Flashback! Plymstock's 1973 Devon Senior League winning team? (above). Back (left to right) I Roberts, D Thomas, R Axell, B Stockman, P Bennett, R Dowding; front: H Chick, C Gill, B Lambert, A Pate (capt) J Martin
CONRAD SUTCLIFFE
FORMER players from as far back as the 1940s are expected to join Plymstock CC’s 125th anniversary celebrations today (Saturday).
Ex-players, members, sponsors and supporters of the club have been invited to a pre-match buffet lunch, at which an anniversary cake will be cut and shared.
Gerald Jameson, who first played for Plymstock in 1948, is likely to be the oldest old boy at the anniversary bash.
Other familiar names and faces on the guest list include Stuart Brace – cricketer and former Plymouth Argyle footballer – Ian Roberts, Nick Langridge, Roy Axell and the legend that is Colin Gill.
Plymstock – the Ponies – to the more modern ranks of players – can trace their history back 1900 and games on a local school ground.
Although much of the documentation relating to the club has gone missing over the years, it is known Plymstock moved to their Dean Cross ground after WW2 and have been there ever since.
Landmarks over the years include winning the Devon Senior League in 1973, being the home club of future England Women’s captain Heather Knight and an entry in the Guinness Book of Records.
Gill, whose name is synonymous with Plymstock CC, set a batting average of 330 for the club’s second team in 1998. The secret of his success? Hardly every getting out!
The anniversary celebrations coincide with Plymstock’s home game against Ipplepen in the Tolchards DCL B Division today.
