In loving memory of Tony Allder – 1940 to 2022

In loving memory of Tony Allder – 1940 to 2022

A tribute from Steve Basterfield

My first recollection of Tony was in 1984 when he was Club Captain. Tony had been a member since the late 50s but had left the club for a few years before returning. He was very ‘old school’ in his approach, and I remember him admonishing me for being late for a meet time (which was a pretty fair shout as I lived two minutes from the club). Something that may surprise people was that I was a confident, slightly cocky character as a junior, and Tony seemed to take great delight in taking me down a peg or two. In one Sunday friendly I produced what I thought was a brilliant run out; there was a huge mix up and the two batsman both ended up in the middle of the pitch. I was bowling and swooped in and threw the stumps down at the bowlers end. Feeling quite smug I was met with a furious Tony. If I missed there, he told me, there was nobody backing up and I should have been aware of the situation. a 15 year old at the time, I couldn’t see his point, but he was absolutely right - I should have taken a split second longer. 15 years later as club captain I remember admonishing a 19 year old James Hunt for doing the same thing. I also hated lateness so maybe Tony’s early influence made a lasting impression on me.

In 1999 John Reeve was leaving the club and going to live in Ireland. John was first team captain and a huge presence in the club. I loved playing under John and felt he would be captain for 20 years, so I had no designs on taking over. However, when he was going I felt it was my time to take over and canvassed the team to see if I had any support. I did and duly put myself forward as captain. So did Pooran Singh, and for the first time ever there would be a vote to decide who took over the role. To cut a long story short, I got in by one vote. I scanned the room and took note of who voted against me. One Tony Allder, who was club chairman at the time voted against me. Thinking that it would be good idea that the chairman and the club captain be on the same page I nervously called Tony the following evening. It was one of those phone calls where you rehearse what you’re going to say, hang up a few times, before you finally pluck up the courage to speak. Tony’s reputation as a straight talker was definitely on my mind. I started the call in a slightly confrontational manner. “So, why didn’t you vote for me then Tony? Have you got a problem with me?” is how I started the call. Big mistake! “You’re immature. You’re too brash. You can be selfish and I think Pooran would be a better ambassador for the club.” Was Tony’s response. I was stunned into silence. Tony continued, “But, I know you love the club and I’ll back you to the absolute hilt.” Hearing those words meant everything to me and I assured Tony that I was aware of my shortcomings and I would do everything I could to be a good ambassador for Acton.

The next four years were to be the most difficult in the club’s history. We had to move to Sudbury whilst the Park Club was being built. Myself and Pooran weren’t seeing eye to eye and my relationship with the second team captain Peter Jadunath was, to put it mildly, fractious. Tony was also third team captain and he had to referee some of the arguments me and Peter had in selection. Peter actually quit twice in the first month of the season (unfortunately for me he always decided to come back!). Tony always took my side publicly. Privately he wasn’t averse to giving me a telling off if he felt it was needed. We got through the first year somehow but the second year was worse. A few players had left for various reasons and we were down to the bare bones. Tony as third team captain bore the brunt of this. Often having only 6 or 7 players on a Friday night we both made 100s of phone calls to try and get players. In the days before inclusive minutes my phone bill regularly hit three figures. Tony insisted I claim some expenses from the club and I received a cheque through the post. It was from Tony’s personal account. I never cashed the cheque but it wasn’t the first time he would stick his hand in his own pocket to help out. The thirds staved off relegation thanks to Tony’s sterling efforts and the prolific run scoring of Steve Leadon. Fearing the club was going under myself and Tony organised an end of season game at the Park Club. The pitch wasn’t ready for cricket but we played anyway. The game was a huge success and it gave the members a glimpse of what the new era could be like. We were further boosted by the news that John was coming back from Ireland just when we needed him most.

The next two years saw the club stabilise at its new home and my relationship with Tony grew stronger and stronger. He always phoned me on a Friday night to wish us luck, he always gave his opinion on selection but never interfered and he continued to captain the thirds. In 2002 we didn’t have an overseas player until we played South Hampstead in a pre-season friendly. They already had an overseas but also had a young West Indian fast bowler called Frank Simmonds on their books. Frank bowled very fast that day and they offered him to us on the proviso we gave him a job. I was unsure we needed Frank, but the Park Club could offer him a job and he didn’t need accommodation as he was staying with a South Hampstead player so we took him on. Within a month he was asked to leave his accommodation and was homeless. We struggled to get him anywhere, so Tony paid for him to stay in a bed sit for six weeks. Eventually Frank stayed with me but ate me out of house and home and was struggling on the pitch which wasn’t helping my state of mind. Tony then found him another place to stay which he again paid for out of his own pocket. At the end of my fourth year the captaincy had burned me out and my form with the bat had suffered. I talked this over with Tony and he felt it was his fault for not supporting me enough! Which was absolutely crazy – his amazing support had been one of the reasons I’d lasted so long in the role.

At the end of season awards I thanked Tony for everything he did for me and the club and announced that I was giving up the captaincy. I saw the old bugger getting a bit emotional which nearly broke me but I’m glad I said it. Tags took over from me and Tony backed him unconditionally just like he did with me. In 2004 the thirds won a cup final and Tony retired from playing. He was 64! And it was a very fitting way for him to go out. Realising that the club needed to build a stronger relationship with the Park Club he gave the chairmanship over to a certain John Reeve. A typically unselfish act. He still kept involved with the club, doing all the club records by hand and supporting us in any way he could. As a club we should never forget the past and Tony Allder was a huge figure in the club’s history. He will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Baz