CRICKET
The Victory Sports Ground
Dad’s army take the flack
During a typical Friday in June, the final preparations would usually be being made to the square at The Victory Ground but, instead, it is routine mowing and watering that is the order of the day. Operating the Toro Reelmaster 5410 is Head Groundsman, Mark Flack, with his father and Grounds Director, Bobby Flack, hand watering. Their involvement in this proud Suffolk sporting institution has spanned decades, and their passion and love for ‘The Vic’ is shared by many. Blair Ferguson reports
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he Victory Sports Ground, located in the historic Suffolk town of Bury St. Edmunds, should have been celebrating its centenary in style during July,
showcasing a proud history of hosting Minor Counties cricket, including welcoming some of the greatest names in the English game including Sir Alastair Cook, Ian Botham and Alan Lamb. Instead, like so many in June, they were unsure when cricket would return and were trying their best to be ready for when the green light was given. The Victory Sports Ground was created to commemorate the employees of Greene King - who have been brewing beer and running pubs from Bury since 1799 - that served in the First World War. Many died in
the conflict, and twenty-one of the brewery’s employees were amongst them. It was Managing Director, Edward Lake, who came up with the idea of a permanent memorial; he himself had six sons serve, all of whom remarkably returned home. Edward convinced Greene King to purchase twenty- six acres of land and open a sports ground for the returning members of brewery staff. So, in July 1920, it was opened along with a plaque that read; “Edward thought nothing could be more appropriate than a large recreation ground where men of the present and future generation could join in those manly sports which have made the English nation what it was”. Over time, the ground built a fantastic reputation whilst being maintained by
Herbert Hargreaves, who had played cricket for Yorkshire alongside some great players, including Sir Len Hutton. In 1975 it was purchased by St Edmundsbury Borough Council who operated it as a community facility. The quality declined, and the pitches were deemed unsuitable for Minor Counties cricket. In 1995, a group of individuals took over the running and maintenance of the site. The quality steadily increased and, in 2007, discussion commenced concerning improving the pavilion and changing facilities. The old pavilion had served its purpose and was badly in need of replacement. These discussions involved Bury St. Edmunds Cricket Club and South Lee School, who
PC August/September 2020
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