Nigel Paul and John McDermott opening for the OCs at Esher in 1983

Following the launch of the OCCC Hall of Fame last year, the Club is delighted to announce that three more inductees are to be added to the two original choices, Michael Chetwode and Martin Williamson. The three are Nigel Paul, John Cooke and John McDermott.

Paul, who played first-class cricket for Warwickshire, was one of the best cricketers produced by Cranleigh, and certainly the only one to score a hundred at Lord’s (for Southern Schools in 1951). In 1958 he almost single handledly revived the OCCC which had been too all intents and purposes defunct since 1939. A giant of a cricketer, he led the side from the front and assembled a fixture list which has not been equalled before or since in terms of strength. In 127 matches he scored 4424 runs (still a club record) at 39.15 and took 253 wickets at 17.96. He was subsequently president of the club.

"Nigel's initiative in restarting the OCCC week at the School has meant much enjoyment & friendship for generations of OC cricketers. Quite simply he was the best matchwinner and allround cricketer I have played with or seen in club cricket over 50 years," said McDermott.

Cooke, whose claims to have played for Nigeria remain highly dubious, was a late starter due to prolonged national service and university duties but once he joined the OCCC he was an ever-present, carrying the bowling attack for almost a decade and taking 274 wickets at 18.49 in 130 appearances. He also chipped in with 1049 runs at a decent average of 16.39. This is all the more remarkable as he only played once for School 1st XI (much like Jim Swanton). His OCCC career is believed to be the longest – his debut came in 1954 and he finally made the last of numerous farewell appearances in Nairobi in 2001, 48 seasons later. He was a hands-on president who gave invaluable support during a difficult period and has remained a loyal and popular supporter of OC cricket.

"Cookie is living proof that you do not need to be blessed with natural ability to excel and enjoy your cricket. A School cricket coach seeing his bowling action as a junior colt would suggest he played tennis in the summer term!!. Once he retired company shares in adhesive binding tape that kept his body going plummeted," quipped McDermott.

Like Cooke, McDermott’s career started in 1958 under Nigel Paul. After National Service and Cambridge and he took up the mantle of captaincy when the club was struggling in the late 1960s and ensured that it survived and thrived. His playing career was curtailed when business took him abroad, with lengthy spells in the USA and France, but he still found time to score 2859 runs at 19.45, an average which does not do his ability justice. After almost a decade away, he assumed the Presidency at the same time as Chetwode became captain, and the two of them took the club to new heights. When Henry Watkinson took over the captaincy, McDermott continued to offer advice and abuse in equal measure, but his involvement was – and remains – invaluable. The only man to have been on every OC tour, his contribution as player and administrator is unequalled.

“John should have been the first name in the Hall of Fame,” said Williamson. “The only reason he was not was that the concept was his in the first place and so he wanted to make the initial presentation. His service to the club has been instrumental in the success of the last decade and a half, and we all thank him for that and hope that he remains at the helm for many years to come. If only we could do something about his dress sense.”