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As the old tune goes
My dad was born in Pompey in September 1916 and apart from Italy during the War he stayed there. I’ve worked, commuting and travelling in various bits of the UK through my life, but always had a postal address in our city too.
So that’s one hundred years of Allens in Pompey, without counting his dad who had turned up from the Bath area. I’m also about six weeks into my 58th year as a Hampshire (life) member/supporter but you will realise that (apart perhaps from a lively few years in the late 1960s) I’ve never felt less certain, less committed than I do right now – albeit I am in there ‘for life’.
All of which leads me to wonder, not for the first time about identity and its link to location. Pompey is ‘close to the edge’, a few miles from West Sussex, not at all typically leafy Hampshire (rather more Millwall by the sea) and very definitely where and how I define my identity (in geographical terms).
But what about HAMPSHIRE? The cricket has obviously been a major part of my life since my schooldays, and not least the last 25 (ish) years on the Committee and as the Archivist. But this morning Mrs A and I are beginning a circuitous route back home from St Ives, through Cornwall, Devon, brief stop in Glastonbury then back through Dorset and West Hampshire and home. Very nice too and we have a great fondness for these other bits of England – more so than many parts of Hampshire. Then there is Sussex, much of which – Brighton in particular – I love.
All of which leaves me to wonder reflexively, “Be I Hampshire?”, beyond the habit of 57+ years, or is it more a matter of being a cricket man who needs to feel at home in terms of the game I love. While retaining my life membership, might I shift my viewing habits to a combination of Hove and Lord’s – cheap membership at both, access to the Lord’s pavilion and the Hove deckchairs? It wouldn’t be the same of course but I have come to feel uncomfortable being at the Ageas Bowl and I wonder whether ‘ a change is gonna come’.
All of which leads me to invite you to tell me (us) how you feel about ‘being Hampshire’ – not necessarily in the current climate but perhaps more generally.
OK? Must start packing!
26 Comments
Hampshire Cricket History 
Hampshire cricket in the past: Dean Park, genteel charms, county cricket surrounded by back gardens; Burnaby Road, out of the station past the Guildhall, a more robust air. May’s Bounty, a pint of Courage beer nearby should the weather intervene.
After the move from Northlands Road for several years we attended at Hove more than the Rose Bowl (not worth it by public transport). If Lords now seems like a more familiar or homely place to watch, then the times they are a changing, there is something in the air etc.
Comment by StephenFH October 6, 2016 @ 9:17 amMine is a different tale. Compared to you, I am a newcomer, having joined a mere 46.5 years ago. Since then I have been a member, apart from 10 years spent abroad, when I was a member of the Hampshire Exiles. The Exiles provided a valuable service in those pre-internet days, with a roneo-ed newsletter which included first and second eleven scores, and other news: a lifeline from home!
Comment by Ageas October 6, 2016 @ 11:22 amUnlike you, I have never lived in Hampshire, but the As lived in a north Hampshire village for at least 150 years, my father’s cousin being the last owner of a thatched house there until she died in around 2000. My grandfather was born there and, although living most of his life in London, also died there, having retreated for safety during the Blitz. My father was a Hampshire supporter, and I have inherited the bug, as has my son. It’s now more than a century since my grandfather left Hampshire, but the inheritance continues.
Living in London, I have seen Hampshire fitfully over the years, sometimes in Hampshire, but also in London, Essex and Kent. Now retired, I follow them avidly, home and away.
Whilst I also watch England in the Lord’s Tests (and recently, a couple of times abroad), I am only an England follower – but I am a Hampshire supporter. Hampshire results give me a lift or send me down in the dumps, whereas I am more indifferent to England results (except maybe against the Aussies).
Yes, nostalgically I look back to Northlands Road (and to Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Basingstoke), but I suspect in reality I would be pretty unhappy were we still there, as the facilities were pretty bad even by the standards of those days. But I think the Rose Bowl is a terrific ground – if only the transport links were better – the staff and players are friendly, and there are now many, many good friends there, some of whom I usually sit with, and others (including your good self Mr Pompeypop) whom I bump into and have a chat with as I stroll round the ground. And I know too, that at any Championship game away, there’ll be people I’ll know to sit with, and others to bump into for a chat.
I know some on here will disagree, but I do think that Rod and his management team are doing all they can to ensure the survival of all forms of cricket in Hampshire. We now have a completed facility, which is beginning to make money, and should allow us to buy back the ground and the hotel from Eastleigh. All power to their elbows!
Whilst I can envisage going elsewhere to watch the odd day’s cricket, I can’t imagine supporting any team as I do Hampshire, and I certainly would not spend nearly as many days at cricket following any other team
The big thing for me is without doubt the friendships, the bumping in, the conversation. I’ve seen Hampshire win everything worth winning so can survive not seeing it again. Incidentally in the early 1990s my first active involvement beyond being a fan was producing those Exiles Newsletters!
Comment by pompeypop October 8, 2016 @ 4:39 pmMy Father and Grandfather were born in Hampshire as was I. We all supported Hampshire County Cricket Club. My earliest memories are going to Northlands Road with my Father, Grandfather and 2 cousins and playing cricket on the outfield during lunch and tea. I travelled the country with my Father during the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s watching mostly the one day matches. I was working so couldn’t get to many county matches but I did go to the yearly match at Basingstoke. Since semi-retiring 10 years ago I became a Life member and spent many days at The Ageas Bowl and away trips. I am upset at the reduction of County Cricket particularly as I’m not a fan of T20. However, I don’t feel as uncommitted at you Dave. I will continue to watch Hampshire playing first class cricket as long as I can. Hampshire will miss you. It won’t be the same without you. I will miss your after tea commentary too. I wish you well and hopefully we’ll meet up in the future at Hove or Lords albeit not next season unless you intend going to the Royal London matches, which I do enjoy as much as the first class matches. I’m glad you intend keeping this blog going and best wishes to you and wife.
Comment by Tigger October 6, 2016 @ 11:25 amCheers Tigger – much appreciated
Comment by pompeypop October 8, 2016 @ 4:39 pmThere was no cricket or much sporting interest in my family who hale from the county of Durham. Indeed I was born in that county although lived in Portsmouth from 3 months onwards. I have lived outside of Portsmouth and have long supported both Hampshire in cricket and Portsmouth at footy.
Comment by Paul October 6, 2016 @ 11:51 amI don’t mind the occasional game as a neutral. But I am emotionally and financially committed to Hampshire and Pompey. So basically there’s little chance of seeing me at Lords or Hove unless Hampshire are there.
And Hampshire at Lord’s is why I sponsored the Danny Livingstone quote in the atrium: two long bus journeys to Lord’s from home in North London, seeing MY team playing at Lord’s, first season where there was Championship cricket on a Sunday (albeit after lunch), and Danny scored 120. 49 seasons later, and I haven’t forgotten it!
Comment by Ageas October 6, 2016 @ 12:16 pmHampshire played a Sunday League match at Lords in the middle of the two days against Northants in 1973 and three of us went on the supporters’ coach organised through the supporters’ table.
A formative experience; we then started organising coaches on Sundays to places like, Street, Tring and Weston. The most prominent memory I have is of the trip from Swanage to Darley Dale in1975, a 24hrs plus experience for the driver!
Hopefully those attending t20 matches now get as much out of it as we did then.
Comment by StephenFH October 6, 2016 @ 1:22 pmAnd England at either sport unless a local player is involved doesn’t cut it me either.
Comment by Paul October 6, 2016 @ 11:52 amHove, Lords… maybe there’s a sort of collective memory embedded in them that we can sense.
A quote from Underdown “Start of Play”:
“Why should it matter to us that a Hampshire village should have had a brilliant cricket team more than 200 yrs ago? It matters, surely because it puts us in touch with important elements in our past, not just with the place of cricket (or any other sport) in that past, but also with the history of the communities in which cricket was played, some of whose traditions we have inherited. It may also matter, perhaps, because it reminds us that when we alter the context in which a game is situated it may have consequences which we might never anticipate.”
Maybe that’s why “County” cricket means a lot to us, because that’s how we label our memories?
Maybe Hampshire have so few Junior members because almost no-one can either walk to the ground or get there on the bus, so the whole thing just cease to be part of their growing up. Now if your parents are too busy, or aren’t interested, you can’t go. (I used to get the train with a couple of pals and go backwards and forward an hour to Bournemouth when we can’t have been more than 12 or so. That wouldn’t happen today, would it?).
Real fans go to Cricket, Football because it’s part of who they are. Maybe when too much of it changes it eventually jars too much with those embedded memories, maybe that triggers off fewer endorphins, seratonin or whatever it is. Maybe it also ceases to be part of who you want to be.
Or perhaps it just pisses you/me/us off!
I do agree with most of what Ageas says about the Bowl. The whole thing has been quite a story, and I expect everyone would do things much differently if they knew what we know now. I’m a bit less sanguine about the finances, and what the succession plan etc is for when someone who isn’t as committed as Mr B takes over.
And I reiterate Tiggers remarks.
And Happy Centenary!
Comment by Jeremy October 6, 2016 @ 12:11 pmDave,
Comment by Godfrey Stowe October 6, 2016 @ 1:02 pmYou raise a very interesting issue, which is of particular relevance to me as an ‘out of county’ member living some 75 miles from the Ageas Bowl. I was born and brought up in Petersfield and first became a member in 1973 (couldn’t have chosen a better year!) and so this has been my 44th year. I have lived in Surrey for the majority of my working life, and still live there now in early retirement, but have resisted the call of the Oval. This season I have attended every home Championship day bar one, plus a couple of 50 over games. This year the 600 miles per game has been made easier through use of the new hotel for some of the matches.
So why do I do it? I suppose fundamentally it is because I still feel a very strong ‘pull’ to my Hampshire roots and to the club I started supporting all those years ago. My parents and grandparents are from East Hampshire and Portsmouth and thus I feel Hampshire is where I come from, and part of what defines me. It is also within fairly easy reach with an 80 to 85 minute car drive, which is not so much worse than a 60 minute ‘door to door’ journey to the Oval.
I also find that watching the game I love is enhanced through identifying quite passionately with one of the teams playing. In this respect I am more passionate about watching Hampshire than I am England.
I have very fond memories of the old grounds, but do recognise that we now have a fantastic facility in the Ageas Bowl, with easier access by car than grounds located in the centre of Southampton and Portsmouth. I am very concerned at the proposed changes to the structure of cricket, especially the city based T20 and shrinkage of the 4 day game. I also do not like the fact that Hampshire Cricket is essentially controlled by one man, but feel it is still important that Rod Bransgrove knows how we members feel, and so I will be attending the meeting next Wednesday, even though I have no doubt it is purely window dressing. I apologise for slipping into these issues, because it has been depressing me in recent months, and in fact I am more concerned about these matters than I am about Hampshire’s relegation/ non-relegation.
Cheers Godfrey. On here you are VERY welcome to say whatever you wish.
Comment by pompeypop October 8, 2016 @ 4:41 pmBorn in Basingstoke and supported from as long as I learned that Hampshire had a team to support. I didn’t go to a game for a few years but due to the Sunday league on BBC as well as Natwest and B & H cup ties meant I could enjoy the games and I felt a part of it.
Probably from 13 I got to the occasional at Basingstoke and remember cycling to Eversley after school to watch the benefit games that were usually held there.
In later teenage years, music festivals were my main interest and had to be funded by part time work so my cricket watching and playing stopped for these years but I think 2005 (The Ashes and the C & G final) very much brought me back to cricket and wanted to resume my support on a more permanent basis.
Since then I have attended Hampshire games in all formats home and away as much as is possible and very much feel that I be Hampshire despite moving over to Berkshire in 2014.
At present my feeling is as long as there is a team that is Hampshire then I will support it. I feel concerned about the way we are headed but there is very much still a squad of players I can get behind and cannot imagine doing anything else.
Comment by Ian October 6, 2016 @ 1:52 pmBe I ‘Ampsher? Be I b . . .
Born in Shawford during the blackout, and whisked back to New Milton where the family were evacuated to, we came back to Southampton after the War. I went to school in Bitterne Park and Highfield, started work at the airport, but soon found my way up to Hursley, about 3 miles from where I took my first breath. Bought my first house in Eastleigh, sold it to a Hampshire cricketer, and moved to Chandlers Ford where Desmond Haynes, Malcolm Marshall, and Gordon Greenidge would have been in my team if the neighbourhead had a side.
So, I’ve never been more than 8 miles from where I started, since 1946, living or working.
My first visit to Northlands Road would have been about 1951, and I’ve been a full member since I could afford it in 1965.
I go to practically every day of every home game, and have seen Hampshire, and got the scorecard, from every other County Ground, plus a few outgrounds.
I like the Rose Bowl. I don’t buy the ‘too far out of town, difficult to get to’, stories. Unless you lived in the centre of town, Norhlands Road wasn’t easy to access. We had bikes. Why can’t the youngsters today cycle there? Mind you, my folks never owned a car, and we had to walk to school as well!
I too like watching first-class cricket best, but the short form of the game is what we played mostly (without the ‘music’), so I can identify with that better.
As some of you will know, I am about to complete my ‘tour’ of the county and its surrounds, photographing the cricket pavilions. I did two yesterday, and have two more to do before I call it a day, and claim I’ve been to every cricket ground in my beloved ‘Ampsher.
So, I think I’m committed now . .
Hope you stay with us, too, Dave . .
Comment by Bob Elliott October 6, 2016 @ 3:21 pmThis is being reported
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/durham-fuming-after-ecb-relegate-them-after-telling-them-to-turn-down-4m-bid-a7343276.html
Among the comments is this
It would look to someone with a suspicious mind that there could be collusion between the hierachy of the ECB and Mr Bransgrove, only surmising of course. In the brief dealings i had with Mr Graves when he was at Yorkshire i found him to be not bothered about supporters or ways of promoting the club to increase membership. As Yorkshire owe Mr Graves a lot of money i wonder if they are hamstrung when it comes to voting and voicing disapproval at the way the game is going.
Durham have been sold down the river by a board that doesn’t give a toss about the County game, i hope Kent find a way to fight Hampshire’s re-instatement and give the ECB and Hampshire a damn good thrashing.
I think an investigative report should be done by higher authorities or by the press, this is starting to get FIFA-esque to someone of a suspicious mind.
I really hope this not true the collusion bit that is
Comment by Paul October 6, 2016 @ 3:52 pmWhat case do Kent have? If Durham get reinstated instead of Hampshire then fine but seriously see no reason whatsoever why Kent should go up.
Comment by Ian October 6, 2016 @ 4:19 pmWith regard to Kent not being promoted I suppose the argument is that Durham’s “bail out” gained them an advantage over the other Division One clubs (by allowing them to continue to compete in the division) and so it is a Division One club that should “benefit” from their relegation.
It’s the one decision made by the increasingly disreputable ECB that I actually agree with – although I would never have relegated Durham so that isn’t saying much!
Comment by James October 6, 2016 @ 4:33 pmI have supported Hampshire since the late 1950s – walking down the road to Dean Park after school and was lucky enough to be there ‘that’ day in 1961, so I really could not have supported any other county. I regret that Bournemouth ‘left’ Hampshire and that Hampshire no longer play at Dean Park.
However I think the Rose Bowl (sorry!) is a lovely ground. I live near south of Bristol, so it’s about 2 hours drive to watch a championship match, but at least there is parking and few traffic problems. I much prefer it to Taunton or Bristol – although Cheltenham is lovely.
I have never been a member but I try to see at least a day or two of Hampshire each year, and always check the scores – often several times a day. It was teletext before the internet.
So yes, Hampshire through and through. I also try to get to watch the Cherries now and again, and follow their scores when they are playing.
As others have mentioned, the experiences in your formative years can set you up to follow a team regardless of their success, ignore the off-field stuff, and savour memories of Ray Bumstead, Butch White, Barry Richards, Ted MacDougall, James Vince and Harry Arter
Comment by Dave Pople October 6, 2016 @ 8:04 pmI be Hampshire too – through and through like a stick of rock. Dean Park was always heaven to me. First watched ACD and Co in 1958, and have been hooked ever since. I remember how I devoured the Bournemouth Evening Echo when I got home from school and read the back page lunch time report from where ever they were playing. Then it was an eager look at the stop press scores.
O my Marshall and my Gray long ago. I too was there on that great day in 1961. The preceding 2 weeks I had been in Paris. My parents had arranged an exchange visit with a French student. You could keep the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Place de la Concorde, and all the rest. I spent all my time twiddling the radio knob to tune into the Light Programme to find out the latest scores.
The best years were the early 70s. Richards, Greenidge, Turner, Jesty and Gilliat – what a top five! I use to say to myself, enjoy this, you will never see the like again. The heartbreak of 1974. I recall John Hampshire shrugging his shoulders at Richard Gilliat when a short shower on the 3rd afternoon finally put paid to any play in the match.
And then we moved to Hong Kong in 1979 and it was not until 2008 and retirement that I could watch Hampshire again. Ever since I have taken my summer hols in the UK, mid-June to mid-August. Everything rosy once again – but no. The despised T20 tournament was on and I have always refused to watch it. This summer I just managed 3 days of Championship cricket at the Rose Bowl (and I’m not sorry.) They were good days too. The 3rd days play v Surrey and the first 2 days v Lancashire.
I cannot contemplate supporting any other County. I intend to go down with the ship.
Comment by Ian Laidlaw October 7, 2016 @ 7:12 amBarry made 206 my first game (just in case I’ve never mentioned it). No looking back after that. Funnily enough I can pretty much see the ground exactly as it was. I was sat on the wall in front of the Officers Club, boiling hot day. Barry was bowled when he’d got about 30, but the bails didn’t come off, I think the story was the varnish had melted.
Richards and Greenidge? When Barry was out we used to go to play our own game in the car park. For a bit anyway, then we wised up.
Then those back to back Champo wins in ’73 and ’74 ( 😉 )
Easter coaching – my coaches in different years were Peter Sainsbury, David Turner, Bill Buck, and Lloyd Budd in the indoor school. And at school, Derek Shackleton. Great, great guys, one and all. But Derek, well, different gravy.
There was a time when I thought I liked Sussex almost as much as Hampshire, maybe confusing off the field with on the field. I found out different when I pulled a muscle in my arm pumping the air when Tremmers threw Murray Goodwin out in that Lords final. Then I realised there was no way back.
Comment by Jeremy October 7, 2016 @ 8:31 amI was born in Southampton and have remained here all my life.
Although I have followed England and Hampshire since a young age (I am 64 now) work prevented me from attending matches (except a bit of corporate) until I retired early at the end of 2003.
One of the long term promises to myself was to get a Membership and from 2004 season that has been the case, the last 4 season as an Executive Member.
I could never support anyone other than Hampshire in Cricket and Southampton in Football (season ticket holder).
I have come to accept the t20 games (but not the loud music) but maybe that is because I also dine at the games so it is a complete corporate experience.
I cannot see myself paying to see a city based T20.
Comment by Ron Griffiths October 7, 2016 @ 4:33 pmI can identify with so many of the stories above. I consider myself to be an adopted son of Hampshire. My parents and I moved to Bournemouth in Spring 1965 when I was 12 (almost 13) – I was born in Kent and also lived (briefly) in Essex and for 9 years in Buckinghamshire – and I spent my teenage and adolescent years there. Having known for a long time that we would be moving to Bournemouth (then in Hampshire) I had started following Hampshire in 1964. My father, who came from an Irish immigrant family, grew up in the East End of London and supported Essex and also West Ham – I have followed his example regarding the latter as well as following Bournemouth. My mother’s family originated in rural Dorset, so I have some Wessex blood! The three days after the move were in half-term and, as my parents probably wanted me out of the way while they unpacked etc, I was only too pleased to see most of the three-day Hampshire v Somerset match, which ended up as an exciting draw – Roy Marshall scored 85 on the first day and the match was dominated by spin. From then on I was hooked, and many happy hours at Dean Park and occasionally Northlands Road followed – 1973 provides my happiest memories and 1974 my unhappiest!
Comment by Tim Driscoll October 7, 2016 @ 4:56 pmI became a junior member in 1968 and remained a member until resigning in protest, along with many others, when Hampshire left Dean Park in 1992. From the late 70s onwards I watched only a few days a year, as I was working in London and living in Surrey – I generally managed to arrange a few days’ leave for the Bournemouth week. I joined again in 2000 when my work hours became more amenable, and I have watched between 10 and 20 days a season since – more since I retired in 2007.
I have got used to the Rose Bowl (sorry, but that is its proper name!) and its facilities are excellent. I also enjoy trips to Hove from time to time – it reminds me of the old Hampshire grounds and its facilities have improved. I don’t regard T20 as proper cricket but have come to enjoy it, and it certainly brings in the young spectators and the money. It’s the only form of cricket that my wife and family will watch.
For some years now I have lived at the northern edge of Hampshire, so it’s an hour’s journey, but more than worth it. Like Dave, my main interest is in the four-day game, and I am not happy that it is going to be reduced. Nevertheless, I shall continue to follow Hampshire through thick and thin.
I certainly ‘ampshire be.
Comment by Stephen Saunders October 7, 2016 @ 6:08 pmMy grandfather owned several butcher’s shops in Portsmouth and Southsea (I still have one). My father was born in Portsmouth; attended Portsmouth Grammar School; practiced all his life in Portsmouth; Married in Warblington church to a girl from Havant and died in Portsmouth aged 94. I was born in Fareham as my father had a reserved occupation and had to leave the island in case the one bridge was bombed. We moved back once the war was over. I became a Junior Member of the Club in 1953 (now a Life Member). I played cricket and hockey for Havant and cricket for the Hoggets and Hams. I got married in Southampton to a girl from that city who was born in Romsey. Our two children were christened in Warblington church. Hampshire (and Hambledon) have never left my blood, hence my Hampshire cricket collection and books. Although I now live in Kent, all my friends know I am Hampshire and probably a bore about it. A large number of the pictures in our house are of Hampshire. Although I visit Canterbury, Hove and Arundel I do get to the Ageas Bowl several time in a season.
I am a Hampshire man, always will be a Hampshire man and will die a Hampshire man.
On a day in late August 1961 two momentous events were unfolding.
– Hampshire walked on to the field to start their Championship-clinching match against Derbyshire.
– I was born.
However I wasn’t Hampshire at birth as I was Bristol-born but by the time I started to follow cricket as a youth I was living in Chandlers Ford and only a bicycle ride from Northlands Road (albeit on main roads in the days before helmets). So my county choice was clear.
Comment by Hedgehog October 9, 2016 @ 8:23 amA bit late to the party on this one. Pompey born, Pompey bred (strong in the arm (nah), thick in the head (you decide).
The first day’s cricket I saw was the 2nd day of Hants v Worcestershire at the United Services Ground on 8th August 1974 (thank you, Cricket Archive). Dad, who still sits in the Warne Stand) took me along after tea as the home side won by an innings and 44 runs the on 2nd day despite only scoring 236.
I can still remember feeling short-changed because It wasn’t the No.s 10 and 11 batting at the end so I thought there was more to come.
Anyway, I was hooked. 1977 saw Easter coaching sessions at Portsmouth Grammar School with Dave Rock, Nigel Cowley, Trevor Jesty and Lloyd Budd. Unfortunately, my assault of becoming Hampshire’s next big thing floundered on a distinct lack of talent.
As I can sit and watch any game of cricket so I guess I’m a cricket fan first and Hampshire fan second.
Like you, Dave, I’m starting to feel a bit jaundiced. After 11 years photographing Hampshire for the local papers Ive decided to call it a day. The coverage in The News has gone from poor to scant to pathetic over the course of the season and it’s just not worth the effort.
Before I got my press pass in 2010 I’d had a membership since 1977. Will I get one next season? Possibly, possibly not. The Rose Bowl’s a lovely facility but its got no soul – the venue overwhelms the cricket when there’s 300 spread out around the ground.
Don’t get me started on Rod’s involvement in the City T20 saga or I really will come off the long run.
I toyed with the idea of getting a Sussex membership. However, joining the Friends of Arundel Castle might be a compromise. First class matches and a South Africa A game in lovely surroundings might be just the ticket.
I’ll always be “of Hampshire” but the lure isn’t as great as it was.
Comment by Neil M October 9, 2016 @ 4:28 pmBorn in Hong Kong, moved to Wimborne, about 10 miles from Bournemouth,when I was 2. Father took me and my brother to our first game at Dean Park in 1962 (“you’re going to see Fiery Fred tomorrow”).i was 6. Next year, and for the following 10 or so, I had junior membership and one of those smart little cards was my most treasured possession.
However, ever since the age of 20 I have lived in North London and rarely seen Hants playing. My brother and I attended one day of the last match at Northlands Road, which was sad, but most of my memories are of Dean Park. Primitive yes, but gloriously “rus in urbe”. Whenever I visit the dentist and the painful stuff starts, I recite in my head the Hampshire batting order of those days. Marshall, Gray Horton etc.
I’ve been to the Rose Bowl a few times and agree with previous comment that it is a lovely ground but lacking in atmosphere.
Most fortunately, I have been an MCC member for 30 years and watch several days of Test Cricket a year plus a few hours here and there of county cricket.
The fact remains that I avidly follow Hampshire’s scores and would happily see Australia beat England 5-0 in the Ashes if Hampshire could win the championship again. The excitement of following a new player like Vince beats all else in my world of sport.
I would be most surprised if any young child developed that attachment to a city T20 team.
I was there on the day we won the championship in 1973.
I remember hearing the cricket scores on the radio the day Richard Gilliat made 223.
How lucky I was and am.
Comment by Henry Thompson October 9, 2016 @ 11:04 pm