Island of Alderney Cricket Club History

Alderney, the third largest of the Channel Islands, lies just 8 miles off the Normandy coast of France and is the nearest to the mainland of Britain approximately 70 miles away. The island has owed allegiance to the English Crown for over 900 years. Alderney is 5 km long and 3 km at its widest point with a population of 2,400. The small town of St. Anne is the capital and it is twinned with the Normandy village of Beaumont Hague. Guernsey is 23 miles away and Jersey 30 miles. Alderney has its own airport and harbour.

Alderney has its own government, but is part of the Bailwick of Guernsey, presided over by a President and 10 State Members, assisted by a Chief Executive and a number of civil servants.

The Island was occupied by German Forces during World War 11 and almost the entire island was evacuated. The population started to return in December 1945. The cricket on the Island of Alderney was played on the Butes -derived from ‘Butts’, a place for target practice, on an area of land overlooking the sea.

John Gatrell in an article about cricket in Alderney noted that in the 19th century, the Butes was the home of an artillery battery and the military reviews took place where cricket is now played. No doubt the military would have played cricket on the Butes at that time.

One of the earliest references to cricket between the wars was in 1922 when Sir Pelham Warner (1873-1963), captain of Middlesex and England1sailed over from Guernsey with his undefeated side to play Alderney. Warner noted that ‘the wicket was matting on grass, and the outfield the roughest I have known, though the local Xl found no difficulty in mastering its peculiarities and dangers’. In the event Warner’s side was bowled out for 75 and were easily beaten. Gatrell also referred to a report in the Guernsey Star of April 1935 where a Guernsey player recounted his experiences of playing in Alderney. The wicket now was matting laid on gravel, players were advised to wear rubber-soled footwear and a rock was placed behind the wickets to use as a mallet when hammering in the stumps.

Cricket was resumed in Alderney after the war. There was now a concrete strip in place covered with coconut matting. The football club also shared the ground and soil was placed over the concrete during their season. They found a new ground in the early 80’s. Gatrell mentions the fact that in 1948 the island doctor, Dr. Ramsbotham and his wife resumed their places on the scorer’s bench.

It was about this time that Michael Packe, the island judge and former captain of Leicestershire became involved with the club. Matches were generally played on a Sunday. One or two sides would come up from Jersey and Guernsey by boat, and games against visiting military personnel, yachtsmen, and other visitors would form the bulk of the fixtures.

In the early 60’s changing facilities at the Butes were very basic - little more than a lean-to. It was at this time that The Grand Hotel overlooking the Butes was re-opened. Lunches, teas and after match entertainment was provided by the owner and future captain of the club, Ray Parkin.

During the late 1960’s a few more fixtures against sides from the mainland were possible because of the improvement in air links to the island. Jersey Airlines had a direct link from Gatwick and Southampton. However, the founding of Aurigny Air Services in 1968 by Sir Derrick Bailey - an Alderney cricketer and still President of the club ( he captained Gloucester in 1951-52 ) gave regular links to Jersey, Guernsey and Southampton.

In the early 70’s the Island of Alderney Cricket Club made their first mainland tour to Dorset playing over a weekend against a Dorset Farmers Xl at Fovant. This arrangement continued for about 20 years both home and away.

Other sides mentioned in the 70’s fixture lists included the Cornish Choughs, Cobo (Guernsey ),St. Ouen (Jersey) St. Helier Old Boys, Sussex Martlets, Sunday Express Xl and Durham College.

Unfortunately, in 1981, The Grand Hotel was gutted by fire and so there was now a desperate need to upgrade the club’s own facilities.

In 1983 a new pavilion was officially opened by the broadcaster and writer John Arlott O.B.E. He succeeded Leslie T. Norton as Chairman of the Club. During the 80’s many more games were played averaging 30-35 per season. Sides included a Hampshire County Xl, El Vinos (Fleet Street), Sun Alliance, Selsdon and Further Friars (all mainland). The latter four teams were regular visitors for many years. Indeed Further Friars and Selsdon are still on the fixture list today together with the Wessex Stags from the early 90’s.

Visiting cricketers and celebrities included: Malcolm Marshall, Gordon Greenidge, John Snow, Mike Brearley, David Gower, Sir Ian Botham, Bob Willis and Bill Frindall.

In 1988 the club played host to the touring Australian Aborigines managed by Mark Ella.

Towards the end of the 80’s a new Notts artificial strip was laid replacing the recticel matting and further improvements were made to the pavilion. The upstairs bar was extended, the balcony enlarged and two changing rooms and a shower area were upgraded downstairs.

In more recent times the club has hosted the M.C.C. on several occasions during their tour of the Channel Islands and added the Island of Sark to the fixture list. Week-long tours to France (Dordogne) in 1997, 2006 and 2008 have proved popular and as the average age of the side has plummeted, so has the desire to travel further afield.

In 2009 the club competed in the Euro 20/20 tournament in North Wales and reached the semi-final stage of the competition. The team was awarded the "Spirit of Cricket" trophy for their sportsmanship.

The Island of Aldemey Cricket Club is grateful for the efforts made by visiting sides to come to the island. It can be very expensive. Mainland sides tend to travel over on a Friday, play Saturday and Sunday and return on Monday. Whilst sides from the other islands usually arrive on the Saturday, play in the afternoon, and get return flights on Sunday after a shorter version of the game.