AKA :Belmont Maracas
Father of two leading CCWCC cricketers and husband to a committee member, it would not be an understatement to say that Damon Emes has single handedly secured the future of the club. ‘The club cannot repay the debt that we owe him but we shall nevertheless try’ said club legend Dan Partridge when interviewed about Damon by local journalists.
Away from the field, Damon is a keen musician playing the French Horn in a number of local bands and orchestras. Never one to be pigeonholed, Damon is also able to turn his hand to a number of other instruments including the bassoon, the viola and the steel drums. This has prompted him to say that ‘he would start a band of one but he can’t play all the instruments at the same time’. His love of brass instruments also took him round the world with The Barmy Army as the head trumpeter. His tenure was ended with a mysterious dishonourable discharge in St Lucia leading to his dismissal. Not widely reported after a skilful PR campaign by the Barmy Army, the local police report simply listed the offence as ‘Carib Beer’.
Even in sport Damon cannot be limited. For many years, throughout the 1990’s and 2000’s, he was the throwing partner of darts legend Phil ‘The Power ‘Taylor. Taylor even attributed his 1995 and 1997 World Matchplay and 2001 and 2002 World Championship wins to the coaching of Damon. It comes as no surprise then that Damon is constantly on the spot with the cricket ball regularly racking maidens and wickets on the cricket field.
Chris 'Foxy' Foxon is a very active member of the club, regularly taking the kids sessions and running various teams throughout the season. A stalwart of the 3rd XI and making contributions with Bat, Ball and behind the stumps. Most notably his 40 vs Falkand in 2019 in a big away win for the 3rd XI
Away from Cricket, Foxy is keen on politics, football, Japanese wood carving and the lost art of ornate fireplace making and collecting. He is the founding member of the Ornate Fireplace Awareness campaign which will stop at nothing to help preserve and maintain the dying art. Foxy has over 6 fireplaces in his house and garage which he regularly takes to exhibitions and events. His efforts largely went unnoticed in the early years however, since creating a blog (There's no place like a Fireplace) he has gained quite a following of other fireplace lovers. The group of just under 41 members were set to meet in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, however the Covid-19 pandemic meant this has been put on hold. However, the group decided to regularly meet on Zoom to discuss, take pictures and do quizzes on fireplaces. They are looking to meet up towards the end of the year in Tartu, Estonia
Another fine product of the clubs youth system, who’s appearances are limited nowadays as he has gone away to flight school. Think Top Gun academy but without the Sunglasses, Cool Planes, Girls, Leather Jackets and Excitement.
Also forced in being a Chelsea fan by his father.
Although probably one of the most gifted all rounders to have graced Crowthorne, sadly it has only ever been his bowling that has been recognised by the club (and scorers). He won the club bowling averages five consecutive years and collected two Berkshire League divisional awards. Has never managed to capture the coveted player of the year award, probably down to a vote rigging/ drunken outrage incident during the mid-nineties. Best bowling? Either 8-37 or 3-0 off three balls, take your pick!
Interesting FACT: The Long Room at Lord's is named in honour of Aran's 6 consecutive "Bowler of the year" awards.
Club Stalwart and all round legend of the Crowthorne area, The Partridge can often be found at the club or touring the away games when unable to turn the arm himself. Having taken a 18 month absence out of the game he was thrown back into the fold by the ONES Captain Will Avrili, who was looking to motivate and inspire the younger generation in the club. Dan has consistently taken wickets throughout his cricketing career and continues to do so to this day.
In his spare time The Partridge frequents the Mad Stad to watch his beloved Reading FC or spending his wages following the England cricket team across the globe. Back in 2013 a mini documentary series was commissioned to follow Dan in his daily life called 'Up with Partridge - The Making of a Legend', Dan declined to speak on the documentary, instead the BBC recruited Ashley Giles to narrate the series after a personal request from Ashley himself. In the series we see Dan's memorabilia room which was once a childs bedroom, in this shrine he has many prized artifacts of his 2 loves, Reading and The England Cricket Team. The room includes a pair of Stephen Hawking's football boots (Unworn), a jock strap from Reading's all time leading goal scorer Trevor Senior, and a 'used' tissue from his favorite England cricket Alan Mullaly. After a high profile court battle the series was removed from Netflix and is now permanently on BBC iPlayer. Partridge's lawyer later stated that this was due to Dan's insistence that the series be free to air, citing the demise of English cricket since 2005 for his decision.
A recent petition has taken place to get the Nine Mile Ride End by St Sebs renamed the Dan Partridge End which is currently at 55,000 signatures. When asked what it meant to be the centre of such a fantastic cause he simply replied 'No comment'.
I am all rounder.
I love to play long innings and i can accelerate score anytime. Fearless chasing any score.
I am medium pace bowler, can do In swing and out swing bowl and vary speed.
Allrounder and can bat defensive game to frustate opponents or can hit out or get out.
Swing bowler.
I joined Crown Wood Cricket Club in 1993 and I haven't missed a season. I've played in all Berskshire league divisions from the Premier to the 5th. I've captained Saturday 2's and later 3's as well as Sunday friendly sides and indoor teams. I'm getting too old and decrepit these days but I'm looking forward to never earning a baggy green coz I'm too crap these days.
Best figures for Crown Wood (living past successes coz I'm so old and sad now):
Batting: 72 vs Sulhamstead and Ufton
Bowling: 4.3 Overs, 0 Maidens, 7 wickets, 6 runs vs Newbury
Division 3 winner 2003
Division 1 winner 2006
Best batsman 2nd XI 2005
Runner up friendly bowler 2000
Adrian Chatters Day winner (there's no date on the medal but probably about 2013)
Bracknell Midweek League winner early 2000's
Newbold College Indoor Winter League runner up early 2000's
Medium Fast Bowler with Both way Swing Ability.
Middle order bat's Man with good defensive technique
As Crown Wood Chairman, Andy was instrumental in the merger happening. A fine ambassador to his club - he even got out for 0 against Crowthorne in the final match between the 2 clubs in an attempt to push the merger through. A wicketkeeper in his hayday which he insists is now a long time ago. Another unfortunate sole who watches Reading FC for "fun" Not to be mistaken for Crowthorne CC's Andy "Fluffer" Taylor.
Bo is an ever-present feature at St Sebs, either as bar manager, bar drinker or both. He has also taken on the mantel of tour manager for the last few years, his organisational skills are second to none and once earned him a job opportunity working as Cheryl Coles tour manager on her 2012 'A Million Lights Tour'. A keen connoisseur of Cheryl’s music; Bo was initially ecstatic to take on the role but after initial discussions the talks broke down. Bo cites his insistence that the song ‘Fight for This Love’ be the only song played on tour as the reason for his decision to turn down the job. He is quoted as saying “Why bother with any other song than that, it’s a huge tune, it’s the only song I have on my Walkman”. He still listens to Cheryl but admits it’s sometimes hard to listen to her now knowing he could’ve made her a global superstar in her own right.