In the Beginning

Carnegie was founded in 1955 by the late Bob Milne. The team practised on Sundays at the Alf Gover indoor cricket school in Wandsworth. The cricket school was used after practice as a social club where for many people it offered the opportunity to socialise. In the early years matches took place on Wandsworth Common largely against local rivals or whoever wanted to risk their lives playing there, but that was soon to be changed. In the late 50's and early 60's there was an influx of young West Indians to the country mainly Jamaicans who were very talented cricketers.

The cricket school was used for practise and primarily for meeting people. With no club to play for Bob did not hesitate to sign up the best of the bunch and with his knowledge of the top clubs; Carnegie was in no time playing cricket on numerous county grounds including the Mote Hastings, Dartford, Eastbourne, Canterbury, Southend, Gravesend and Reading University.

The club grew in numbers very rapidly and two teams were formed. Their strength was so much that it was decided that they would be classified as A and B teams rather than first and second. Both teams played on Saturday, Sunday and also midweek. In some instances the B team would fulfil fixtures arranged for the A team and still come out victorious!

The midweek fixtures became so popular that the club was unable to cope with the demand. Bob then decided that the way to go was to form a midweek team named the "Carnegie Exiles" which was managed outside the the main teams.

County Standard

The club was now producing young top class cricketers. During practise; time in the nets, the late Alf Gover took an interest in what he saw and this led to him being invited to be Vice president, the late George Berry was then the President. With Mr. Gover's influence one of Carnegie's left arm fast bowlers; Dennis Marriott was signed up for the Surrey County Cricket Club where he spent many successful years, he then moved onto Middlesex where he continued to play in limited over matches. Two other young players made their mark, W. McCall and L. Skinner. McCall was signed up for Surrey but did not continue as he emigrated to America. Young Skinner toured India with young England where he kept wicket and scored twice as many runs as his nearest rival! When he returned to Carnegie he was presented with his club tie. Skinner was also signed up for Surrey where he kept wicket for many years and played for Guyana. Indeed he may have played for the full West Indies team were it not for the proliferation of keepers at the time including Deryck and David Murray. Joe Fortune a fast bowler also played for Middlesex.

There are some very memorable matches that Carnegie have played in, such as the Vice President's XI v The President's XI and many others, but one that I will always remember was against Crawley Cricket Club. Crawley were put in to bat and were bowled out for 9 runs. Dennis Marriott took 5 wickets for no runs and Sydney Stephens 5 for 5 runs, there were 4 extras. A beer match was then played to kill time until the bar opened, the loser having the pleasure of buying the beer. Crawley also lost this as well! Once in the bar, Crawley's captain came over to apologise for his team's lack of competitiveness saying that they hadn't had much practise as this was their first game of the season to which the umpire added he didn't get much practise today either!

Excursions

In the early years the club used to arrange weekend trips away; leaving Brixton on Friday evenings, playing on Saturday and Sunday and returning on Sunday evening. Those who did not play cricket were able to go sightseeing or found other enjoyment. In 2003 this was extended to a two week tour of Barbados where playing cricket and sightseeing proved to be so popular that the question is now being asked as to when and where the next tour will take place. A rumoured 2011 tour to Jamaica did not happen.

An Invitation

As you can see from this brief history Carnegie has played cricket at a high level and are still doing so today. However; the team is not as strong as it once was. So if you or anyone you know is interested in playing please contact any member of our committee. Carnegie Cricket Club is wholly funded by subscriptions from its members, players pay to play. We do not pay players or at anytime field professionals. We also have a thriving social section within the club which organizes events which includes the annual presentation awards dinner and dance. If you are no longer able to play cricket but wish to get involved, please contact our social secretary. If however; you are a business owner wishing to advertise on our site or someone looking to form a strategic alliance by sponsoring us whilst promoting your business please contact us using our contact form

Prepared By: S. McGilchrist, President

This web site has been designed to extend the functionality of our play cricket portal. We hope you will find it useful.