Preston Village C.C.

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Preston Village

The origins of the club are to most of us a bit obscure. It seems that the current name dates from around 1985. Prior to that time the club was known as Preston YMCA CC. The name sad to relate had nothing to do with the record – ‘YMCA’ which was a big hit in the 80’s, nor any of the camp cricketing played by some members with big hair.

Originally the club was formed by young Christians after the war and handed onto club legends Geoff Fowler-Tutt, Dave Kelly, ‘Fat Harry’ Walters, Michael Marks, and the DeFreitas family. It is said that the YMCA were so proud of the athletic prowess and standing of the team that they paid all ground and pitch fees long after any of the players were young and Christian, or even religious.

Sadly this early example of a ‘sponsorship deal’ came to an end in 1985 when it is alleged club members got greedy and approached the YMCA with a request for kit sponsorship as well. What seemed a good idea at the time (it would after several pints of Harveys) consumed in the company of ‘Fat Harry’, Clifton Brown and Fowler-Tutt turned into a disaster as the YMCA not only declined the generous offer by club members but decided to end paying the ground and pitch fees. The YMCA alleged that they had never heard of the team.

A retaliatory counter-strike was launched by the team who also claimed that they had never heard of the YMCA and promptly dropped the use of the name and we became Preston Village C.C. Little did players realise that a glorious chapter of the clubs history was about to unfold.

Led it is thought by Clifton Brown as captain players came and went – mostly in the latter category until a well organised AGM in 1986. The seasons successes under Clifton’s leadership were set aside (Just three wins and some 15 defeats), and two names were offered for the following seasons captaincy with Clifton receiving only 1 vote. This was believed to be his own, though there is also some doubt about that.

He walked and never played another game.

Stalwarts: Fowler-Tutt, Cowling and various DeFreitas’s helped the club recover with a full fixture list and batting and bowling averages unrivalled until the arrival to the Village of the more recent (alleged) legend that is ‘Snake’ in 1991.

Saturday cricket changed during the 1980’s with fewer and fewer teams wanting to play friendly village rules cricket. P.V.C.C travelled across East and West Sussex in search of teams who could match our (self-proclaimed) thrilling approach to run making and wicket taking. To the West we played Bury and Amberley to the East clubs like B.B.O.B.’s and East Dean and Friston. Rarely a week went by without an eye catching 50 or a 5 wicket haul.

So by the early 90’s games became harder to find and players began staging stay-a-ways, such as ‘Snake’s’ infamous ‘trip’ to Thailand. A make or break decision was taken to embrace the league culture. This produced a split in the team (Fowler-Tutt resigned) and another glorious chapter in the P.V.C.C history dawned as the club joined the then expanding Cuckmere Valley Cricket League.

It would be wrong to say that we dominated the league, though we did have our moments. We suffered only two relegations, but enjoyed one glorious promotion – achieved despite Brian DeFreitas’s untimely wedding and claims by East Dean that one of the clubs wins was invalid.

During the Cuckmere years as they have become fondly known the club sported one of the most fearsome bowling sides with the wiry exocets of John Smith, Shaun Haslam’s (Lamby) low slung pace, Pullinger’s nagging accuracy, late swing and tenacious "never say die" attitude, the cultured drifting leg spin of Fred Bisnath, the incomparable Mincer’s floaters, Brian DeFreitas’s cunning slower balls and Bassam’s dodgy variations (“Felix, did that last one wobble at all in the air?” “Yes Steve.” Often being the sarcastic reply).

Of course the Cuckmere years were dominated by the batting of ‘Snake’ Tolhurst, Cowling, Servy DeFreitas’s cultured West Indian style stroke play, Pully’s power play and cameo performances from Tim Burnage.

Of course in 2005 the club took another dramatic decision and joined the East Sussex League Division 9. This followed the success of its slow maturing youth policy and the development of Tom Bassam, ‘Fat Harry’s’ son David and the arrival of more players from Eastbourne in particular David Moakes. But also sadly with the decline of many greats, Pullinger’s inability to capture the wickets of anyone below 11 and above 81, the elder Bassam’s constant fielding ‘accidents’ and A-M-J’s rapidly increasing age (however it is highly debatable that said player could ever be called a great).

2005 was a season of consolidation with East Sussex Cricket League Division 9 mid table obscurity the target. Record breaking scores by ‘Snake’ Tolhurst with over 800 runs and an average the Don would have admired and a maiden 50* by Tom Bassam coupled with some immense bowling, along with Adam Braziers’ spectacular one match 7-28 haul were features of the season. Quite how we failed to gain promotion is a mystery.

Next season of course will see some renewed hope with the return of the Waite family full time to the team with Tony(Snr) and Christopher(Jnr) adding to the sides bowling capabilities. Along with some other proposed new arrivals they can add to the P.V.C.C’s superior drinking and curry eating prowess. Another season of intrigue beckons…