My Memories of Taunton: Tom Abell
The Cooper Associates County Ground is a very special place.
The venue is steeped in history and has played host to some of the greatest names ever to have been involved in the game.
Players and supporters alike speak in glowing terms about the atmosphere and the heritage of Somerset CCC’s home.
Over the course of the winter, we will be speaking to current and former players to discuss their memories of Taunton.
Today is the turn of Tom Abell.
What are your first memories of Somerset CCC?
“I remember coming to cricket sessions in the indoor school and kids cricket camps when I was a little boy and that kind of thing. Then, as a family, we’d come down and try to catch the last hour or two of play after school. I can vividly remember being at the gates and being super excited to see the last hour or two of a day of championship cricket.
“I remember getting a shirt from the club shop and I remember walking past the ground and seeing some of the Somerset players train. I remember being at Lord’s in 2001 with my family for the C&G final. Those would be my earliest memories.
“My godparents used to get me a Membership so that I could just come on down whenever I had free time. We’d wait around and sit down by where the players would run out and be completely in awe of them.
“Somerset cricket has always been a huge part of our lives.”
Where did you used to sit?
“When the changing rooms were where the Colin Atkinson Pavilion is, the players would come down the sides of the building, so I used to try and sit adjacent to where they’d run out and just try and get close to them really. We also used to sit over where the Somerset Stand is now and there were no flats then. Sometimes we’d go up in the Old Pavilion and watch from the cinema seats.”
Who were your favourite players when you were growing up and did you used to collect autographs?
“There were so many, to be honest! Keith Parsons was always someone who I really admired and looked up to. He was a bit of a hero of mine. We had some great overseas players too, like Cameron White and Justin Langer. I used to love watching them.
“Then there were players like Jos Buttler and Craig Kieswetter. They had that real flair that I enjoyed watching. Hildy was also someone I always admired. He’s one of the greatest Somerset have ever had. Jamie Cox was also someone I was very fond of watching.
“There’s a few names there and a few of the greats who I used to watch and idolise when I was growing up.”
What was it like taking to the field here for the first time?
“One vivid memory I do have is probably one of the first times I got out on the field here. It was an Academy fielding practise session. We were out doing fielding in front of the stands for the first time. It was like ‘wow!’ This is sort of the thing you dream of when you’re growing up and playing cricket in the back garden. I’d been coming to watch Somerset and now all of a sudden I was doing fielding practise in front of the stands. I certainly took a moment to think ‘this is cool’. It was where I’d always wanted to be.
“When I made my First XI debut here we were in the field for the first day, which I was quite happy about because I was so nervous. It just gave me a chance to get into the game. I remember just trying to sort of chuck myself about and doing a few diving stops. I could just feel the warmth from the crowd.
“You have a bit of time to take it in when you’re in the field. You can look about and think ‘wow, this is where I’ve always wanted to be’. There was definitely a moment of recognition that this was once a dream and now it was a reality.”
Did you ever think that you would end up playing here?
“When I was young I harboured the dreams of maybe one day playing for Somerset and it was certainly a dream of mine as a kid.”
Does it still feel special when you come through the gates after all these years?
“Absolutely! That feeling will never dissipate, particularly in summer, because there’s always an energy and a buzz around the ground. That’s certainly something that’s never lost on me and on us as a group. We’re very fortunate because this is the best place to play cricket in the country. With the support that we get, that feeling never, never leaves us.
“Even when you’re outside the ground, you still get that same sort of feeling. I remember when I was younger being so intrigued by what was going on on the other side of the gates. I remember being in Morrison’s car park and hearing a T20 game going on and hearing the cheers. I just wanted to be on the other side of the fence!”
