Tony Summerfield - The greatest spin bowler of the twentieth century. Week after week collecting wickets like cherries from a tree. More details on his early career would be appreciated. Ok, he didn't spin it, but when the ball is looping out of the hawthorn hedges from the Quarry Road end, "FEAR" sets in, and the bails go tinkle, tinkle. God rest your soul "Summy".
Legend Rating 88%
Peter O'Nion - Our Ian Botham. He could bat like like Beefy, grow a beard like Beefy, drink red wine like Beefy, and bowl all of Summy's worst balls. Left hand batsman who clocked up a whole pile of runs - many centuries just when the opposition though they had us in trouble. (Gracedieu in the Village Cup I recall - the locals lost a few greenhouse panes on that day). Probably the Club's most successful Captain. I recall him fielding at Silly Mid-Off and getting a full off-drive between the eyes. Any normal human would have gone to the hospital, but for Pete there was a game to be won - and we did. Retired to the Fairway (out to grass).
Legend Rating 85% - (adjusted to allow for Golfing frailties)
Ian Daniels - A long suffering servant of the club. Ian has his views on things and loves a good old "grumpy man" moan (usually about the level of commitment shown by the odd player here and there!) . He has kept the second team running smoothly in stormy weather, and has supported the first team on many an occassion. Recently He has been turned to as the change bowler for the firsts, with some success. In 2006 he appeared against Newtown Linford, on what would generally be described as a feather bed. With his beguiling line and length he conjured up an amazing hat-trick. In spite of his team-mates not doing their bit to force the win, the day will go down in cricketing history for our very own "Victor Meldrew". When that third wicket went down we all gasped "I don't believe it!". Long live the Daniels Passion. Recent bowling as pener for the first team has enhanced Ian's status beyond what we thought capable - as we speak in 2010 Ian daniels bowling is the meanest in the league
Legend Rating 78% and rising
Ivor Seabrook - Fast bowler. Is Ivor the only Crofter to achieve the miraculous Ten Wickets? This needs further investigation. His windmill-like action used to strike fear into the batsmen, and the frequent mega-beamer scared the hell out of Birch behind the stumps, having an 80mph missile heading for his chest. Not a batsman.
Legend Rating 75%
Martin Bailey - Strips on the balcony at Hinckley Town after Croft won the Norton Cup. I'm sure we have a picture somewhere. It WILL be found and scanned, so look out in our gallery soon for the full monty! Birch was a fantastic number 4, and could score a fifty with ease against any opposition. He was a sharp stumper, with Hemmings and Akinkugbe feeding him many an outside edge in the eighties and nineties. No byes with Birch behind the stumps.
Legend Rating 80% - early retirement curtailed his rating, but he still has a place in the team if he wants it.
John Hassell - Knocked himself out trying to steal a run. A great medium-fast bowler, but when he tried a bit of batting down at Huncote, turning for a second run was not a good move. His bat jammed into the turf as he made his ground, he stumbled, and the end of the bat handle hit him full in the face. A visit down the Royal was called for, but he was back to his ferocious fiery self a few weeks later.
Legend Rating 82%
Rodney Wileman (Jock) "The run factory" - suffice it to say he played for Croft in the 60's 70's 80's and 90's. Lord alone knows how many runs he amassed. Rather Boycottesque in his approach - slow to build an innings then lashed out in the final 10 overs. The sort of batsman that held up his end whilst Pete, Birch and Willis took a more cavalier approach to South Leicestershire's best bowlers. A quiet reserved man, but with a sharp sense of humour.
Famous phrase "Catches win matches Grimey" - his quip to the skip when one of our younger players spills an easy catch. skip got annoyed often when a run chase was on, as Rodders was not quick to change gear or nick a single.
Maybe more like Chris Tavare than Boycott.
Legend rating 90% (bonus awarded for bowling and bucket hands)
Martin Hemmings - Medium/Fast bowler - the sort of competitor all successful teams have. If you decided that he needed a rest from a 10 over spell, you had to be prepared to duck as he kicked the ball back to you. Stacks of wickets from some mean seam bowling sometimes medium with skillful movement. On a bad day he came steaming in like a snorting bull, and scared the batsman to their boots. (and the slips). Also remembered for his mini Merv Hughes Moustache which perfectly framed his snarling stare at the batsman.
Famous for being given out LBW at Heather by a very old league umpire who could not see. Martin let him have a piece of his mind. He then threw his bat from the square onto Heather's pavilion roof.
Comic Moment - the whole slip cordon playing the Mexican air guitar as Hemmings came in to bowl (you had to be there)
Legend Rating 78%