Disappointed at the lack of local cricket for young people, Derek Hopkins formed Suttoners in 1967 and we were accepted into the Junior League for 1968. Major main problems at the outset were no money, no kit and no name!
One man solved two of the three. He was the vicar of the United Reform Church in Sutton Road who allowed our young cricketers to forage for the kit once used by their now defunct cricket team. Some kit was found and out of respect for him, our name.
Five years after entering, we won the Junior League and a gradual controlled growth began. The club always promised that anyone on their books, no matter how good or bad, should have at least one game of cricket each week and the only way to accommodate this was to increase the number of teams. In 1978, the year we moved to Kinson Manor, we formed a second team (and the first of two Evening sides) in 1988, a third and latterly a fourth. We are the remaining founder member of the Under 14 league, in 1995 adding an Under 16 side, in 1999 an Under 13 team and latterly an Under 15 side was added to the list. From the outset we have played Sunday and friendly cricket and, when possible, 'the sort with draws'. From 2007 we have fielded youth sides at Under 9 and 10 groups.
In the formative years, Dave Hopkins and Neil Hussey were outstanding. Later, Jack Baveridge, Colin Brickell, Paul Dutton, Andy Martin and Bill Foord kept the pot boiling and as the fruits of the colts side ripened, Neil Corbin, Lee Hopkins and Garry Coffin were joined by Rick Lee, Paul Rendell, Terry Manning, Chris Rawlings, Clive Johns, Martin Finch, Chris Insall, and the Barbers, Dave and Paul, Jim Straight and Andy Fitzjohn, the latter bearing the brunt of the youth administration. Lisa Ward (Secretary), Cal Taylor (Treasurer) and Derek (Chairman) sort the admin.
We have always entered the Double Wicket, the Sports Quiz, the six-a-sides, supplied last minute replacements for the Rep. sides, and after 28 years of competing, eventually won the De Zoete Cup in 1995. Prior to this we had won the Rashleigh Bowl. Three runners-up spots in Division 1 caused some frustration, but with the leadership we have been used to since 1968 it didn't spoil the atmosphere or spirit. Also much to our credit is the work carried out within the pavilion. What once was a breeze block shell is now a friendly club room with the most important item of equipment for cricketers, a bar. Other facilities have been added as and when funds permit, including a pathway from the car park to the pavilion following many complaints from the ladies that the muddy outfield ruins their 'heels', re-organised changing rooms and a general paint job.
Consolidation and continuity have been our strength with Derek skippering the 1st XI for 21 years followed by Andy Fitzjohn, with a short break, for ten years, for seven years by Kenny Morgan, who gave way to Chris Rawlings in 2006. Steve Perry led the 2nd XI for 8 years in the early years with both Derek and Andy in charge for spells latterly. A large percentage of our youngsters stay with the club, testament to the atmosphere within.
In the BDCA's centenary year 1996, Suttoners won the Division One Championship for the first time, along with the De Zoete cup; were edged out in 1997, then three more Championships followed from 1998-2000 in the re-named Premier Division.
During this time, they added an Under 13 team, bolstering the youth programme, and three indoor youth sides. They also moved one of the BDCA sides into the Dorset League with immediate success, promotion being won in 1999, 2000,2001and 2005. Another Saturday side moved over in 2002 ensuring lines of progress for youngsters who stayed with the club.
In 2003, the Bournemouth league merged into the Dorset league and we became the only club at that time to field four sides in the new set-up. To continue setting ourselves challenges and to stay fresh we have moved two of the teams into the Hampshire league playing in and around the New Forest, one of those sides having moved up one division under the leadership of Ben Clifford.
In 1998 Suttoners attracted the interest of a local, family run company of bookmakers, Parsport, who invested in the club and through whom they received excellent coverage through Dorset cricket. Parsport, similarly grew around Bournemouth, based on family input, consolidation and an identity with doing things properly, before selling out to Corals. Since then we have been grateful to MERLO for substantial support. Other Companies who have generously given us help are Jem Racing, Oscars and latterly J & W Recycling and Keyline who helped with the construction of the path.
Members of the Suttoners have served on, or chaired, the Dorset CCC, the Dorset Board, the Youth Forum, the Wimborne DCA, the BDCA, the East Dorset Youth league, the Coaches Association , the CCLA, Dorset Cricket Society, DCA and various other committees which, beyond doubt, proves their all round interest in local cricket.
Suttoners are easily spotted on the field by distinctive gold bands on our sweaters and gold caps, albeit with modern logos. Suttoners have also skippered BDCA representative sides at U21, Senior and over 50's levels, and have 5 qualified coaches and three umpires in our membership and look forward to increasing this number continually.
The club has also toured fairly regularly- Cornwall twice, Kent, Jersey on five occasions and in 1989, Denmark, as well as hosting matches for numerous visiting sides from all over the UK.
We now have ourselves a new title: Suttoners Sports and Social Club, because in 2003 we took into the fold two football teams, which apart from increasing the funds has engaged a new spirit in and around Kinson Manor. A good number of footballers have become interested in the cricket and vice-versa the cricketers. There's no "them and us" at the Manor. Both parties enjoy the success of the club from wherever it comes. It is this spirit that has helped us to do so much to the pavilion. Our website continue's to grow thanks to Nicky Birt, whilst the maintenance and bar are run by the management committee for whom Steve Warwick counts the money, Caroline Thomas takes the minutes and Andy Fitzjohn chairs all proceedings. Ted Bosisto and Lee Johnson apply most of the finishing touches to the work, whilst Carl Johnson and Jocky Wilson run the bar.
2006 saw the First Eleven taking the field in the Dorset Premiership, the pinnacle of our success at that point. For this we have to thank the players, obviously, the youth involvement, the depth of the club, and Kenny Morgan who led them for the previous seven years in a quiet and shrewd manner and although frustrated by two Division one runners-up spots used the delay to good effect, bringing in youngsters and allowing certain players to believe more in themselves than before. He has stepped down and handed over to Chris Rawlings who, although is still a young man, has been with the club for nearly 20 years. Chris is an outstanding all-rounder who has learned greatly from his predecessors. Our first season was traumatic but we hung in and in 2007, although underachieving slightly, finished mid table.
2007 was the fortieth anniversary of being formed and 2008 that of our first match. Various celebrations are being arranged to mark this milestone. Already a double wicket tournament has been held (which we hope to become an annual event) and won by Chris Rawlings and Mark Protheroe, who beat Tim Gritt and Sean Humphrey (our popular Australian guest for 2007) in the final. Sean, latterly, was voted the club's Player of the Year partly due to his batting and wicketkeeping, but also due to his support of the Colts and lesser talented players in the club. In other words, an excellent ambassador and clubman.
In 2006 we had a few, exaggerated, disciplinary issues which were firmly dealt with so, when in 2007, our First Eleven won the DCA Fair Play Award (sharing it with Compton House), some elation was felt throughout the club. All four Saturday sides and our Evening team finished mid-table in their respective divisions, which considering the injuries, work problems and other commitments experienced by some players, was a brilliant effort and all the skippers must take credit- Chris Rawlings, Adam and Ben Clifford, Kenny Morgan, Chris Insall and Garry Coffin. Our youth sides don't win much except experience, self respect and the knowledge of how to play the game in the correct spirit - more important than trophies. Thanks are due to Andy Fitzjohn, Adie Ward, Frankie Fitzjohn, Garry Coffin and their helpers for the 'successful' continuation of our colts section.
Averages, League Tables and Award winners for 2007, and the Officers and Captains for 2008 can be found elsewhere on our website. Whoever the Officers and Captains are we all owe them a round of applause for doing their job and hope that the Suttoners spirit will be continued and witnessed by all. Our Fortieth season promises to be a good one. No better time to have become a Focus club (one of only 14 in Dorset) with a completed Development Plan and Clubmark Accreditation. Our thanks, majorily to Andy Fitzjohn, Derek Hopkins, Bill Nicholls and Matt Ward for hours and hours of work on this.
