Matt Quartley (right) presents Paul Sutton with Ipplepen CC's 3rd XI player of the year award at the club's annual dinner

NEW Ipplepen chairman Keith Wakeham has paid tribute to predecessor Matt Quartley, who has stood down after five years in the job.

Keith Wakeham - Ipplepen's  new chairmanThe handover took place at a packed annual meeting of the club, when Quartley’s tenure was highly praised.

While Quartley has been at the helm, Ipplepen have chalked up successes on and off the pitch.

Over the past 12 months Ipplepen secured funding for a new scoreboard, ladies changing facilities, a new roller and extensive repairs to the clubhouse. 

“Matt oversaw huge growth during his time in the chair, building a strong team of volunteers,” said Wakeham.

“The club now has its greatest ever adult membership of 50 Saturday players in three teams and nine junior teams.

“Our ladies section is taking off with our first ladies captain, Zoe Aspinall a real catch for the club, having had success starting a ladies league in the South-East

“Off the pitch we have a new purpose built groundsman’s building for Alan Boon and his team, we have refurbished nets and electronic scoreboard, enlarged changing rooms and a third ladies/umpires room.

“Matt will be a tough act to follow, but I have persuaded him to take my previous role of vice-chairman with a brief for project work only. 

“Realistically we need to consolidate, and build on Matt’s success.”

Quartley said he felt his main contribution to the club had been to make ambition an acceptable aim for a village club.

“I honestly think I only did one significant thing, which was to change the mind-set from managed by committee in a traditional village club style to a more business-like one, where people are free to take the club as far as their ambition allows,” said Quartley.

“Nobody is frightened by the club growing now, which is just as well with 150 juniors and district and county players coming out of our ears.  

Ipplepen's clubman of the year Dave Jarvis (left) with Matt Quartley“Another couple of years and they will be well integrated into our senior sides and give the rest of us a chance to go and relax in the third team!”

Dave Jarvis, the clubhouse officer was presented with the clubman of the year award at the annual dinner for his efforts over-seeing projects during the summer. Much of the work undertaken has been with the help of sponsorship and fund raising 

Tom Cooper, Ipplepen’s secretary, said the club was indebted to Valeport, Stonehaven Group, the Rotary Group of Newton Abbot and all its other sponsors for their support with ground projects.

Cooper said grants from Teignbridge District Council and the Devon Cricket Board have also been invaluable. All were co-ordinated by Chris Partridge, who received a vote of thanks for securing much-needed funds.

There was a further vote of thanks for outgoing treasurer Phil Harvey who stood aside after many years of active service in various administrative roles at the club. 

Harvey’s service started in 2002 as 2ndXI captain. He was club treasurer 2008-2010, chairman 2011-13, fixture secretary in 2014, fixture secretary and treasurer 2015-16 and treasurer for the last two years.

Maynard, the hard-working and committed organiser of the youth section, is stepping into Harvey’s shoes.

Ashsley Harvey (left) receiving the 1st XI player of the year trophy from Matt QuartleyOn the field all three Saturday league captains – Sam Wakeham, Simon Tapley and Alan - were re-elected for 2019.

There were congratulations to Tapley and his 2nd XI for achieving promotion from the Tolchards Devon Cricket League E Division West as runners-up to Chelston & Kingskerswell CC.

New chairman Wakeham has played for the club both man and boy since 1982, skippering the 1st XI to from 1988-97 and again between 2009-16.

Wakeham’s record as captain included five promotions, two Corinthian Cups, an Aaron Printers Cup and winning the Brockman Cup twice.

The new regime will continue Ipplepen’s policy of giving young players coming through the youth system opportunities to play Saturday afternoon men’s cricket. 

The new committee will be meet for the first time in January. Indoor nets will commence soon after. Any volunteers wanting to be part of the club, or new players looking to re-kindle a love of cricket, should contact Wakeham on 07540 053489.