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HORSFORD CRICKET CLUB

 
 

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History

 
 

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.

     
     

Designed coded and maintained by Tom Selby
Last updated Monday May 09, 2005 17:25