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Cockermouth Cricket Club's
"Hall of Fame".
This page has been put aside to thank those who have given many years of their lives to serve and represent Cockermouth Cricket Club.
Ken White
Ken White is Cockermouth C.C.'s longest serving player in the history of the club. He was born in Gilsland, Northumberland on July 4th 1942 and has lived in Cockermouth for nearly all of his life. His long-standing association with Cockermouth began in 1949 when, as a seven year old, he was introduced to the game of cricket by his best friend Barry Hardcastle, who's father was Captain of Cockermouth C.C. First XI. He attended Junior Practice sessions from then on, before making his First XI debut in 1957 at the age of fifteen.
Ken, like Maurice Andrews and Raymond Denham, has not played for any other club during his career, but was regularly approached by clubs with a view to making a move. As well as playing for Cockermouth C.C. First XI in a career spanning six decades, 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's and 2000's, Ken also played representative cricket at many levels over his career. For example; Cumberland C.C.C. Minor Counties, Cumbria Cricket Board, Cumberland C.C.C 'Over 50's' and Cumberland Senior League XI's. He started out his career as an opening batsman, very strong on the off-side and bowled leg-spin. Nowadays, Ken bats down the order, and is, by all accounts, a stronger 'all round the wicket player'. But his main forte, is his bowling. He has developed off-spin to an art in itself, and also be replied upon to bowl his leg-spin when required. He is still, after all these years, Cockermouth C.C.'s most potent slow bowling weapon. Ken captained Cockermouth C.C. First XI for more than ten years and was one of the most successful captains in the club's history, doing the Cumberland Senior League and Montague Burton Cup "double" twice. He also captained Cockermouth C.C. to Meageen Cup Final glory. Cockermouth C.C. were the only Cumberland Senior League team ever to win the prestigious trophy. Ken never lost a cup final as captain.
Ken lists his son, Gareth, as the best batsman to play for Cockermouth C.C. "His runs scored for the club speak for themself, and he has played for Northamptonshire C.C.C. and Cumbria at all levels". The best bowler to have played for Cockermouth C.C. in Ken's opinion is, like Maurice Andrews, Tom Gilfoy. "He was the Club Professional when I first started playing here, and despite being in his fifties, could still land five balls out of six on a saucer". When asked who the best player he had ever played with, Ken replied, "John Moyes. He was a prolific run scorer at all levels he played, and he captained Cumberland C.C.C. to Holt Cup victory at Lords. His knowledge and enthusiasm for the game are second to none. He was an outstanding captain, batsman and fielder".
Ken reckons that Cockermouth C.C. need to invest in levelling the square as it is long overdue. And he believes that the current First XI need desperately to win promotion to the Premier Division. He also feels that a better relationship between the club First and Second XI's needs to be nurtured and that youngsters need encouraged and given the chance in senior teams when they are ready.
Maurice Andrews
Maurice Andrews the current club Chairman, was born in the town of Cockermouth, Cumbria on December 14th 1930. He has lived in the town ever since. Maurice began his life-long association with Cockermouth Cricket Club in 1946 when he was a mere sixteen year old boy. He got involved with his local club as a direct result of playing the game at Cockermouth Grammar School in the early to mid 1940's.
Maurice, like two of the other "Hall of Fame" members, did not play for any other club side apart from Cockermouth Cricket Club in his entire career, an almost un-heard of happening by today's standards. Although he did not play any representative cricket at any stage in his career, Maurice had according to many, an absolutely brilliant throwing arm which was capable of reaching either end of the wicket, from anywhere on the huge Sandair ground, which is quite some feat. Maurice can also claim on of the most bizarre sets of bowling analysis of all time. 1 - 0 - 18 - 3!! In a Second XI game at Edenhall.
Maurice lists Joe Fleming as the best batsman ever to play for Cockermouth Cricket Club. "Apart from being a good batsman, he was also a mean cover-point fielder who could read the game". The best bowler, in Maurice's opinion to play for Cockermouth Cricket Club, is Tom Gilfoy, the club's first ever Professional. "He could literally drop the ball on a sixpence with his little off-cutters".
Maurice reckons that the club currently has an excellent ground and playing facilities, a pleasent pavilion, a strong youth set-up and reasonably strong First and Second XI's.
The club has an awful lot to thank Maurice for with respect to the above paragraph. He works tirelessly to raise funds so that the Cockermouth Cricket Club can develop and fulfill its potential, and for those things, the whole club should be grateful to him.