How the Cricketer Cup began

The idea of the Cricketer Cup was conceived over a glass of port by Tony Winlaw, who has just retired as our President, and Henry Lewis, A meeting was then held in London on 2 February 1966 to consider the idea. The meeting was chaired by Tony Winlaw and others present were Ben Brocklehurst, David Mordaunt, V.A.L. Powell and Irving Rosenwater. The Chairman ‘questioned the continued insistence on the non-competitive element in amateur cricket and expressed the view that good amateur cricket at its best would be produced by the introduction of a knock-out competition in which a selected number of Old Boys’ sides would be invited to participate’. In the first instance, and after much discussion, sixteen schools were approached to enter the competition in the inaugural year of 1967. Ben Brocklehurst announced that The Cricketer would be prepared to put up the sum of £500 to sponsor the competition, which became known as the ‘Cricketer Cup’.

At the next meeting, held on 5 May 1966, the Chairman reported back that thirteen of the schools approached were keen to participate but ‘Dulwich are unable to accept at present because of heavy fixture commitments, Eton are very lukewarm, and Harrow, having appeared lukewarm, are showing more interest, although Harrow wish to enter as Old Harrovians and not Harrow Wanderers’. Westminster was therefore invited in place of Dulwich. The venue for the final was also discussed and Lord’s was first choice, although E.W.Swanton was very much against this, suggesting Burton Court, Hurlingham or Vincent Square. Burton Court was eventually chosen.

The 1967 inaugural year comprised Charterhouse, Bradfield, Shrewsbury, Wellington, Radley, Harrow, Uppingham, Tonbridge, Westminster, Malvern, Eton, Marlborough, Repton, Sherborne, Winchester and Rugby. In 1969 the number of schools was increased to 32, including Dulwich, and the annual subscription was raised from five to twelve guineas per team. By now E.W. Swanton had become Chairman of the committee, with Ben Brocklehurst as its Secretary.