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I am sure Andy and Bruce can advise about the
early history of the Strollers although we probably have different
memories. First game was in 1987 when Bruce, Andy, me and
the big chap whose name I have forgotten played for the Spread
Eagle team. That's the Spread Eagle on Parkway, Camden. We
may have actually played for the opposition against the Spread
Eagle team. No idea to be frank. Somewhere I have a photo
of me returning to the boundary after batting. I think Andy's
Nicola took the photo so there may be more photos. I was playing
in DMs (shoes) and a striped shirt (you no doubt recall the
1980s).
Andy and Bruce moved to St George's Square in
Pimlico in 1987 I think. They used to hold piano moving parties.
Bruce had a piano moved down from Northampton to go in the
flat. The flat was on the third floor so there was a serious
need for help. The first time the picnic in the square went
on too long and I don't think the piano got very far. Second
time some Italians in the bottom flat helped us. Not sure
what happened to the piano when Andy moved out. I digress.
Don't think we actually played in 1988. Bruce
was living in Edinburgh. The embryonic Strollers turned out
in 1989 on Regents Park. There are some very rough pitches
close to the Zoo. As well as Andy, Bruce, me, the big chap,
there was probably Matthew ? who went to school with Bruce
and Vince Wells who you may have met when he turned up last
year. Think Vince's girlfriend managed Bruce and Andy's band
"Clay and the Magnificent" (???). She probably played
too and her dog ??? We played against anyone who turned up.
Usually 14 year olds. Then probably the next year - or sometime
- we played against proper(ish) opposition. The Butler Boys
lead by Gareth (?) Butler were a favorite opposition. Butler
was a Radio 4 producer or something. Bossy and up himself
some would say. Also played a team called Bob's BBC I think.
Fathers and Sons. That game was played on Clapham Common.
Bruce was captain for those first years which
occasionally resulted in some rather strange batting line-ups.
One game I batted at seven. Not that low you may think. However
given there were seven in our team and a school friend of
mine who hardly ever played cricket was at number three it
was probably not the best use of resources. Winning wasn't
terribly important. Andy took over the captaincy and I was
vice for three or four years. Think Matt captained in 95 and
96, then me in 97. Guess Bruce did 89-92 and Andy 93-94.
As well as the hard pitch at Clapham Common
we played on the Hampstead Extension pitches quite a lot I
remember Kieran's first game there (1995?), Parliament Hill
Enclosure and on the slope. I remember we picked up Glynn
on the latter ground and John Morgan managed to head the cricket
ball whilst batting. (He drove off to the hospital at Hampstead
to get things checked out - lasting damage possibly). Finsbury
Park also (Dickie's first game I think - 1994) I think we
went to watch Lynford Christie run in the Olympics in the
Manor House pub after the game. Think the first "tour"
to Chippenham was in 1996. Before Ryans Bar we used to meet
for our AGM in a pub behind Liberty's store Regent Street.
Possibly the Red Lion. Like now the main topic - whilst still
soberish - was how to get 11 players for each game.
Frankly can't remember much since 1997.
Simon Poole
Awards
| |
Stroller Of The Year |
Batsman Of The Year |
Bowler Of The Year |
| 2007 |
Mikey Ward |
Graeme Holmes |
Simon Boughey |
| 2008 |
Harsh Joshi |
Kieron Smith |
George Brown |
| 2009 |
Spencer Fowler |
Bill Ward |
Graeme Holmes |
|
