As a matter of introduction, my name is Brett McCANN, and reside at 69 Martley Cirt., CALWELL, ACT, AUSTRALIA, 2905.
I lived with my parents in HK between 1973 and 1976, and attended at the Island School. I had a few matches with C.C.C. as a 15 year old, but due to Club rules regarding full membership, and the fact that I was a pimply faced teenager, surrounded by schoolmasters, I was invariably relegated to 12th man.
My father, Neil McCANN, (still kicking at the age of 70) won the fielding/wicket keeping award for the club in 1973/74 & 74/75. I was an original member of the Islander Cricket Club and played with them from 74-76, before returning to Australia.
I note one of your club stalwarts was listed as John FREEMAN. I agree with your sentiments regarding slowest-quick, or quickest-slow, and can vouch for the fact that even as a fit young PE teacher in 1974, he bowled poop, and didn't bat much better. A true rugby player, with nothing to do in the off season.
I also played along side Gareth Buckland, Keith GARNER, the late Jack JOHNSON at C.C.C., and Chris FORCE, Bob DEWAR, and Mr TAYLOR (as he was known to me) at the Islanders.
I Captained HK Schoolboys, (not that great an honour given that there was only about 12 of us player at the time) of and on from 1974 - 1976 (when Elias Ismael didn't want the Captaincy), and also represented the Saturday League XI against Fremantle, from memory, in 1976.
Some of the talented youngsters of the day included Elias ISMAEL from DBS, a young fair haired LH Orthodox from KGV, whose name escapes me but he went to live in the U.S., Marc TURNBULL, and David BARNETT. His (BARNETT's) father was a bit of a legend at the HKCC as right arm medium pacer.
Luke McGUINNETY, who I believe did well in Rugby was a year below me at school.
I would be interested in re-newing some aquaintance as I have extremely fond memories of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Cricket and the Craigengower Cricket Club.
The C.C.C. ground used to neighbour the Police Recreation Club, and invariably Jack JOHNSON would interupt their match with an enormous agricultural slog over mid wicket which would cause much ducking and weaving on behalf of the fielding and batting side alike.
It is one of my treasured memories the I actually played a number of Saturday League fixtures at the original HK Cricket Ground, prior to the mass transit railway. It was a unique feeling being surrounded by the Hilton Hotel, the Furama, The Bank of China and a multi storey car park, with passing trams rattling and clanging as you tried to take guard.
A sensational memory of a sensation place.
I am contactable at the above address or my e Mail address of [email protected]
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards
Brett McCANN
Thanks for passing on the message from Brett McCann - I remember both him and his Dad very well - those were the pre-Gatsby days when C.C.C. had a real wicketkeeper. I will contact him soon.
Best
Lumber
