Shanklin Evergreens Cricket team ~THEN and NOW.

Here we have a rare photograph of the Shanklin Evergreens team from 50 years ago.

Geoff Read has nodded off (seated left), Glenn Morley (standing 2nd from rt end) with his best bat, Ralph Abbott (4th from left standing) watching the girls' netball practice and Colin Nigh (2nd left standing) already tucking into a doughnut. Bob Freer (3rd from left standing) still fits into that striped shirt which was, I believe, very fashionable at the time.

Let me introduce you to the Shanklin Evergreens cricket team 2009.
Left to right:

Bob Freer. A regular bowler, often leaves the batsmen in two minds with his slow bowling, "Should I hit a six or a four?"

Scott Lee or Lee Scott. (Depends which end he's bowling from) A regular bowler and bats number 11 ("Eleven's too high for you", quote from the skipper), the team's overseas player, commutes from New Zealand every match.

Carl Prean. Find him in YELLOW PAGES "Rent-a-batsman", you need 60 runs ~ then Carl's the man for you. Apparently, not bad at table tennis. Starts his innings slowly and then gently peters out*.

Colin (Thendizz) Nigh. Often opens the batting and packets of biscuits, never runs two ("I've seen milk turn quicker" quote from the skipper.) *"Who is the Peter who is out?"

Colin must have some Irish blood running through his veins, when fielding, he occasionally does a "Michael Flatley" before the ball arrives.

Geoff Read. The man behind the moustache, slow bowler and the batsman to call on in an emergency ~ the man to deliver ~ is ex-postman Geoff (he was given the sack). The only cricketer I've met to take an ashtray out with him when fielding. Sponsored by "BENSON & 'EDGES"

Glenn Morley. Acting skipper when John Dear, Andy Morris, Sam Read, Roger Merry and Ralph Abbott are unavailable. Good chap ~ lends me his spare bat. Well known in the field of landscape gardening and the one behind the gas works.

Steve Palmer. New to the EverGREENS this season, his wife (she of the scones/cream and strawberries) is thankful to the EverGREENS for keeping him out of the house every Thursday.

Steve has a new camera.

Skipper asked Steve if he fancied a bowl ~ "If they need 37 to win from the last over, I'll bowl that" he replied.

Brian Carter. World's best umpire (until he gives me out LBW). Claim to fame "I know Dickie Bird" The team is grateful to BC for umpiring every week. Fairly pleasant for a northerner.

Great fan of Last of the Summer Wine.

Matt Lambourne. No relation. Just 19867 more runs and he'll join Pete Lambourne (no relation either) on the club's honours' board. Always wears a smart jumper, and his mum keeps his trousers nice and clean. Promises to buy the team a round on his 18th birthday.

Dave Griffiths. It took team members some while to come up with a nick-name for Dave, so Griff it is. An all rounder - can mis-field in any position. Great fan of any wine. Quote from Dave (oops! sorry) Griff. "I'm pushing 65 - that's enough exercise for me"

John Grace .Young Mister Grace patrols the mid wicket area for the team, eyes like a hawk (two) and the speed of a gazelle (dying), he has earned the nickname SWOOPERMAN ~ no opposing batsman would dare risk a single to our amazing Grace. Rumoured to be the great great grandson of W G Grace.

Bertie McHugh Renta Wicket-Keeper (Yellow pages) can be relied on to fill the keeper's gloves (with his hands) in an emergency. Well known in concentric circles.

Mark Nightingale Accomplished umpire who is receiving coaching from Brian above. In one match Mark was umping, the bowler bowled, struck a pad and Mark appealed for LBW!!!! He then gave it "Not out"!!!!

-----ooooo00000ooooo-----

Ralph Abbott (Two Ts, no sugar), Roger Merry (featuring in Carry on Cruising), John Dear (having highlights done), John has appeared in a number of films (he took the lead in "Lassie") and Andy Morris (dancing) were unavailable so are not featured in the team photograph.
Tony Hobden, Bob Jenkins, Fearnley Roach and Dougie Davis aren't in the photo either, I went to school with them.