Club History

The History of the Club goes back to 1751, and over the years we have welcomed many illustrious players. Lock, Laker, Fishlock and Bedser all turned up regularly during the 1940s and 1950s. It was also interesting, a few years ago, to see the ageing Roy Swetman looking at his picture on the wall, taken some forty years earlier; David Fletcher did the same. But how can a humble village club encounter Test players in the course of normal fixtures? Well, among others there were Arthur Wellard (Merton), Paul Parker (Three Bridges), Ken McEwan (Worthing), Bob Woolmer (Tunbridge Wells) and Jeff Love (Old Rutlishians).

Mind you, Warlingham have had a few county players themselves: Randall Darwell-Smith (Sussex), A.W.Allen (Northants) and of course local products: John Frame (Surrey & England) - our first documentary evidence refers to him in a match played on 13th May 1751 between a combined side of Addington, Warlingham, Croydon and Cheam versus Ripley, Thurstley and London.

Dennis Moore (Oxford University and Gloucester) has an unusual story to tell which goes something like this:
"Hello Dennis, it's Wally Hammond. Why aren't you playing for Oxford against us tomorrow?"
"I've been dropped!"
"Dropped? OK, play for us AGAINST the University. See you there!"
Dennis scored a double century!

Going back to the aforementioned Darwell-Smith: he once captured nine wickets for one run against Limpsfield, who were, not surprisingly, beaten in the early afternoon. The two sides arranged to play a second match, provided that Randall did not bowl. Warlingham agreed and promptly put on Randall's twin brother - who registered the figures of eight wickets for 2 runs, producing the same result! We believe that Limpsfield declined a third game. However, years earlier, in 1856, it was Limpsfield who had thrashed Warlingham in our earliest fully recorded match.

Many people believe that cricket is much tougher now than it ever was in yesteryear. Consider this: in the 1880s there was a fight on the field of play between Warlingham and Westerham players (fights off the field were common) the outcome of which was that the Warlingham captain told the landlord of the 'Olde Leather Bottle' not to sell any beer or refreshments to the Westerham players, nor offer any water to their horses. This seems to be not uncommon with matches against Westerham - in 1833, a newspaper report describes how they brought an 'unfair eleven'. The game was not allowed to start and all the players retired to the previously-mentioned 'Olde Leather Bottle' where negotiations took place over luncheon. 'Woeful havoc' broke out as the visitors tried to leave without paying. Plus ca change?

After Warlingham moved from the School Common, they played for some years at Westhall Road (the ground is now a reservoir), where one C.J.Kortwright (Essex and England) bowled a ball that went for six byes! Around that time Warlingham had two demon bowlers of their own in Alf Baker and Charlie Bazley, who took wickets at two or three runs each. Of course, the pitches may not have been test standard, but the Reverend Marriott scored two centuries in 1893. However, to take 5 wickets in 5 balls was quite an achievement, and to do it three years running must mean that Mr Bazley could bowl a bit.

The years after the First World War may be likened to the dark ages, except for the fact that C.A.V.Slade skippered the club for 23 years, as the players' gate will confirm. Another phenomenon arrived in the shape of Dick Townley, whose sports shop in Sanderstead still bears his name. In 1930 he formed the Wednesday XI, which even now boasts a full fixture list and, apart from one year (when Martin Pink took over temporarily), the Wednesday XI have only ever had two captains. The present incumbent, the affable Richard Spurring, has been in office these last 31 years.

During Dick Townley's reign as Wednesday skipper, the following committee meeting minute was recorded in November 1945:
'The Committee unanimously agrees that a letter should be sent to the Authorities requesting that they should fill in the bomb craters across the ground.'

Martin Pink was without doubt Warlingham's finest bowler: in his first twenty games he took 100 wickets, and he finished with well over 2500 for the club. Martin also captured some 1000 for Addiscombe, and it is reckoned that he may have taken 5000 in all. Fairly easy isn't it - only 100 wickets a season for 50 years.

The advent of league cricket in 1971 saw Warlingham in the Surrey County League, which they eventually won before enjoying a brief stay in the South Thames League. When four vacancies arose for the Second Division of the Surrey Championship, Warlingham gained election and in 1994 both 2nd and 3rd elevens were promoted to Division One.

1995 was perhaps the best year in the Club's history. Although the First XI narrowly missed promotion, a number of the club's long-standing records disappeared. Overseas player Derek Brand smashed 165 to snatch the highest score, but a week after he departed our shores the home-grown Simon Marus demolished Holmesdale with 170 not out. Even so, Brand still hit the most runs in a season, well over 2000, including a little matter of eight centuries. His innings at Hartley saw Warlingham score 300 runs for the first time.

Some other club records are under threat - Paul Clarke, with well over 2000 wickets, is still bowling out sides. Paul's 169 wickets in a season should be invincible, but Denham Earl and Nigel Field are closing in on John Dunning's club record of 29,000 runs. However, John can retire safely in the knowledge that he is the one player to do 'the double' - 1659 runs and 103 wickets in 1976 - the only time that this has been achieved in 140 years.

The first tour to Hampshire in 1967 was repeated for thirteen years and has now moved to Thanet via Somerset, Bucks and Dublin. Never mind the results, the dreaded 'pink tie' and all the other penalties made the tour. Pink tie? Well, you would get it for being bowled by a ball that bounced four times, or for going into the 'ladies' and being locked in, or diving headfirst into a very shallow river!

Tragically, the 1995 season ended with the blackest day in the club's history, when a fire broke out in the dressing room and one of our young players died. The pavilion was rebuilt, though perhaps the club has never quite recovered - the subsequent loss of a number of key players resulted in relegation for all three sides, and the First XI has yet to escape from Division 3.

However, omens for the future are good. 2002 saw an influx of good players, with more expected in 2003. Nigel Field is back in charge, and the talented Tim Slade, Alex Pizzey and Simon King will all be a year older and hopefully better.

Good times have always been the hallmark of Warlingham - whether it be cricket tour, cricket week, league match or friendly - we thrive on our social ambience and welcoming atmosphere. Long may it be so.

John Dunning