Life and Vice Presidents

For those of you who missed the 2009 Dinner you won't know that Bobby and Keith have inducted three new members into the league of Vice Presidents of the Wick and have created two new Life Members.

So what's a VP? According to Chairman Mao it's someone who played a leading role within the club during their playing days and continues to support the club either financially or by volunteering for a number of years after stopping playing. Yoiu'll see them at functions and on the balcony mostly these days. They bring valuable contacts and experience to the club.

Life Presidents continue to play a active role in the club for a number of years after stopping playing. When that stops the active role continues in supporting the club in others ways - often as a link between the past and the present. They really have made an outstanding contribution to the club over 20 years.

It's worth having a read of Bob's notes about some of these venerable names. When you see them around you'll be wondering who they are and why they grace the balcony like they are to the Wick born. Well - they all are. Read on...

VPs

Andy Moore aka Amooray [Only person currently to have his own club song - FACT]

Amooray joined the Wick when he moved to London from Norwich in the mid 1990s. A glutton for punishment, he was an old team mate of Sisso and The Lord and decided to re-unite himself with them in Bushy Park. Amongst his many achievements:

Second eleven captain for a couple of seasons prededing Fudgey when it was difficult to get 9 out each week, never mind 11. 500 2xi runs in league last two seasons before retirement. First eleven wicket keeper for seven years and very useful middle order batsman. Highest score in excess of 150 v Teddington Town. Regular Saturday, Sunday, midweek player who when not playing would be entrenched at bar! Now a regular bar attendee and occasional midweek player...

Ian Geddes aka Gedds. [Good job not a current player or would be Geddsey - Ed]

Joined Wick from Southampton university in early 1990s through Mark Webster. Medium quick opening bowler for first eleven with late inswing in prime. Very useful lower middle order batsman when employed as all-rounder, capable of 50s from 8/9 when club very strong.

When bad knees curtailed bowling good enough to open batting in 1xi and score league hundred at South Hampstead. Successfully captained 1xi for five season to 2004, where club achieved highest ever league placing in TVL premier league.

Extremely competitive to point of even getting Sisso to run around the ground before games! [Of course everyone else would have done three laps to Bobby's two but you can't have everything - Ed]. Also happy to buy an overseeas professional to bolster his team!

Pete Culham aka The Lord [Culhamsy sounds a bit like clumsy - Ed]

Joined Wick in 1980 when moved to London from Norwich. Spearhead of first eleven attack from 1980 - 2004. 1xi captain 1981, then for a few more seasons in mid 80s/early 90s.

Always in top half dozen first eleven bowlers Lee 75 league, Thames Valley league and Middlesex league. Very useful lower/middle order 1xi batsman. Regularly acieved double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in season. Scored four centuries at Sidmouth alone (Devon tour fixture). Excellent first slip, although did drop five in a match once [So Culhamsy it is - Ed]!

Aimed to do Wick double of 500 pints and 50 curries in a season. [There's a tradition it would be hard to match today - the curries that is - Ed] Still turns out Wednesdays and averaged more than 50 in 2008.

LIFE MEMBERS

Richard Jell aka Jelly

Joined Wick in mid 70s

Extremely sociable and friendly fellow who always welcomed new members with pint and good story. Club treasurer for many years and not many played without paying in his era.

Strokeplaying middle order batsman who could make a difference towards middle/end of an innings with preference for midwicket and cover point areas. Useful off - spin bowler and very good slip fielder. Played regularly in very successful sunday second eleven side batting at six and bowling spin 1987 - mid 1990s.

Regular tourist and wednesday player, still playing and contributing up to 2008. Often captained Wick sides and even got out a 4xi in early 80s! Always on balcony supporting beloved wick when not in France

Provided Wick with useful son (Stuart) who could bat, bowl and drink like his father!... still can when wife lets him…

Neville Marshall aka Nev [Or "Oh shit it's hit the pad - nooooooo he's given me again!" - Ed]

1970's vintage and wick man true and fair in the mould of Tilly and the like.

Partners always had to be able to do teas, make chilli/curry in evenings and even do the scoring… not surprising he changed lady partners regularly! Of an era when looking after bar, playing, tidying up bar and general sociability were the norm. Very useful first eleven wicket keeper and middle order batsman. Also off spin bowler who could break a partnership when not keeping in latter years.

Still playing in first eleven in 1980s, fielding first slip (where he was good) and getting a few runs at seven and the odd wicket. Very able drinker, tourist, wednesday player, captain of sides and sociable fellow.

President of Hampton Wick Club 1980s to mid 2000s. Regular umpire during 1990s and still does Wednesdays (or despatches Fudgey or AJ on Presidents day!)…. NB they should buy him a beer!

So these are your new Vice Presidents and Life Members. Hope this little delve back into the archives will help you next Summer when you bump into them on their bench on thier balcony...