GRAHAME CLARKE’S FAREWELL

 

As most of you know Grahame Clarke has been at Netherfield Cricket Club for 25 years during which time he has amassed a total of just over 20,000 League and Cup runs, including 33 centuries. He has given great pleasure to team mates, opponents, umpires and spectators alike and become a living legend at Parkside Road.

 As a great loyal servant to the Club and Northern League, we intend to mark the occasion with a few tributes to a most modest and likeable character who will never be replaced and whose like will never be seen again.

 Sunday 26th August

A benefit match will be held at Netherfield Cricket Club at 2pm between a Netherfield Past/Present v A Netherfield Select

This game was a nostalgic event in that many past players made the effort to come and support Grahame in his benefit match.

The past team consisted of:-

Grahame Clarke

Simon Dutton

Stephen Sharpe

Craig Atkins

Simon Dalzell

Garath White

Richard Elwood

David Heywood

Danny Welbourne

MIke Dugdale

Barry Thomson

The Select Team consisted of:-

Chris Parry

Craig Walmsley

Ryan Wilson

Stuart Nixon

Ben Haddrick

Marc Hadwin

Graeme Dodds

Tommy Prime

Graham Baker

Mark Daly

Simon Little

 

The game was played over 30 overs each and the stipulation was that it had to be played at full standard so that the spectators saw a proper game of cricket,

The select team batted first seeing some fine batting from all the players and posting a total of 273 for the past team to chase at tea

They started well and showed that time had not dulled some of the players ability and a close game ensued seeing the past players coming close but trailing by approximately 30 runs. This apart a good spectacle of cricket was enjoyed by all that supported the event and the game was played in an excellent competitive but friendly environment.

A massive thanks to all who took the time to participate and thanks to all who supported an excellent and enjoyable day.

I am sure you will all join the Club, Committee and myself in wishing Grahame all the best for the Future.

If you wish to express your sentiments to Grahame we would welcome them and pass them on to Grahame as a lasting memento. E-mail enquiries@netherfieldcc.org.uk

 

regards

 

Wallie Thompson

Chairman

 

Thursday 6th September

A Golf Day will be held at Carus Green Golf Club with a Shot Gun start at 12-30. We would like to attract 18 teams of 4 at £100 per team. Bacon Butties and tea will be provided prior to the start and a Presentation, Quiz and Auction will take place afterwards at Netherfield CC.

 Friday 7th September

Supper with Grahame & Guest Speaker, Paul Smith ex Warwickshire 1982-1996. Paul played under Dermot Reeve and with Mike Burns ex Netherfield, Warwickshire & Somerset. Tickets for this event are £15 and are strictly limited to 120.

 

If anyone would like to support Grahame’s Benefit at any of these events please contact either Club Chairman, Wallie Thompson 07802665150 or Secretary, Ian Heath 07951013675.

 

 

 

 

NETHERFIELD CRICKET CLUB - HISTORY

Netherfield Cricket Club was founded in 1893 out of the Shoemaking Factory in Kendal, later better known under the brand names of K Shoes and latterly Clarks Shoes. Originally all players were employees of the factory.

The Club became founder members of The Village Combination along with Gatebeck, Holme, Burton-in-Kendal, Levens Hall, Sedgwick, Milnthorpe and Arnside.

A 2ndXI started in 1929, following the 1stXI move into the North Lancashire League in 1926. They were Higson Cup winners in 1932 defeating Vickerstown and were League runners up in 1933 & 35. It was 1953 before the only Championship was secured and 6 years later they moved on again joining the Northern Cricket League.

Ever since 1980 when the first non resident overseas Professional was signed the club has gone from strength to strength. He was Trevor Docking, a Tasmanian State player most famous for putting Dennis Lillee over the Mound Stand, but he was a catalyst in building a good Club spirit which has carried on ever since.

The Club dominated the County Cup competition the Henry Meageen Trophy winning it 6 times during the 80’s and runners up in the Northern League.

The 90’s has seen the momentum grow and culminated in the Northern League Championship being won for the first time in 1997 after 39 years. The following year the Championship was retained.

Since Trevor Docking many other Professionals have been recruited in their formative years and have then gone on to International recognition including -

David Boon, Iqbal Sikander, Carlisle Best, ken Benjamin, Steven Jack, Colin Miller, Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, and Derek Crookes.

The ground is certainly one of the most picturesque in the country lying under the shadow of the remains of Kendal Castle, one of the original Roman Camps that guarded the route to the Scottish Border. The Castle was the birthplace, and childhood home of Katherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII.

The Five acre grounds provide facilities for two cricket fields, bowls, tennis, rounders and soccer. The current pavilion has been extended four times in the last 20 years and now provides excellent hospitality facilities and a good sized function room suitable for parties, dinners and dances.

The Cricket Club now provides four senior Saturday sides and four Junior teams all playing competitive League cricket. The Club were pioneers in establishing an all weather wicket in the County and are just about to embark on a third mat. On the edge of the Lake District, well known for its rainfall, this move was essential as were the artificial practice wickets to improve the possibility of play.

Cumberland County Cricket Club, one of the Minor Counties, have used the ground as one of many in the County, on alternate years until 1982, since when the improved ground, wicket and facilities have encouraged the Club to use it each year. Netherfield have staged four Nat West Trophy games against First Class Counties, Derbyshire in 84, Lancashire 89, Leicestershire 94 and Sussex last year 1999.