- Elthorne Cricket Club - Est. 1990 SPONSORS SOUGHT FOR 2007

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A POTTED (POTTY?) HISTORY OF ELTHORNE CRICKET CLUB (Taken from the Chairman's address in 2002) As ECC enters its second decade and before, like Hilesh Radia’s batting, it becomes too difficult to separate fact from fiction, I thought I might allow myself a few moments to reminisce about the origins and characters behind this unique club. I am occasionally asked by new players when did I first play for ECC and more to the point, why am I still playing for the club? ( Several senior players often ask this too – ed. ) What follows is therefore strictly a personal reminiscence and one which certainly hasn’t been cleared by the club’s legal advisers. ( The renowned firm of “Psycho and Dog” – ed. ) Like the contents of a roll up from Niran Joseph, the club’s real origins are shrouded in mystery. Suffice to say that when the Joseph brothers and their cousins Raj and Sanji first bought a £5.99 plastic childrens’ cricket set and strode onto the less than hallowed turf of Elthorne Park, little could they have realised that someone would be writing about their exploits over a decade later. Niran has always been a deep thinker – how else to explain his helpful advice to this first time captain. A warm hearted and truly devious figure, he always had time to instruct me in the subtle ways of winning the toss – by practising flicking the coin in the air the requisite number of times to achieve the desired outcome. Always faster than Gerry, brother Sam, the club’s first captain, remains an inspirational figure to us all After all, if he can take wickets and score runs then so can anyone! His irrepressible enthusiasm in the field is matched only by his continual under-performance with the bat. Paul Hendy was already known to the club through playing alongside brothers Mike and Jon, for arch rivals Surbiton. In the early days, our entire season was measured by the margin of our victory over Surbiton. However, one year, during a two day “Test Match’, I do recall deliberately slowly down the bowling so much – or was it just Gerry’s run up – in order to prevent an almost certain Surbiton victory. Over the years Paul has remain refreshingly unchanged. Never immaculately turned out, immodest to a fault, and generally, at the bar at least, reassuringly immovable. Never as fast as Sam, league player Gerry Croneen was initially held in high regard until the club realised that the only difference between itself and club sides was that the latter were able to field eleven players every week, whereas we somehow averaged nine or ten. For my own part, I joined ECC in its second year in circumstances which owed more to Niran’s persistent persuasions than any plan on my part to play for a bunch of motley part timers. Having previously spent the winter netting at Lords with a reputable side – caps, badges and fixtures announced in advance not on the day – I was looking forward to an orderly and planned summer season. 24 hours later, after accepting an offer from Niran to play for ECC, when my own game was called off, I quickly realised that orderly and planned were not two words readily associated with ECC – at least not in the early days. The game itself was mercifully brief. The opposition- “Tamil” as frequently seemed the case – batted first and were bundled out for a paltry 64. With storm clouds brewing, time for an early finish and a few beers, I thought to myself. I was right on both counts but not as I had intended. The only storm clouds proved to be reserved for ECC’s batting as we collapsed to 54 all out and defeat. I recall being one of only two players to reach double figures. The other naturally disappeared and never played for the club again. I never learn! Time to say a few words about Richard Poustie. “Form is temporary but class is permanent” as I remarked at our end of season dinner. So that’s him dealt with then. Some have said that Richard’s greatest single contribution to the club was to introduce Peter McLoughlin. But I beg to differ and I know he does! With a posh club cap and a motto in Latin, Peter immediately impressed – not that the Latin playing nations of the world have particularly stamped their authority on the summer game. Via Richard also came David Whitelam whose initial all round moderation in all things except talent quickly made its mark. And via Peter, Andy Lafferty was introduced. So he can hardly have been said to have repaid the compliment. Or can he? Some time founder member Sanji Thangiah remains an easy going person both behind and front of the stumps. In fact at times it’s difficult to tell the difference… The ground itself was found entirely by accident. I stumbled across it in the winter of 1995 with a friend from Stanwell CC, the league side I also played for, while looking for a venue for their end of season dinner. I quickly realised that it would make an ideal venue for more than just a dinner and we started playing there the following season. And so, like watching Paul Hendy trying to get off the mark – a maximum of effort and a minimum of effect – ECC slowly moves on. Will the likes of Alex Graham and Ali Smith turn into the Sam Josephs and Paul Duftys of the future? I, for one hope not. Otherwise, I ‘ll have nothing to write about in another ten years time. Nick Marsden 2002