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Somerset Former Players return to the CACG
A special Former Player Day was held on the opening day of last week’s Rothesay Championship Division One match against Worcestershire at the Cooper Associates County Ground.
The sun shone as players from across the decades who have been proud to wear the Wyvern lined up for a group photograph at lunchtime in front of the Colin Atkinson Pavilion.
Among those present were Alan Whitehead, who first donned the Somerset shirt back in 1957, and Derek Taylor, who played in the Glory Years and who returned from Australia where he now resides.
After the group photograph, the players returned to the Long Room where they enjoyed a carvery lunch together and continued to chat to team mates, many of who they hadn’t caught up with for sometime.
Also in attendance were Hugh Wilson and Richard Ollis, both returning to the ground for the first time since they left over 40 years ago.
Hugh was a tall right-arm fast bowler who started his career with Surrey before joining Somerset. Between 1983 and 1984 he appeared in 15 First Class matches, taking 30 wickets with a best of four for 77 against Gloucestershire at Bath.
Richard was a top order left-handed batter who hailed from Keynsham and played for the County between 1981 and 1985. He scored 1016 runs with a best of 99 not out against Gloucestershire at Bristol in 1983.
On his return to Taunton, Richard said: “It’s great to be back and the ground is lovely now, much better than when I was here. When I first started we changed in the Old Pavilion before we moved to the Colin Atkinson Pavilion where we are now.
“I haven’t seen Hugh since he left in 1984 , but for the two seasons he was here we lived in each others pockets, so it’s great to be able to catch up with him and all the others I played with.”
Hugh added: “It’s great to be back. The ground has changed dramatically from the way I remember it but I have very fond memories of my two years here and wish it could have been longer.
“Coming from Surrey to Somerset was very different. It was much more of a family down here. The Club is the heart of the town. The supporters are always amazing and all the players recognise the support they’ve had. I loved my time here and I’m just so glad I had the opportunity to come. It was great and I follow Somerset’s fortunes from afar, so I’d like to come back now on a more regular basis.”
