White Coppice Cricket Club had one very special visitor at their recent game vs Standish.
The game had wrapped up early after the 1st XI sealed an impressive 10-wicket win by the time 82-year-old Victor Boocock arrived at the ground.
Victor got talking to several members of the current team and revealed how he used to play for Coppice in the 1950s and 60s before emigrating to California.
Victor’s sister still lives locally and he tries to include a stop-off at the cricket during his regular trips home.
The pensioner was born in White Coppice before leaving for California in 1964, where he ran his own business for a number of years.
He made headlines in the US for riding his vintage 1914 Harley Davidson motorcycle across America.
Recalling his childhood he said: “I first played for Coppice as a child. Cricket was the only thing in White Coppice at the time.
“I was an opening batter in the 1st XI and used to bowl a bit. I think I got one century.
“Most of the players then were very local, either from the village or very close to the village.”
Despite residing in California he said he’s carried on following the club’s attempts to raise £150k in their 150th anniversary year.
“The club has had some serious ups and downs,” he recalled. “I actually flew over once for one day to go to a meeting as the club was in a very shaky position. It looks like you’ve turned a corner. The club has two Saturday teams.”
Coppice 1st XI captain Jake Smalley said: “It was lovely for the players to meet Victor. It was a reminder of how many people have played for the club over the last 150 years.
“It’s also nice to think that there’s a little part of White Coppice in California.”
On June 22nd the world’s oldest active cricket club – Marylebone Cricket Club – will play a game at White Coppice during Coppicefest.
The match will form one of centrepieces of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
The MCC XI will be captained by former White Coppice player Peter Deakin, who is thought to be the only Coppice player to have played first class cricket.
The game will be extra special for Peter who returns to play for the first time since his father Reg, died in 2024 at the age of 92 after a 50-year association with White Coppice and the cricket club.