History of Devon Seniors
Dave Gambie
Dave Gambie (Club President) - Presidential Memoirs & Commitment
Devon Seniors cricket started in the late 1980’s organised county-wide by the ECB. They wanted to encourage players who were attaining 50 and older to keep playing competitive cricket thereby preserving a valuable pool of talent that otherwise might be lost to the game.
Devon Seniors Over 50’s X1 under Gerald Parsons (Tavistock CC) were early participants and won the National Final around 1990 although this might be a little inaccurate since there are no records to refer to (internally or via ECB). Players were recruited by the captain and with games being played mainly mid-week this restricted availability. There was never any suggestion in those early years that a formal club structure should be introduced.
Vaughan Hoskins (Torquay CC) took over the reins of the side around 1995 with yours truly becoming involved in 1996 having reached the magic ‘milestone’. Some of the other players that I can recall from Vaughan’s era were: Barry Matthews (Ex-Captain of Devon CCC and Torquay CC), Terry Doyle (well known for his female following and ex-Kingsbridge CC, Torquay CC with others in between), Colin Lever (Sandford CC), Gerry Keen (Yelverton CC), Danny Webber (Plymouth Civil Service CC), Stuart Lott (Paignton CC),Andy and Bruce Ellet (Exmouth CC) and, of course, Chris Theedom.
Chris ‘Theeds’ Theedom ascended to the ‘throne’ of seniors’ cricket in 2002 and was immediately successful in landing the National trophy. This was against the mainly ex- professional players of Lancashire and in their own backyard. It was this success and his determination to forge continuity in successful sides, set against a background of reduced funding for the competition, that prompted the official formation of Devon Seniors Over 50’s Cricket Club. Willing volunteer officials and donations were quickly forthcoming and so a new era of seniors’ cricket in Devon was born, based around a re-modelled Constitution setting out the Club’s modus operandi. The Club was re-named Devon County Seniors Cricket Club in 2009 when we joined the Spitfire National Over 60’s County competition.
From such humble beginnings we have been able to build and continue to build a strong and vibrant organisation.
We offer competitive county cricket at various age levels. Furthermore, for those players with drive and ambition there is the opportunity to represent England and play International cricket, both home and away. This last chance to be an ‘international sportsman’ is offered at both Over 60’s and Over 70’s age groups. Presently, players who have achieved international honours at Over 60’s level are: Bob Eames, Chris Theedom ; Stuart Lott and Pete Rose. Both Stuart Lott and Dave Gambie have played at Over 70’s level.
The Club has been privileged to entertain various Australian National and State Over 60’s sides. In 2017, we hosted a touring party from British Columbia on their first trip to England.
So successful has the Club become that we now run two sides within the national Over 50 competitions and two sides in the national Over 60’s competitions
In 2017 we commenced an Over 67’s side to play friendly but competitive matches and the passage of time has translated this into our entering the full National 70s competition in 2021.
New for 2018 was the formation of a Club side playing friendly cricket on Sundays under the captaincy of Peter Shephard (‘Sheps’). The committee had recognised the need to provide additional cricket in view of the growing interest in seniors’ cricket. This was especially valuable in 2020 when other forms of competitive cricket were not available due to the pandemic restrictions.
We recognise it is not all about cricket although no doubt this is the ‘glue’ that binds us together. Whilst we endeavour to play on the best grounds around the county, and we are extremely grateful to all the clubs that offer us their facilities willingly, what we achieve off the field is equally important. In addition to building a reputation for fair play and the good spirit in which the game is played, great importance is placed on the social side . This is especially important these days when taking into account the benefits of maintaining physical fitness and interaction with other people. Ageing and retirement can be daunting for many senior club players. Local clubs place increasing emphasis on younger players. Becoming a member of our Club enables the older player to continue playing his beloved sport and the opportunity to shine with and against your peers. The benefits this offers to a person’s health and well-being are enormous as confirmed by many research projects.
We hold an annual Dinner and Awards evening. Tours are undertaken and many friendships have grown out of them. The Club has toured Barbados, twice to South Africa, Sri Lanka and Canada as well as visiting Kenya, all organised by ‘Theeds’ and Stuart and Katy Lott.
We are the only county that structures itself along the lines of a Club rather than as some type of “enclosed order” We are an open society with a Constitution that permits any member to attend and contribute to committee meetings.
We are envied by many for this openness, our democratic selection policy and financial stability. We have led the way in creating the first dedicated and independent website of any seniors cricket county and hope that all of our members find the content interesting and informative. The Committee actively encourages members to be pro-active and submit ideas, copy, photos etc. to keep the site alive and fresh. Who knows what might follow; Twitter and Facebook links whatever these are!
Looking to the future, the growing interest in sport for older people will see the current national county set-up inevitably expand to accommodate demand. DCSCC is ready, willing and able to expand to meet this demand for our county. Next stop an Over 80’s county set-up. Also, there will be increasing interest in women’s cricket and the club expansion in this direction will follow. I would encourage any present senior lady cricketers to get in touch with me.
Following my inter-regnum as acting Chairman, we can now look forward to a new era of activity and expansion under the new incumbent,Mike Canning.
The late Stan Newell was our first President and a fine quick bowler in his day before retiring from the Met Police and moving to Devon in the late 1970’s. A right cockney, Stan had the ‘gift of the gab’ and sense of humour to go with it and kept everyone entertained despite failing health. However, he always took a keen interest in how our Club was progressing and willing to assist whenever he could. He was a hard act to follow but I can assure members that for as long as you can tolerate me the Club will have my full commitment and attention as President .
I wish all teams and the Club every success for future campaigns.
Dave Gambie
President
Devon Seniors cricket started in the late 1980’s organised county-wide by the ECB. They wanted to encourage players who were attaining 50 and older to keep playing competitive cricket thereby preserving a valuable pool of talent that otherwise might be lost to the game.
Devon Seniors Over 50’s X1 under Gerald Parsons (Tavistock CC) were early participants and won the National Final around 1990 although this might be a little inaccurate since there are no records to refer to (internally or via ECB). Players were recruited by the captain and with games being played mainly mid-week this restricted availability. There was never any suggestion in those early years that a formal club structure should be introduced.
Vaughan Hoskins (Torquay CC) took over the reins of the side around 1995 with yours truly becoming involved in 1996 having reached the magic ‘milestone’. Some of the other players that I can recall from Vaughan’s era were: Barry Matthews (Ex-Captain of Devon CCC and Torquay CC), Terry Doyle (well known for his female following and ex-Kingsbridge CC, Torquay CC with others in between), Colin Lever (Sandford CC), Gerry Keen (Yelverton CC), Danny Webber (Plymouth Civil Service CC), Stuart Lott (Paignton CC),Andy and Bruce Ellet (Exmouth CC) and, of course, Chris Theedom.
Chris ‘Theeds’ Theedom ascended to the ‘throne’ of seniors’ cricket in 2002 and was immediately successful in landing the National trophy. This was against the mainly ex- professional players of Lancashire and in their own backyard. It was this success and his determination to forge continuity in successful sides, set against a background of reduced funding for the competition, that prompted the official formation of Devon Seniors Over 50’s Cricket Club. Willing volunteer officials and donations were quickly forthcoming and so a new era of seniors’ cricket in Devon was born, based around a re-modelled Constitution setting out the Club’s modus operandi. The Club was re-named Devon County Seniors Cricket Club in 2009 when we joined the Spitfire National Over 60’s County competition.
From such humble beginnings we have been able to build and continue to build a strong and vibrant organisation.
We offer competitive county cricket at various age levels. Furthermore, for those players with drive and ambition there is the opportunity to represent England and play International cricket, both home and away. This last chance to be an ‘international sportsman’ is offered at both Over 60’s and Over 70’s age groups. Presently, players who have achieved international honours at Over 60’s level are: Bob Eames, Chris Theedom ; Stuart Lott and Pete Rose. Both Stuart Lott and Dave Gambie have played at Over 70’s level.
The Club has been privileged to entertain various Australian National and State Over 60’s sides. In 2017, we hosted a touring party from British Columbia on their first trip to England.
So successful has the Club become that we now run two sides within the national Over 50 competitions and two sides in the national Over 60’s competitions
In 2017 we commenced an Over 67’s side to play friendly but competitive matches and the passage of time has translated this into our entering the full National 70s competition in 2021.
New for 2018 was the formation of a Club side playing friendly cricket on Sundays under the captaincy of Peter Shephard (‘Sheps’). The committee had recognised the need to provide additional cricket in view of the growing interest in seniors’ cricket. This was especially valuable in 2020 when other forms of competitive cricket were not available due to the pandemic restrictions.
We recognise it is not all about cricket although no doubt this is the ‘glue’ that binds us together. Whilst we endeavour to play on the best grounds around the county, and we are extremely grateful to all the clubs that offer us their facilities willingly, what we achieve off the field is equally important. In addition to building a reputation for fair play and the good spirit in which the game is played, great importance is placed on the social side . This is especially important these days when taking into account the benefits of maintaining physical fitness and interaction with other people. Ageing and retirement can be daunting for many senior club players. Local clubs place increasing emphasis on younger players. Becoming a member of our Club enables the older player to continue playing his beloved sport and the opportunity to shine with and against your peers. The benefits this offers to a person’s health and well-being are enormous as confirmed by many research projects.
We hold an annual Dinner and Awards evening. Tours are undertaken and many friendships have grown out of them. The Club has toured Barbados, twice to South Africa, Sri Lanka and Canada as well as visiting Kenya, all organised by ‘Theeds’ and Stuart and Katy Lott.
We are the only county that structures itself along the lines of a Club rather than as some type of “enclosed order” We are an open society with a Constitution that permits any member to attend and contribute to committee meetings.
We are envied by many for this openness, our democratic selection policy and financial stability. We have led the way in creating the first dedicated and independent website of any seniors cricket county and hope that all of our members find the content interesting and informative. The Committee actively encourages members to be pro-active and submit ideas, copy, photos etc. to keep the site alive and fresh. Who knows what might follow; Twitter and Facebook links whatever these are!
Looking to the future, the growing interest in sport for older people will see the current national county set-up inevitably expand to accommodate demand. DCSCC is ready, willing and able to expand to meet this demand for our county. Next stop an Over 80’s county set-up. Also, there will be increasing interest in women’s cricket and the club expansion in this direction will follow. I would encourage any present senior lady cricketers to get in touch with me.
Following my inter-regnum as acting Chairman, we can now look forward to a new era of activity and expansion under the new incumbent,Mike Canning.
The late Stan Newell was our first President and a fine quick bowler in his day before retiring from the Met Police and moving to Devon in the late 1970’s. A right cockney, Stan had the ‘gift of the gab’ and sense of humour to go with it and kept everyone entertained despite failing health. However, he always took a keen interest in how our Club was progressing and willing to assist whenever he could. He was a hard act to follow but I can assure members that for as long as you can tolerate me the Club will have my full commitment and attention as President .
I wish all teams and the Club every success for future campaigns.
Dave Gambie
President
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