FORTY YEARS ago Minehead Cricket Club enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in their long history when the First XI were crowned Somerset Premier League champions and the Seconds were runners up in the SPL Second XI competition.

Since then the club has continued to flourish, ending as runners up in the SCL in 1992, being promoted to the Somerset Division of WEPL in 2005, in 2012 Minehead CC were promoted to Premier 2 in WEPL, the highest level they have ever achieved, while in 2023 they once again competed in WEPL Somerset Division.

To celebrate their history and to honour the club’s legacy on Saturday, July 4, Minehead are holding a Past Players Day when it is hoped as many of those who have represented the club down the years will come along and reconnect, reminisce and celebrate past acheivements and look towards a healthy future for the club that was founded way back in 1865 - and is still going strong.

Stuart Tudball, who captained the First XI back in 1986 and is still a driving force at the club, said: “I’d like try to reach out to as many people as possible so that we can make this a really special day for the club.

“Back in 1986 we were arguably the best team in Somerset, when we won the league which at that time included Taunton, Taunton Deane, Taunton St Andrews, Bridgwater, Frome, Chard, Bath Civil Service, Westlands, Morlands, Hampset and Evercreech - and most of the players in the team were home grown.”

Stuart went on: “The 1980s was the golden age for the club. In 1982 we hosted a Somerset team led by Sir Viv Richards as part of his benefit year.

“Our stand-out players in that era were Colin Johnson who was our leading batter and Martin Knight who claimed a lot of wickets for us - it was a 45-over competition and in those days there were no restrictions on the number of overs bowled, or fielding circles.”

Stuart talked about July 4: “We have tried to contact as many past players as possible and using the 1986 anniversary is an excuse to get everybody together again while we can.

“Over the years, of course, there have been some ups and downs - promotions and relegations, but the club has continued to thrive and go forward and is as strong now as it ever has been.”

On 4th July both Minehead First and Second XIs are playing at home - the First XI are at home to North Petherton, while the Seconds host Wiveliscombe.

Stuart added: “The day will be an informal get together with a cricket tea given to all past players who attend.”

Meanwhile 20 Somerset fans from Minehead attended the opening day of the championship match against Warwickshire and spent the day in Richard Brice’s hospitality box which is situated in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion.

During the day Somerset captain Lewis Gregory, who is currently injure,d spent time with the group and took part in an informal question and answer session that all of those who attended found very interesting.

As a result of their day at the cricket the Minehead party raised £500 which will be donated to Lewis Gregory’s Testimonial Fund.

Later in the year it is hoped that the Somerset captain will attend the Minehead CC Presentation Night.