Cockermouth Cricket Club

Cockermouth Cricket Club are a cricket club from Cockermouth, Cumbria, who's First Eleven currently play in the Premier Division. The club's Second and Third Eleven's currently play in the Eden Valley Cricket League First Division.The club's home ground is called Sandair and is located off the Gote Road in Cockermouth. It boasts excellent playing facilities and good social facilities. The club's colours are green and gold and the team are affectionately known as the Sandair Men after their home ground.

History

"The Early Days:" The Cockermouth Cricket Club was established in 1823 and since that time, it has only ever had one home, which is Sandair on the Gote Road.Through the foundation years of the club, the ground was rented from the wealthy Senhouse family. This arrangement continued for many years, until the club could afford to buy the ground from the Senhouse family.The layout of the ground through the early years was different from the modern day ground. For instance, the pavilion was located on the Gote Road side of the ground. The pavilion however, were very basic and simple, but provided a solid base for the fledgling club.Eventually, the pavilion was built on the far side of the ground in the location where it can be found today. Cars were parked on the Gote Road side of the ground and players walked across the field to the pavilion.

"From 1900 - 1950 (approximately):" The new pavilion had tea rooms, two changing rooms and toilet facilities, which were located to the rear of the pavilion. It would be almost the 1980s before any more structural alterations would be made to the pavilion at Sandair.After the club's formative years and the rise in popularity in the game of cricket though the Victorian period, some strong and prominent figures were needed to guide the club in the right direction. This guidance came from the likes ofAbout a third of the way through the 1900s, the James family and the Denham family became deeply involved with the club. These family names were synonymous with the club through these times and the memorials to their work can be seen above the bar in the modern pavilion. They are also represented as Life Members of the club.

"1955 Onwards:" In order to be successful, a club needs people involved in it with a variety of different strengths in a variety of areas. From 1955 onwards, Cockermouth Cricket Club has had a collection of such people providing sustained service to the club. These names have been synonymous with the club throughout this period.Raymond Glover Leyton Denham is today the Club President and Groundsman, despite being in his early seventies. The Denham family's association with the club stretches back over one hundred years.Raymond Denham (also known as 'Jimmy' or 'J.D') played for the club first eleven as a seamer and hard-hitting lower order batsman. He later went on to captain the second eleven in the 1970s and 1980's before retiring as a player in around 1985. Since then his work on the Sandair ground has been fantastic. Without his efforts, the club's wickets would not be anywhere near as good as they are today and nor would the Sandair ground be as aesthetically pleasing. Working on the ground is almost a year-round commitment and J.D. gives many hours to this role fixing machinery and preparing and repairing the facilities. Raymond Denham was voted as a Life Member of the club in 1997.Maurice Andrews' long association with the club began back in the 1940s and carried on right up to his passing in 2005.As a player, Maurice was described as a seamer with an arm like a 'rocket', who could reach the stumps at either end from any point on the ground. He bobbed between first and second eleven's during his career and recorded the remarkable figures of 1 over 0 maidens 18 runs and 3 wickets from one second eleven fixture at Edenhall!It was after his playing days that Maurice (Mobs) would really come to the fore at the club. He single-handedly raised thousands and thousands of pounds for the club in a whole variety of different ways, including raffles, patrons and the world famous 'pie and pea fixtures', which Mobs loved dearly! He was voted as a Life Member of the club in.Maurice's sad passing in 2005 was a great loss to his many friends at Cockermouth Cricket Club.The 1950s saw the emergence of the club's longest-serving and most successful cricketer, Ken White.Ken scored over 20,000 first eleven runs and took approximately 1,000 wickets in a remarkable first eleven career that started as a fifteen year-old and spanned the 1950s, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and new millennium.Ken captained the first eleven for 14 years winning several Cumberland Senior League Championships and Burton Cups. He also captained the club to its only ever Meageen Cup (now Cumbria County Cup) in 1966.Ken is now assistant groundsman to his best friend Raymond, rolling the Sandair wickets! He is also the father of current first eleven Captain, Gareth White. Ken was elected as a Life Member of the club in 2007.George Todhunter is another person who's lifelong involvement with the club has seen him involved in many positive projects, which, without George's guidance could not have taken place.George played his cricket primarily as a first eleven batsman. When he scored runs, it was usually quickly and stylishly, one particular innings at Kirkby Stephen stands out, when he scored 72 off around 40 balls.George has been involved in all of the pavilion alterations since the creation of a bar area in the 1970s / 80's, through to extension work and building of showers in the 90's and onto the most recent developments of patio areas in 2007.Without George's expert knowledge and planning ability, these alterations would not have been possible. For his undoubted services to the club, George was elected as a Life Member in 2007.

"Pavilion and Ground:" Since the pavilion initially was constructed on the far side of Sandair, there have been several development phases to improve the facilities for club members. In the 1970s, a small bar area was built in the main tea rooms. This meant that the away changing room was reduced in size for approximately 15 years before the next project was undertaken.This was a serious structural change to the pavilion and saw the bar rooms extended and the bar moved further back to where the away changing room once stood. New toilets were built inside the pavilion and shower rooms and a new changing room for the home team were also constructed. This is the layout of the rear part of the pavilion that can be seen today. There are plans afoot to make the pavilion more accessible to the disabled supporters of the club, as currently the access is very limited. Recent developments of the pavilion's exterior have made this desperately important. The patio was completed in 2007 and provides an excellent vantage point for spectators and players alike. It will hopefully help develop the social side of the club in the long run.On the ground, developments have not been quite so drastic, but lots of change has been made for the better. The ground in the past was also a winter football pitch and cycle track, almost like a velodrome, but since the club bought the facilities, neither have used the ground, although if you look closely, the banks of the cycle track remain.The artificial wicket was purchased with grants gained from the success of the 1990s junior sides and the artificial net facilities were also part-funded by the same method.

Key Players in the Club's History

Every club has key players and since the 50's Cockermouth Cricket Club has been no exception.Solicitor Michael Caine moved to the town from Sussex in the late 50's to early 60's. He was an opening batsman of distinction and had played games for Sussex CCC second eleven. Caine captained the club during the 1960s and was part of a strong first eleven with Ken White as vice-captain. Ken White scored over 20,000 first eleven runs and took 1,000 first eleven wickets in a five-decade career. He also represented Cumberland CCC at minor counties level. Another county player from the club in the 60's / 70's was Jim Cowen. A left arm swing bowler who bowled with good pace and accuracy and was an excellent club man.Another key player at that time was Ian Carruthers. The left-arm quick bowler, known as 'Sarge', could be a handful on any wicket, especially the nets, where everyone would try to bat before he arrived! Like all fast bowlers, Ian thought he could bat a bit and liked to hit the ball down the order like another Cockermouth fast bowler, the diminutive Joe Jackson. Jackson could bowl quickly and accurately and with his short height, skid the ball onto the batsman. He could also bat, and contributed quick runs to the team, as did current President, Raymond 'Jimmy' Denham. Denham was an excellent seamer, nipping the ball both ways off the seam and could contribute some hefty hitting to the line up. John Chipps, a stroke playing batsman and fellow batsman Arnold Pattinson are another two significant team men from this era as well as bowlers Alan Christian and Bill Marsh, who were notoriously difficult to shift on wet pitches. Marshy still umpires now in the NL & CCL.Moving into the 1970s and John Moyes is the next in our line of key players. Moyes moved up to the town as a teacher and had previously played games for Essex seconds. A technically excellent opening batsman, Moyes went on to Captain Cumberland CCC to a Lords victory and played for Workington, Kendal and Penrith before returning to Cockermouth to finish off a distinguished career. His opening partner at this time was Ashley White, brother of Ken White. Ash was another technically correct opener and could also bowl at a brisk pace, which earned him trials with Leicestershire CCC. Ash represented both Cumberland CCC and Linconshire CCC and played as a Professional in the Bradford League later in his career. Another Leicestershire CCC link with Cockermouth around this time was off-spinner Tommy Thompson. Thompson played first-class cricket for the Foxes and also enjoyed a season at Sandair. He was regarded as the best off-spinner in the north of England at the time.The 1980s brought five Cockermouth careers to prominence. Opening batsman Dick Pammenton was strong leg-side player, who could clip balls through mid-wicket with ease. Dick was also a wicket-keeper and was especially good standing up to the stumps. Dick moved to play for Workington before retiring from cricket and has since emigrated to Australia. Malcolm Huddart was an all-rounder out of the top-drawer. He could bowl quick in swingers, hit huge sixes and for several years, was Cockermouth's answer to Ian Botham! Malcolm latterly played for Workington and was the top amateur all-rounder in the North Lancashire League. Ray Boyle was an unsung hero of the 80's teams. His medium fast deliveries were bowled with great accuracy and he opened the bowling with distinction for the Sandair men for a decade, before work took him to Derbyshire, where he represented the county in the over 50's section. At the other end was youngster Johnny Allport, a young fast bowler who had raw pace and enthusiasm for the game in abundance. John Holder, or 'Noddy' as he was affectionately known, was a stroke-maker in the middle-order. One of the first players to wear a helmet to bat in, Holder was an attacking player who contributed greatly during his time at Sandair.The early 90's, although unsuccessful in terms of trophy hauls, saw big-hitting Andy Sealby captain the side. He could make any boundary look small and on his day was the most destructive player in the league. One square-cut from South African Test ace Andre Nel was especially memorable! The late 90's / new millennium and the formation of the new NL & CCL saw the arrival of one of Cockermouth's key men of the past decade, Steve Chambers. A former Cleator legend, Steve finished off his career in glory at Cockermouth. He had earlier been the best amateur in the NL & CCL, but came to Sandair on a mission. He captained the side to First Division, then Sowerby Cup and finally to their first Premier Division Trophy in 2006. Steve retired at the end of the 2006 campaign. Kenny Kirkwood was another player to call time on a great career at the end of the 2006 season. The hard-hitting left-hander joined from Workington halfway through the 2005 season and played a vital role in the winning of the flag.

Club Professionals

Overseas Players

Club Honours

The North Lancashire and Cumbria Cricket League Premier Division Champions

2006

The North Lancashire and Cumbria Cricket League First Division Champions

2002

The Sowerby Cup Winners

2003

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The Cumbria Cricket League First Division Champions (now defunct)

1935, 1937, 1950, 1969, 1973, 1988, 1996, 1999

The Meageen Cup Winner

1966

The Montague Burton Cup Winners

1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1989

The Classic Bat Cup Winners

1996

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The Cumbria Cricket League Second Division Champions (now defunct)

1961, 2003

The Club and Ground Cup Winners

1996

The Cumbria League Cup Winners

2001

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The Cumbria Cricket League Third Division Champions (now defunct)

1995

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Cumbria Under 15 League Champions

1992, 1994, 1998, 2004

Cumbria Under 15 League Cup Winners

1992, 1994, 1996, 2004, 2005

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Cumbria Under 13 League Champions

1990, 1991, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2004

Cumbria Under 13 League Cup Winners

1991, 1992, 1993, 2003

West Cumbria Under 13 8-a-side Cup Winners

1990, 1991, 1992

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Cumbria Under 11 League Champions

2004

External links

* [http://www.cockermouthcricketclub.co.uk/ Official site]