J. Samuel White's Ground

J. Samuel White's Ground

Ground information
Location	Cowes, Isle of Wight
Coordinates	50°45′26″N 1°18′44″W / 50.7572°N 1.3121°W / 50.7572; -1.3121
Establishment	1953
Owner	Isle of Wight Council
Team information
Hampshire (1956–1962)
As of 30 December 2011 Source: Ground profile

J. Samuel White's Ground (also known as Plessey Ground) is a sports ground in Park Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, England. The ground is owned by the Isle of Wight Council and is surrounded by residential housing. A multitude of sports have been played at the ground, including cricket, football and bowls.^[1]

History[]

The ground was originally owned by J. Samuel White & Co. Ltd., a ship builders based in Cowes. The company constructed the ground in 1953, with construction being funded by subscriptions from employees of the company.^[2] Hampshire first played first-class cricket there three years later in 1956, when Worcestershire were the visitors in the County Championship,^[3] with Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie scoring the maiden century on the ground in Hampshire's first-innings, followed by Laddy Outschoorn in Worcestershire's second-innings. The match ended in a draw.^[4] Hampshire played a match there each year until 1962, playing seven first-class matches there.^[3] However, J.Samuel White & Co. Ltd. fell on hard times, with the company's Cowes shipyard closing in 1963, bringing to an end Hampshire's use of the ground.^[2] The ground was sought after for development, but planning was refused, with the ground falling into disuse.^[2]

The ground was later bought in 1978 by the Isle of Wight Council. The council sought to offload the ground to a community-based organisation in 1984, with a lease being agreed with the Plessey Club.^[1] The Milne Memorial Sports Ground Co. Ltd was formed to acquire the lease and manage the day-to-day running of the club. When first acquired, the clubs membership was only open to employees and ex-employees of Plessey's and J. Samuel White & Co.^[1] Having been disused by until 1984, the cricket ground and football grounds had been used for hay making, the tennis courts and bowling greens were in a state of disrepair, as was the pavilion. The club borrowed £65,000 to extend the pavilion and £10,000 to building a new clubhouse for the bowling greens.^[1] Hampshire returned there for a match in 1987 in aid of Malcolm Marshall's benefit,^[2] though the game didn't carry first-class or List A status. Today, the cricket ground is used by Cowes Cricket Club.^[5] More recently, the club was able to acquire Lottery funding to the tune of £330,000 for an indoor bowls facility, though this was only possible by club members lending £100,000 themselves. The club is today open to membership for all residents of the Isle of Wight.^[1][6]

Records[]

First-class[]

• Highest team total: 398 by Glamorgan v Hampshire, 1960^[7]
• Lowest team total: 84 by Leicestershire v Hampshire, 1958^[8]
• Highest individual innings: 154* by Laddy Outschoorn for Worcestershire v Hampshire, 1956^[9]
• Best bowling in an innings: 7-81 by Derek Shackleton for Hampshire v Nottinghamshire, 1957^[10]
• Best bowling in a match: 13-135 by Derek Shackleton, as above^[11]

See also[]

• List of Hampshire County Cricket Club grounds
• List of cricket grounds in England and Wales

References[]

External links[]

• J. Samuel White's Ground at CricketArchive
• J. Samuel White's Ground at ESPNcricinfo

Coordinates: 50°45′26″N 1°18′44″W / 50.7572°N 1.3121°W / 50.7572; -1.3121