Cound Cricket Club

History

The historical and long standing cricket club has existed in one form or another since the early 1880s. In 1984 a club member Reg Purslow discovered an old Parish Magazine showing a Cound Cricket Club scorecard for a cricket match played at Cound in the early 1880s. It is believed that the ground at that time was in a field on the far side of the Church near Cound brook. A fund raising concert was held in the Guildhall, Cound on the evening of Thursday 28 November 1889 whereby the sum of £5. 10 shillings (approximately £5,500 when adjusted for inflation in 2008) was raised for the Cricket Club.

Sometime around 1900 the existing Pavilion and Ground was provided by the owners of Cound Hall for the estate's workmen who formed the village cricket team. At that time most of the local villages had cricket teams but sadly over the years substantial numbers have disappeared. On Saturday 15 July 1905 Cound entertained a team from Newton-Le-Willows, Lancashire, a team that included a Mr Dowson who had also played for Surrey and all England.

During the winter of 1905/1906 a new cricket square was laid on its current site through the generosity of then President A.C. McCorquodale. In 1955 the Club was able to raise sufficient monies to purchase the ground outright from the Cound Estate.

20th century

1900. The existing Pavilion and Ground was provided by the owners of the Cound Estate for the workmen.

1905. On Saturday 15 July Cound entertained a team from Newton-Le-Willows, Lancashire which included a Mr Dowson who had played for Surrey and all England. During the winter of a new square was laid through the generosity of the President A.C. McCorquodale which made it possible to have a pitch either way.

1913. On 7 January a supper was held at the Cound Lodge Hotel. The usual toasts where offered by Mr Thursby the chairman to the King, Clergy, Vice-Presidents, Captain etc. Members and visitors contributed to an enjoyable informal programme.

1919. On 19 July the end of the First World War Peace Celebrations where held on the Cricket Ground. Following the children's sports a splendid tea was given by Mrs McCorquodale in the Guildhall and a large Marquee.

Please Note:

All the above information was taken from Parish Magazines held by the Club.

1955. The Club managed to raise sufficient funds to purchase the ground outright from the Cound Estate.

1969. Mr Ronald England who had recently moved into the nearby Rectory permitted the Club to run an Electricity and Water supply to the Pavilion. Up to that date the Club had no Electricity supply and Water had to be transported to the ground from the Village Hall in a large drum on wheels.

1974. The Club become one of the founder members of the Border Counties Cricket League.

1979. The Club made a tremendous fund raising effort to enable an old Builders Site Hut to be purchased which was converted into a Tearoom and Toilets. Up to that time the nearby Village Hall had been used. Club President Freddie Fry donated sufficient funds to purchase a practice wicket and nets.

1984. The Club held a Centenary Dinner at the Mytton and Mermaid Hotel at Atcham. The 1st XI where the Bank's League Division 2 Champions

1991. The 1st XI where runners up of the Shropshire League Division 4 and promoted to Division 3. 1994. The 1st XI where relegated from Division 3 of the Shropshire League to Division 4.

1995. The 1st XI where promoted from Division 4 of the Shropshire League to Division 3. 1996. The 1st XI where promoted from Division 3 of the Shropshire League to Division 2.

21st century

2001. The 1st XI where winners of the Shropshire League Division 2 and promoted to Division 1.

2002. The Club plan new Changing Rooms and decide to seek a grant. 2005. The Foundation for Sports and the Arts awarded the Club a £12,000.00 grant if the Club raised a similar figure. The 1st XI where runners-up in the Shropshire League First Division. The 2nd XI where runners up of the Shropshire League Division 5 and promoted to Division 4. The Club held a 125th year Celebration at the Four Crosses, Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury.

2006. Planning permission for the new Changing Rooms was given in the Spring and the Building was erected on 26 August. During the Winter of the old Pavilion was converted into a Club Room and Tea Room with Kitchen facilities. All internal work on the Changing Rooms and old Pavilion where carried out by the Club Members. The Club received a grant of £5,000 from Sport England to purchase a Heavy Roller. The Club purchased half an acre of ground to the rear of the new Changing Rooms from David Waller the owner of Cound Hall.

2007. A new Double Bay Practice Net was purchased with the aid of a £5,000 grant from the County Network Fund. The Club appointed a Clubmark Co-ordinator and a Club Development Manager. The Club formed a dedicated Fund Raising Committee. 2008. The Club purchased a used set of covers from Newport CC. The Club received a grant of £5,000 from Sport England to purchase an Outfield Mower. The 2nd XI where runners up of the Shropshire League Division 4 and promoted to Division 3.

2006-2011. The club made numerous improvements to its facilities including new perimeter fencing. The ground which is generally regarded amongst visiting teams, that whilst small one of the most picturesque and well prepared in the county. During the past few years the Club have lost some great characters that have been sadly missed. Freddie Fry who was the boss of Furrows served the Club as a Player, Umpire, Chairman and President. He was one of the best and most respected Umpires ever to raise a finger and would only give a LBW if the ball looked like it would remove all three stumps. Freddie served the Club as a Player, Umpire, Chairman and President. John 'The Noob' Tipton who was the First XI Captain for many years ran the Club with military precision. On Monday evenings where every member was expected to work on the ground he would swoop on three unsuspecting chaps with the order "I want three volunteers, you, you and you to pull the heavy roller". The only respite would come was when darkness fell. John served the Club as the 1st XI Captain and chairman.

Derek Donnell who was a lovely bloke played cricket as it was meant to be played "Hard but Fair." Derek served the Club as a Player, Official and President. Reg 'The Roge' Purslow who loved the ground almost as much as his wife and probably spent more time working down there than what he did at home. He was very popular in the Pub after the game where due to his extremely bad luck (his words) at the game of Spoof meant that he spent most of the evening paying for the beer. Reg served the Club as a 2nd XI Captain, Groundsman, Umpire and Secretary. Arthur 'The Wily Old Fox' probably the best spinner the Club ever had. He bowled leggers out of the back of his hand and even he did not know which way the ball would turn.

They will all be remembered for their sense of humour, loyalty and the way they played the game.

As of 2008 Cound CC field 2 teams in the Shropshire Cricket League, the 1st playing in Division 1 and the 2nd XI winning promotion to division 3. The club also has as a mid-week team, and a thriving junior section. The club has recently improved facilities with the addition of new changing facilities in August 2006. In the season practice nights are on a Monday for the seniors and Thursday's for the juniors

2011. A good season for the club with the 1st XI finishing Runners-up in the Shropshire League Division 1 and the semi-finals of the League Knockout. The Club also fielded a 2nd Midweek XI for the first time, giving younger members of the club the opportunity to play competitive senior level cricket. The Club received a grant of £2,250 from the ECB towards the cost of a new set of covers. They also received a grant from Shropshire County Council of £2,000 towards a Storage Shed and Kitchen refurbishment. A new Score Box was also formed within the existing Pavilion.

2012. The club joined in the newly formed Shropshire County Cricket League. The 1st XI will play in Division 1 and the 2nd XI will play in Reserve Division 1. Cound will again field 2 midweek XI's and both U-13 and U-15 team. The season was a successful one for the 1st XI who finished runners up again, and earned promotion to the Shropshire Cricket League Premier Division for the 2013 season. The club have also announce plans to field a 3rd XI for the 2013 season.

2013. The 1st XI competed in the Shropshire Premier League for the first time, and had a difficult season, but some improved performances in the second half of the season led to the club doing enough to remain in the league. Skipper Joe Yapp was top of the averages with 417 runs @23.17, with Talisman Graham Trow behind him with 430 runs @20.48. Adam Williams took the bowling award with 30 wickets @ 21.7 with Andy Harrison behind him with 41 wickets @22.44. Graham Trow also took 14 catches and made 11 stumpings, he latterly won the League Wicket Keeping award. The 1st XI also won the league fair play award which was voted for by the umpires panel. The 2nd XI also had a difficult season and finished in 10th place in Reserve Division 1. Vice-Captain Paul Elton ending top of the batting with 276 runs @ 25.09, it was Skipper Neil Marsh whose 27 wickets @14.59 took the bowling award. Luke Allsop won the fielding with 7 catches and 2 run outs. There were notable performances from younger members in Ali Fisher and Paddy Townsend. The newly formed 3rd XI had an enjoyable first year in Division 6, finishing 9th but more importantly fielding a full side every week as there was a clear demand. Dave Farrall won the Batting with 385 runs @ 48.13, Will Hawker taking the bowling with 20 wickets @12.15. Young wicket keeper Dan Parry won the fielding with 8 wickets. The team was superbly led by Craig Kinsey, giving a mix of youth and experience to further develop the club going forward. Our midweek side won the SDECL Division 2 title with 10 wins from 10. Jamie Wear, Calum Marsh and Graham Trow taking the awards for Batting, Bowling, Fielding respectively. Well done to Captain Alex Johnson. All of the club's awards will be presented on Sat 25th Jan at the annual awards evening.

2014 The club are looking forward to competing again in the SCCL Premier League and Reserve Division 1. The 3rd XI will play in the newly formed Div 4b with all games played on a Sunday ( Home and Away ) Pre-Season nets commence on Fri 7th Feb, see the club's play cricket website or Facebook page for more details

Please Note:

All the above information has been provided on behalf of the Cound CC Management Committee.

Also please see the Club website http://www.coundcricketclub.org.uk/ Play Cricket http://cound.play-cricket.com/subsite/web_pages/35037 Facebook - search for Cound Cricket Club Twitter - @Coundcc Honorary Secretary - Mr. Kevin Hamer

Cound CC Management Committee www.coundcricketclub.org http://cound.play-cricket.com/subsite/web_pages/35037