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The club was
formed in 1947 by four very good friends who spent many evenings
in local hostelries discussing the prospects of setting up a
cricket club in Horsford. The four individuals involved were
Don Raynor, who was a sales representative for a tarpaulin
company who was initially captain of the club and for many years
the mainstay of the club. In support of him were Gordon Godfrey
and Wilfred Wilkinson who were both small holders involved in
animal husbandry. The last and fourth member of the group was
Horace Bowman.
Initially the club
played friendlies which in today's world is a thing of the
past. These were played near the existing club house, the land
which was part of Manor Farm and the tenancy owned by Mr.
Wright. The overall owner of the land was Sir Richard Barratt
Leonard with a peppercorn rent of one shilling per year being
paid. In these early days teas were taken in the hall itself
which today is the Headquarters of Anglian Windows.
In
1977 Horsford vacated the ground to allow for improvements and
played in Fifers Lane on council ground for one year and then
for two further years in the Earlham area at Colney Lane.
In 1976 Horsford
entered competitive cricket for the first time by entering the
Norfolk League winning the League Championship in 1977 and
1978. During this time seven or eight members of the Wilkinson
Family could be selected from - Marcus, Malcolm his brother,
Paul and Peter his sons, Mervyn, Maxwell and Adrian, individuals
who were to have long and influential years with the club were
already present: Alan Mason, Alan Smith, Robin Barnard, Rodney
Bird, and Adrian Gilbert were amongst the playing members with
administration supported by Bernard Smith.
In 1979 Manor Park was bought by R G
Carter Limited and merged with Drayton Farms. A verbal
agreement was made by the owner Sir Richard with Bob Carter the
new owner that Horsford should be allowed to play at Manor Park
for as long as they wished.
In 1980 Horsford
returned to Manor Park to form with Exiles Hockey Club, Manor
Park Sports and Social Club, and in the April of that year the
new pavilion was opened by Dickie Jeeps, Chairman of the then
Sports Council. The majority of the work was undertaken by R G
Carter.
In 1979 the club
had won their three championships in a row and joined the
Norfolk Alliance. At that time there were only two Divisions
and within four years Horsford had won the 1st Division
Championship and progressed to the Premier Division. Since
joining the Norfolk Alliance tremendous growth occurred in
competitive cricket throughout the county and the club has been
a resident in either the Premier or 1st Division until today.
Throughout the
years of Cup competitions trophies have been won including the
Biss Trophy on two occasions, the Carter Cup on two occasions,
in 1988 against Sprowston and 1998 against Vauxhall Mallards,
and the Carter Plate on three occasions.
Sadly to date the
Club has not won the Premier Division of the Norfolk Alliance.
Its highest place to date being third.
It has always been
the policy of the club to run a strong youth policy and in 1995
Horsford 2000 project was formulated by John Carter supported by
Richard Taylor which eventually lead to the unique success of
winning National Championships at Under 13's in 1997 in the Kent
Barrington Trophy which was eventually after gaining three final
appearances. At Under 15 level, the National Championship the
Sun Alliance Canadian Lord Taverners Trophy was won in 1999.
Tremendous success at such high standards was a result of work
by Mike Rowson.
With the
introduction of the East Angilan Premier League disappointingly
a number of outstanding talents were lost and a stabilising and
rebuilding policy in youth cricket has been introduced.
Over resent years
the club has had a number of outstanding players and though it
is probably wrong to single out individuals - names such as John
Carter, Nick Adams, Carl Tuckett, William Jefferson and Parvez
Mir have graced the club.
In addition to the
re-establishment of youth cricket the club has seen the
introduction of Ladies Cricket, who in season 2003 have not only
won their respective League but also holders of individual
awards.
While many clubs
in recent years have struggled with membership we as a club have
been very fortunate in attracting players and through a policy
of blooding players at an early age we have been able to put out
four teams on a Saturday and enter competitive cricket through
the Mid Norfolk League on a Sunday.
The Club is also
pleased to welcome touring sides, where we are able to offer a
good standard of cricket and an above average social side after
the game.
A major step forward for the club was
achieved in the 2000 season when
Norfolk County Cricket Club
decided to make Manor Park their home.
The success of
this move has been beyond our wildest dreams - whilst both
parties believed that we were "people Norfolk could do business
with" its has to be done as a result of a number of very
generous supporters who have provided substantial finance and
through the efforts of a number of very hard working
individuals.
Substantial improvements have been made to
the ground and it is the intention to continue the facility
improvements over the coming year, hopefully supported by an
ECB
grant and further grant funding that exists to be gained.
The Norfolk
Festival held over ten days, to many in Norfolk is the highlight
of the season - a festival that the club is pleased to support
and assist to run.
While the 2004 season proved very successful
from a playing point of view, except for the
1st XI where East Anglian Premier League
status was not achieved.
Actions for the 2005 season have been taken
with a strengthening of structure and
players, with Tony Selby as Director of
Cricket and as new captain in Paul Newman
the ex Derbyshire and Norfolk captain.
In addition to Chris Brown as head coach and
Matthew Wilkinson a number of quality
players have been recruited such as James
Walker, Matthew Goodrham, Matthew Reid,
James Gilliat and James Ing.
A Quality overseas player Henry Davids from
South Africa has also joined the club ranks,
previously with Godmancester scoring 600
runs and taking 42 wickets for them during
the 2004 season.
The season is set for a determined attack on
the Norfolk Alliance Premier League Title. |