Category Archives: Club News

With club stalwart Chris Clelland confirming that he will be leaving Aberdeen on the 27th of March, we will be welcoming all to the club on Saturday 21st of March to say one more thanks to him for all of his hard work and to wish him and his family well in their future endeavors. We will be gathering at 1730 in the main bar of the Grammar Former Pupils’ Club.

We’re sure that Chris would appreciate seeing anyone there that can make it, and if anyone wishes to get in touch please feel free to let us know so we can pass on your goodwill.

Hopefully, most of us are also aware of the immense impact he has had on our club over a span touching on 30 years, both as a player and committee member, most recently fulfilling the roles of Secretary and Treasurer. This has been alongside acting as Secretary for the FP Club Centre.

With his name always in the running for the “Clubman of the Year” award in recent seasons, it is further testament to the work he has put in t

o ensure we are able to play cricket each summer, including acting as

fixer to get games on, mediator between captains/vices/players over selection matters and one for a reliable drinks order when back at the club – export sales will no doubt be hit hard!

The 1st XI fixtures for 2020 have been announced, FPs will have the 1st week of the season off and start on the 2nd of May away to Knightriders. The 2nd XI and Sunday fixtures will be published once we have them.

1st XI Fixtures

MAY
2nd Knightriders (A)
9th Crescent (H)
10th Kelso (A) – CS Challenge Cup 1st Round
16th Bon Accord (A)
23rd Inverurie (H)
24th Galloway or Comrie (A) – CS Challenge Cup 2nd Round*
30th Aberdeen Super Kings (A)
JUNE
6th Cults (A)
13th Grampian(H)
14th CS Challenge Cup Quarter Final*
20th Gordonians (H)
27th Siyapa (H)
28th CS Challenge Cup Semi-Final*
JULY
4th Knightriders (H)
5th Grampian (H) – Aberdeenshire Cup Quarter Final
11th Inverurie (A)
18th Bon Accord (H)
25th Crescent (A)
26th Aberdeen Super Kings or Crescent – Aberdeenshire Cup Semi-Final*
AUGUST
1st Grampian (A)
8th Aberdeen Super Kings (A)
9th CS Challenge Cup Final*
15th Siyapa (A)
22nd Gordonians (A)
23rd Aberdeenshire Cup Final*
29th Cults (H)

* Fixtures marked with an asterisk are contingent on success in earlier rounds.

Despite the poor weather, the new season is only 2 months away and once again FPs will be running 3 teams. They will be in Grade 1, Grade 2 and the Sunday development league.  Following on from the AGM, Rob Swiergon once again leads the 1st team and will be assisted by Prash. Aman Sood will captain the 2nd XI and Paul Norwood continues as the Sunday captain.

Looking back at 2019, Karan Anand again dominated the awards, winning 6 trophies, cleaning up the batting trophies with 545 runs at 54.5 and the bowling trophies taking 27 wickets at 12.6. He also won the club fielding trophy with 8 catches and a run out. He will be sure to be looking to defend them all in 2020!

The 2nd XI batting (Proctor Cup) was won by Aman Sood with 324 runs at 24.9 and veteran spinner Roland Knudson won the Hopkin bowling cup taking 17 wickets at 18.9.  He also scooped man of the match in the Bon Accord Cup Final. Aman added 16 wickets at 20.9 to his batting to claim the 2nd XI all rounder.

Pete Macklin was the top batter in the 3rd XI and Callum Herd nipped into win the bowling prize from his couple of appearances! Qasim Farhan was named young player of the year after an encouraging season.

The departing Chris Clelland will have some nice trophies for his new guest house, deservedly winning The Sandy Davidson Memorial Trophy for his outstanding contribution not just in 2019 but for many years previous. He was also voted by his fellow players as Clubman of the year and fittingly won the Doug Moir Trophy for Champagne moment of the season for his match wining 6 in his final game against Crescent.

With 2019, behind us, FPs look forward to 2020 and have already received the cup draws. In the CS Challenge Cup, we face a lengthy and rather tricky away trip to ESCA Championship team Kelso on the 10th of May.  In the Aberdeenshire Cup, we have a bye in the 1st round and then face Grampian on 5th July at Rubislaw and if successful would face ASK or Crescent at Rubislaw in the semi final on 26th July.

The 2nd XI have been grouped with Fraserburgh, Stoneywood Dyce and Mannofield as they bid to defend the Bon Accord Cup.

Outdoor nets will commence in mid April and anyone keen to attend should get in touch.

1ST XI V Inverurie (A)

Meet 11.45 at Grammar Club or 12.15 at Kellands Park, Inverurie

M Challa
C Clelland
A Keith
R Knudson
C McKinney
R Monnapillai
G Morrison
P Poosappadi
F Proud
R Swiergon (c)
J Thomson

2Nd XI V Methlick (H)

Meet 12.30 at Rubislaw

M Barker
L d’Costa
U Farook
S Harrower
J Lord
P Macklin
M Nattrass
P Norwood
A Sood (c)
C Poolman
J Youles

2Nd XI V Siyapa (N)

Meet 12.00 at Grammar Club or 12.30 at Peoples Park, Dyce

M Barker
C Clelland
E Gubbala
A Haider
S Harrower
R Knudson
R Monnapillai
M Nattrass
A Sood (c)
R Wilkie
J Youles

Literally years after our last round of 21 questions we caught up with Callum one quiet Saturday morning as he was going through his usual professional pre-game preparations …..

Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it

Age: Externally – 24, Internally – 86, Emotionally – Drained

Occupation: Leasing agent, love a fully furnished flat with gas central heating and double glazing. Must say those 3 things at least 10 times a day. Outwith that, part-functioning alcoholic.

Role in Team: All rounder who can’t score more than 20 and front line spinner with the incapability of pitching 6 balls in the same half of the pitch an over.

Previous Clubs: Aberdeenshire CC twice… less said about that the better, Aberdeen University Cricket Club , Royal Challengers Rubislaw (Back to Back to Back Champions) , AU 2s Indoor (Scottish Champions, undefeated) Continue reading →