LITTLE MARLOW CRICKET CLUB

A BRIEF HISTORY, 1894-2007

The Early Years 1894-1914

Little Marlow’s first recorded match took place at Bisham on Saturday 15^th September 1894. Although it is not possible to say for certain that this was the club’s inaugural season, a “South Bucks Free Press” report from June of 1895 describes it as being ‘in its infancy’.

The game was a typical pre-First World War encounter, low scoring and extending to more than one innings per side. Although the use of mechanical mowers, introduced in the 1830s, was commonplace on major cricket grounds, a vast majority of village pitches were still cut by scythe. Long grass on outfields, which were likely to be ‘mown’ by grazing livestock, added to the difficulties. Any batsman reaching double figures had produced a noteworthy performance, whilst 50 would be a reasonable team total.

Little Marlow batted first and were dismissed for 32, to which Bisham replied with 46. The visitors fared no better second time around, scoring just 30. The hosts reached their target and, as was common practice, batted on until time ran out at 42 for 8. The margin of victory was duly recorded as the difference between runs scored, as opposed to number of wickets remaining when victory was achieved.

Where time was called before a positive result could be achieved over two innings, the match was decided on first innings. Unless rain intervened, nearly all games reached a decisive conclusion. Little Marlow’s first recorded draw did not occur until 1913.

Transport in those early years was obviously not as readily available as it is today. A large majority of players lived and worked within a relatively short distance of their home ground, and played against local opposition. Limited leisure options made cricket clubs attractive, to players and spectators alike, so there were many more teams than there are today. Wycombe was about the furthest that Little Marlow travelled prior to the 1914-18 hostilities. As well as Bisham, fixtures were arranged against sides from Bourne End, Well End, Wooburn, Flackwell Heath, Marlow, Pinkneys Green, Cookham Dean and Loudwater. Home games were played on the present site, which formed part of the Little Marlow Estate owned by Mr John Pattison Ellames and his wife Marie. They lived at the manor house.

At a time of high manual labour levels, many businesses and places of work had their own elevens. In the early years of the 20^th Century Little Marlow played Glory Mills, Marlow Brewery and Davenport Vernon. Taplow Station ran a regular Saturday side.

George Almond was a leading figure in the club’s early development. He was a useful batsman and outstanding bowler who in 1895 took 6 wickets for 1 run, including his second hat trick of the match, as visitors Flackwell Heath were dismissed for just 9 in 20 minutes. They seem to have been Almond’s favourite opponents – he took another hat trick against them 12 months later. Those were just three of the many wickets he captured during the 1896 season.

Tragically, seven weeks later he was dead. Taken ill, he died in Marlow Cottage Hospital after only two days from agonising lockjaw and spinal pains. Aged just 21, he was Club Secretary and had recently been presented with the leading bowler award at the annual dinner. His cousin, Henry, a regular with Bisham, was another talented cricketer. He played a few games for Little Marlow during what proved to be George’s last season.

Quite a few Little Marlow members found employment at the local board and paper mills, whilst some were gardeners or farm workers. Others, such as William Heath, were labourers. He took many wickets for the club during its formative years.

William Clifford was another who enjoyed success with the ball. For nearly 40 years until 1907 his father ran the village bakery at what is now ‘Old Barn Cottage’, the home of Quentin Falk, Little Marlow’s longest serving player. Charles Herbert and Edward Messenger fared better than most in overcoming the odds stacked against batsmen.

Tea intervals did not start to gain favour until the end of this pre-War period. Refreshments would be made available after the game. For matches at Little Marlow, all adjourned to “The King’s Head”, at least two of whose landlords turned out for the club. An evening’s entertainment might include musical renditions by players and others.

A report on the fixture between Wycombe West End’s “Chairmakers’ Arms” and Little Marlow in 1898 includes a detailed description of the post match ‘Smoking Concert’. A full list of the songs and their performers is provided. Proceedings concluded with the National Anthem. Similar events were still taking place in the 1930s.

In 1902 Little Marlow amalgamated with their nearest neighbours and became ‘Well End and Little Marlow C.C.’ That remained the club’s official name for 24 years, but home matches were still played at the Recreation Ground and from 1909 most reports refer to the teams simply as ‘Little Marlow’.

The early 1900s brought the arrival of Edward ‘Ted’ Shaw, whose family were well known boat builders in Bourne End and Marlow. Educated at Marlow’s Sir William Borlase School, he’d gone on to make a name for himself as an accomplished footballer for the town’s highly rated club and the Berks and Bucks team, captaining both elevens. An extremely popular man, who was always amongst the first to volunteer his services when it came to organising local sports events, his quiet and unassuming demeanour made him many friends amongst all classes of the community. He proved to be an outstanding performer with bat and ball for several years. He was also a fine shot, clever fisherman, good billiards player and all-round river man. In addition to all this he found time to serve on the Little Marlow Parish Council before leaving the area in 1914.

Len Smith was another who came to the fore during this period, particularly as a bowler. He was to be a stalwart of the club, as player and umpire, for forty years. Sons Wilf and Eric became regulars in the 1960s and grandson Jake is a current member.

Clifford was a prominent name throughout the first five decades of Little Marlow Cricket Club’s history. During the first two William played alongside his father, William snr, and brothers Frank and Reginald. A second Clifford family were market gardeners who came to Well End from Mortlake in Surrey. They established Cliffords Orchards, which was situated above the Chalklands estate, off Bourne End’s Blind Lane. The business was sold to housing developers in the 1950s, but is commemorated by the road ‘Cliffords Way’. Charles and his son Val played for many years, often opening the batting together before the First World War. Clifford senior also kept wicket.

After his father died in 1927 Val, a dapper, well-spoken man who sported a cravat and striped blazer, continued to represent the village for another 13 seasons. He was also an accomplished singer and musician who regularly performed at the club’s annual dinner and fund raising concerts.

The Inter-War Years 1919-1939

In common with all clubs, Little Marlow C.C. ceased to function from 1915 to 1918. Many had no choice, as members departed to serve their country. Others regarded it as unpatriotic to play on. The club suffered its share of tragedy, Hon. Secretary Henry Haddon and batsman William Tolman being amongst those who gave their lives.

The post-War years began with one of the most significant events in the club’s history. After Mr Ellames’ death in 1899 a cousin, Lt.-Col. William Bradish, had acquired the Little Marlow Estate and adopted the surname Bradish Ellames. He died six years later and the estate fell to his nine year old son, Montague, and widow, Amy. She became well known for her great generosity and, in July 1919, this was exemplified when she made a present of the Recreation Ground and pavilion. Little Marlow Parish Council, their new custodians, received the title deeds during a ceremony held in the village school. At their request it was decreed that the gifts be named “The Bradish Ellames Recreation Ground and Institute” (as the pavilion was known).

The land comprised a little under half the current area, that to the school side of a line drawn from the pavilion through the middle of the ground. The following year Mrs Bradish Ellames and her son paid for the pavilion to be enlarged and, in December, presented it and the remainder of the field by way of a War Memorial.

When play recommenced in 1920 most of the club’s matches continued to be low scoring. However, it would seem that pitch preparation temporarily improved in 1923. Totals rose dramatically, before returning to type the following summer. In a memorable match against Cliveden the village recorded its highest score to date, 164 for 6 declared. Ernie Southam, a talented all-rounder who divided his loyalties between Little Marlow and Marlow Working Men’s Club (now Marlow Park C.C.), and Bert Wootten produced an opening partnership of 125. The opposition were summarily dismissed for 31, to complete victory by a massive 133 runs margin.

The record score was exceeded twice that year. On one occasion, in a 12-a-side match, a P.A. Taylor registered Little Marlow’s first century. It was the only time he is known to have played for the village.

It was decided to run a 2^nd X1 during the following season, in order to encourage younger players. Frank Howard was duly elected captain at the February A.G.M. and, with Ernie Southam’s brother, William, enjoying great success with bat and ball, the team won 6 of the 11 matches for which scorecards have survived. For 1925 the local press has reports of 9 victories in 10 games but, despite this significant achievement, the side does not appear to have survived beyond the 1926 season. Reasons for its demise are unclear, but it would be 1933 before the club again ran two elevens. This time the 2nds survived until the Second World War.

From 1924 to 1936 Thomas E. Smith completely dominated the club’s 1^st X1 batting. A free-flowing opener who had previously played for Marlow Working Men, he stood head and shoulders above his contemporaries. He captained the side for nine seasons, and in 1929 became the first regular Little Marlow cricketer to reach three figures.

George Yates starred with the ball during this period. He was a leading wicket taker for the 2^nd X1 in 1924 and ’25 before graduating to the 1sts and becoming their most influential bowler for the next eight summers.

In 1926 the club underwent a further name change when, following a second amalgamation, it became ‘Little Marlow And Bourne End’. They played under that banner until the Second World War.

With road transport now a much more viable proposition, fixtures began to be played a lot further afield. By 1928 the club was engaged in annual home and away matches against Yates’ former teammates at Silchester C.C. The journey to the old Roman village in Hampshire was made by char-a-banc.

By 1930 three figure totals were regularly being achieved and a vast majority of games were one innings per side. However, the practice of batting on after successfully chasing a small target still persisted.

Although the Bradish Ellames Recreation Ground’s outfield continued to be grazed by cattle, horses and sheep throughout the 20s and 30s, the cricket club also paid for the grass to be mown. It was also responsible for looking after the square; a fact that helped to ensure its annual rent was maintained at £2 per annum throughout the inter-war period.

The increasing availability of motorized machinery was undoubtedly improving playing surfaces and batsmen cashed in. Smith and Wootten were supported by a number of fine players. They included Frank Howard, a regular throughout the inter-war years; Dr Gilbert Scott, who shared wicket-keeping duties with opener Vic Dandridge and George Tew; Vernon Blunt, a handsome, colourful character who was very much a ladies man and William Perfect who was an outstanding point fieldsman.

Another significant development was the introduction of Sunday cricket in 1933. Before then games were played only on Saturdays, together with occasional mid-week fixtures. That season also saw the earliest known instance of Little Marlow scoring 200. This notable landmark was reached in the President’s Match, Smith carrying his bat for an undefeated 105.

Sam Gammon succeeded Yates as the club’s premier bowler. He and his father, who had played for Cookham Dean, were tenants at the Lunnon family’s watercress beds in Hedsor Road, where Bourne End garden centre now stands. A somewhat portly off-spinner, he must have seemed less than threatening as he shuffled towards the pitch on his idiosyncratic, stuttering run up, trousers held up by one of several brightly coloured ties. However, he turned the ball and, above all, bowled with an unerring accuracy. Regularly claiming five or more victims in an innings, he also made runs as an aggressive middle order batsman with a penchant for hitting sixes. B. Pepper provided excellent support with the ball, whilst Cliff Waggett contributed runs and wickets.

Another player of note in the 20s and 30s was Ralph Burrough. In 1876 his grandfather, William, had acquired the tenancy of Little Marlow Farm from the Ellames family. Now called Wilton Farm and owned by the Emmetts, it was sold in 1917 and Ralph’s father, Richard, bought Spade Oak Farm, off Coldmoorholme Lane. After his death, Ralph ran the business until 1954.

Village teams were still able to attract a significant number of spectators, especially if an important match was taking place. When Blunt arranged a game against the Lord’s Staff eleven in August 1937 it commanded a great deal of local interest. The opposition contained many past, present and future county professionals, including a then relatively unknown Bill Edrich. He made his England debut, against Australia, nine months later.

Excellent bowling from Gammon and Waggett helped to restrict the visitors to a lowly 110. In reply the villagers lost two early wickets before Blunt (37) and Gammon (30) put together a half-century partnership. After they were separated only Waggett, with 19, was able to reach double figures before Dr Scott’s 17-year-old son, Michael, walked to the crease at 109 for 9. Undeterred, he completed a remarkable victory by despatching the ball to the boundary.

There was great excitement two years later when Hollywood film star Robert Montgomery, who’d taken the Manor House as a residence for nine months, joined the club. A large crowd gathered for his first appearance, the home match against Jackson’s Mill on Sunday 27^th August. Unfortunately, having practiced assiduously and hired all the necessary gear from Moss Bros, he failed to bother the scorers in what turned out to be his only match. His failure was perhaps to be expected; as it was only the second time he’d played the game.

A month earlier the club had registered its highest recorded pre-Second World War total. Having bowled out Mr A.W. Gibson’s X1 for 102, the hosts replied with a mammoth 292 as Vic Dandridge and Sam Gammon made half-centuries. They then summarily dismissed their opponents a second time, for 122. Gammon took eight wickets in the first innings to follow figures of 7 for 12 in 33 balls the previous day – a prolific weekend even by his standards.

Little Marlow and Bourne End C.C. was an impressive outfit from the mid-1920s, a blend of individuals from various backgrounds and professions who bound together to form a highly successful club. Perhaps it was too good to last.

Although, unlike the First World War, sporting activity was encouraged during 1939-45 conflict, the village club did not survive. After a few occasional games it folded and Frank Swift, the Manchester City and England goalkeeper, conducted P.T. exercises on the ground for soldiers of The Black Watch, who were stationed nearby. It would be twenty years before play resumed.

An Extended Break 1940-1959

On the 30^th November 1946 Mr Leslie Powell, Honorary Secretary of the Little Marlow and Bourne End Cricket Club, wrote to the Parish Council seeking its approval for his club to use the Recreation Ground and pavilion ‘as they did for nearly fifty years before the War’. Agreement was unanimous. However, Ralph Burrough and Val Clifford, who succeeded his father as a Councillor in 1928 and was now Chairman, reported that the square had been badly damaged during the war and would cost a considerable sum to repair.

It was resolved to request compensation from the Military Authorities, who’d vacated the premises in September 1944, and also to ask the Playing Fields Association for a grant. Sadly, no monies were forthcoming and the matter was dropped.

A little over two years later the Parish Council received a cheque for £30 from Miss Helen Jackson, on behalf of the W.V.S. Pie Scheme, together with a letter that expressed hope the ground ‘be made ready for cricket etc as in the old days before the war’. Following a meeting with representatives of the Little Marlow Sports Club, which was renting the ground for football, it was decided to spend the donation on putting the cricket square in order, and that the Sports Club Committee should then be responsible for keeping it so.

Christopher Avery, a Little Marlow cricketer in the 1920s, was hired to carry out the work. This he completed to great satisfaction, and at an extremely reasonable cost of £38:15:0.

Unfortunately, the Sports Club was unable to raise a cricket team, and therefore failed to maintain the turf. As a result, an application from The Vauxolian Cricket Club, an outfit linked to the Esso Oil Company, to use the facilities in 1951, with an option for ’52 and ’53 in view of the considerable amount of expenditure that would be required to prepare the field, was readily accepted at a rate of £10 per annum.

In 1952 the Well End and Bourne End Hockey Club, having agreed to share grass cutting costs with ‘The Vauxolians’, received permission to play at the ground. The two clubs coexisted for two years. The Parish Council Clerk then reported lengthy correspondence with the V.C.C. regarding their objection to the hockey club’s presence, and to a proposed charge of £5 per game for two cricket matches arranged by Mr Charlie Bourne, landlord of The King’s Head.

There seems to have been some history of bad blood between the cricket club and Mr Bourne. Apparently he once took a deck chair out to the square before a match and refused to budge.

The outcome of these exchanges was the termination of their tenancy by ‘The Vauxolians’ and, despite ’pitch for hire’ advertisements being placed in The Bucks Free Press; the Parish Council was unable to attract a replacement.

The pavilion continued to be maintained, with electricity replacing the old gas lighting in 1955-56, but once again the field fell into disrepair, cut intermittently by Mr Parker, the new owner of Spade Oak Farm who’d harvest the first crop for hay in late June.

Finally, in May 1959, the Parish Council agreed to purchase a set of reconditioned gang mowers, with the new Village Committee providing the labour for their operation. Twelve months later Little Marlow Cricket Club was reborn.

The Modern Club 1960-1982

In 1959 John Tate, a Yorkshireman and cricket addict who’d recently moved into Little Marlow as the school’s headmaster, was asked if he would be prepared to take a lead in reactivating the village club. He needed no second bidding and after being put in touch with Well End’s Jimmy Doe, the pair examined the ground. It was immediately obvious that a great deal of work would be required – rumour has it they were unable to locate the square.

Undaunted, they convened a meeting, held in the pavilion on Tuesday 2^nd February 1960. Also present were Bill Emmett, owner of Wilton Farm, together with Don Walker, another Yorkshireman who lived in the new bungalow next door to the pavilion, and Len Smith’s sons, Wilf and Eric, who’d played a few games for Little Marlow and Bourne End as teenagers before the war. Encouraged by Emmett pledging full support, including a generous starting donation, after a little hesitation they agreed to press ahead.

Emmett was elected Chairman, Tate Secretary, Walker Treasurer and Doe Captain. The Smith brothers, Bert Gorton and Alf Aldous joined them on the committee. The Manor House’s Earl of Ronaldshay - the Marquis of Zetland - was invited to become President.

The Parish Council waived rent in return for the club undertaking to maintain the ground. Various items of machinery and playing equipment were acquired and, with help from Manor House Farm’s bailiff, the field was prepared for gang mowing during spring 1960.

The new club enjoyed an extremely promising first season, registering 13 victories from 25 matches. These included a number of exciting games; particularly one against local rivals Flackwell Heath. The club also arranged Tuesday evening coaching sessions for juniors. About fifteen boys attended regularly, two of whom played occasionally for the senior team.

Some fine cricketers turned out. The fiery Ian Lowe and left-arm ‘quickie’ Alan Mott supported Eric Smith, an accomplished medium-pacer, in the attack. Double- barrelled seamers John Murray-Clarke and Peter Wood-Smith soon joined them, to be followed in 1966 by a lively young pace bowler called Quentin Falk. Now having superseded Val Clifford as Little Marlow’s most durable cricketer, Falk is still an effective medium-pacer, and very much the club’s senior statesman.

Lowe and Mott also made useful runs alongside Tate, ‘Tosh’ Archer, Joe Race - remembered for his ability to late cut the ball almost out of the keeper’s hands - and the gargantuan wicket keeper/batsman Pat Paice. Despite his height and heavy build he was an impressive gloveman who stood up to nearly all bowlers. In 1964, the only sixties season for which a complete record has survived, he registered 28 stumpings in 34 matches.

However, the leading light throughout this period, and into the early seventies, was David Baldwin, a slow left arm bowler and left-handed batsman. His finest hour came in the fixture at Knotty Green in 1971. From 106 for 8, he and Murray-Clarke added an undefeated 130 before Little Marlow declared. Their partnership is still the club’s ninth wicket record stand, and Baldwin’s 152 not out remained the highest individual score for 23 years.

Knotty Green reached 189 for 7 before David came on to bowl and won the match for his team by taking a hat trick. He was subsequently presented with the game’s scorecard, printed on silk.

Played on hastily prepared pitches, match scores were similar to those of the 1930s. In 1964 Little Marlow’s average team total was 117. However, off-field facilities were greatly improved when the pavilion was connected to the main sewer and a new kitchen and toilets added in 1963. This project was funded mainly by a grant from the County Council Education Department, which benefited when the village school began using the building as a temporary canteen, together with monies raised by the Pavilion Improvement Fund Committee.

1974 saw the debut of Little Marlow’s best-known modern day player, the prolific Dave Glennerster, whose elder brother Tom was a jovial opening bowler, reckoned to be at his best after a few lunchtime pints. For ten years Glennerster jnr shared the limelight with his Winchbottom Lane neighbour Dennis Exall. They were consistently the leading run scorers and wicket takers and, in 1978, became the first Little Marlow players to make over 1,000 runs in a season. Glennerster also took 110 wickets with his leg-spinners to complete a remarkable double.

In 1982 he upstaged even that performance. Again he took 100 wickets, but on this occasion his runs tally went past the 2,000 mark. Able to play all the strokes, seven centuries flowed from his bat, including three in succession during a run of five in eight innings. This amazing scoring attracted the county selectors, who the following year invited him to play for Buckinghamshire’s under 25 team – a rare honour for a village cricketer. He is now approaching 28,000 runs for the club, and has taken over 1,000 wickets.

Having joined his brother Ged at the club in the late sixties, Exall developed into a steady and reliable opening batsman, bowled slow-medium pace with great accuracy and showed quicksilver reactions at short leg. He left after the 1984 season and played at Marlow Park for several years.

There were, of course, a number of other talented players during that period, especially the wily medium paced swing bowler, Mike Thomas, who joined the club from Marlow together with limpet like opener Ron Passfield. Gerry Keeler was a fine wicket keeper/batsman, possessor of an incredible eye that enabled him to drive slow bowlers to distraction by hitting them across the line - many a ball search was required in the School Lane cornfield. He and Thomas were lecturers at Wycombe College, Dave Glennerster being one of Keeler’s students.

Richard Tedham, Iain Angus, Dave Stoolman and Les Meaden all joined the club as youngsters during the 1970s. The first three, together with Glennerster, are still playing today. Angus stands second only to Glennerster in the list of leading run scorers and has taken nearly 700 wickets, mainly as a naggingly accurate slow right-armer. Stoolman is a strong bottom-handed batsman, nicknamed ‘Deadshot’ due to his powerful short corner conversions on the hockey field. Meaden and Tedham opened Little Marlow’ s bowling together in the ‘80s and were known as ‘the aerosol twins’ – no prized for guessing the derivation.

However, it is as the club’s groundsman that Tedham has made his greatest contribution. He began to transform the square during the late seventies, and has since turned it into one of the best to be found anywhere. This, together with another major extension to the pavilion when a purpose built changing rooms and showers block was added in 1975-76, meant Little Marlow C.C. was equipped for the next major step in its history.

The Berkshire League 1983-1992

League cricket was gaining in popularity throughout southern England and dictating an improvement in playing conditions. In Little Marlow’s area the Thames Valley, Berkshire and Chilterns competitions were all founded during the 1970s. Although the club did not immediately jump on the bandwagon, by the early 1980s it had a number of ambitious young cricketers who played home matches on high quality pitches and who had access to good off-field facilities.

With so many teams now playing competitive cricket, it was becoming increasingly difficult to arrange attractive fixtures and, following an investigation by the committee, with some reservation an E.G.M. in May 1982 agreed to make an application to the Berkshire League. The club duly gained admission and played its first league match, at home to Theale, twelve months later.

The team wad led by Dennis Exall and included, in addition to several players already mentioned, a young Mark Fisher. He didn’t deliver a ball, and batted at number ten, but has since developed into perhaps Little Marlow’s finest quick bowler of the modern era. Ivor Storey and his son Mike also played. Mike scored many runs during the 1980s and possessed the rare ability of being able to bowl right arm off-breaks and orthodox slow left arm with almost equal facility. He usually employed the former in matches.

Only three victories were recorded in that inaugural league season but, perhaps encouraged by the fact that two of them came in the final matches, it was unanimously agreed to field a 2^nd X1 in the 1984 competition. Ivor Storey, a veteran of the Yorkshire leagues, was elected captain. A dogged middle order batsman and canny slow medium-pacer, he commanded several established players, including Falk, Passfield and Tedham. The wicket keeper was Les Ryan, who opened the batting with Passfield. He’d made his debut the year before and has since been ever present.

Wilf Smith’s son Mike, a tall swing bowler better known by his nickname, Jake, was leading wicket taker. Another north-country veteran, from the west of the Pennines, supported him and Storey. Colin Parkes, similar in bowling style to his captain, became a leading 2^nd X1 performer for nine seasons.

New Zealander Jim Kyle was another front line player during the Berkshire League years. A compact and combative batsman, Kyle began in the 1^st X1’s middle order before making the number three slot his own. He went home after the 1992 campaign, only to reappear ten years later for one last hurrah.

The village spent ten seasons as Berkshire League members, enjoying mixed fortunes and picking up 1^st X1 Division 2 runners-up medals in 1986 and 1992. However, by the end of 1991 concerns were being expressed about the quality of some of the grounds they were visiting. The highly rated Chilterns League was looking to expand, so an application was agreed at that year’s A.G.M.

The Chilterns League 1993-2007

Having gained acceptance Little Marlow joined the competition in 1993. The 1^st X1 then spent three seasons gradually improving until the pinnacle of their achievements was reached in 1996. After a closely fought battle, the club was just pipped at the post by Farnham Common and had to settle for second place.

An indifferent first half of the summer came to its nadir when the team failed to defend 306 at Hurley. The captain resigned in frustration, a move that he later jokingly described as his greatest tactical manoeuvre. Austin Callaghan, a technically correct and accomplished batsman playing his first season for the club after moving south from Lancashire, accepted command. Five wins from the next six games propelled his side towards the top of the table. Sadly it was not quite enough. The last two matches were drawn, leaving Farnham as deserved champions.

The team has failed to scale such heady heights again, its best performance being fourth position in 1998. A year later they were relegated to the newly formed 2^nd Division and, despite a couple of good summers, have not been able to climb back. Nevertheless, the side has included a number of fine players.

Glennerster and Callaghan, also an outstanding slip fieldsman, have been the leading run scorers, supported by Angus, Stoolman and gifted all-rounder Roger Fenwick, a tall, accurate quick bowler and powerful middle order batsman. Capable of hitting the ball huge distances, he was formerly employed on the M.C.C. Young Professionals Staff and is undoubtedly one of the most talented players to represent Little Marlow.

Fenwick and Fisher, also capable of scintillating performances with the bat, have spearheaded the attack, with medium paced back up from the likes of Graham Field, Stuart Drury and left-armer Stewart Taylor. Glennerster, Angus and off-spinners Callaghan and Mike Bath have provided the slow bowling. The latter, a former Royal Navy submarine commander, joined the club in 2003 and soon established himself as an influential member of the team. He has a solid technique with the bat, being particularly strong off his legs.

There have been a number of wicket keepers, with Pete Wesson undoubtedly the pick. In 2001 he joined Little Marlow from Farnham Royal, for whom he was a leading light for twenty years. A boyish enthusiasm, together with fast hands and quick reactions, made him an inspiration behind the stumps. He was also a consistent performer at the top of the batting order. His tragic death in a May 2006 road accident shook the club to its core.

The 2^nd X1 has had mixed fortunes in the Chilterns League, their best season being 2003 when they finished fifth in the 1^st Division. Les Ryan has kept wicket in nearly all matches since the beginning of the 1994 season, and also been amongst the chief run scorers. Ged Holmes has provided aggressive middle-order runs and many wickets with his medium-paced swing. He enjoyed a golden summer in Little Marlow’s promotion clinching 2001 season, when 535 runs earned him the 2^nd Division’s Batsman of the Year Trophy, whilst only one bowler exceeded his 34 wickets.

For six years former Frieth slow left-armer Chris Sledge was one of Holmes’ main allies. Although not a big turner of the ball, he combined great accuracy with clever variations of flight.

Ten years ago Little Marlow were fortunate beneficiaries when Steve Shore and Brian Robinson decided to move from Farnham Common Cricket Club. Shore, a dependable accumulator, rapidly established himself as the Seconds’ best batsman, whilst Robinson’s intelligent subtleties at a low-slung slow-medium pace won him the 2nd X1’s bowling shield for four consecutive seasons.

Perhaps the most significant recent development in the club’s history has been the influx of Asian players, mainly from the Wycombe based Pakistani community. A slight sixteen-year-old called Arfan Sharif paved the way in 1997. Many have followed in the now powerfully built 1^st X1 all-rounder’s footsteps, including Tahir Rashid, Imran Ali, Mansoor Hussain, Anwar Mahmood and Imran Hussain.

Rashid, like Sharif a positive batsman and medium-fast bowler, is one of the 2^nd X1’s most valuable assets whilst Ali, a tall, angular batsman is hoping to make a success of league cricket after taking great strides on Sundays in 2006. Mahmood, an opening batsman and wicket keeper, concentrated on the former during his first three seasons with the club. Then, following Wesson’s untimely death, he moved into the Firsts and was elected captain for the 2007 season.

Imran Hussain, although small of stature, bowled highly effective medium-fast swing from a chest-on action between 1999 and 2003. His namesake, Mansoor, an aggressive batsman and lively bowler, has produced a number of fine performances despite his intermittent availability.

The ground’s infrastructure continues to be developed. On Sunday 19^th October 2003 John Warr, former Middlesex and England cricketer, officially opened a newly refurbished pavilion. The works were financed by a government grant, augmented by donations from the Parish Council, Cricket Club, Village Amenities Committee, local residents and Bourne End Junior Sports Club, whose football section use the ground. They included vastly improved changing rooms, together with new showers, toilets and kitchen facilities. Two and a half years later Brian Robinson and Richard Tedham completed their construction of new practice net facilities; two concrete bays replacing the single one built early in the 1970s.

Without Whom

Like all amateur clubs Little Marlow C.C. owes its existence to generous benefactors and unpaid volunteers. Over the years many have given freely of their time and contributed both materially and financially.

Mrs Bradish Ellames and her family undoubtedly were the club’s most influential patrons, but there have been numerous others. Sadly, pre-Second World War records on this subject are sketchy. However, one individual worthy of mention is Mr Henry Stephenson. He was a successful Stock Broker’s Agent and Little Marlow Parish Councillor who lived in Well End. For many years from early in the twentieth century he raised an eleven to play the village. The encounter was always keenly anticipated, especially as Mr Stephenson’s side would often contain professional and county players. After the game he would treat everybody to a meat supper at The King’s Head. Mr James Brock, Chairman of the club prior to the First World War, entertained similarly for Well End and Little Marlow’s annual fixture against his side.

Lionel and Ada Falk, Quentin’s grandparents, were hosts during the 1930s when Little Marlow played an annual match against The Barnacles, a team from Merton College, Oxford. The fixture was arranged by Robert Levens, a great friend of the Falk family and pillar of the college side. Lionel was at one time President of both teams. His son, Sir Roger – Quentin’s father – fulfilled that role for Little Marlow from 1976 until his death in 1996. During those years he acted as mine host for the game against The Ferrets, a team raised by Quentin whose son Ben, a left-handed batsman, represents the fourth generation of his family to be associated with L.M.C.C. Quentin was first elected to the committee in 1973 and has officiated in a number of capacities. He was Chairman from 1994 to 2002.

The Emmett family has been heavily involved with the club since its re-foundation. Having served as Chairman for many years Bill was elected President, whilst son Peter took on his father’s former role. Peter’s elder son, Philip, is now a Parish Councillor and, in that capacity, oversaw the 2003 pavilion refurbishment project. For a long period the family provided a tractor with which to tow the gang mowers, prior to Peter arranging purchase of the ground’s own machine in 1983. Since then he has assisted with its maintenance and repair.

John Tate was Secretary throughout the 1960s and then elected President for four years. The mid-1960s also saw the arrival of Gordon Sears, a powerfully built left-hander who liked to hit the ball long and straight. A former Bradenham player, he was to become one of Little Marlow’s most respected parishioners. He served on the cricket club’s committee for more than twenty years, including fourteen as Chairman, and was also a member of the Parish Council. As such he was in an ideal position to manage the 1970s pavilion extension project.

Roger Smith, a medium-paced bowler, joined Little Marlow in the early 1970s. Being a chartered accountant it was perhaps inevitable that he should become Treasurer. He did so in 1973 and held office for twenty-two of the next twenty-eight years. He was also responsible for arranging the club’s first tour, to Sussex and Kent, in 1977. This highly successful and enjoyable enterprise has been repeated many times, culminating in the village team’s initial overseas venture in 2000. Another Smith initiative, John Braithwaite, Club President from 1997 to 2001, originally proposed the long-weekend trip to Menorca. A middle-order batsman and athletic cover fieldsman, who finished his playing career at Little Marlow in the 1970s after many seasons with Staines and Laleham, Braithwaite owns a villa on the island. Smith succeeded him as President and also audits the annual accounts. In recent years he has been responsible for generating considerable income for the club from sponsorship and advertising deals.

Aside from his input as Groundsman Richard Tedham has been Secretary since the October 1975 A.G.M. His work on the square has involved countless hours trundling up and down on the heavy roller, a machine donated by late Vice-President Ray Grant, who owned a plant hire business in Maidenhead.

Other long-serving officers have included Ron Passfield, responsible for a major expansion of the fixtures list in 1975, Iain Angus, Jake Smith and Dave Stoolman, Fixtures Secretary for nineteen of the last twenty three years. Steve Shore was 2^nd X1 Captain from 1999 to 2005 and is now Treasurer. Dave Armitage, a useful batsman and agile outfielder when not filling in behind the stumps, was Sunday Skipper for seven summers until the end of 2004.

The Future

The 2008 season will probably be Little Marlow Cricket Club’s ninety-first. During the previous ninety well over 1,100 players have turned out, some of them for no more than a handful of games, others as regulars for many years. The current membership boasts plenty of the latter. Unfortunately, whilst this reflects favourably upon the club’s ability to retain loyal support, there is a distinct lack of youngsters waiting to fill their boots.

L.M.C.C. has developed considerably, both on and off the field, in recent years. Establishment of a colts section is the one glaring omission. Whilst many clubs reacted quickly to fill the void created by this country’s appalling school sports curriculum, Little Marlow lagged behind and relied upon its facilities to attract ‘passing trade’. To a large extent this seemed to work for a long time, but now the well would appear to have run dry.

Over half the regular players are in their late forties or older, and wont go on forever. A number of recruitment initiatives have borne a little fruit, but in the absence of a junior section it is easy to imagine playing standards deteriorating. That would be a great shame as the club has much to offer. Thankfully, since the end of the 2007 season, the club has acquired the services of a professional cricket coach, Ingram Jones, who is heading its determined drive towards establishing just such a section.

During the course of researching this history, I have often thought how fascinating it would be to climb into a time machine and witness at first hand the playing conditions and cricketers of past seasons. What would a similar journey into the future reveal? Where will the club be in twenty-five, fifty or even one hundred years time? I fervently hope that it will continue to flourish and provide sport, entertainment and pleasure for many generations to come. Out of respect for all those former players, administrators and benefactors we must ensure that it does.

Richard Tedham

07.11.27

I would like to acknowledge the input of Messrs Len Dandridge, Wally Faulkner and John Lunnon, whose memories of Little Marlow cricket and cricketers in the 1930s are greatly appreciated.