GTCC are saddened to learn of the recent passing of Ken Hitchcock. Ken was made an Honorary Vice-President of the club in 1994 and is held in high regard by all members who played with him and for what he gave to GTCC during his time at the club.
Ken played his first game for GTCC in 1983 after moving into the house behind the glorious Oak tree that sits on our boundary in late 1982. He came from Shepperton in Middlesex, and despite not having played cricket for a few years was drawn back to the game by a knock on his door from Steve Whiting when we were short one Sunday. Ken travelled all the way to Southchurch Park to play Old Southendians for his debut. He did not bat, but took 2/23 from 4.1 overs with the ball in a game that ended in a draw. From 1984 Ken was hooked, throwing himself into the club and playing over 20 games per season until 1994 when he moved away.
In 1985, vice-captain of the 1st XI, Steve Trennery, departed the club. Captain Chris Reece-Ford approached Ken as a liked and experienced (read older) member of what was a very youthful side at the time. Chris surprised the club by retiring from all cricket at the end of the 1985 season, and Ken was thrust into the main role for 1986. He had no experience as a cricket captain, and so saw his role as a temporary position to help some of the younger cohort gain experience. Without Ken stepping up to the captaincy position however, there was a good chance the first XI (and our only league side at the time) wouldn't have fulfilled their fixtures that year.
Ken's biggest surprise when he joined GTCC was how few members congregated post games for a social. He had previously played for an "Old Boys" style club, Old Meadonians where winning was a part of playing, but more important was the social and ensuring that all enjoyed their cricket being welcoming to guests and the rest. As captain, Ken stated that his aims were as follows: "to project the image of the club; to look after members and their families; and lastly to achieve a result on the pitch."
Ken held the role for 3 years, over what was very much a transitionary period for the club. We struggled with availability and consequently results. 1986, was a wet summer, with the 1st XI registering 6 wins and 9 defeats. Ken picked up "Best Club Member" at the end of season awards.
In 1987 Ken, now known as Clippy or Clipboard for the clipboard he carried during his tenure, took over the groundsman role following the retirement of Pete Nwwton at the end of 1986, this was again a role he had minimal experience with and again without him taking up the responsibility would have meant a struggle to fulfill fixtures at Bull Meadow that season. On the pitch, relegation was narrowly avoided thanks to a last game victory against division winnenrs Hockley, which sent local rivals Great Braxted down in our place. To no one's surprise Ken again won "Best Club Member" at the End of Season awards.
1988 saw the cumulation of the previous year's availability problems. Ken had only initially wanted the roll for two years, but stayed on for a third as there was no viable replacement. Peter Willingale (our leading run-scorer) and David Davies (our leading wicket taker) were both unavailable for the duration of the season. We lost our first 10 games, but true to form Ken was adamant the team celebrate together when we did eventually chalk up our first win. Unfortunately results did not turn around and we were relegated to Division 4 of the Mid Essex Cricket League at the end of the season. The penultimate game of the season was a rare win, and Ken was at the heart of it with 50* against Purleigh. Ken arrived to the crease at number four extremely unwell. He stayed for the duration of the innings finishing on 50* and was presented with a chair on his return to the pavilion. It was three in the row for Best Club Member as Ken won again after practically single handedly ensuring GTCC’s survival for another season.
Ken handed over the reigns to Olly Kendall in 1989. Only once did he fail to get 11 players out on the cricket pitch - a remarkable achievement all things considered. Ken left a lasting legacy, as the club now was (and still is) a social hub of the village. Players regularly attending a local watering hole after games, and families sat along the boundary watching their loved ones play. Unsurprisingly membership quickly grew over the next few years, with the club admitting a second team to the league in 1993 and formalising the Sunday fixture schedule by joining the North Essex Cricket league. The 90s were the first golden age of GTCC with huge successes in the league, and a number of club records broken & broken again, but it was built on Ken’s hard effort and dedication during his time as captain.
Ken was appointed an Honorary Life Vice-President in 1994 in recognition for all his efforts.
Ken’s funeral will be held on 26th October 2023 at Easthampstead Park crematorium. The club have donated to the hospice who looked after him. If anyone would like to make a donation please follow the below:
https://kenhitchcock.muchloved.com/
Most of the above comes from an interview Ken gave to Dave Hewer in 1993, and a number of other sources. We unfortunately cannot locate a picture from the time that includes Ken, if any existing or old members do have any, we would love to have a copy. We do have two caracteurs which were included along with his interview. I will leave you with the words of David Davies, who wrote a piece about all captains of GTCC in 1993 called “Who Voted Him In?”:
Ken Hitchcock - vibrant, brash and colourful. A born leader to any cricketer, who took the helm during a difficult time and attempted to get the club where it truly belonged.
