His fine cricketing talent was highlighted by one
week's achievement for Hertfordshire County Cricket Club which read 164, 151, 150 n.o. and 80.
He was, however, an all rounder and on one occasion took nine wickets in a club game. Wally
Hammond wrote of him: "Geoff Cruickshank was good enough for any top county".
On moving to Odiham Geoff was asked to play for the Hampshire Maniacs (which had recently
been formed) against Alton at Odiham. He tells us that the Bedser brothers of Surrey and England
played with him in that match and all three of them did well enough to rob Alton of victory. The
then Secretary of Odiham, Mr Connor, conscripted Geoff Cruickshank's services for the Club and
he played until 1963. In 1958 a number of fetes were held at Danetree School under the auspices
of Mr and Mrs Cruickshank and a total of £750 was raised towards the building of a new pavilion on
the Common, with the National Playing Fields Association contributing the balance.
Geoff remembers that when he was Captain the club had a good nucleus of players and on the
whole the team enjoyed some measure of success.
Derek Moody (Club Chairman for many years and a Life Member) continues the story from 1966.
Having arrived from Cheshire he immediately fell into the clutches of the then Secretary Geoff
Galliver, and was given no opportunity of playing anywhere else.
The Club Chairman at the time was Leslie Hollingham. He had also played for the Club and held
other offices as well as later serving as Honorary Club Auditor. The Club Captain was Eric Talbot
and the star batsman, Andrew Childs of Greywell, ably supported by Ron Tyler, Charlie Porter,
Stan Poulter and Lloyd Hicks. Even in Derek's early association with Odiham and Greywell the
playing membership was sparse. It was always a struggle until 1972 to get a side out and Eric
Talbot did sterling work over many years. The beginning of June was the start of the season (due
mainly to the fact that square was below the level of the Basingstoke Canal adjacent to the
ground and the winter's rain not soaking away quickly, most years, through the clay) and on some
weekends there was only one match. Clubs played during the 1966 - 1972 period included
Rotherwick, Deanery XI, Hartley Wintney, Hook, Hyde Ramblers, East Woodhay, Stratfield Turgis
and Sherbourne St. John with the match against Hampshire Maniacs rated a prime fixture.
When Derek Moody took over the Captaincy in the early 1970s the wicket was notable for extreme
lack of pace since there was no mechanised rolling available. However, notable achievements
included the first wicket stand of 190 against Alton. Generally, the batting outshone the bowling
until the arrival of Mike Vickery who became one of the Club's finest bowlers.
Derek captained the newly formed 2nd XI league team in its first season (1975) with a squad of very
inexperienced young players (including this author) and sadly recorded not one victory. The first
match of the 1976 league season saw the position righted and since that time the 2nd XI has
performed with much promise as well as being a nursery for future 1st XI players and a haven for
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Odiham and Greywell Cricket in the 1970s
During 1972, when the Club was in grave danger of total collapse, Malcolm Hooker was invited to
become the Club Captain. After qualifying as a solicitor, he firstly moved to Basingstoke and
played for the Basingstoke Club. Since opportunities for spin bowlers were scarce. Malcolm moved
on to the Hampshire Maniacs where his chances were improved. The playing strength of the
Hampshire Maniacs later declined through the ravages of anno domini and so Malcolm moved onto
Fleet and Hartley Wintney, when he began his practice in Fleet. Malcolm played for both clubs
before deciding to throw in his lot with Hartley Wintney since Fleet had surplus players and
Hartley Wintney a deficit. Malcolm was elected Captain of Hartley Wintney after his first full
season with the Club and continued there for a further two years until moving to Odiham.
Michael Conville, the then Chairman of The Odiham and Greywell Cricket Club, was delighted to
enlist a local Captain of Malcolm's local cricketing involvement and ability, since the Club was in
real danger of winding up. Malcolm was followed to Odiham by three players whom he has
conscripted at Hartley Wintney, Simon Barder and John Misslebrook, both then from Odiham, and
Bob Seaton of Basingstoke. Derek Moody and Geoff Galliver were at the meeting when Malcolm
Hooker accepted the role of Club Captain and in welcoming him, with Michael Conville, they
stated that the Club finances stood at approximately £70 ! The AGM of the Club took place whilst
Malcolm was on his honeymoon but on his return he discovered that he had been formally elected Captain.
This was in February 1972 and the playing strength consisted of Derek Moody, Mike
Vickery, Malcolm Hooker, Bob Seaton, Simon Barder and John Misslebrook and only 11 fixtures.
The fixture card and the team had to be filled up as best they could.
Malcolm is quoted as saying : "my first job was to find the square" which was like a cow patch.
During 1972 the Club arranged about 35 games (more than had been played during a season in
living memory) and won the majority. Clubs played included Haslemere, Dogmersfield,
Rotherwick, Amport, East Tisted, Fleet 2nd XI, Hindhead, Old Basing, Yateley, Churt, Longparish,
Liphook, Highclere and Frensham. Unbelievably, Simon Barder arranged a match against the
Argentinian Touring team which was cancelled owing to inclement weather, but on the day, in a
makeshift indoor football match O & G C C lost (not unexpectedly) to Argentina !
In 1972, Charles Petre (descendant of the 1895 President) captained the Presidents XI which was a
strong cricketing side. Malcolm remembers his first game for Odiham being at Dogmersfield on a
very wet day; players for Odiham included Bob Seaton, David James, Noel Selfe, Dick Houghton,
Brian Sperring, John Misslebrook and John Biles. David James, the England ABS coach, was an
outstanding batsman that season.
In 1973 the Club had a stronger fixture card and again a good season resulted. In that year
Malcolm began introducing young players into the side with the aim of starting a 2nd XI (the last 2nd
XI was in 1953).
In 1973 the Club 1st XI entered the Hampshire Supplementary Division and in 1974, the North
Hampshire Regional League.
The 1973 season saw the Club's first tour, which was to Devon. In 1974 the 2nd XI entered the
league, with a band of players beginning in Club cricket (in some cases completely new to cricket
itself). Although, the 2nd XI did not win a single match that first season the team spirit was still
intact at the close and many of those new players are still active members of the Odiham and
Greywell Cricket Club today.
From 1976 the Club prospered overall, following a poor season in 1975. Steve Webb and Mike
Whitburn, from the Basingstoke Club, supported O & G C C well in 1975 and in 1976 contributed to
the Club's second position in the league. Owing to a league reorganisation only the overall
winners. Welford Park, well beaten by Odiham, were promoted to the 2nd Division.
In 1977 O & G C C was elected to the new Count 3rd Division and under the Captaincy of Robin
Blunt the Club won the league and was promoted to the 2nd Division in 1978. The Club Sunday
record against Alton, Eversley, St. Cross, Petersfield, and other clubs was remarkable given the
stature of these clubs locally. Eventually, when enthusiasm was at its peak O & G C C fielded
three Sunday X1s . The 3rd XI became known as the "Moles" after the furry little animals that
resided under the cricket pitch on the Common.
Successful mid-week fixtures with Dublin University, Edinburgh University, Swindon and others
helped to create an all action 100+ games per season Club. Tribute is due for this remarkable
growth of the Club, particularly on the organisational and playing front, to the committee of the
era and Malcolm Hooker, whose boundless enthusiasm and hard work made so much possible. In a
quieter and unassuming role the Club Chairman of the time, Bob Butchers (now the President)
provided extra drive and vision.
Clubs who were (and still are) particularly good friends of O & G C C in the '70s include Eversley,
Petersfield, Steep, Longparish and the Hampshire Maniacs.
In completing this section on the 1970s it should be noted that the Club had won the Guy Jewel
Cup in 1973 (the Club's first honour for 20 years), having beaten Courage's of Alton in the final.
The 1980s saw a watershed in Odiham and Greywell's history as the Club was relocated to make
way for the Odiham Bypass. Although, this will be dealt with in a later article I have included a
letter from the Club Chairman of the time, Bob Butchers that was published in "The Origins of
Cricket - the history of two Hampshire Clubs" by way of transition to the new era of the club. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Letter from the Chairman (1980)
"Odiham and Greywell Cricket Club has a long history and when it was re-formed a few years ago
it was impossible to visualise the future. The year 1979 will undoubtedly go down as one of the
most memorable because it marked the end of cricket the old ground alongside the canal at Colt
Hill.
Doug Smith, a loyal supporter of the Club, and instigator of re-forming or forming three local
clubs, thought it an appropriate research and record the history of Odiham cricket. I am
delighted that he has done so. It is of interest now and will prove a invaluable document to
future generations.
It is not my intention to comment on the happenings before 1979 because my main task, as
Chairman, has been to look to the future. The acquisition of the new site presented problems.
The use of land on the Common was rejected because of wetness and insufficient area. The Close
Meadow, behind the Bury, seemed suitable but was unavailable for technical reasons.
Initial negotiations to use the site in Long Lane were thwarted as the County said it was not
available. This left us in quandary and the threat of Odiham and Greywell Cricket Club becoming
extinct again was very real. In desperation Malcolm Hooker and myself visited the Hart District
Council to inspect the Town Map. By chance we mentioned that the Long Lane position was
unobtainable only to be told that this was not so.
That was an important day and negotiations with the County commenced within hours. Despite
frustrations, a square was excavated and built by Christmas 1978. It was a biggish job and was
laid with the finest turf as it had become too late to seed. For the uninitiated, a cricket square
needs constant care and attention which this one received. We now had two grounds to maintain
with voluntary labour. Not only two squares but two outfields to be constantly cut. It is
sufficient to say that, with some difficulty, we managed.
Planning a new Clubhouse was exciting but negotiating the percentage cost with the County was a
big headache. The Club was taking a big gamble which involved money in quantities new to our
little organisation. It was agreed that if we had to move we would do it in a bigger way and make
the new set-up of benefit to the entire community.
The Club has worked hard to raise money by various means and the result is that Odiham and
Greywell Cricket Club starts the 1980 season with a splendid new ground and a splendid new
Clubhouse. I consider it to be a very fine effort.
I am proud to have been associated with the development and consider it to be the start of a
new life for, not only Odiham Cricket, but for the town and associated villages as a whole. I
visualise it becoming the most successful Social Club in the area and providing we continue to get
increased support I think there will general agreement on this point".
Bob Butchers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This page last updated 04 March 1998 Direct your email to: richard@lords.demon.co.uk |
©1998 Richard Hough | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||