Why did you become a Middlesex Member?

[Middlesex Cricket]

A thread to discuss what inspired you to join Middlesex Cricket as a member in the first place!

[keithinharrow]

My father enrolled me in 1976 as a Junior Member prior to starting at The John Lyon School in Harrow aged 11; from there I graduated as a MCU Playing Associate whilst playing to Old Lyonians then a Full member. Every year my father would buy my membership as a birthday present and when he passed away in 2003 I was given an envelope by my solicitor to give to Daphne Short and Vinny Codrington in the Middlesex Office-inside was a cheque for Life Membership!

[anthonyhibbert]

I was an Essex member in the 90s (good timing), but moved to London and drifted away from cricket for 20 years. I found myself lured back last summer by the World Cup (good timing again) and suddenly all the old enthusiasm returned. I've spent the winter trying to catch up on what I've missed over the years and, living just a couple of miles down the road from Lords, I took the plunge and signed up for Middlesex membership in February. I was very much looking forward to taking illicit days off work and slipping away to enjoy the Country Championship this summer. Bad timing. 

[rodhomer]

I first joined in the 1960s when I came to London to work. My membership lapsed for a few years when I worked in Birmingham and joined Warwickshire and then in Sheffield where I DID NOT join Yorkshire! Rejoined Middlesex when I returned to London in 1984/85 and have been a member ever since. It is quite a tiresome journey from my village outside Bishop's Stortford to Lords so I don't go very frequently. The increasing use of outgrounds makes travelling even more difficult. I tour overseas with Howzat travel to support England so do get plenty of live cricket. Sadly there won't be much this year.

[middlesexdom]

Only joined this year as I've recently moved down to London. Only early 20s so this was my first plunge into membership, and couldn't say no at not even £6 a month.

Unfortunate the way it's gone, but enjoyed the titbits, guides and perks so far. Booked into the members lunch in September with my dad who brought my up on cricket and will be coming down from Cumbria. Hopefully it goes ahead and I'll also get to sneak away from the office for a few hours to Lords at least a couple of times.

[kena]

I used to play cricket for my school in Gravesend and was introduced to Kent CCC by the father of David Nicholls (the stand in wicket keeper for Alan Knott) who was my mother's boss. I was a Kent member for many years and got to know all the players including Derek Underwood and Colin Cowdrey but subsequently had to give it up when I was sent abroad to work. In recent times as a retiree I was a Middlesex member for a few years when I lived in London but then transferred to Somerset when I lived down in Devon. Now I'm back close to London so decided to rejoin Middlesex earlier this year.

[cakegirl66]

First of all, thanks to the Middlesex staff for setting up this hub and all the other things you are doing to keep us engaged when there is no cricket.

Being a Middlesex girl since birth and being part of a cricket loving/playing family, I have always followed the team, occasionally going to matches and loving Kevin Hands commentary.

I was given a voucher for a year's membership as a birthday present. I had always assumed membership would be expensive and never investigated it. As I expected this to be the only year I'd be a member, I set about attending as many games as I could, as well as any members events. I remember coming to one of the new members tours before a day's play and having the same level of excitement I used to have as a child on Christmas Eve. I still get a thrill when I walk through the gates, see the pavilion and know I'll be watching a days cricket there.

Members, both Middlesex and MCC, have been so welcoming, despite me being new and with so much to learn about the intricacies of the game. Also the players I have met at events have nearly all been fun, good to chat to and seem to appreciate members. They never seem to be forced to spend time with us.

So at the start of the next season, it was a no-brainer, I renewed, attended more games, enjoyed even more members events and my love for the club and players has grown.

[johnmx]

Apr 20, 2020 10:19:50 GMT Middlesex Cricket said:

I joined really in memory of my Dad - I wanted to join a county on retirement and although not a member my Dad had always supported Middlesex so I joined to remember him while watching cricket!

[goldhawk]

I was and still am primarily a Gloucestershire fan but when I moved up to London in 2002, a friend who was a member took me to Lords for the day. Living in Dollis Hill, I signed up for the following summer, and remaining a Middlesaxon by residence (now in Hammersmith), I have been a member ever since.

[jamesm]

Great move Middx CCC, thanks for setting this up.

I'm not a Middx native but I have lived inside the old county boundary on and off since the 90s and I've always been a cricket fan.

I attended a one-day Middx match in 2009. There was a lot of rain, not much cricket and quite a lot of beer. Suddenly membership seemed a great idea so I tottered into the members' shop and haven't really looked back, despite recent frustrations. I don't get to Lord's as often as I would like, maybe six times in a normal season. But this season I had booked a day off work to attend the match vs Berkshire

[thamehoops]

Junior member 92-95, my dad has been a member since 1990. After various trips over the years (2/3 times a season) I Rejoined as an adult member last year after my relationship broke down (needed an escape) And last year I attended most CC home games, even if it was for a couple of hours of some days. You’ll have seen me on my laptop in the Middlesex room “working” also my dad in mid 70s so it was a great way to spend time with him, we went to severel away games too and had planned to do the same this year, was really looking forward to Worcester ☹️

[chunks]

The first year of the T20 at Richmond we were playing Kent they were offering season tickets for £30 which included entry to the match and rest of the season a bargain, never look back or have been sober since.

[chezzers3396]

When Middlesex returned to The Walker Ground in Southgate and I was able to enjoy first class cricket on my door step I was drawn back to my love of the game and have enjoyed the pleasure of being a member since 2004

[janeyo]

Having been born and bred close to Lords, and having a father who was in charge of me every weekend, I spent most summer Saturdays at Lords (and most winter Saturdays at Twickenham). I have therefore supported Middlesex and Harlequins from the age of about 3! When I reached semi-retirement I found I had enough time to actually get to matches and so become a Premiere member which was a wonderful way to get to know past and present players, as well as other members.

[graham]

I was first introduced to MCCC in August 1983, by a colleague who I met when I first started working. As an Essex lad I became an Essex member in 1985, and had membership for 3 years. I then moved to Berks, as it involved getting married. When the marriage broke up in 1997, and I was working close to Lord's, it made sense to become a member of MCCC. I could get to games during the week, after 4pm, and at weekends. In 2013 I upgraded to being a Life Member. I can't wait for this season to start but I fear that it will be a few months yet.