Two Year Review: The State of Anson

The England men’s cricket team recently concluded a review into the management of the National team over the last few years. The main conclusion, following a couple of poor years in the test arena, was that the leadership should not change. This outcome hasn’t gone down particularly well with a lot of England cricket fans. Having listened to England’s Director of Men’s Cricket, Rob Key, witter on for 40 minutes without actually saying anything, in defence of the review I was reminded that perhaps it was time for me to write a blog. As it’s been just over two years since I started the blog I thought I would review Anson’s last couple of seasons. I’ll call it The State of Anson. Words more commonly exclaimed by passers-by when the team falls out of the pub arf-an-arf following a successful social event.

We just had our more formal review earlier this month at our Annual General Meeting. I say formal, but really, it’s just another chance for us all to go to the pub and out for a curry at Uruswamy’s. Nonetheless some important business was discussed, not least the election of committee members. Just like with the England set up, our leadership remains unchanged with all committee members keeping their same roles. Whilst, Key, McCullum, and Stokes will be looking back on a poor Ashes performance and worrying about missed opportunities, we, in Anson, will be hoping for more of the same as our last few years.

Last orders?

That’s really pleasing to say considering that I started this blog two years ago worried that the club was close to bowling it’s final over. I remember being in the George Inn by London Bridge early in 2024 with a few of the team ahead of the season. We were lamenting the challenges of trying to get a team out each week in the season before. We were concerned with what seemed to be a diminishing core of players. I thought Taggs taking time out because of his achillies injury was going to hurt us more than it hurt him. I thought Mitch going on an amazing around the World trip would leave us struggling most weeks. Lee had many other commitments scoring for Hornchurch CC’s perpetual cup successes. CJ was retiring because of a niggle he’d been cultivating for a few years.

It wasn’t just that we would be four players down, but it was everything else that they brought to the team and general enjoyment of playing cricket on Sunday for Anson. Mitch had been particularly key in encouraging new players to join and commit to the club. With these guys missing I was worried that others might begin to lose their zeal for the club.

A new golden generation

I needn’t have worried. Within a few months of the meeting in The George, I wrote a blog heralding a new golden generation. So, what had changed? To simply say we found new players would be a disservice to those people who have made the difference. In essence, we found new players that fitted the Anson mould in every way. They’re great characters, a fantastic laugh, good cricketers, and proper joiner-inners on and off the pitch. As I wrote in that blog two years ago, Greg, Paul and Taggs gave the club some impetus when they joined. It feels that the same has happened again and the club is buoyant upon joy and success.

I don’t want to sound too nauseating about it, but the new players we found have fitted so well into the club that it feels like they’ve been with us for donkey’s years. Maybe it also says something about the sort of friendly and sociable club that we are. I think the impact has been great on some us older members too, rekindling the enthusiasm to continue playing cricket. Perhaps there has been a rejuvenating effect (I am thinking about Butlins next year). Not that people like Steve need rejuvenating. He still runs in to bowl the same as he did when he was 16.

The recruitment didn’t happen by accident. The new players were expertly scouted for their suitability to become an Anson member. Paul was key to brining Dave Bage to the team in recent years who is now vice captain. As Captain, Mitch was crucial to signing up Luke Lovell and Ed Standard. They’ve already played 67 games between them in the last four years. I understand that Mitch still has his eyes open for another potential member this year.

Captain Fantastic

Undoubtedly, to me, the most influential person over the team’s success the last few years is current captain, Sam Brooks. Sam has brought Billy, Dan and Ricci Parnell into the club, as well as Paul, Sam and Harry Doyle, Dane Attard, and his own brother Charlie. I’m not going to go through all these guys individually, but suffice to say that each player that Paul, Mitch and Sam have brought in correspond to what I was talking about with fitting the Anson mould.

Sam has really embraced the important part of the captain’s role to drive the club forward off the pitch. I think he is a good captain on the field too. He’s had good success in terms of wins and performances. Crucially, he gets the balance right of making sure that everyone is involved and can contribute to the team. It’s not an easy balance, but winning cricket matches through genuine team effort is what keeps it enjoyable for everyone.

I’m not going to write too much more about the on-field stuff. I will leave something for Sam to write in a captain’s blog before the season starts. What I will say is that the last two seasons have been some of the more enjoyable ones in the 32 that I’ve had with Anson. I didn’t think I’d be writing that when we were drowning our sorrows at The George.

Off the pitch review

For an off the pitch review, the social activities have also had a strong showing. This has always been an important part of the club. Lee once described Anson as drinking club with a cricketing problem. I might argue that the social side is more important than the cricket. When I look back at some of my fondest Anson memories, many of them happened far from a cricket field.

Hugh left a great Legacy as social sec. He continues to arrange the highlight of the year with the Butlins trip and the curry quiz nights. I’ve tried to keep socials a regular thing with mostly casual monthly meet ups. Hopefully it helps builds on that bond and closeness that makes us more than just a cricket club. Some of these nights have also been quite memorable in their own right. Lee hosted us in his cabin with Mitch taking duty on the BBQ at the end of the 2024 season. Billy, Dan, and Ricci’s wonderful family hosted us last year round their house.

Out, out!

There’s been a few big do’s as well. 30 of us went to the Christmas/New Year meal at Empire Chinese Restaurant in Romford. The food was nice, but the karaoke was the real highlight. I don’t think the restaurant had anticipated us drinking so much and wanting to stay for so long.

My personal favourite event was Carols and Barrels at the Palm Tree pub in Mile End. It’s an old East End pub that hasn’t changed for over 60 years. The evening itself harkened back to the good old days of East End boozers where you would open the pub door, and half a dozen people would fall out. It was a great and lively night of an old-style East End knees up singing Christmas songs. It really felt like being back in time until Mitch turned up dressed as Ali G, having spent the afternoon at the darts.

Two Year Review: Final Grade

If I was to give a grade for the State of Anson’s two year review it would probably be A+ (ok, I might be biased). I know I have picked out a few names in the blog, but I think everyone whose been involved with the club in these recent years deserves massive credit for its success. The club is after all just it’s members. I want to thank not only our members, but all the people who support us as well. Whether they’re coming over to watch, or not, a lot of what we do couldn’t happen without others helping us to make sure that we have Sunday afternoons free. You’re as much as part of the Anson family as anyone.

If this blog feels more like a love letter to Anson than a two-year review, then that’s probably right. My first ever blog was about what the club means to me, so I’m not going to go over that again. But it really does hold a very special place in my heart and my memory as a kid growing up. I’m not naïve enough to think that everyone will, or should, have as deep a connection to the club as me. I do hope though that we can keep the club special enough and joyful enough for everyone to want to keep coming back.

Upcoming

I might write a follow up to this about why a club like Anson is special in the modern age. Hopefully Sam will also write some lines to review the up coming season. For now, my bat is oiled, my pads are whitewashed, and I’m looking forward to that first game and hearing the typical summer sound of leather on stump.

As for Stokes, McCullum and Key, if they need any advice on how to run a successful cricket team then I think we can make ourselves available. For a small consultation fee, of course.