Cheam Cricket Club Ground
| Ground information | |||
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| Location | Cheam, London | ||
| Establishment | 1864 | ||
| Capacity | 8,000 | ||
| Team information | |||
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As of 29 August 2010 Source: Ground profile | |||
Cheam Cricket Club Ground is a cricket ground in Cheam, London (formerly Surrey). The first recorded match on the ground was in 1940, when Cheam played London Counties.[1]
More recently, the ground has held Surrey Second XI matches in the Second XI Championship and the Second XI Trophy.[2][3]
In 1968, the ground held a game for John Edrich against the International Cavaliers. The game attracted 8,000 people and was the first cricket match to be televised in colour by the BBC.[4]
The Surrey Cricket Board played 2 List-A matches at the ground, the first of which came against Norfolk in the 1999 NatWest Trophy. Their second List-A match at the ground came in the 2001 Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy against Huntingdonshire.[5] Cricket first came to Cheam in 1864. The enthusiastic founders restricted membership of the club to parishioners, and vacancies only occurred when a member 'left the village'. Most of the local traders were members - Noakes the brewer, Chadband - tailor. Norrington - general store, Napper - baker, Corbett - horse-drawn cab owner, together with the Sillence and Ockenden families. The Rev. Tabor, the Headmaster of Cheam School, played an important role not only in Cheam cricket, but in the wider and global task of establishing a standard size and weight of the cricket ball. The gentry were listed as Honorary Members and paid a guinea subscription - as opposed to players, who paid half-a-guinea. Some most notable gentry members were the Rev. Tabor and later his son, A.S. Tabor, Rev. H.M.S. Taylor, Ralph Beck of the White House, Sir Edmund Antrobus and his son, Hugh Lindsay Antrobus, Spencer Wilde, Rev. T.C. Maule, Rev. Charles Hobbs Rice, Rev. Northey, W.G. Farmer, W.G. Boniface and later Edward Boniface. By 1876 Edward Boniface' had acquired the Brewery from John Noakes and as 'Brewer' he is named in the deeds to our present land. In the early days the club rented various meadows then in 1875 leased 5 acres in Cheam Park. Away games often involved considerable travel (Fetcham, Westcott, Holmwood, lsleworth and Mertsham) though local fixtures also included some of what are now our fellow Championship clubs. Refreshments were taken in the Red Lion Inn. Travel was by coach and horses, or by the London Brighton and South Coast Railway that had reached Cheam in 1846. A highlight was the final of the Surrey Challenge Cup played at Kennington Oval between Cheam and Farnham in August 1861. Also in 1881 'Cricket for Boys' was introduced - one of the earliest examples of colts cricket? Between the wars Records are missing after 1889 and it was not until November 1919 that there was the first recorded gathering of the post-war Cheam Cricket Club. Under the auspices of Lord Ebbisham ("a mixture of Dick Whittington and Peter Pan who did as much for sport as any man") and Canon Wesley Dennis ("the finest ever sporting clergyman") considerable support was given to the lease of land adjacent to Peach's Close (named after Henry Peach, rector of Cheam 1760). Momentum was maintained and in 1921 the freehold was purchased together with an additional 4.5 acres. During this time members donated 52 poplar trees, each costing half-a-crown, and planted them in juxtaposition to the railway; every one was 'watered in' with half-a-pint of bitter. These trees, of which 35 still survive, continue to be one of the outstanding features of the ground today, together with the enormous permanent sight screen at the railway end. Originally built to hide the unsightly building works on the other side, the screen was also used as an advertising hoarding directed at the passing railway passengers. This screen. which was extended in 1987 to 50.5 metres, may now qualify as the longest in the world. Accommodation was Spartan, with an army Nissen Hut serving as bar and canteen. No hot showers in those days! As might be expected, the members were not content and wanted a pavilion in keeping with the club's size and importance. Energy and enthusiasm led to the building of the 'New Pavilion' in 1931, which substantially forms the current edifice, though the present bar area was added in 1938. Its opening was commemorated with a match against the Royal Exchange Assurance Co. led by Captain Bill Randall and supported by Lord Ebbisham, Hon R.R. Blades, Andy Sandham, Alf Gover and Freddie Robson. Many cricketers of the years between the two wars are well remembered, a tribute to their contributions and to the memories of those members who survive. Stories abound of the exploits of such outstanding players and characters as Bob Blake, Norman Zabell, Freddie Robson, Don Fisher, Basil Royle, Bill Randall and Jack Barraclough, together with the aforementioned Lord Ebbisham and R.R. Blades. Don Fisher, who had been President for many years, passed away in November 1991 at the age of 87 - a wonderful man who was always happy. A regular spectator, he could be relied upon to give support and advice and he will be greatly missed, not only by his family but also by a wide cross-section of club members. On the outbreak of war all the ground staff left to take up active service, followed later by the Steward. Casual and voluntary help rallied to keep the club running on a day-to-day basis throughout the conflict. Three sides were run, giving much enjoyment to the large number of spectators - but these were early days. Bombs fell on the ground in 1940 and 1944 causing damage to the ground and pavilion. Trenches were dug to prevent the landing of enemy aircraft and the pitches suffered severely, necessitating the re-turfing of the square after the war. Nevertheless, cricket was still possible and in May 1944 Cheam played a Surrey County Colts side which, with other fund-raising activities, realised the magnificent sum of £628-7s-4d for the Red Cross and St. John Fund (equivalent to £12,000 at 1992 values). Post War After the war players gradually returned and Cheam continued to play to a high standard and in the spirit of the game. Many of the pre-war cricketers were joined by members who were to contribute so much. There are fond recollections of Alan Agland, Peter Atton, Bob Bellfield, Mike Bolingbroke, the Connolly brothers, Tony Cooke, Gilbert Corke, Eric Hagger. Sidney Harris, Arthur Howell, Jeff Jefferies, Edgar Jenkin, Walter Kirton. David Laudy, Ted Mason, W.H.J. Miller, Charley Moxham, John Potter, Denis Rozier, Doug Ryder, Ted Thornby, David Trembath, Eddie Watts, Brian Wix, Ron Yapp. To recount the services, exploits and performances of all these would require a book of its own! The late fifties and early sixties became known as the 'Benefit Years'. Superbly organised, several entertaining matches raised valuable sums for the beneficiaries. David Fletcher (a Cheam member) was first in 1957, followed by Eric Bedser in 1958, Bernie Constable in 1959 and Peter Loader in 1963. In 1968 Cheam staged an 'International Cavaliers' match sponsored by Rothmans: John Edrich was the beneficiary and BBC2 televised the game in colour. The club was packed by close on 8,000 people - a record outside a county ground. On a perfect day, a magnificent match paraded John Edrich, Mickey Stewart, Pat Pocock, Arnold Long, Stewart Storey, Colin McDonald, Bobbie Simpson, Trevor Goddard, Ted Dexter, Trevor Bailey, Frank Tyson and Gary Sobers. Cheam maintained its reputation for fine, aggressive batting with the emergence of Harold Smith, who was to become the youngest 1st XI captain (and who also relished striking the fastest bowlers back over their heads), Mike Osborne and Graham Fyson from the forces, and Alan Coysh from school. The Championship Years Cheam joined enthusiastically as a founder member of the Surrey Championship in 1968, with Nick Busk as one of the original committee. joining was risky as there were suggestions that the Conference ruling body could refuse to recognise clubs in the Championship - with potential loss of opponents for lower sides. The club have been most fortunate in its ground staff who have consistently produced pitches of high standard - sometimes too good to enable sides to be bowled out! A very large outfield suffers the many assaults of hockey sticks during the winter. For the first seven years the 1st XI struggled and usually featured towards the bottom end of the table. The class of Alan Coysh and strength of Dick Millar on the batting side were complemented by the quality of David Morgan (more of him later) and stamina of Don Moody on the bowling front. Regrettably, skippers Harold Smith, Alan Coysh and John Collier did not quite have the fire power for the upper echelons. Some brightness appeared when Mike Haigh led the 1st XI to 8th in 1975 and then 4th in 1976 - which was to be the best position for another 12 years. This improvement coincided with the arrival of Chris Sutton-Mattocks, a very fast scoring opener with the reliable John Lucas, the exciting Graham Law and youthful Ian Wilks, allowing a late middle order of Coysh, Millar and Haigh to consolidate. With many of these batsman also able to turn an arm over there was plenty of support for Morgan, Australian Giles Bush and Rick Palmer. Outstanding fielding accounted for a total of 105 catches taken. At the same time the 2nd Xl were also emerging from the nether regions. New skipper Nick Mason led the side from 18th to 3rd in 1976, then to top of the table in 1977. Probably, the strength of the 1st XI meant that players who could in the past have expected places in that side now found themselves in the 2nds. Fine batting came from Bill Turner, Bob Gray and John Young with bowling honours going to Kevin Crocker, Bill Wood, Tim Masey, Graham Booker and John Parsons. Graham Knapper set a high standard for the fielding. Mason successfully captained in 1979, 1980 and 1981, finishing 3rd, 2nd and 1st respectively. The recipe was the same but increasing prominence was being attached to the capabilities of the colts. Although colts cricket was formed in 1948, and had been well managed by 'Brigadier' Maxwell, Harold Smith and Roger Hearn, it was the arrival of Graham Booker in 1975 from Old Suttonians that was to trigger a vast increase in activity. Graham's dedication and hard work organising and coaching led to the exceptional success his sides achieved, while over the half of the present senior players joined through the colts. Senior colts tours to Sussex, and junior tours to Weymouth (plus the odd venture overseas), became a regular feature and blended with an extensive fixture list involving many local clubs. Mark Rowland was the first to work through to the 1st XI in 1981, closely followed by David Allen (who as understudy to David Morgan has served a long apprenticeship) in 1982, and Bob Falconer in 1983. Alistair Brown's exceptional ability gave him a short cut to the top in 1985 at the age of I5. The early 1980s saw the club struggling to move above mid table. Alan Coysh continued to accumulate his runs (mostly on the leg side), scoring 6,256 before his retirement in 1988. Roger Bowles joined from Beddington in his renaissance and showed his class with 3,245 runs for Cheam - almost as many as for Beddington. Too much reliance was placed on David Morgan to bowl out the opposition, although he did have capable support from John Holmes and David Allen. The side had become a mix of ageing stars and inexperienced high-potential young men. Despite the efforts of skippers Steve Hyde and Mark Rowland it was not until 1989 that fortunes began to turn. In 1987 Cheam played host to Sylvester Clarke with his Surrey side and lmran Khan with his from Sussex, in a combined benefit match. A large audience enjoyed a run feast from Collis King, Alvin Kallicharan, Mansoor Akhtar, Garth Leroux, Paul Parker, Alec Stewart and Monty Lynch. The club were represented on both sides with Mark Rowland (ex-Sussex 2nds) and Alistair Brown for Surrey. Success The recruitment of Gary Martin from Sunbury and Andy Smith from Worcester Park filled gaps and gave new skipper Bob Falconer a potent force. 1989 saw a move up from 14th to 3rd - hard hitting, aggressive and powerful Alistair Brown (793 runs) and dependable Martin (658) led the runmakers, the two Davids - Morgan (48 wkts) and Allen (22 wkts) - led the bowling, with Andy Smith (son of Bill Smith) and Mark Butcher (son of Alan Butcher) as all rounders. Smith and Butcher soon joined Brown on the professional staff at Surrey. But all this was a warm up for 1990. Attitudes had changed, the competitive spirit had increased and the side was fit and well-practised. Top position was gained in mid June and held thereafter. Scoring over 200 runs 13 times and only being bowled out three times showed where the cutting edge lay - Alistair Brown's dynamic stroke play led both the Championship aggregates and averages with 1,038 runs at 64, including four centuries; Gary Martin was close behind with 941 at 52, including a century and eight scores over 50; Andy Smith chipped in with 562 including two centuries, and Mark Butcher with 584 and six 5Os. Mark Rowland excelled behind the stumps with 22 catches and 5 stumpings. As always it was Morgan (49 wkts) who did most damage with the ball, though he was very well supported by Aussie Andy Watson (41 wkts), Mark Butcher (29 wkts) and David Allen (21 wkts). But there was other success in 1990 - Cheam won through the preliminary rounds of the NKO Cockspur Cup and then saw off Horsham and Truro in the quarter and semi-finals. The final, played at Lords against Blackpool, was a tremendous, well-balanced contest. The boundary was very short to one side of the ground, and overlooked by a large, noisy and enthusiastic crowd of supporters. Batting was difficult for both sides against tight and accurate bowling supported by excellent fielding in a tense and emotional atmosphere. Cheam were deprived of the services of Alistair Brown (cup-tied with too many County appearances), and only Bob Falconer reached 50 in a total of just under 200. Blackpool struggled at first, but pulled away to win in the last over. It was an occasion all those present will always remember. 1998 saw the 1st XI attain entry into the new 'Premier Division' for 1999, with games being played between 11:30 and 19:30. New members Yuoll, Westerby, Nethling from South Africa and the return of Willox together with the emergance of England U19 member Carberry have strengthened the squad. Meanwhile, the 2nd Xl under Mark Rendall completed the Championship double by winning the title (retaining it in 1991 and 1998). As with the 1st Xl the major strength was batting with 11 out of the 12 victories coming from batting second. The swashbuckling Steve Want was outstanding with 962 runs, supported by Mike Dillon (457), Mark Rendall (389) and keeper Starns (262). All-rounders Chris Cornell and Ricky Allen played vital roles, scoring critical runs and dominating the bowling with 43 and 40 wickets respectively. Stuart Gower's pace accounted for 11 victims and Simon Jardine's left arm spin produced 25 wickets. All these players have risen through the colts. The 3rd Xl should not be forgotten, as they have taken their title no less than four times, the last in 1989. The team has built a formidable reputation on the performances of the likes of David Nott, Sunil Patel, Graham Elgar, Simon Farrow, Trevor Lonsdale, Gavin Kuit, Pat Wearne and Chris Hyde.In local domestic cricket, the ground is the home venue of Cheam Cricket Club.[6]
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Coordinates: 51°21′14″N 0°13′13″W / 51.35379°N 0.22015°W