Back in 2023, Nottsview ran a series of newspaper cuttings that reported on efforts to rescue Trent Bridge Cricket Ground financially starting in 1970. Decisions were made that have had a knock-on effect that continue to shape the club and game to this day. For those newer to this blog, I'm revisiting those thirty-odd cuttings.
The drive for Nottinghamshire and Trent Bridges's survival was steered by Frank Gregory. Nimby Lard Islanders aka local residents, controlling councils and tragedy all serving to halt progress for decades in the mid-70s.
31/ Nottingham Guardian 7 February 1928 Referred to in the 1976:
29/ Nottingham Evening Post 30 April 1976
28/ Nottingham Evening Post 28 April 1976 Tragic News breaks
27/ Nottingham Evening Post 12 December 1975
26/ Reading Evening Post 14 May 1975
25/ Nottingham Evening Post 23 April 1975
24/ Nottingham Evening Post 12 September 1974
23/ Nottingham Evening Post 27 August 1974
22.1/ Nottingham Evening Post 24 July 1974
22/ Nottingham Evening Post 28 June 1974
21.1/ Nottingham Evening Post 19 June 1974 - note the photo of the old then new scoreboard - Mr Gregory's developments progressing... but the brave Bond world isn't getting the required results on the field and members have been rallied.
21/ Nottingham Evening Post 13 June 1974 Just a light detour 'round the corner today.
20/ Nottingham Evening Post 28 May 1974
The Jackie Bond reign not going well...
Members call for an EGM later in the season and oust Bond but drawn to the club during his time was CEB Rice, who remained after Bond's departure; the rest, as they say, is history.
19/ Nottingham Evening Post 24 May 1974
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18/ Nottingham Evening Post 20 March 1974
17/ Nottingham Evening Post 29 January 1974
16/ Nottingham Evening Post 11 January 1974
15/ Nottingham Evening Post 15 March 1973
14/ Both of Nottingham's newspapers 24 January 1973
13/ Nottingham Evening Post 3 October 1972
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12/ Nottingham Guardian Journal 18 April 1972
11/ Nottingham Guardian Journal 25 March 1972
10/ Following the AGM of 1972 the Evening Post had letters their Post Bag column
Here's two that I've found from 29th January and the 5th Februrary
9/ Nottinghamshire CCC AGM 1972 - Nottingham Guardian Journal 19 January 1972
8/
Nottingham Evening Post 14 January 1972. Plan B or is it C already as Mr Gregory works hard to save the ground.
7/ The story continues, in the same year Nottingham Evening Post 13 August 1971
6.1/
17 April 1971 Star Geen 'un: "a make or break season ahead" "£100-per-week Gary Sobers [sic] has boosted membership"
6/ Nottingham Evening Post 6 May 1971
5/ Originally published 30 April 1971 in the Retford, Gainsborough and Worksop Times
4/ Published 20 April 1971 Notingham Evening Post - More members needed.
3/ Published 1 April 1971 Nottingham Evening Post
2/ County Council not onboard with Plan, Evening Post 23 October 1970;
1/ Starting in 1970 where on 26th February a plan was publicised to develop part of the footprint of the ground. A radical plan, ahead of its time you might say.
If only the 16.4 had been around back then…..although it was the time of the John Player League being introduced to bring more revenue into the Counties
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ReplyDeleteFascinating articles from the Nottm Evening Post . They probably had a full time cricket correspondent back then ?
I wonder just how close Notts ccc were to actually losing Trent Bridge to developers ?
A good job sanity prevailed . The BRIDGE is known world wide and is a big asset to the City . Big match reports being sent around the world from time to time .
Interesting to know what the overheads for the club were back then in running the ground and paying staff wages etc compared to today’s balance sheet - can anyone slightly older than me remember what the admission costs were for spectators ? - paltry I would imagine as going to the Cornhill Insurance Test Match was peanuts π₯ back in the day - by comparison to today, at least
ReplyDeleteSurely the players weren’t paid on a weekly basis ? - even back when I was just 3
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ReplyDeleteSome great research done on this thread . So thanks HBD
It just shows the twists and turns , ups and downs that took place all that time ago which helped to turn Trent Bridge into one of the worlds finest cricket stadiums . Ground improvements and upgrades are an ongoing thing and never seem to stop . The new pavilion with its sympathetic but modern design should make the ground even more attractive . Who will “open “ it - hopefully next year ? Richard Hadlee ?
Any other worthy suggestions ? Probably be Lisa P and Mick N together . They have overseen so many years at TB and it’s been an eventful ride , but Notts CCC is in a pretty healthy condition .
That Notts legend Ollie Stone for me - no, on second thoughts probably best not - he may injure himself pulling the unveiling cord ?
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ReplyDeleteI suppose STUART BROAD is the obvious one . World famous who did wonderful things for England and the odd good job for Notts . How about a long standing loyal Committee member cutting the ribbon - or even better , a long time regular supporter who has supported the team through thick and thin ?
Then of course there is Mr Bracegirdle . He has Notts ccc in his veins
ReplyDeleteIf it's at the England vs New Zealand test match, it should be Randall and Hadlee.
Optimistic thinking there CK, having Project P completed by July.
DeleteGlad that proposal for the ground development project failed as it would now look like something from the old east Germany
ReplyDeleteOr even worse the Victoria flat complex as the architecture of the time was truly shocking
So who was Ken Taylor referring to then ? Snippet 14 relates. Paul Todd, Tim Robinson, Bruce French, Kevin Cooper, Rags obvs π - dunno π€·♀️ what the equivalent of the Academy system was back then or were these players(apart from Derek and Todd) too young to be at the club at this time in any age group capacity?
ReplyDeleteIronic that this years championship winning squad featured LPW, Lyndon James, “Terry” McCann and Farhan Ahmed plus good overseas recruitment so there are some similarities, even to signing a prolific opening batsman from another County. Now Has from Lancashire and back then Chris Broad from Gloucestershire
BC Broad joined Notts in 1984
ReplyDeleteFrom memory HBD, though he signed a few years earlier than 84, but just looked at some scorecards for 1983 and note that Basher was opening in the majority of championship games
ReplyDeleteRemember watching Broad make his Test debut also in 1984 on the tv πΊ against that mighty West Indies team. Got this vague recollection of him scoring a 50 - possibly on debut ????
Sorry - meant to say thought π- typo !!!
DeleteThat brings back a lot of happy π memories - snippet 18 relates - the TCCB and a few years on, Cornhill Insurance who sponsored Test Matches - don’t even know what some sponsors do now ?!
ReplyDeleteSnippet no.20 relates, Barry Richards I presume ? Without looking up the scorecard
ReplyDeleteRemember him and Gordon Greenidge both opening for Hampshire - not too bad ?
David Hussey looked nailed on to to be our first home π‘ triple centurion against Essex but holed out on 275. He was literally just dealing in boundaries by this stage with fielders on the ropes
ReplyDeleteWasn’t at Hove when Titch Taylor nearly got there also - sure some of the lads were there for that innings ?
Snippet no.21 above ⬆️ relates
DeleteLink here to the Titch 291 at Horsham: https://nottsview.blogspot.com/2015/07/v-sussex-lv-at-hosham.html
ReplyDeleteAhh, the days of pre-white ball only ‘Baz’ playing county cricket π and dear old ‘Gnasher’ batting for his old County
ReplyDeleteSnippet 21.1 relates - great to see the old West Wing Stand in the photo - best view on the entire ground imho - even surpassing the old Raddy Rd ?
ReplyDeleteInteresting π€¨ commentary regarding Sir Garry of Sobers - never π saw him play but appears didn’t have the desired effect Notts were hoping - apart from the obvious against Malcolm Nash and Glammy at Swansea that infamous day
What a fabulous snippet - no23 relates
ReplyDeleteObvs π the news π° of the great Clive Edward Butler Rice but also the names of Doshi, Nanan and Tunnincliffe
Never π realised Basher was an overseas although I guess that’s pretty obvs π but I only remember him being qualified on residence grounds as the article mentions
Do not remember Peter Johnson, however
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ReplyDeleteIt’s been a fascinating series of articles from the Evening Post archives . Back in the day when cricket got decent cover in the paper with a full time cricket reporter .
I can well remember some “ crowds” for the 3 day championship games at TB being almost pitiful . The ground itself badly needed upgrading . I well remember the open air semi derelict gents toilet at the rear of the old Parr stand ! We must give the planning/ financial team credit for raising the millions needed for the upgrade . Is there a more attractive cricket stand in the whole Country than the Radcliffe Road stand . It’s a masterpiece of design . It was exciting at the time to see it being built and then my first viewing experience from Tier 1 .
Yes there is some negative news and information coming out of TB these days regarding the franchise comp . But there is also a lot to be thankful for . Some on here should take heed of that ?
Another brilliiant snippet- no.26. a 17yo Kevin Cooper. Think from memory(without looking it up) he took 100 wickets in a season once for us ?
ReplyDeleteBit of an unsung hero π¦Έ♀️ Cooperman, a very fine English type of conditions seamer
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ReplyDeleteI well remember the awful Frank Gregory tragedy . A life cut short of a man who had the drive and determination to bring the necessary changes to Trent Bridge . Surprised a stand wasn’t named after him ?