It was a nostalgic evening for everyone, but particularly for the founding members from the inaugural 1981 trip to South Africa, the tour that proved the catalyst for this unique nomadic club. The spirit of the Grasshoppers has been social cricket with a competitive edge, and the promotion of younger players who may not get the opportunity to broaden their cricket careers within traditional structures. It has also been a successful vehicle for bringing players together from a number of clubs and for spreading the spirit of Irish club cricket at home and abroad.
Since the South Africa tour the Grasshoppers have travelled all over the globe and been wonderful ambassadors for Irish cricket. Their most recent tour to the Caribbean unearthed a new generation of young players and their strong attendance at Friday’s dinner confirms their commitment to the club’s future and their enjoyment and belief in the club’s objectives.
Amongst those present were Richard Johnson, President of Cricket Ireland, Doctor Murray Power, President of the Northern Cricket Union, Roger Bell the current NCU Chairman and top cricket correspondent Ian Callendar and his wife Dawn, both former Grasshopper tourists. There were also a few Dubliners including the indomitable Dick Forrest of Phoenix fame.
The current committee has been the driving force in keeping the Grasshoppers at the forefront of social cricket at a time when competitive cricket demands so much on players’ time and resources. Chairman Alan Waite has been a visionary and popular leader and his speech at the dinner covered all the key elements of Grasshoppers philosophy, including a sombre remembrance of former players who have passed to a higher calling. The speeches also included players who gave reminiscences of their era and these included Clarence Hiles, Graham Crothers, Gavin Rogers and Mark Nixon, while MC Colin Barkley excelled with witty one-liners, wisecracks and a bevy of his favourite cricket jokes. But pride of place went to the founding fathers of Grasshoppers cricket and although a number were unable to attend, seven of them sat together to recall a wonderful tour and 30 years that have slipped past since. They included Dixon Rose, Simon Corlett, Billy Kirk, Paul Jackson, Phillip Billingsley, Clarence Hiles and the first Grasshoppers captain, the effervescent Doctor Graham Crothers, who flew in from the lord’s Test match for the event.
It is worth noting that from that original touring party eight players became Ireland internationals, four were Ireland captains, and four later became Presidents of the Irish Cricket Union.
The spirit of the Grasshoppers remains strong and future plans include a tour to La Manga later this year and a return to South Africa in 2012. These guys don’t let the dust gather under their feet and it seems no destination is beyond their reach.
Well done everyone in preserving and growing a unique cricket ethos that has reached 30 not out in style, and is destined to play a long innings.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
