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Reply | Castle Park - the place to be…
at 07:21 10 Sep 2025
For this information Ray, I am grateful to Colin Perkins, co-author of “The First Gentlemen Players in the Area: 150 Not Out - the Official History of Colchester & East Essex Cricket Club”, published in 2012. Sadly, it is out of print, and I’ve not seen a copy for a decade. Fortunately, Colin is a walking encyclopedia .
Colin, a former President of CEECC (and Essex Second XI Player) is one of few remaining links to the previous years of top division success. Lorenzo (Lorrie) Austin, father of current First XI player, Joe, Austin is another. The latter link means that it has been a full generation between the achievements. A third link is current Chairman, Tim Spelling.
Post-Covid,a number of goals were set by (then) new Chairman, Tim Spelling. These included Pavilion Refurbishment (£650k), New Nets (£72k) and winning the Premier League. Under his leadership, all three have been achieved after incredible fund-raising efforts, whilst holding together an under 19 team that had three consecutive county competition successes and have since graduated from various universities to form the backbone of the current First XI.
The club has produced a pipeline of international player success. For England, Neil Foster, Ben Foakes, Reece Topley,. Graham Napier made an England Squad and Charlie Allison has enjoyed U19 honours. For New Zealand, Tom Blundell. Three current players have had 2025 Essex contracts. Retaining the title might be difficult if these get further sucked into the professional game, but the club is proud of their achievements. |
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Reply | Castle Park - the place to be…
at 21:02 9 Sep 2025
There is confusion between;
1. Essex League Division One (as top division).
2. Essex League Premier Division - Division One (as the new top Division).
3. (New) Essex League Division One - which is actually Two!
CEECC won the (new) Premier Division for the first time in 2025.
The last time CEECC won Division One (when that was the top division) is 40 years ago.
They have won promotion from (new) Division One a few times (and relegated a few times), but have never won the new Premier until now.
It doesn’t help that Essex (and others) keep signing CEECC players and the club then has to rebuild. The marvel of 2025 is that the title was won despite the absence of Charlie Allison, Simon Fernandes and Daniel Gladwell for the whole of August, the latter two replacing Essex players absent in the Hundred.
Charlie is now an established county cricketer, and it would surprise me if Simon and Dan (and possibly Joe MacGregor) don’t get snapped up by Essex or other counties for next season. Retaining the title might therefore be very difficult. However, there is seriously good young talent in the pipeline. [Post edited 9 Sep 21:39]
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Reply | Happy League 2025/26 Week 7 (of 38) - Deadline Saturday 13th September 12.30
at 05:24 7 Sep 2025
2 - 0. ARSENAL v NOTTINGHAM FOREST (12.30)
1 - 0. CHARLTON ATHLETIC v MILLWALL (12.30)
0 - 3. OXFORD UNITED v LEICESTER CITY (12.30)
1 - 0. BRADFORD CITY v HUDDERSFIELD TOWN (12.30)
2 - 1. LUTON TOWN v PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
1 - 0. PETERBOROUGH UNITED v WYCOMBE WANDERERS
2 - 1. BRISTOL ROVERS v BARROW
1 - 0. GILLINGHAM v NOTTS COUNTY
0 - 1. OLDHAM ATHLETIC v BROMLEY
3 - 1. SWINDON TOWN v HARROGATE TOWN |
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Reply | Deserved victory for Super U's we
at 21:20 2 Sep 2025
Superb second half after Edwards, Tucker and Anderson came on. Should have scored more. Solid at the back, but inevitably some nervous moments.
143 delighted U’s fans now on the M40. Total gate 930. We played with a passion that deserved the noise we made. Fully deserved win. |
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Reply | Tigers at Layer Road
at 10:09 31 Aug 2025
“….was catching the sparks that flew from your heels'“
Reminds me of a stupid dangerous boyhood prank I witnessed in my first year at Grammar School…
In an effort to prove most of Newtons Laws in one act (and more likely reek some malicious revenge), the Sixth Form removed the physics masters brake blocks from his push-bike. Expecting an equal and opposite reaction at the bottom of the hill, they were foiled when exceeding 20 MPH he dug the metal segs (Blakeys?) located on his heels into the tarmac creating a trail of sparks as he impressively mimicked anti-lock breaking technique with his pumping ankles. Proving Friction, notably metal on tarmac, does generate heat and abundant sparks.
I believe nobody confessed to this misdemeanour after multiple group punishments, such was the code of Omertà at the school, and a few weeks later, the same physics master found his bike suspended from a nail at the top of a 25 foot + high rugby post. Not sure how they achieved that but rumour was it might have been an impressive human pyramid formed by two second rows and a hooker.
But the best prank ever was the Lower Fifth painting the school grand piano hammers with an explosive powder that was inert when wet but produce dramatic noise and smoke special effects during the first chords of Jerusalem. Best school assembly ever!
Happy days were school… |
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Reply | Castle Park - the place to be…
at 07:25 29 Aug 2025
Massive fixture tomorrow in Castle Park (11:30 start).
Colchester & East Essex CC versus Hornchurch. A win almost guarantees CEECC the title as they then need only three points from the final fixture.
CEECC welcome back skipper & wicket-keeper Simon Fernandes who has impressed for Essex in the Metro Bank Cup. Also under County contract, Dan Gladwell is selected, but not Charlie Allison who remains with the County Championship squad.
Also returning, from vacation, veteran seamers, Darren Eckford and Vikas Agawal.
But most eyes will be on Joe MacGregor. Already 1000 plus runs for the season at an average exceeding 100 puts him clear as the top run scorer in Essex across all divisions of the Essex League. Can he outdo Bradman (admittedly over a single season) and retain a 100+ average? Nobody would bet against it.
As normal, free admission and a great selection of bottled real ales. |
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Reply | Castle Park - the place to be…
at 21:10 26 Aug 2025
Thanks Ray.
Yes, the match live stream was heard by a large audience in Barbados and included interviews with Steve Foley and the Topleys.
Prior to the match, Sir Bob Russell gave the 65 tourists a historic guided tour of Colchester and today, Steve Foley gave them a guided tour of Carrow Road. Tonight, most are watching the EFL Trophy game in Norwich as I type before they head to their next fixture. Awesome day!
I have routinely stopped doing audio commentary because the YouTube “police” moaned that we were in breach of copyright broadcasting music from the park. But I can’t help it if my microphones pick up ambient noise from the concerts in the adjacent field, But it did get a tad tricky. I had no such competition when the North Stars, Barbados came to town.
One comment that really struck me was that Colchester Cricket Club has THE most picturesque Beer Garden in the whole of Essex. How true is that! It was great to see so many Colchester United supporters including Jon Burns of CUSA.
My moment of the concert series was a front foot no-ball just as Madness (warming up) announced “One Step Beyond.”. Priceless! [Post edited 26 Aug 21:17]
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Reply | Castle Park - the place to be…
at 06:39 23 Aug 2025
Common sense at last….
Dan Gladwell who has not played for Essex in the Metro Cup has been given permission to play for Colchester today. Also returning is former Captain, Joe Barnett to replace Simon Fernandes who has excelled for the county. The visitors to Castle Park are Buckhurst Hill CC. Start 11:30.
Then, we are gearing up for Madness and Zutons (playing in next field) . Never before has FREE admission to a cricket ground offered so much value.
So after watching the U’s thrash Barrow, why not pop down. Even if you don’t like cricket you will love the bar and friendly atmosphere. Baggy Trousers…….. |
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Reply | Tigers at Layer Road
at 05:36 22 Aug 2025
Saturday in Castle Park Cricket Ground……
11:30. Colchester versus Buckhurst Hill
Evening listen to Madness and Zutons (appearing in adjacent field).
Free admission. No membership required.
Real ales (bottled)……typical selection….
Adnams Double Ghost
Adnams Ghost Ship
Adnams Broadside
Doom Bar
Adnams Southwold
Crouch Vale Brewers Gold
Crouch Vale Essex Boys
Keg
Level Head
GK IPA
Estrella
Hazy IPA
Inches Cider |
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Reply | Castle Park - the place to be…
at 07:32 18 Aug 2025
It is true that Surrey have lost the most players to the Hundred.
Essex have lost Rossington, Walter, Cox, Pepper, Cook to the Hundred
Consequently, Wanstead have lost Das to Essex
Colchester have lost Allison, Fernandes (S) and Gladwell to Essex.
To be fair, Allison and Das are now Essex regulars also playing in other competitions.
No other Essex Premier League Clubs are affected by the 2025 Hundred. Perhaps explains why Chelmsford and Hornchurch were 2023 and 2024 Champions having benefitted from stable sides. To be fair, this seems to go in cycles. In the past, Cook (S) and Beard were plucked out of Chelmsford. Lawrence and Porter from Chingford. The Essex Premier League produces some fine County cricketers. |
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Reply | Happy League 2025/26 Week 4 (of 38) - Deadline Saturday 23rd August 15.00
at 07:45 17 Aug 2025
1 - 0. AFC BOURNEMOUTH v WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
0 - 1. BRENTFORD v ASTON VILLA
2 - 0. ARSENAL v LEEDS UNITED (17.30)
1 - 0. BIRMINGHAM CITY v OXFORD UNITED
2 - 1. SOUTHAMPTON v STOKE CITY
1 - 0. WEST BROMWICH ALBION v PORTSMOUTH
2 - 0. WREXHAM v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
0 - 1. PORT VALE v DONCASTER ROVERS
0 - 1. BRISTOL ROVERS v CAMBRIDGE UNITED
2 - 0. COLCHESTER UNITED v BARROW |
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Reply | Castle Park - the place to be…
at 21:46 16 Aug 2025
It’s the Hundred that rips out the engine room of many counties. It clashes with the Metro Bank Cup, so that in turn means Essex Premier League players get drafted in to the counties.
But good news, despite the absence of Simon Fernandes, Charlie Allison and Daniel Gladwell, Colchester & East Essex won today, whilst Chelmsford won and Wanstead lost. Colchester now lead Chelmsford by 18 points. |
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Reply | Castle Park - the place to be…
at 22:43 15 Aug 2025
Great for Daniel Gladwell, but it now means Colchester & East Essex CC have lost three players to Essex for the devalued Metro Bank Cup just when the Essex Premier League is coming to a conclusion.
This is a consequence of the Hundred, as if Pepper, Cox, Walter, Rossington and Cook were not involved with that, then the Metro Bank Cup would have more credibility.
The ECB need to sort out fixtures so we don’t have these ridiculously clashes and conflicts of interest. |
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Reply | Oxford tonight
at 08:49 13 Aug 2025
A decent performance against a competent Championship team that defended deep whilst we attacked at pedestrian pace. We were never going to score by walking the ball into the net after overly intricate passing. We needed to shoot on sight (as they did) and get down the flanks at pace, which Thorn and Edwards ultimately did. Oxford were similarly guilty of over complicating attacks, but retained the ball better and were prepared to test Macey rather than add an unnecessary pass.
A gate under 4,000 at a Championship venue sums up this competition. Frankly few care, and no apparent injuries is perhaps the best outcome.
Crazy journey home. M25 closed and (CUSA Coach) driver seemingly twice lost his way. We ended up heading north on the A1 and turned onto the M11 by Duxford Airfield, finally home at 01:15. |
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Thread | Castle Park Concerts
at 16:21 12 Aug 2025
Colchester & East Essex Cricket Club will be open on the following evenings.
Free admission, cheap alcohol, all welcome. Some cricket too on a few days.
The following are playing in the adjacent field…
Thursday 14th - Smashing Pumpkins
Friday 15th - Busted
Saturday 16th - Craig David
Sunday 17th - UB40, Aswad and a few more
Monday 18th - Tom Jones
Thursday 21st - Texas, Natalie Imbruglia
Friday 22nd - James, Happy Mondays, Lightning seeds
Saturday 23rd - Madness |
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Reply | Super U's get off to a great start at Boundary Park with three valuable points
at 09:00 9 Aug 2025
Sadly, I’m committed to cricket on Saturdays for another few weeks but will be heading for Oxford.
Oldham was always an away trip that I enjoyed, but last time there it was depressing. A club in turmoil, but a fantastic following of fans that deserve better than a half finished new stand and an otherwise dilapidated arena. Hopefully success in the National League has brought improvements, but not too many on the pitch. They were terrible against Accrington Stanley mid-week, so I see this fixture as a benchmark for U’s 2025-26 status. |
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