THE inaugural event for the Somerset County Cricket Women’s Former Players which took place at the Coopers Associates County Ground in Taunton has been hailed a great success by everyone who attended.

The evening was held in the 1875 Club and got underway with a welcome from David Gurr, the organiser of the Somerset Former Players Association, who went onto introduce Sir Peter Wanless, the President of SCCC, past president chair and captain of the club Roy Kerslake, and Peter Robinson, who had coached the Somerset Women’ team.

Other former players who were present included Vic Marks, Keith Parsons and Dennis Breakwell. David also introduced Mike Unwin, Sandra Spall and Matt Kingdom from the Somerset Cricket Museum and thanked them for the part they had played in helping to get the Women’s Former Players group established and their continuing support.

Several members of the current Somerset Women’s squad were also in attendance including captain Sophie Luff and head coach Erin Osborne.

David said: “This evening is specifically for the former players who’s commitment and dedication to cricket over the years has allowed the formation of the professional game as it is today.

“Since the year 2000 just over 100 players have represented Somerset First XI in List A, and to date we have been able to get in touch with 64 of these, so we are still looking to contact any others who played.”

David then introduced Peter Robinson who coached the Somerset Women’s team in the early 2000s. Robbo regaled those present with a few memories of his time coaching the women’s team.

“I remember we went to the Cambridge Festival which was most enjoyable and where we saw the emergence of a very young Anya Shrubsole, who went onto have a sparkling career in the game of cricket.

“However I think what we all need to remember is what a sacrifice these players made to play the game and go to the Cambridge Festival.”

He added: “The game has changed and now thankfully the women are pretty well rewarded and can play cricket all round the world. Cricket gives you friendship and memories to last a lifetime.

”Each of the former players was then presented with their SCCC memberships by Sir Peter Wanless after which he said: “It is a great honour and privilege for me to be associated with this venture in just a small way. We want to celebrate and respect our past and that special feeling that we get from being associated with this remarkable club.”

Among the former players present was Lucy Turner who played List A cricket for Somerset between 2000-2003 who said: “ I love catching up with old teammates.”

“It was a great event with speeches from Peter Robinson (one of our first ever coaches) and Sir Peter Wanless, the Club President and the brilliant David Gurr who organised the whole thing and has masterminded gathering us all together!”

Lucy added: “Thank you all, and SCCC for a wonderful buffet. For me, seeing faces that I’ve not seen for 25 years, sharing old stories of County Championships in Cambridge and having a giggle was great. We are all looking forward to our next event and it won’t be in 25 years time! “

Further events for the Somerset Former Players are planned for the coming season.