R.G.C.C. History

In 1995 Geoff Williams and I walked over what was just a field and concluded that it would make a great cricket ground. On a cold dry February Sunday Geoff sent me his tractor and cutters and I spent the whole day harrowing the field, which produced todays level playing surface. The following weekend Geoff brought his power harrow and we produced the basis of the square. By the middle of May we produced a playable square. Geoff went on to donate the club a MF130 vinyard tractor and a set of cutters. Rockley Gentlemen's Cricket Club was born and the rest is history! At the time Head Master of Bramcote School David Fuller became the 1st captain of the Rockley Gentlemen with team mates such as Nick the Wicket, Peter Cook, Steven Braithwaite and Phillip Willison. For many years we were watched by the hawk eyes of the Gumpire also named Ken Whitely. Keith Huddlestone was later handed the captaincy, through this time we gained some valuable members from Nottingham. We became a very sociable club involving many trips to the Markham Moor inn and other pubs and restaurants accross the World. Bryn Orme was democratically elected by the President. Since then the club has gone from strength to strength under his leadership only loosing three games in both 2005 and 2006! Over the years we have invested heavily in the square, producing wickets which are to league standard. We have built a pavillion to be proud of and an electronic score board has been installed. In support of the club where would we be without our tea ladies, they have made the RGCC teas second to none. RGCC are also famous for the annual dinner which set a standard that other clubs wish to aspire. Over the years we have built up to a selection of teams whom we are honoured to play on a regular basis, a few consisting of the Lincolnshire Poachers, Newcastle Southwell, Norwell and the Strugglers. We are proud to have been honoured with some famous players, such as, Roger Knight (England and Surrey), John Hampshire (England, Yorkshire and a test umpire), Richard Kettleborough (Middlesex), Alan Kettleborough (Yorkshire and he played football for Sheffield United). The Rockley Gentlemen have been on some memorable tours to Cork in Ireland, Holland, France, Salcombe, Kettlewell and Exeter. Plans of travelling past Europe are coming soon! by Peter Rossington (Club President).

The Ground from Above