1966. The only thing that remains is the old scoreboard, and that will be incorporated into any new development.
As well as the new stand, we’ve had five new floodlight stacks installed.
The outfield has been completely replaced. The work was carried out by Steven Pask - the best in the business in my book. I wouldn’t use anyone else. Over the years, he’s done my squares, the training ground and the number one practice area. When the outfield work was being planned, the chairman asked me who I wanted to to do the job, and I told him ‘Pasky - book him now, otherwise someone else will get him!’ You know that he’ll do the job. Not 100%, but 120%.
The old scoreboard will be incorporated into the new development
“You wouldn’t recognise it as the same place. The only thing that’s not new here is me!”
Every little detail was documented, right from the first machines coming in to the final sweep up and taking the machines out.
We had a ten foot drop from one end of the ground to the other, and that has now gone. The new drainage has made a huge difference, as has the sprinkler system. The turf was supplied by Inturf, it was a Barenbrug mix and was magnificent. The only thing that’s not new here is me!
What’s the funniest thing you have seen in your time here?
Streakers. It doesn’t happen so much now and, when it does, it’s usually a man! [there follows a discussion about Erica Roe’s famous Twickenham streak, which is not for public consumption].
Back in the days of uncovered wickets, we were playing against Yorkshire on an absolutely sodden track. Only the ends were covered back then. MJK Smith, our captain, had been recalled to the Test side but, before he left, warned us of a chap called Johnson, who fielded at cover, and to ‘watch out because he was ambidextrous’.
Dennis Amis was batting with a lad called Jamieson - and, on the fourth ball of the over, pushed the ball to backward cover and took off for a quick single to the fielder’s left arm. Half way down, he remembered what MJK had told him and shouted ‘no’. Amis fell on his face in the wet conditions, Jamieson was in full flow and tried to put the brakes on, and Bairstow, the Yorkshire keeper, ran to the wicket to collect Johnson’s throw, grabbing the ball with his right hand, slipped, demolished the stumps with his crotch [the polite version] and gouged a huge trench, about three inches deep, right down the wicket. Jamieson was run out at the bowlers end and stormed off cussing Amis, hurling his bat into the ladies bog in the process. Dennis had to come off to clean off the mud and sawdust - and face the wrath of Jamieson - and it took the groundstaff half an hour to repair the wicket! It was hilarious - and we lost.
Has Twenty20 helped or hindered?
It’s certainly brought the crowds in, although, saying that, it’s noticeable how they have dwindled in the last couple of
Complete Service for the Groundsman •DRESSINGS FOR SPORTS & AMENITY TURF •FERTILISERS • GRASS SEED
•PESTICIDES, FUNGICIDES & HERBICIDES •SPECIALIST TURF MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT •SPECIALIST MARKING MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT •IRRIGATION •TOOLS & EQUIPMENT •STORAGE EQUIPMENT, CHEMICAL SAFETY & APPLICATION
Ongar Loam cricket dressing and top quality golf and bowls dressings
Order direct from the manufacturer and our distributors
Moreton, Ongar, Essex, CM5 0HY
Tel: 01277 890246 Fax: 01277 890105 Mob: 07860 878827
www.binderloams.co.uk Email:
sales@binderloams.co.uk
42
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156