The late Geoffrey Moore founded The Buccaneers in 1930 to play a good standard of wandering cricket which was competitive on the field but highly social in the pavilion.
Such was Geoffrey’s success that, by the outbreak of war in 1939, his brainchild could attract famous names to play in exhibition matches, some of which were staged at Lord’s, and are recorded in the Wisdens of 1940-46. Indeed, the 1946 edition carried a report of the Club’s 1945 season, with averages, and the comment that J.G.W. Davies “was as good an all-rounder as any other English player.” Jack Davies (Cambridge University and Kent) was a leading Buccaneer for many years and holds, jointly, the Club record for the most centuries (11).
Geoffrey ran the Club with messianic zeal for the rest of the 20th century tirelessly recruiting the most promising players from leading schools, universities and clubs, expanding the fixture list and organising a series of overseas tours to South East Asia, Australia and South Africa.
Many first class cricketers have played regularly for the Buccaneers, including Kent’s Charlie Rowe & Geoff Smith and Glamorgan’s Gwyn Hughes & Leslie Harris. A fairly decent England side could be selected from the famous names who have turned out for the club, including David Gower, John Snow, Colin Cowdrey, Gubby Allen, Alec Bedser and Ashley Giles.
But more importantly, the Buccaneers is valued as much as a social club as a cricket club and continues to provide rare fine fellowship and fun to all those who enjoy the game.
We now play one match each weekend, usually on a Sunday, from early May to mid September on some of the prettiest grounds within an hour’s drive of London. Most fixtures start at 11:30 and are played as declaration contests, although some of afternoon games are limited overs as some of our host clubs prefer.
We aim to provide cricket which is keenly contested but also played with a smile – as a recreation rather than a war! Our standard is good, as it must be to retain the interest of the well-known clubs we play.
Our system of Match Managers means that members can play as regularly or as infrequently as they like by selecting the games which suit them.
WE ARE ALWAYS KEEN TO MEET NEW PLAYERS so, if you would like to find out more about playing for us please contact our Assistant Secretary James Stringer (stringer.redhill@gmail.com;07775 744431)
We are, also, always interested to talk to clubs who might like to play us – please contact our Fixture Secretary David Close
RULES
1. The Club shall be called ‘Buccaneers Cricket Club’.
2. The Officers of the Club shall comprise a President, an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer, an Assistant Secretary and an Honorary Fixture Secretary.
3. The affairs of the Club shall be managed by a Committee comprising the President, the Honorary Secretary, the Honorary Treasurer, the Honorary Assistant Secretary, the Honorary Fixture Secretary and not fewer than three elected members.
4. The Officers and Committee for the following year shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting with the exception of the President who shall be elected for a term of two years after which he is eligible for re-election. The tenure of the office of the Vice-Presidents shall be for a term of five years after which they are eligible for re-election.
5. A Candidate for Membership shall be proposed and seconded by separate paid-up members of the Club. Election to membership shall be by the committee usually but not excluively after the candidate has been selected to represent the Club on three occasions.
6. The Annual Subscription shall be £15 payable on the first day of January each year.
7. Each member playing in a match shall pay £2 to the Match Manager as a contribution to the cost of the umpire.
8. A Special General Meeting may be requested by the Committee or in a written application signed by any 12 members. The Honorary Secretary shall convene the meeting within four weeks of receiving such a request.
9. The Club Colours shall be green, light blue and gold. The City tie shall be dark blue with a silver motif.
10. No rule shall be altered or new rule introduced except at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or at a Special General Meeting convened for that purpose. Any such proposal must be submitted in writing to the Honorary Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM.
11. Members who are unable or unlikely to play but who may wish to retain their association with the Club may be transferred to a list of “Twelfth Men” at an annual subscription of £5. This also applies to Members on the Overseas List. A person who has not previously been a Full Member may be proposed and seconded by two members as a Twelfth Man; election to rest with the Committee. Twelfth Men are entitled to wear the Club colours.
12. Any member who changes his address or contact numbers during the season must inform the Honorary Assistant Secretary.
DISCLAIMER: The Club accepts no liability for any loss, damage or accident and it is the individual club members’ responsibility to make his or her own insurance arrangements if they feel it to be necessary.