P.A."Jack" Younie
It was with much sadness that we learned that P.A. “Jack” Younie passed away on 8th March 2013 after a splendid “innings” of 92. His love of cricket lasted a lifetime, and has been passed on through the family. He was at the heart of the formation of the club and played regularly until the late 1960’s, contributing with both bat and ball. All of us playing for the club now owe a massive deb tof gratitude. A few of us were fortunate enough to meet him at the club’s 50thanniversary celebration in 1997, where he was guest of honour and the main speaker and we remember him speaking about how the formation of Octopus and the fact that in many respects it was an opportunity for many people to make new friends after losing so many chums during WWII. The Jack Younie Trophy is awarded annually to the "Clubman of the Year" for exceptional service or dedication to the club it is the most respected and valued of all the trophies that the club presents since first being donated to the club by Jackin 1972 . Extract from Club Website “The Club was formed in 1947from a social club set up by Arthur Peachey at the end of the Second World War which met regularly at the Celbic Hall in Lancaster Road, Enfield Town. It was a suggestion of Ralph Alsford, P.A. "Jack" Younie and Arthur Peachey, who were great lovers of cricket. The "Octopus" got its name as the Social Club at Celbic Hall played eight different sports.” Jack was presented a special award at the 50th Anniversary Dinner 25th Oct '97
The Helen Molson Trophy
Helen was President for nearly20 years jointly with her husband Steve who captained the team for many years. Helen was a lovely lady who was a devoted Octopi, attending many games in the 80s and 90s. She always took an interest in the club, even after she had to stop coming to games due to illness. When Helen sadly passed away in August 2015 the Presidents’ Cup was formally renamed “The Helen Molson Trophy”. The cup is awarded by the Captain on behalf of the President for new/improved/emerging talent.
The Alex Lamb Trophy
The trophy is awarded to the Fielder of the year.
A Long Way Out
It's a long way out to the middle
For the man with no runs to his name.
Will this be the day he gets off the mark
And avoids the hall of shame?
It's a long way out to the middle
When your bat is heavy with dread.
What do you do when you're nervous,
But you've no more nerves to shred?
It's a very long run-up for the bowler,
Which is always a sign of doom,
And when he arrives at the crease to deliver the blow
You just know it'll be over soon….
It's a long way back from the middle
For the man with no runs to his name.
And all for the want of one lusty hit
To need never feel the same.
Duck after duck after duck after duck,
Will the victims recover orcrack?
One hopes for the best, but it's never good
When even your nightmares go quack.
PH '09
Cricket
For some, it's a new delight,
For others, a more seasonedeye.
Sometimes it's the taking part,
At others the battle cry.
For some, it's a chance to recover
From Saturday night's excess.
For others, a chance to ponder
On life's rich and varied quest.
For some, a chance to exercise,
For others, to be part of a team.
For some, a Sunday off,
For all a chance to dream.
For those in form the sun is shining,
For the rest it seems to rain,
But for all a love of cricket,
That quint essential English game.
PH '09
The Lord of the keys
The legend of the great set keys states: In the beginning there was one set of keys. And those keys were the law. The era of the one keys saw Ogilvie as the key keeper. Many coveted the keys but the key keeper did guard with zeal. And lo, one year another set of keys did appear. These keys were a mere shadow of the original great set (as legend saw them become). Ingram was the keeper, his coveting of the keys was less zealous. All worked to plan for many a season until one day the lock master changed the locks! The great set was dutifully updated. The lesser set, remained an historical anachronism of the great set. Trouble began. The lock keepers then changed another lock. Neither the great or lesser set were updated. The zealous coveting once employed by the keeper of the great keys waned as his involvement reduced. Taken from him the by a nun-named individual (probably Andy James) and passed around like a hot potato the exact whereabouts of the greater set is unknown.
