BOUNDARY CHAT

THE SKIP - FROM THE BOUNDARY EDGE

questions by Paul Bygrave

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Q: Take yourself back to 1994. You started this great club with a loyal band of ex-Stanwell CC players.Your thoughts please?

I remember it well, our last game of the 93 season at Stanwell saw us playing at Hounslow. No sooner had we got changed then it started to piss it down and we retreated to the bar. I was sat there drinking beers with my closest friend and Vice Captain Stevie Brown. We had for some weeks been talking about where we would play our cricket in 94 as we were very disillusioned with life at Stanwell. Some of the guys had caught wind of this and two of them Stu Black and Roy Cordell approached us about starting up a club of our own. So in theory the idea behind the club was not really mine as such. A meeting followed in October at which all the Stanwell 2^nd XI attended along with Dave Miah and Richard Sones – both of whom played for the seconds but were also pulled into the 1^st XI to make up their numbers. The meeting went well and Space agreed to be our fixture secretary (same role he had at Stanwell) and Curly agreed to be treasurer (although he had reservations having been at Stanwell for years) and from then on we were up and running. Over the winter we pulled in some additional guys, like Windy and Garsh and we started our first season the following April. As I was captain of the 2nds I was seen as this instigator of the move and ultimately got credited with starting the club, and also took the blame at Stanwell who saw me as the chief mutineer that took half of their club away, but in truth the guys wanted it and made it happen – and I think the fact we are still here and Stanwell are defunct says a lot.

Wow, that’s a tough one. Not sure what the expectations were really, suppose the first thing was to hope we had enough players to get us through the season as there were not a lot of resources. I certainly didn’t expect us to set the world alight with many wins or anything like that , we just set out to enjoy ourselves without the pressures and politics of a bigger multi XI club. I remember winning first time out and then coming down with a bump in the second match. We played at some ‘rough’ grounds in those days – Trinibis springs to mind!

Q: Did you seriously think that KINGS CC would still be operating some 17 seasons later with a core of players ?

No I don’t suppose I did really, not that I thought we would fold but more that we were likely to get swallowed up by a bigger club – but that has never really been a threat. Beyond my wildest dreams I never thought 6 of the original 11 in the first game would still be playing for us 17 years on – that has to be quite an achievement and says a lot for the club and beyond all for the guys who make the club what it is

Good grief! 300+ games and you want me to pick one? There have been some great games but I think one that really sticks out was when we blew Shepperton away at their place for just 55! They were always strong opponents for us and to go there and perform so well was just great and remember us having a great laugh in lowering their club flag to half mast. But I could more than likely list a dozen or so favourite games

We were playing against Chadwick, a team of actors and TV stars – seem to remember the game being played in Ham or somewhere like that. We had a top order collapse and in those days I was batting at No. 6 – we were in all sorts of trouble and looking at a heavy defeat. I ended up batting with Garsh and we started to rebuild – I started to flow and hit some nice boundaries while Garsh kept ticking it over the other end. When Garsh got out I was joined by Brian Miah and I didn’t think he would last long and ended up trying to manufacture a shot to keep the strike – that was my undoing and got bowled – regretted it ever since as had I known I was close to fifty I would have just played naturally. That’s the closest I have come to a Kings fifty, and guess it will always be as I was a far better player than than I am now

Too many off field moments have left me in doubled up in laughter – sometimes been left laughing in tears! There have been some fantastic moments on tour and some of the old award ceremonies were a real craic. But still can’t beat that great event on tour when Brian ‘Mahmood’ Miah fielded the ball at fine leg, went to ping the ball back to the keeper only for it to end up at 3^rd man – after which Brian in all seriousness shouted out “come on Kings sharpen up”. I also remember Paul Hawkins going to pull a ball, lose his balance and ended up sat on top of his stumps flattening them in the process – to this day I think he is the only player given out hit wicket.

Nope, not really – yes there are loads of times that I wanted to/threatened to resign (as you know) but having done the job for 20+ years (including skippering at Stanwell) it just becomes second nature. Sometimes its frustrating but the good times more than outweigh those days when you wonder why you do it. I guess sometimes I do just want to go through the game not thinking about what to do if I win the toss or what bowling and fielding changes to make or making sure so and so gets a game. I love doing it the job, not being a great player it has enabled me to channel my passion for the game into an area I think I am good at. I do love the strategy side and thinking about the next challenge but sometimes you do want to sulk off to boundary and let the game run itself. The hardest part is making that decision who plays when we have too many available. What I do regret is the approach I took a few years back of worrying what team we had, and looking to bring outsiders in to ensure we had strength – this was wrong and started to wreck the team spirit. I was then made to realize that it’s all about the club and not the results. I still love to win, but no longer at all costs!

Q: We’ve been blessed with some superb players over the years. Who in your opinion has been our best ?

That’s a toughie. We’ve had some superb players over the years. In the early days players like Stevie Brown, and Scotty Hart were pure legends. Then as we moved on you would have to consider Rich Evans. Of the current players the likes of Julc, Pipey, Windy all top quality players – their records speak for themselves. You would have to consider Ginge, as he is a true all rounder then of course Joely, who always seemed to have so much time. But the best has to be DP, such a great all round player – have nothing but the greatest admiration for what he has done for and achieved for our club over so many years – such consistancy

Q: We’ve been blessed with some stupendously poor players too. Who takes / took the biscuit ?

I guess the ones who have always thought they were just far better than they actually were – people like Cocksy – always thought he was a far better player than he actually was, all the gear and yet never really figured out that he wasn’t that good but you could throw people in like Dickie Hartmann as well.

Well, there has certainly been some who have been a challenge to skipper, including a few in our current team (mentioning no names!) but I guess those who can always find a reason to bitch or complain about something, be it the weather, the oppo, the ground etc bring challenges but I wouldn’t say a thorne in the side. People either fit in the club or they dont

Several really, Garsh and Oz – both been there from the start through thick and thin. I played with Oz at Stanwell, remember the first time he batted – came out, no gloves, no box and didn’t take a guard either – he just played everything off the pitch and nobody could get him out! Was so pleased for him when he got fifty over at Laleham Village some years back and will always remember him taking 5 for 2 including a hat trick to win the game vs. Kingstonians. Always had a lot of respect for Garsh, who was the most natural bowler in our early days, lovely smooth action bowling natural away swingers – no one could match his records in the early days and so glad he remodeled his action and is again loving playing for Kings – both these guys have Kings in their blood. But the other hero is good old Curly. I’ve been playing with Rich for about 28 years now and remember when he used to come steaming in picking up wickets week after week. Over the years he has lost the pace but keeps dragging himself to crease, usually uphill and into the wind, and he always has a smile on face and is always so modest – a nice guy all round. Then people like Smutty and Wrighty, there week in week out just being there for the love of the club and enjoying the game even if their own input is limited on the day

So, I worked this on age really those with a good few years ahead of them. Those who immediately come to mind. Nange, I first met him playing for his 20/20 pub team, had no idea of what he would be like but from the off the way hit the ball you had to be impressed, great fielder with safe hands and such a good bloke all round, always ready with a joke – typical Irishman! He could rewrite the record books, as long as he gets back playing regularly. Then there is Daisy, liked the fella the moment I met him, so much passion and aggression with a huge heart and huge desire, and just great for team spirit. Melli – so much talent, sometimes I just want him to chill and not be worried if he doesn’t come off, when he’s in and flowing he can match the best – he also has so much promise as a bowler you just think if he relaxed and went with the flow and accepted it’s not always his day it would all come right. Like Tom B a lot as well – gives good chirp, decent keeper and always battles hard at the crease, I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet. JG – the player everyone loves to have a dig at! If only he stopped worrying about what shot the batsman was playing or what the oppo are like, what the pitch is like etc – and just enjoyed himself he could go on to break all sorts of records.

This will seem a little crass but playing with a great bunch of lads. I know it sounds soft but its great to meet up with people I really consider real friends. I live between 3 villages, each has a club that I could get a game with, but doing the 100 mile round trip is worth it just to be with people who have been good mates over the years.

Still being here 17 years on – and being able to hold our own with the big established clubs

Personally – not getting that 50 vs. Chadwick. From a club point of view none really.

Q: Out of the current crop of players, who would you least like to share a pint down the pub with?

Thanks! Put me on the spot! Well, Frodo doesn’t know what the inside of a pub looks like so that rules him out. Ginge would spend all the night talking about himself! But I am not sure I could listen to Smurfette telling me how good his bowling is!

Under achieved is a big statement (I could say myself really I suppose) How about fettled skills! Watneys is so talented and could really rewrite some records but always seems to go for one shot to many, but that’s how he plays and he wouldn’t be him if didn’t play that way. Oz I always felt could have been a great bowler if only he found a constant rhythm, and Melli could really be a great all rounder, he just seems to need some luck on his side.

Maybe not an opponent but I’ve been ready to deck a few of our own umpires on some occasions!

Q: Is there any one cricketer that past or present that has shaped your captaincy?

I guess I learnt to be my own person and captain in my own style. I certainly learnt not to be like some of the captains I played under! I have always valued input from players who may have good ideas or suggestions – but the key is listening even if you don’t act on it. Always like input from the ‘keeper’ because he gets such a different view on the game, Smut has always been a good go to person. What I loathe is people thinking they can do what they think is right without consulting with me – you can only have one captain, captaincy by committee does not work, seek input and advice but ultimately you have to call the shots. So, to answer your question, no one person but the biggest influence really came from reading Mike Brearley’s book “The Art of Captaincy” – it was given to me by my mate Mike Storey not long after I declared a Stanwell innings closed with him on 99 not out – he has never forgiven me and I think the message was in the book he gave me! It’s a great book and really gives you a great insight to one of England’s greatest Captains.

These days it has to be Kempton CC just because they always ensure they get a good side out to play us. I do wonder what they get out of the game other than wanting to just get one over us. But going back through the years Shepperton CC were tough, as were Hayes CC. Another one who always give us a tough game are Priestfield – as a Wandering side they have a good base of talented players – they have such strength in depth

I always remember Melli once saying if he won the lottery he would buy a piece of land and turn it into Kings own ground – that thought always lived with me and I suppose I echo that, so if there was ever a million kicking around I might just make Melli’s dream come true. On a personal note I would love to see all our off spring one day take the club forward – the like of Ollie Perry, Joe Pipe, young Nangle, the Mears boys and of course the young Youngs’

Q: If there was one member of the team that was allowed to defile your missus, who would it be and why?

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder…and looking at the player profiles pictures you could rightly claim we could all stake a claim for this title – from the past it would have to be Russian Hat Cocksie but Smurfette has to be the current Gollum award winner!

In the field the Deviant would have to be up there – but a newer candidate would have to be Al Wright – I have to check twice to make sure he moves from end to end between overs! When it comes to off the field it has to be Watney’s – once he is out trying to get him anywhere near umpiring duties is like pushing a truck uphill!

No competition there, it might not be the strongest (had a shoulder injury back in 1990 which has always restricted my throw) but I think I generally get it heading in the right direction – sadly Papa sprays it around like he is throwing confetti at a gay boys civil partnership.

I’d love to think so, but the challenges for the next 17 years will be a lot harder. We are all getting a lot older and it will only be how much the younger guys in the club want to carry it on. I always hoped that one day I would see my boys play for the club – if we can get through 5 more years and start to get some colts in and playing we may make it. BUT, and it’s a big BUT we will need a lot of commitment moving forward. I really hope so, there is a real magic in the team, such a great bunch of guys - but it won’t be me who decides, it’s up to all of us and if they WANT the club to carry on – we can’t leave it to one another we all have play our part. But I have to say I hate the thought of there never being a Kings