Gedling Colliery Cricket Club History

How Good was Bill Bailey, How Fast was Tommy Rock?

A Brief History of Gedling Colliery Cricket Club (1903-2003)

Comparing Different Eras

When asked to write a short history of the cricket club for inclusion in the Centenary Match Programme, it was immediately evident that it was impossible to condense 100 years of sporting endeavours into a mere 5,000 words. Perhaps one day, someone with time on their hands will properly research and write the history of Gedling Colliery Cricket Club. I for my part will restrict my writings to my thoughts on the club that gave me so much pleasure over twenty-four playing seasons between 1972-1995. I have always assumed that I played in the Golden Era of Gedling Colliery cricket. The club's honours list, printed elsewhere in this programme, reveals that in a 16 year period between 1977 and 1992, no fewer than 31 major Nottinghamshire cricketing trophies were won. My limited research into the history of the cricket club now suggests to me that it is impossible to make comparisons between the players of one era and those of another. This is particularly true when we consider that in the first half of the clubs history, players were confined to 'friendly' matches before the dawn of League Cricket in 1952, when the club was a founder member of the Notts Amateur League. I pose the question, how good a batsman was Bill Bailey? Did he match the style of Johnny Reeve, did he have the guts and determination of Andy Walters. certainly the most talented batsman that I played alongside? Having been a 'fast' bowler myself I am bound to ask the question, how fast was Tommy Rock, a West Indian paceman who played for Gedling in the immediate Post War era? How good indeed were Ron Swindell and Rex Howieson in the 1940s and 1950s? The former was certainly good enough to play for the County First Team during the war years, and the latter was certainly good enough to represent the Notts Cricket Association on more than one occasion. How would all of these players have fared in the modern game? How would they have compared alongside the present crop of Gedling players, the Burtons, the Baileys and the Pidgeons. I suspect the answer to these questions is, very favourably.

The First Fifty Years

The cricket club was formed in 1903 by the miners of Gedling Colliery, the founding of the club coinciding with the 'sinking' of the pit. The land upon which the club has played all of its home games was acquired simultaneously with the forming of the cricket club in that year. Gedling were not however the first club to play cricket on the Plains Road Ground. It is known that prior to 1903, the long since departed St. Andrews Cricket Club used Plains Road as their home ground prior to moving to the Forest Recreation Ground and the proximity of the church from which that club took its name.

The early years of a new sports club are very important in that the club seeks to establish itself and form an identity with the local community. Mining life was very tough and some far sighted employers realised that they had an obligation to provide a pleasant environment for the miners and their families, both during and outside of their working lives. Gedling Colliery, in this respect, was indebted to the Bayley-Walker group of companies, under whose ownership the pit belonged, and the particular commitment of this company to its employees. In 1911, the Gedling Colliery Sports Section officially came into being and by 1927 included sections for cricket, bowls, tennis, long alley skittles and football whilst the miners also had access to the golfing facilities provided at the course adjacent to the cricket ground. An early stalwart of the Cricket section was one W.E. Bramley, who was pictured in the 30th May 1927 Nottingham Guardian Journal, accompanying colliery owner Sir Dennis Readett-Bayley on an inspection of the cricket facilities. It is known that Mr. Bramley was a cashier at the colliery and that his association with the cricket section as Club Secretary went back to 1905, and he certainly remained in office beyond 1914. There can be little doubt that W.E Bramley played a very significant part in the early history of Gedling Colliery Cricket Club.

The cricketing quality of those early Gedling sides is difficult to determine and more in depth research would be necessary. However the published history of Forest Wanderers Cricket Club reports that one, Ted Anthony, scored a fifty in a match against Gedling in 1906; Notts Colts' records reveal that Gedling's C.E. Culley also batted at No. 10 for the Colts side in 1906; and Southwell Cricket Club records show that the Southwell club recorded the lowest score in its history, totalling just 27 in a 1920s match against Gedling Colliery. What is also known is that by the commencement of hostilities in 1939, Gedling were widely respected as one of the top sides in Nottinghamshire, regularly attracting crowds in excess of 200 to the Plains Road ground. At that time, the club's standing was such that the side included some of Nottinghamshire's finest amateur cricketing talent.

The club continued to play cricket throughout the war years and here we now start to move into living memory. Former 1960's skipper John Bentley recalls a 1943 match that may possibly be the most amazing match in the club's one hundred year history. The Gedling club was fortunate to obtain a fixture against the highly talented Royal Engineers, who on that date contained two players who had played regular first team cricket for Glamorgan in the year immediately prior to the outbreak of war. The match was played at the prestigious Stamford Hall ground and batting first, Gedling appeared totally out of their depth being bowled out for a mere 21 runs. Incredibly Gedling then bowled out the Royal Engineers for just 18, Ron Swindell taking 8 wickets and Harold Bettison the other two. John Bentley, as a young 16 year old, was the Gedling scorer on that particular occasion. What is apparent is that Swindell and Bettison were outstanding cricketers of their time. Swindell in fact played for the County First XI during the war years. Other great players of the war era included Bill Bailey, an outstanding early order batsman and Swindell's opening bowler partner, the West Indian Tommy Rock whose pace off the wicket was described as frightening. Harold Bettison became a Gedling legend and continued to serve the club long after his playing retirement. Tragically Harry was to collapse and die in the scorebox at Gedling whilst serving the club he loved.

1952 - 1962 & League Cricket

Gedling's history is conveniently broken down into two halves following the club's decision to play League Cricket in 1952. The club joined like-minded opponents in becoming founder members of the Notts Amateur Cricket League, the first league to be formed in the south of the county. The early years of the league saw Gedling firmly established in the top four of the league, and the years were also marked by Gedling's Johnny Reeve winning the league's best all-rounder prize and Bill Charlesworth winning the league's bowling prize. The club's bowling line-up had become so strong that a young Rex Howieson, an outstanding bowler in his own right, had to move temporarily to Bulwell in order to play first team cricket.

Despite Gedling's undoubted playing strength, the club had to wait until 1956 to land its first Amateur League honour. In a rain-effected season, Gedling fought their way through to the final and a meeting with a strong Ericssons team, including their fine opening batsman Len Beaumont. Gedling performed superbly on the day, totalling 205-5 with current club president, Tim Bailey, scoring 70 prior to helping himself to a couple of wickets. Ron Fowler bowled very economically, taking the prize wicket of Beaumont, as Ericsson were bowled out for 121. Surprisingly, it was to be another 23 years before the Gedling first team was to lift another Amateur League trophy.

The Gedling side of the fifties included a number of fine cricketers, none more so than Johnny Reeve. In 1952, he averaged 79 with the bat and took 26 Amateur League wickets at a cost of 22 runs per wicket. A young Tim Bailey had emerged on the seen as an exciting middle order batsman and the bowling was strong following the return of Howieson to form lethal partnerships with Charlesworth and Fowler, the latter taking all ten wickets in a league match against Ericssons. A strong football tradition was maintained with the presence of Forest first teamer Bill Morley and international referee Reg Leafe, the latter serving the club in a number of capacities over many years. The late fifties also saw the emergence of Eric Martin who was to later join the Notts Ground Staff and play county first team cricket for a number of years.

The period 1958-1962 saw the club settled in the lower half of the Amateur League's first division. During this period however the club's second team was to win the reserve league in both 1960 and 1961. In 1962 the second team slipped to fourth place, but clinched the Poyser Cup by beating Raleigh in a rain-effected game to bring further silverware to the Gedling cabinet. Sadly 1963 was to mark a swift decline in the club's playing fortunes.

Relegations and Rebuilding (1963-1976)

After eleven years in the Amateur League's top division, during which time the club had never faced a relegation fight, Gedling finished bottom of the league in 1963 and for the next decade were to become a yo-yo side, moving between the league's first and second divisions. Relegation occurred on two occasions and although the club bounced back at the second and then first attempt, a regular first division place was never assured. In fact during this period Gedling's first team failed to finish higher than seventh position in the first division in any single season.The second team however continued to be successful winning the Poyser Cup yet again in 1969, thrashing Bulwell by ten wickets in a totally one-sided final.

Towards the end of the sixties and early seventies, there were signs of a Gedling revival. Jeff Oxley was recruited as wicket keeper batman continuing a fine Gedling wicketkeeping tradition that had included his predecessor, the talented Pete Skellern. Oxley was to play a significant part in re-establishing the side and was also to be a key member of the side that was to bring an avalanche of first team honours to the club in the late seventies and early eighties. Also recruited at this time was Bill Smith who joined from Langley Mill, and despite moving towards the twilight of his career, was to establish a reputation for himself, over the next ten years, as a fearsome competitor.

Perhaps the most significant new recruit however was Colin Reavill. As a teenager in the 1950s Reavill had been on the Notts Ground Staff, and despite being short of stature, was a bowler of exceptional pace. Ankle injuries had taken their toll on him, and no longer able to bowl fast, he joined Gedling as a lower order batsman and occasional bowler. A natural ball player, he had played football for Burton Albion under Peter Taylor, he was to develop his slow bowling art and became possibly the Notts Amateur League's finest slow bowler for a period of 16 years from 1977-1992. It is amazing to recall that Reavill had arrived at the club in 1969, past his sell by date, but went on to play first team cricket for Gedling in five different decades.

At the conclusion of the sixties, Gedling's fortunes were slowly beginning to turn. New arrivals would enhance the squad and established players such as Tim Bailey and Gordon Stringfellow were about to play the best cricket of their careers. The seventies were to become an incredibly exciting time for Gedling Colliery Cricket Club. Peter Johnson was next to arrive in 1972 from Notts Colts to open the bowling with Frank Kenyon, but before a ball had been bowled Kenyon had decided to leave the cricket club. Johnson had a wild man reputation and his unkept appearance had a most disquieting effect on batsmen, who seemed to fear just what he was capable of doing next. He quickly formed an opening partnership with Bill Smith, who was to become his mentor, Bill Charlesworth and Gordon Stringfellow providing excellent support as change bowlers. Stringfellow was to achieve the outstanding feat, in an Evening League match, of taking six wickets in six balls.

Next to arrive were Gordon Leake, David Allcock and Michael Pavis, followed the next season by Andy Walters. Leake was a steady batsman who was to captain the side for a number of years, whilst Allcock was a more than useful all-rounder. Walters and Pavis were to quickly form the finest opening partnership in local cricket, rivalled only by Southwell's Johnson and Paling. With the emergence of Reavill as a slow bowler and hard hitting batsman the stage was set for the club to compete for major honours.

Glory Days (1977-1992)

The first trophy duly arrived in 1977 at Kimberley where the local club hosted the county's premier six-a-side tournament. It was important to get that first trophy in the cabinet and the second was to arrive the following year in the Evening League Cup Final at Wollaton, when skipper Colin Reavill gave his now infamous pre-match address from the toilet seat. Local superstars Newcastle Select were soundly beaten and the club were to complete an Evening League Double with the championship trophy also heading back to Gedling.

Despite Kimberley having left the Amateur League, the quality of cricket remained high with strong Bulwell, Raleigh, W.I. Caribs, Sandiacre and Notts Police sides competing for honours. Gedling had played in the first division for 35 of the league's 38 year existence and at last in 1979 the Championship Shield was to come to Gedling. Roger Bainbridge's arrival from Raleigh had added further quality to the side and with Walters and Pavis in outstanding form, Gedling stormed to their first ever League Championship. 1979 was the commencement of an incredible period of Amateur League success for the club.

During the next eight years, either the League or cup were won, but never both. In 1980 the Popkess Cup was won at Eastwood in an exciting game against the Caribs, and the following year it was Gedling's turn to win the championship again to make up for the disappointment of having lost to Bulwell in that year's cup final. The 1981 championship was a close run affair, Gedling never topping the League until the very last match of the season, the championship being won by a single point. In the final match against the Caribs, and with Gedling needing to win, Roger Bainbridge played one of his finest innings to lead the club to victory and the championship.

In 1982 the Popkess cup returned to Gedling and in 1983 it was their turn for another championship victory. Whilst the club was winning Amateur League honours, numerous other trophies were won including further Evening League and Cup successes, and more six-a-side successes at Kimberley and John Player. The 1983 League Championship success was to prove a turning point. The league had been won too easily, to the extent that a number of first team players considered that the Amateur League no longer allowed strong enough competition on a week to week basis. These concerns, coupled to dressing room disquiet, lead to the break up of an outstanding side that would only have got better and many believe would have gone on to dominate Nottinghamshire cricket for the rest of the decade.

During the next three years Gedling were to lose nine first team players either through retirement or to other local clubs, but despite these losses the club was still good enough to complete a hat trick of Popkess cup victories between 1984-1986. At the end of 1986 a mass exodus occurred including two excellent young players John MacMillan and Michael Blatherwick. The loss was so great that for the 1987 season, only two of the fine 1983 side remained with the cricket club. The shortage of playing numbers actually threatened the future of the club. It was to the eternal credit of those that remained that new young talent was recruited and under Colin Reavill's astute captaincy, the club recovered to such an extent that the league runners-up spot was achieved behind the rapidly emerging W.I. Cavaliers. Young players like Colin Reavill's son Eddie, Mike Bailey, Neil Temple, Steve Bateman and Chris Brown bought solidarity to the Gedling dressing room. Players who had played all their cricket in the second team were suddenly promoted to the first team and performed beyond their capabilities, none more so than Bob Gotheridge, Mel Sharpe and Dave Stanley. Whilst the trophies had temporarily dried up, the club remained very competitive, finishing runners up in the Amateur League for three consecutive years between 1987-1989. 1990 was to be a landmark season for Gedling. The first team had lived for three years in the shadows of the Cavaliers, but this was to change in 1990. Dave Wood and John Burgess had joined the first team and as such the club were adequately equipped for the two league games against the Cavaliers that were to decide the destiny of the championship. Both games were bitterly fought as Gedling proved to be stronger mentally than their West Indian opponents. Both games were won and the Championship went to Gedling. The effects of these two matches were such that the Cavaliers, Gedling's only real opponents at that time, took several seasons to regroup and Gedling were to retain the championship in both 1991 and 1992. Surprisingly it was only in the final year of this glorious era that Gedling at last achieved an Amateur League double following a 1992 Popkess Cup Final victory over Hucknall.

Not to be outdone the Gedling second team was to also have an outstanding three years of success between 1990 -1992. In 1990, they raced to a league and cup double, the Waldron Cup Final being particularly notable for a first wicket opening stand of 225 between Jeff Oxley (140 Not Out) and Bob Gotheridge (68). In both 1991 and 1992, the second team was to finish runners-up behind the Cavaliers, but compensated in 1992 by again winning the Waldron Cup.

It was becoming increasingly apparent that the playing standard of the Amateur League was in decline and it was essential that the club looked to pastures new to further its cricket. The club knew that it could play at the very highest level having competed in two Champions of Champions finals in the early nineties, both against Welbeck Colliery. Despite losing both matches, the club had won the prestigious Eddie Marshall Trophy in 1991 beating a fine Denby side on a glorious July evening at Trent Bridge. It was the club's second victory in this excellent competition, the previous one having occurred in 1985 when Unity Casuals were well beaten on the night. At the end of the 1992 season, the club elected to leave the Amateur League for the Gunn & Moore Alliance, but not before one of its players was to provide a wonderful swansong to the club's 41 year participation in what had been, in its day, a marvellous competition. Gedling wicket-keeper, Chris Brown, in a league fixture at Plains Road against Bulwell, achieved the quite remarkable feat of taking nine victims (seven caught, two stumpings) behind the wicket. Records were to prove that this had been bettered only once in the history of world cricket.

A New Challenge and the Modern Era (1993-2003)

Upon moving to the Gunn & Moore Alliance in 1993, the club's first objective was to achieve a place in the top half of the twenty team league, given that the following year the single league was to be split into two divisions of ten. This was comfortably achieved with the club finishing a creditable fifth. The Alliance League allowed for each club to have either a professional or an overseas player. Aided by a sponsorship package with Arriva Ford, the county club's Richard Bates became the Gedling club's first professional. He was to be followed in later years by Matt Dowman, Noel Gie and David Lucas, all of whom were members of the County Club's Ground Staff.

Life in the Gunn & Moore Alliance was to prove a continual struggle for Gedling. It says much for skipper Eddie Reavill's leadership during the years 1994-1998 that Gedling maintained their position in the top division. The club was not however without its share of talent and both Eddie Reavill and Michael Bailey were selected for the Notts CA Representative XI during this period. Gedling's ability to maintain their position in the league was enhanced by the sad demise of three long-standing cricket clubs. County Wanderers had disbanded in the early 90's and a number of their players were to join the Gedling Club, David Mason and John Thorley being particularly useful acquisitions. Fellow Notts Alliance side, John Player, also fell by the wayside in 1995 allowing the club to recruit Dean and Shane Pidgeon, the latter being a particularly useful batsman and now the club captain. Perhaps of greater significance however was an approach from Basford Corinthians Cricket Club to join with the Gedling Club in 1998. Basford's playing strength had dwindled to just nine players and the arrival of these players, including the talented Burton brothers, ensured Gedling having sufficient playing members at a time when many clubs were struggling for numbers.

For three year's between 1996 -1998, the Notts Cricket Association had been discussing, at all levels of the recreational game, the possibility of forming a Nottinghamshire Premier League, supported by feeder leagues in the north and south of the county. It was agreed that the top six clubs in each of the Gunn and Moore Alliance and the Bassetlaw League, at the conclusion of the 1998 season, would form the Premier League. This time Gedling was to fail in its objective, missing out on Premier League membership by a single point. In 2003, the Nottinghamshire pyramid structure will enter its fifth season of operation. Throughout the four years to date, Gedling have comfortably maintained their position in the top half of the Southern Feeder League, without ever really threatening to gain promotion to the Premier League. During this time the club has acquitted itself more favourably in cup competitions, winning the Popkess Cup on a further two occasions in 1999 and 2002. A lack of consistency in league matches has been a problem and as such the club has probably under achieved. However the present side remains blessed with a number of talented players. The three Burton brothers have all set high standards since their arrival from Basford; Shane Pidgeon has proved to be a more than capable captain; Mark Bailey continues to be a total enigma but who, on his day, remains capable of destroying any bowling attack; and Michael Bailey continues to perform well with the ball. Perhaps the Centenary Year will be the year when the club finally fulfils its potential and gains a coveted place in the Premier League.

Unsung Heroes

No history of a cricket club would ever be complete without mention of those people who have given of their time off the field of play. The club's secretaries, treasurers, fixture secretaries, groundsmen and tea ladies have played as significant a part in the history of the cricket club as have the outstanding players who have represented the club over the years.

In this narrative, I have already mentioned the undoubted contribution of W.E.Bramley in the early years of the cricket club. In the time available, my research has not allowed me to learn but a brief knowledge of the club's administrative hierarchy in the years prior to the 1939-1945 war. What is known is that the club received great support from the colliery, from whom the majority of the players were drawn. The support given in the modern era by the Miners Welfare has been equally important to the health and well being of the cricket club.

A name that has become synonymous with Gedling Colliery is that of the Bailey family. Bill Bailey created a dynasty of future Gedling cricketers and the Bailey ladies have also contributed significantly to the club over many years. Bill's son Tim is the current club President and played alongside his brothers Terrence and Brian. Tragically Brian was to lose his life a week after being hit by the ball during a Gedling match. The continuing Bailey involvement is maintained by Mark and Michael who are current members of the club's first team. Arthur Cooper and H.D.E (David) Mason were outstanding club servants during and immediately after the war years. Neil Buol, Reg Leafe Rex Howieson and Gordon Stringfellow continued this great tradition through the 1960s before Bob Massey became club secretary for virtually a decade in the 1970s.

In recent years, the club's administration has been dominated by Peter Johnson, Colin Reavill and David Groves all of whom have overseen the successful development of the club in the modern era. It would however be totally remiss not to bear witness to the efforts of one club member who almost single-handed has masterminded the development of the cricket ground. In 1983, the Miners Welfare, struggling for finance, had handed over responsibility for the maintenance and preparation of the cricket ground to the cricket club. A series of part-time groundsmen did 'a reasonable job' in the first few years. Significantly, at the beginning of the 1990's, Michael Bailey was appointed club groundsman and the development of the ground and its surroundings are testament to Michael's outstanding work, over the hundreds of hours that he has spent at the ground over the past fifteen years.

Final Thoughts

When I set out to write this paper, I had no idea where this exercise would lead me. During my limited research of archives and newspapers I began to sense a feeling of admiration for those early pioneers who had formed the cricket club 100 years ago. I am sure they would be surprised, no astonished, if they were able to see how the club has developed. I am sure that they would also be immensely proud. Another aspect to my research has been talking to many older players who represented the club in the forties, fifties and sixties, whose names I knew but had never met. It was a tremenndous experience for me to listen to these former players recounting stories from the days when they had played for Gedling. What became apparent was that it is impossible to compare the players of one era to the players of another era. How can I compare my own bowling prowess with that of Ron Swindell? How can I compare the sublime batting talents of Andy Walters and Michael Pavis alongside those of Reg Leafe and Johnny Reeve? How good was Bill Bailey, how fast was Tommy Rock? The answer to all of these questions is, it is impossible to judge. Comparisons, I have learnt are futile. What I have concluded however is that, without exception, everyone who has represented Gedling Colliery Cricket Club in the past hundred years deserves and has a rightful place in the history of our club. Here's to the next hundred.

PETER JOHNSON