How many seasons have you played for Box, can you remember your debut and why you joined the club?
I started playing for Box CC in 1967 (I think(. It was a long time ago. This came about because I was a member of Box Scouts, the Scoutmaster at the time was Alec Cogswell. He was also the captain of the 2nd Eleven. So myself, Charlie Davis, Roger Rebbeck and Graham Cogswell (Sorry if I have forgotten anyone else) started playing for the team. Thus started a playing journey that lasted for some 25 years.

During that time, I played with and got to know some very talented players – Trevor Cross, Richard Gray, Graham Guy, Gerald Hayward, John Harris, Ron Low, Eric Martel and Mike Warren among others. Yes, even Gerald! he’s not as young as he looks springs to mind!
All could have played at a higher level but stayed and played for the club for many years. Perhaps spending a considerable amount of time after matches at HQ (Better known as the Queens Head) had an influence!
During the early years of my involvement with the club, I particularly enjoyed playing on Sundays. At that time, games against some of the better Bristol sides were both competitive and enjoyable. It was proper cricket, with both sides trying to win by getting the other side out, rather than winning by just trying to stop them from scoring.
I played regularly for the club until the Mid 1990’s, I thought it was time to stop when, with me fielding at mid-on, the striking batsman pushed it to me and took a very comfortable single. At the risk of being too nostalgic, I will never forget my playing days with Box and as they say ‘Would love to do it all again’

What club positions have you held?
As well as being a member of the committee during the years I played, I acted as Treasurer and captained the 2nd team. Since retiring I have acted as Trustee for the club, a position that makes me feel very old!

What are your most memorable games for Box?

There are too many memories to mention, but here are a few
1. Winning at Chippenham when I was captain. The first team won on the same day. It was a day when Tony Trotman took 8 wickets. More notable was the fact that all 10 Chippenham batsmen were out caught. I can only recall one catch going down which was truly remarkable for the second team.

2. My career best bowling for Box at Westinghouse against their second eleven, 3 for under 30. I mentioned this to Richard Gray, him being captain of the club for many years, nut he never asked me to bowl, even in hopeless match situations. I still wonder why!

3. My favourite. I was reminiscing about this with Mike Warren recently. In the 1970’s there were annual tours to West Sussex. For younger readers those were the days when the playing times for matches were typically 2.30pm to 7.30pm with a 20 minute break for tea at 5.00pm. Occasionally the side batting first would bat for a few minutes past 5.00pm if they felt they did not have a high enough score.
One year we played Dover or Folkestone (I can’t recall which), it was Day 3 or 4 of the 5-day tour, those that have toured will know the physical state of many of the party by that time. Anyway, Box batted first and batted to just after 5pm. A leisurely tea was taken and then someone decided we ought to have a team photo. Their opening batsman was waiting while all this was going on and getting more and more uptight. Anyway, we started playing again at 5.40pm and he began hitting the ball to all parts of the ground and had 50 to his name in no time. Even Trevor Cross’ bowling, which was normally immaculate, was getting the treatment. Eventually one ball went in the air near a fielder at considerable speed, Richard Bryant was the fielder (not keeping wicket that day) who clung on to it, but it was going at such force it knocked him over. Priceless for those that were there!

4. Trevor Cross. I had a lot of time for Trevor, he was a true character. He joined the club in the 1970’s having played a good standard of cricket in the past. He was an opening bowler who bowled ‘induckers’ as he called them. He said he did this, so he did not have to worry about a fielder dropping a catch off hi bowling. What made me include him here was that when he was bowling, he liked to umpire at the same time. Typically, he would bowl, the ball would hit the pad, Trevor would appeal and then discuss at length with the umpire as to whether the batsman was out or not.

5. Ted Simpkins. Ted was an umpire for the club for many of the years that I played. We got on well because we shared an interest in the fortunes of Bath City Football Club. The Bath Chronicle used to print a Saturday early evening sports paper which had a report on the latest Bath City match. Someone got Ted his paper and he started to read it while standing at Square leg. Next thing we know is the paper is starting to smoulder, someone had set it alight! Naming no names, but Ant Smith was fielding nearby
6. Eric Martel. Many have made mention of this cheerful friendly character, who has left such a big gap in many lived. He did support the wrong football club (Crewe Alexandra) after he moved to Wiltshire, it should have been Swindon, but I never held it against him.
As has been said, Eric like to give players nicknames. His for me was ‘Clagger’. He said this was to do with my three attacking shots (Or two, if you ignore the leg-bye). Provided the bowler bowled the ball in the right slot that is, approx. six inches outside off stump, then I could ‘Clag’ it through extra cover or hoik it round to cow corner with some force

The Future for Box
Box CC was a big part of my early adult life, it has given me lifetime friendships and indirectly a wife of 42 years and counting. I sincerely hope the club will prosper, but I do fear for its future. I feel that if it is to survive , and I emphasise survive, it is essential that a second eleven be reformed asap. Ideally it would include the cricket playing youth of the village. I know times are different from when I started playing though. Today there are more alternatives available, more demands on time and achieving this is easier said than done but do please try.

Lastly, for those still playing, enjoy it, enjoy the banter, your playing days soon pass.

We’re taking a break from the player profiles over the Christmas period and will be back in the New Year