Chesterfield Cricket Lovers' Society

The photo shows (L-R) Terry Wildsmith, David Griffin and Steve Franks

Photo courtesy of John Windle

VISIT OF DAVID GRIFFIN ON MONDAY 11TH DECEMBER 2023

David Griffin visited the Society for the second successive year and the response at the end of the evening was ‘when is he coming next year?’

David has been a member of Derbyshire County Cricket Club for 50 years and now serves as the Club’s official photographer and Heritage Officer.

Another phenomenal display of vast knowledge of all things Derbyshire County Cricket Club would undoubtedly earn him full marks in the first round of Mastermind – the only problem would be who would set the questions?

Vast knowledge is one thing but when it is coupled with an easy-going style of presentation, good graphics and an interactive element thoroughly enjoyed by those attending, then you have all the elements of a five-star evening!

David’s presentation this year was on ‘My Best Derbyshire XI of All Time’. He had typically set parameters for his choices which were entirely logical, including the exclusion of all the overseas players that had graced the club over the years – maybe this could be the basis of a future presentation? He then specified the number of bowlers, batters and all-rounders he would have in the team (he did have a wicketkeeper as well but the person he selected in that position caused no surprise).

Away we went with multiple choices in all categories – photographs, statistics, memorable moments, funny stories and due account of the difficulty of pitches and conditions in other eras.

What were the results of David’s XI, David’s XI of the players he had seen personally and the Chesterfield Cricket Lovers’ Society XI? That can’t be revealed, and you will have to go and see his presentation to other Societies to get the results!

Needless to say, a thoroughly enjoyable evening with another very good attendance at the SMH stadium.