Catford Chronicle Article 2022

In May 2022 the Catford Chronicle sat down with under 11's coach Matt Bamford-Bowes to talk about the clubs history, future plans and how the local community can get invovled

With a history spanning over 120 years, Catford and Cyphers Cricket Club is an amalgamation of three clubs; Catford Cricket Club, Cyphers Cricket Club and Forest Hill Cricket Club. 

“When these three clubs came together, it created a club that was built for the area.”

We sat down with under 11’s coach Matthew Bamford-Bowes to talk about the history of the club, future plans, and how locals can get involved.

After being based in Catford for 15 years Matthew recently joined the roster of coaches at Catford and Cyphers Cricket Club. Matt’s passion for cricket developed at a young age having grown up playing baseball and being introduced to the Lancashire cricket team by his dad and grandad.

“The club motto is ‘we don’t believe anyone should go without a game. I'm the coach of the under 11s and manage the three teams we put out at this age group - a standard 11-a-side team who plays in division one of the North Kent Junior League, a pairs team who plays in division two, and something I'm particularly proud of... our first girl's team who play at under 11.”

The cricket club is known for creating a welcoming environment and has been praised for its friendly atmosphere and inclusivity of different levels of expertise. The club invests in the development of its junior teams, from under 9s, under 10s and all the way to creating teams for the under 13s and 15s.

Before becoming a community-developed cricket club, the clubs were Catford Cricket Club (1890), formerly of Penerley Road, Catford, Cyphers Cricket Club (1890); formerly of Kings Hall Road and Beckenham and Forest Hill Cricket Club (1882). Each of these clubs is represented in the current club badge.

When we asked Matt to tell us about a stand-out moment during his time at the club he points to a 48-hour period “where we competed in and won a tournament in Beckenham, having only just got through to the playoffs we won two games and the final. Then just 24 hours later, we went and won the league with a fantastic, gutsy team display.”

Matt says that it’s those small things which happen at the club which mean a lot to him.

“There are these really lovely moments throughout the season during training sessions or quiet moments in games which many people wouldn't notice but they give the coaches great joy - a player taking his first wicket...or even just landing it on the wicket for the first time, a batter hitting their first-ever boundary, an outstanding catch in the field.

Those are the moments that make me just as proud to be part of the club as the times we win trophies. (Although we do love a trophy too).”

The history of the club takes in many players who went on to play minor counties and county cricket. Jim Laker, who joined the Catford Cricket Club in 1946, became one of the most famous international bowlers of all time. Other notable names include Tom Purcell, Kory Smith-Knight and Nathan Richards all of whom have continued to play within the club, play in competitive leagues and even make it to county-level standard.

“We've got some incredibly talented young players at the club at all ages and I love to see them play, develop and grow.”

The club continues to make efforts to encourage all age groups and training sessions to socialise. From pizza nights to BBQs, the club hosts a series of different events in which kids and parents alike have the opportunity to spend time together. The club is hoping to add more junior camps and offer 1-2-1s with qualified coaches and taster sessions for those looking to join the club.

“We hope that the teams we put out play cricket in the spirit of the game, fairness, supporting your team, applauding great play, and doing your best whatever happens.”

After a successful season, last year and continuous growth in memberships, the club has received regular funding from Stanford Estates. This has helped increase opportunities for kids in cricket and integrate the club into the community.

Coaching is one of the many ways the club encourages anyone wishing to get involved with supporting the club. Coaches can start their training as support coaches at junior level and work their way up. Asher Roberts, Head of Junior Cricket, works across all age groups, from under 7’s to under 15, he has great experience in the kid's development and guiding the trainee coaches at each level.

“Coaching is something that I've done and can say it's been one of the most rewarding journeys I've been on.”

“There's always a game on, so we'd love more people from Catford to feel they can support a local cricket team and perhaps we can grow the energy around the club. If you want to play great, if you just want to come and watch... we'd be happy with that too.”

“We're proudly Catford and would welcome everyone to come and enjoy some good cricket in the lovely Catford sun”

As the area continues to grow and develop, the club will too. As a community-led club, Catford and Cyphers Cricket Club takes pride in encouraging people of all ages and abilities to give cricket a try. If you've been looking for a club for some time, but have yet to find one, why not give Catford and Cyphers a try!