Atherstone Town Cricket Club

Mohammed

Akram

Starred in the late 1990's occasionally, famed for his talking to clouds and coining of the phrase "Pusskat".

Jez

Ayres

Pubic

Rugby playing Jez played two or three times in the league winning second team of 1996 before disenchantment with his nickname forced a departure. Hit 67 not out to win key match against Cleveland.

Kristian

Bambrook

Babby Pastry

Played once on a Sunday before retiring to the pub where he has been ever since.

Andy

Barron

Hockey player who played a few games in the mid 1970s but was generally accepted as being useless.

Matthew

Bates

Cakey

Duty called and this popular and talented bowler left to live in Kent with his bird.

Alan

Beale

Jeff's son - played briefly in the seconds in the late 1980's.

Alan

Beale

Chimp

Timebomb Beale, 26, played occasionally in the twos as a bowler. Joined the Armed forces so he could kill people legally. Recently announced his engagement to a mother of five, two weeks after popping his cherry.

Jeff

Beale

Old stager is now 65 and still plays cards every Sunday down the club. Has umpired most Rosebowl games in the past couple of years.

Ivan

Beardsmore

Cricketer of limited talent but a socialiser of some repute and to be found during many a session with Watts, Simpson et al.

Mick

Beebe

Hardworking Beebe played second team in the early 1990's as a bowler. Now often seen in William Hill's in Atherstone.

Joe

Begley

Spider, Stinky

Charismatic Begley left England to live in Portugal where he is now engaged. A handy bowler and appaling batsman and fielder, he famously coined the phrase "War".

Jonathan

Bevan

Ex wicketkeeper and Oxbridge graduate Bevan, 26, now lives in London. Played two's and Sunday's.

John

Bickley

Miserly Fixtures Secretary sadly passed away a few years ago was so often a regular face at the club. Whether it was claiming a free tea or submitting another expenses claim for paperclips, Millionaire Bickley was instantly recognisable as he always wore the same set of clothes.

Ray

Bickley

3rd brother in the family, hard hitting left hander.

Warwick

Bickley

Brother of John and Ray, batsman and wicketkeeper and 2nd team captain in the late 70s. Still umpires Thursday League and still appears capable of falling asleep on his feet, he is so laid back.

Richard

Boal

Tonk

Shower-shy Boal, 24, was opening bowler for the second team for many seasons. Moved to Spain to avoid showering and also to be closer to his Spanish girlfriend. Could bat a bit too - brother of Robert.

Richard

Bown

Ronnie, Bagpuss

The original Bagpuss was shaping up to be a good cricketer in his youth, but an overhaul of the second team in 1995 effectively forced him to pursue other life choices. Now married with child, he still lives in the area and is still remembered as one of the original Sessionseekers.

Claire

Bradley

Treasurer for several years when being stoated by one Manny Alcock. Now married (to Manny) and mother to their daughter Megan, she also supports WBA - what a tough life!

John

Brandrick

Bodie

Looked like a Professional but alas did not play like one! Brandrick played a handful of games (2nd's + Sundays) back in the mid 90's.

Duncan

Brownley

Hockey player turned his hand to bowling for the two's once or twice.

Darren

Bulpitt

Diesel

Highway quickie played the occasional Thursday match last season - unseen thus far this term.

Eddie

Burchell

Steady bowler and useful batsman who retired in mid 1980s after bowling an 18 ball over. His name was consistently mis-spelt in the papers as Eric, Burell or Curchell - a vital member of side that won Tamworth Wednesday League 2 years running in mid 1970s.

Asadullah

Butt

Asad

Quite probably the best cricketer ever to play for Atherstone. Pakistani professional instrumental in securing promotion in 1999, the guy could do the lot, and a nice chap too.

Wayne

Chapman

Had all the gear and played second team for a couple of seasons under Mike Maher. A decent fielder, he batted up the order. Still lives locally and plays football for Witherley United despite nearing 40.

Bob

Chaudhry

Wicketkeeper batsman who played one or two midweek matches around 1990.

Ian

Chetwynd

Chetty

Played once or twice in emergencies to help out, keen Adders fan Chet can also be seen starring in the Rosebowl for Smith's Garage.

John

Clark

Cleetus

Legendary opening bat played for donkey's years and never bought a round! Scored boat loads of runs even when still playing well into his 40's. Hip injury forced retirement - now retired from teaching, living in Wales.

Arthur

Clements

President in the 1970s and also started the Colts team with Les Court in 1974.Died in 1981 but Clubman of the Year Trophy still bears his name.

Terry

Congrave

Was married to a Carnival Queen whose family also owned one of the local boozers - not much of a cricketer but useful for getting late pints.

Les

Court

Club Stalwart - still pops down to watch the lads play on a Saturday afternoon.

Mike

Daniels

Griff and Coton stalwart made one appearance against Ibstock in 1999 hitting 111 and later getting carted off the final over as Ibstock sneaked an unlikely win.

Mick

DaSilva

Town cryer and local celebrity Da Silva, 60, played at least once in the early 1990's when Atherstone faced a chronic player shortage. Famed for smearing Strawberry jam on his cooked meat at tea-time!

Richard

Davenport

V-sports employee who bowled spin on a Thursday night for year. Now playing for Bedworth.

Graeme

Dawson

Farmer, Whelk

Miserable yet highly talented individual who figured prominently in the second team's successes of the mid 1990's. Batsman, bowler and wicketkeeper, his sulkiness and dour nature made for one perplexing character. Now working on the family farm in Atterton, he has not played for several years.

Les

Day

The Jug, Wobbly Bob

Legendary leg-spinner Day bowled for the firsts for many years and was a popular figure at the club. Once recorded figures of 6-6-0-6. Once tried so hard to throw the ball in from the boundary at Ansley, he farted as he did it ! His mother is also famous for wondering who the photographer was in the space probe that took 14 years to reach Pluto!!

Dave

Dennis

Custard, Gold Blend

Coffee-loving joker was brother to Paul and equally as involved in off the field activities in the club. Ex jump jockey and batting spinner, he played second team for many years before retiring to the Rosebowl competition - Maid of the Mill. Liked ale.

Howard

Dennis

Happy Howard, Custard

Olympic moaning champion since his birth in 1927, Howard played a bit in the sixties. Now a social member, he has a regular berth in the rummy school - father of Dave and Paul.

Paul

Dennis

Custard

Hard-hitting batsman quit the game in a huff after a row about money! His 122 at Haunchwood gained him entry to the 100 club - now plays bowls and Rosebowl cricket.

Charles

Driver

Possibly the only Charles to have played at Atherstone - son of Ian. Played once when short.

Ian

Driver

Willy Wildebeest

Veteran bowler retired along with Sunday cricket (of which he was the last skipper before it's demise) at the start of the 90's. Still lives locally in Baddesley Ensor.

Pete

Earp

Played many games in the 70s and then took up umpiring. Sadly died of cancer in early 80s.

Danny

Evans

Evans, 26, played as a teenager with little success under the stewardship of Alan Strickley. Lives in Baddesley and works as a builder/surveyor.

Tim

Evans

Ebbo

Played Sunday matches in crisis.

Christo

Feris

Rusty

South African professional signed in 1999 despite lack of finance. Ineligible to play in the league, he guested for Earl Shilton but made a positive impact with his humour and dedication to coaching.

Ruben

Field

Former Thursday night player still plying trade with Nuneaton and recently hit half century against Atherstone in 2001.

Dave

Garratt

Old spinner - can't remember any more than that.

Andy

Godfrey

One of many doctors at the club in the 1990's. A swing bowler, has not played for 7 or 8 years.

Mark

Goldstein

Goldy

Author of website began (and finished) career with Atherstone and was a promising batsman until booze, birds and academia lured him away before the age of 18!

Paul

Goldstein

Goldy

Mark's brother was also talented, a hard hitter with a keen eye for the ball and a useful bowler. Moved to Stoke on Trent where he is married or engaged.

Les

Green

Ex Derby County goalkeeper was a brilliant cricketer by all accounts and played at Ratcliffe Road for a couple of years - went on to manage non-league football teams such as Nuneaton.

Bill

Greenfield

Regular in the 70s and early 80s - steady batsman but a brilliant slip fielder and still turns up to watch the odd game. Prone to complaining about coloured players in the England team despite being a half-cast himself.

Paul

Grey

Ian Driver's milkman helped out on a Sunday during a player shortage - played in tracksuit bottoms and took a guard of off-stump.

Gordon

Gudger

Long time wicketkeeper and opening batsman and general character - only player of his time who could fit a whole bar of soap into his foreskin.

Kevin

Guest

Useful late order slogger and opening bowler, left to play for his native Foseco back in the early 1990's. Still plays hockey at Atherstone and is now a proud father.

Mike

Guest

Another doctor played in the late 1980's for the second team - no relation to Kevin.

Jonathan

Hargreaves

Shandyman

Played when aged 15 and dubbed Shandyman after embarrassing escapade in public house.

John

Harrison

Quite possibly the worst player ever to have played the game, it seems amazing that he ever played for the club but Alan Strickley roped him in. Now turns out for Mosley Arms on a Sunday and like a fine vegetable, only seems to get more rotten with age.

Paul

Hatton

Billy

Bowler - unreliable hence only played a few games around 1990.

Alan

Hewitt

Ralphy

Hewitt, 26, was a big sports fan and helped out on a Sunday once in a crisis.

Rob

Higgins

Bert

Former second team skipper in the late 1980's. Played for many years, popular clubman and good touring drinker. Renowned for hissing laugh and Jesus hairdo. Retired from game in 1989.

Chris

Hobbs

Hopeless Hobbs, 27, played on a Sunday back in about 1990 and was petrified. Plays hockey for Atherstone but lives in Cambridge where he works as a medical sales rep for a pharmaceutical company.

Alan

Horton

Rat

It is unknown whether this miser played in a bona fide match for Atherstone but an appearance in his younger days when he was also a svelte young hockey player seems likely. Now even more parsimonious, seriously overweight and on 40 fags a day, he spends his time counting pennies at home and making Ebeneezer Scrooge seem like the bloke out of Brewster's millions! Cheese-wire tight.

Andy

Horton

Another Horton who Rob Higgins drafted in back in 1987 or 8 in a match against Haunchwood when he was short - unrelated to others.

Brian

Horton

Tin-tin, Uncle

Experienced Horton was wicketkeeper for many a year and could hold a bat too. Retired from the game in 1993 or 4.

Dave

Horton

Burglar

Youngster Horton was a rakish batsman who played in the second team sides of the late 1980's. Now a dad, he still comes down to watch games and plays in the Rosebowl.

Rob

Horton

Burglar

Elder brother of Dave, all-rounder Rob was a decent cricketer who liked a bet, a game of cricket and above all, a moan! He was a left handed spin bowler and handy batsman, left the club under the captaincy of Simon Grayson - still based locally.

Andy

Hubbard

Tubs

Nuneaton heavyweight played Thursday league two seasons ago. Spin bowler, immobile in the field.

Paul

Humphries

Humpty

Miserable all rounder who struggled to come to terms with the fact that he wasn't as good as he used to be. Once inseperable from Alan Strickley, the best friends joined and left the club together. Played hockey briefly for Atherstone but hasn't spoken to Strickley (or anyone else) for several years now.

Darren

Huxley

Bowled once or twice in the early 1990's for the second team.

Jim

Jacob

Energetic fielder and doctor who starred as a first team and Thursday night batsman up until the early 1990's.

Jonathan

Jones

Fang

Retired from the sport in 1988 at an early age. Bowler with "Made in Atherstone" tattooed around his navel . Character.

Tony

Jones

Bald Ben Elton

Witherley treasurer, smoking machine and part-time cricketer played one second team game against Standard back in 1998.

John

Kimberley

Kimbo, Judge

Larger than life character and popular supporter of Thursday nights in recent years. Once played as a sub fielder on a Sunday.

David

King

Hosschops

Hot-headed youth, now 17, who played many times for Atherstone in 1999 and 2000, despite lack of ability. Left club after bust-up with team-mates in under 16's side.

Ken

King

Reserve wicketkeeper behind Gudger and also a capable batsman - his Dad, Joe, was bar steward at the club for many years.

Jon

Kirkland

Wealthy Kirkland played first team cricket for one season but was underemployed in what was a strong side. Recorded a century in a friendly "touring" game.

Andy

Lamont

Monty

Played against Herberts back in the late 1980's - hit massive six and bowled several overs with half a ton of change in his pocket!

Matthew

Leete

Friend of Neill Smith, played odd game as a 15 year old.

George

Lewis

Steady batsman and left arm spinner, a canny cricketer. Once caused a stir as captain by walking on to field at 6pm and shaking hands with opposition captain, saying that he 'had to go home'!!

Roy

Lewis

Opening bowler and hard hitting left hand batsman - prolific wicket taker and one of the nicest blokes ever to play for the club. Once hit a six over midwicket and into the 3M car park (I can validate this - I was scoring!).

Terry

Lewis

(no relation to other Lewis's) Opening bowler, took many wickets in partnership with Roy and was original partner in Cannon and Lewis sports shop in Nuneaton.

Tom

Lewis

Brother of George, ex-player, scorer and supporter, now sadly deceased. Helped Tony Marsden start the 'Play The Game' quiz in the early 1980s.

Ricky

Luke

Arkle

Buck-toothed 25 year old who debuted in 1999, showed promise as a bowler before losing interest after a few games.

Mike

Maher

The Master

The legendary Master was first team captain and played as an opening bat well into his 40's. Another Doctor, Maher was a brilliant slip fielder and a brilliant drinker. A role-model for many of today's breed of Seeker.

Steve

Martin

Fiji

Birmingham based friend of Richard Perry made handful of appearances in 1997 but found trouble in adapting to Sessionseeker's culture.

Tony

Marsden

Sometimes brilliant batsman and hard working committee man. Played many memorable innings and started the 'Play the Game' quiz in 1981.

Bob

Matthews

Worzel

Made odd appearance (literally!) in the two's in 1999 - now plays for Witherley and heavily involved at North Warwick.

Terry

McCloskey

Snake

Played for one season in 2000 mainly as a second team bowler, certainly not as any kind of fielder. Joined Ansley in 2001 after Atherstone's goodwill expired.

Gary

McGuffog

Lovejoy

Took up cricket on a Sunday and made odd appearance in second team. Enjoyed the crack but never took opportunity to develop his incredible leg-spin. Thrifty McGuffog still lives locally and runs Atherstone Ladies football team.

Neil

McLean

Twice clubman of year, played for many seasons in both firsts and seconds. Good bat, retired late 1980's.

Jason

Meads

Ivan

Meads, 27, played in the two's as an opener in the early 1990's before heading off to university and latterly a job in Bedford. Good fielder and would seek.

Ray

Millerchip

Captain for many years in the 70s - steady batsman, off-spinner and canny captain, now lives in Tamworth.

Steven

Mitchell

Peggy

Witherley based Mitchell bedded a string of beauties before doing a degree. Played once or twice - now lives in London. Entered a quiz at The Clock and was told that it was five pounds per team
but you get chilli with that, to which he famously stated that he hadn't
bought a jumper!

Stuart

Norchi

Played for first team but didn't stay long and went back to Newton Regis.

Paul

Painting

Torbay

Woeful beyond belief. Played one game when desperate - otherwise turned up to watch Pete Walton do the scoring which must have been pretty exciting.

Eddie

Parsons

Tony Blair

First-team wicket-keeper, secretary and one-time treasurer last played over six years ago but still involved in hockey circles. Recent move back into the town has prompted rumours of a return to playing this year.

Edmund

Parsons

Blackadder

Brother of above enthusiastic in field.

Mohammed

Patel

Played in 1996 when Waheed Zaman pallied up with him. A swift fielder and handy number three batsman, he stopped playing after just one season.

Bill

Peat

Highly-hostile

The world's slowest fast bowler, burly Peat would take a two step run-up and take fifty wickets a season in partnership with Mark Simpson. His highly hostile bowling was as unique as it was impressive. Now works as a doorman in Atherstone.

Fred

Perry

Father of Richard, he played once or twice to make the numbers up in the early nineties.

Richard

Perry

Pezza

Chairman who came to the club in the early 1990's and made an impression with his solid batting. More likely to be remembered off the field where as Chairman, he oversaw the most successful phase of the club's history. Scorer of 100's, he succeeded too in bringing the treble winning Warwickshire side to Ratcliffe Road and raised the finance to fund professional players. Responsible in many ways for shaping and transforming the club into the one we see today. Left in 2000 to take up new job in native Wales.

Martin

Plackett

Viv

Chairman prior to Perry, Plackett worked tirelessly for many years and was a key batsman for three decades until his retirement three seasons ago. Now retired from teaching, he still pops down to watch home games and is fondly remembered by those lucky enough to have played alongside him.

Paul

Proffett

Ginger hockey player who guested for second's occasionally.

Brad

Riley

Hoover

Bowler Riley made a big impact in his short spell with the club. Winner of the clubman award in 1999, he established the web site and built the original scoreboard. A long-standing back injury forced a premature retirement but still plays Rosebowl now and again. Remembered as a super-human drinking machine - brother of Stan, John and Robin.

John

Riley

Swiller

One-time bowler in the 1980's, incredible drinker, and related to the other Riley's.

Robin

Riley

Played odd match in recent years after generating interest via the Rosebowl. Batsman and least able drinker of the four Riley's.

Martin

Robert-Coles

Eagle, Farouk

Hapless wicketkeeper who endeared himself to second team skipper Paul Oldham. Left after a couple of seasons - renowned for his crocodile catching and penchant for slinging gloves on the floor and shaking his fingers when he dropped a catch.

Nick

Saliba

Sandwich Factory employee who played one game against Ibstock in 2000. Took a wicket and never played again. Quit job and hasn't been seen since.

Glenn

Sclater

One of two brothers who appeared in the late 80's a few times. He could bowl as well as bat.

Richard

Sclater

The other brother - a batsman and probably not as good as Glenn.

John

Shilton

Shilly

Played against Herberts back in the late 1980's when they still had a side.

Mark

Simpson

Simmo

Family commitments forced paceman Simpson to curtail his forays into the cricket world. One-time treasurer and fifty wickets a season merchant, he made the odd appearance for Witherley and is mooted to be seeking a return to playing again with Atherstone.

Mick

Simpson

Vocal all-rounder and prolific piss-taker. Scored many runs and took wickets despite bowling off only 2 paces due to a back injury. Once had a trial with Nottinghamshire, now a postman in Hinckley.

Neill

Smith

Sooty, Wooster

Main club Treasurer's step-son Smith made his debut aged 15 and returned to playing in his early twenties. His unbeaten 92 against Birmingham Civil Service remains the high point of his batting career and he won the batting averages in that same season. A change of job took him to Oxford. Decent drinker.

Steve

Sperry

Spez

Former Nuneaton player Sperry was a brilliant talent and played Thursday league in the mid 1990's. Now living in the south of England.

Alan

Strickley

Strickers

Along with Paul Humphries, joined the club in around 1990. An unorthodox leg spin bowler, handy bat and latterly second team captain, he was an honest, affable chap who spoke his mind which often upset team-mates. Took stacks of wickets but often bowled 25 overs and left the club in 1994 in protest at losing the second team captaincy. Still plays hockey at the club and turned out for Mosley Arms against Atherstone in a Sunday friendly recently.

Phil

Swain

His Atherstone career was washed out against Ibstock a few years ago before the game began. Never played again but still turns out for Witherley which is where we borrowed him from.

Steve

Sweet

Sugar

Played a few Thursday League games in the mid/late 70s and famously took boots and socks off and put them in the outfield when Nuneaton still needed 10 off the last over - when asked why he said they had 'no f****ng chance' and he was right - Atherstone won by 5 runs.

Matthew

Sworowski

Swastika

Another Witherley man. Promising bowler playing up at North Warwick. Timid Sworowski made his only appearance in the legendary win over Standard.

Lawrence

Tarbuck

Loz

Drinking buddy of The Master who made one appearance under Mike Maher scoring a duck in the process.

Martin

Taylor

Moby

Amiable bruiser who impressed in the field and slowed the run rate down in the middle order. Moby as he was known was a keen golfer and was important to the social side of the club. Now married, he plays Rosebowl for The Gate.

Mick

Thomas

Stumpy

Former Chairman and first team bowler, a crippling back injury finished him off in the mid 1990's but after several operations, he made a return to play competitive hockey. A return to cricket has been mooted by Thomas, now in his 40's, who still supports the club at social events and the like.

Brian

Thompson

Bogtrotter

Inspiring first team skipper who saw Atherstone gain successive promotions in 1999 and 2000. All rounder and coach to juniors, Thompson made a big impact at Ratcliffe Road in his brief spell there which was ended by the opportunity of a new job in his native Northern Ireland.

Glyn

Thompstone

Gromit

Deluded youngster prone to erring at the most inopportune moment.

Mark

Urch

Lurch

Hopeless specimen recruited by Strickley, presumably to make himself look better!

Jonathan

Wainwright

Proprietor of local garage made handful of appearances in early 1990's and looked a handy batsman.

Jim

Wallbank

Wallbanger

Bowler, useful lower order batsman and mental driver, Wallbank was committed in the field but quit to look after his growing young family.

Pete

Walton

Pugwash

Scorer supreme now returned to the club. Also a player a decade ago, but not a particularly talented one!

Matthew

Ward

Impressed on his debut but quit later that same week due to work arrangements apparently.

Nick

Wardle

Truck

A fantastic talent but temperamental and moody, Wardle on his day could destroy sides via bowling or batting. A brilliant fielder, with Steve Healey he provided the bowling attack that saw Atherstone climb the Coventry leagues in the 1990's.

Neil

Warwick

Diminutive all-rounder and storyteller. Played seconds in late 80's early 90's.

Mick

Watts

Drinking buddy of Mick Simpson and occasional player - runs a family hardware store in Queens Road, Nuneaton.

Dave

Weston

Doc

Yet another quack, Sam Torrance lookalike Weston had a stint as first team skipper but stopped playing in the mid 1990's to concentrate on fatherhood. A dashing batsman and occasional bowler, he turned out in the Rosebowl recently for his local pub side, The Gate.

Paul

Whitehead

Hockey player made odd appearance in 1995 for second team.

Damian

Wilkinson

Trotter

Bought to the club by Justin Hadley, he became a Sessionseeker in 1996 playing several matches without making headlines.

John

Williams

Welsh schoolteacher played cricket and Rugby for a season before a change of job took him elsewhere back in 1991 - ish.

Keith

Wilson

Policeman who made handful of appearances in 2000. Contributed useful runs and bowled a bit too, but work arrangements stopped regular attendance.

John

Winward

John Cleese doppelganger played second team and impressed with his sharp fielding and batting. A switch to golf in the early 1990's put paid to this doctor's cricket career fondly remembered for his generosity and his dog Basil who caused a stir by stoating a female dog on the sidelines of one game!

Andy

Wood

Ex-Nuneaton wicketkeeper batsman once hit 137 in a friendly against Austrey, then a club record. Played first team but family ties prevented his having a regular berth. A fabulous bat and handy bowler.

Matthew

Wood

Wong, Tenko, Cadfael, Ace, Rocketwrists

Although a lookalike plays every other Saturday, the jovial Chinaman has not been seen at the club for three years. Once the life and soul of every party, he was always intent on having fun with his friends, but he has not stopped behind for a drink now for some time. He has been due to come out on no fewer than 27 different occasions but each time, something has come up. Quite what, is unknown, but it has and it always does.

Nick

Wright

Boon

Hockey player made odd appearances in second team.

Bernie

Wyatt

Played for Sheepy Magna and helped out Atherstone at some point one game at least.

George

Yeo

Smith's Garage man made one Sunday appearance several years ago - scored nought unfortunately. Still kept playing in Rosebowl - nice chap.

Waheed

Zaman

Weed

Pakistani professional - the first pro in the club and nice bloke. Tall and althletic, he was a workhorse fast bowler and raised the standards set at Atherstone. A good slogging batsman, he made vital runs but his bowling made the difference, once taking nine wickets in an innings. Liked horse-racing and women and would beverage despite general lightweightedness in this field.

David

Zybert

Zebedee

Young lad who made a couple of appearances in 1998 and 1999.

Past Players

Where are they now?