The Vault

Billy 'hit the ground running' at North Down 1n 1989 when he took 3 wickets for 34, including prolific run maker Decker Curry, at Rathmines in the victorious Irish Cup Final against Donemana. Two years later at The Meadow he...

Billy was a very popular member and wicketkeeper of the sucessful 4th XI and with son David made many contributions to the 4th XI in particular.  

Local businessman, based where Hardy's currently stands, who played as a 1st XI opening batsman both pre and post  1st World War. Albert made his Senior Challenge Cup debut in 1908 scoring 37 in the final against Cliftonville. He went...

Very capable high order right hand batsman and capable wicket keeper for the 2nd XI. Like a number of successful North Down cricketers, his early cricket was at the neighbouring Ards club where his father and uncle made big contributions.

James Andrews was born in 1877 and after attending “Inst” he was accepted at Trinity College Dublin in 1896 to study law. He was an outstanding legal student who rose to the lofty status of Lord Chief Justice in 1937...

One of the children of Thomas Andrews Snr, John Miller was particularly close to his brother Thomas. Both young men played their cricket mostly on the 2nd XI and for a time John Miller captained the side and led them...

The journalist for ‘The Irish Athletic and Cycling Record’, known as ‘busy bee’, had a difficult task in finding an opportune time to interview John for the article on ‘Leaders in Sports and Pastimes’ destined for the first issue in...

RMS Titanic was the second of a trio of luxury superliners designed to provide an express transatlantic service for the White Star Line. She was built at Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast and was the largest passenger steamship in...

Willie Andrews was president of the Irish Cricket Union in 1948 and 1952, chairman of the Northern Cricket Union from 1948 to 1966, captain of North Down 1st XI from 1910 to 1949 (excluding 1947) and club chairman and godfather...

Iain has represented the club for many years and at the tender age of 14 played for the Lords Taverners  and followed this achievement by being selected for the NCU under 15s. At this time he played on the very...

Billy was a long serving member during the late 50s through to the 70s and was involved in many aspects of the club. In 1957 under the 2nd XI captaincy of Alan Simpson, young Billy played a major role in...

With brothers Billy and Peter firmly entrenched at The Green it was always the hope that Denis, a top class wicketkeeper, would join them. He had been a fierce opponent when Collegians and North Down met in the league and...

Born before the Great War, Jim Barry’s life spanned over 90 years during which he served North Down manfully for over 70 of them. He donned many roles not least as club chairman from 1966 to 1979 during the challenging...

Norman, a left hand batsman and wicketkeeper, first played for the very successful Boys' XI under coaches Jimmy Boucher and Roy Thompson. In 1965 he scored 65 against Bangor in the Graham Cup and captained the side the following year...

Roy played for the Junior teams on occasions as a batsman and featured in a Minor Cup game against North of Ireland with team mate Robin Mitchell seeing the side home. He also played for the North Down side in...

Jimmy was a highly respected teacher in Comber Primary School for many years and thereafter a first class swimming instructor. He coached and managed the youth under 15 side at the club for 20 years and was himself a wily...

One of a few players who could have played at the top level locally. A Qualifying League A winner in 1955 he was an aggressive batsman and excellent fielder. He won the club's 1st XI batting award in 1955 and...

Malcolm Campbell came through the ranks playing for the 2nd XI in the 50s where the O'Prey brothers, Miller and David, scored most of the runs supported by a growing input from a young Campbell.  His first century came in...

As an Ards youth and a sporting enthusiast, it was perhaps inevitable that Ian’s Regent House School rugby led to an association with the successful Ards rugby club, and for a time he played at senior level as an effective...

Darren was a 2nd XI all-rounder and won the prestigious Rosebowl in 2004 and 2005 for top wicket taker. He captained the side in 2005 to the Division 2 Section 1 for the first time in the club's history  and...

A lifetime with his club, Artie came through the very difficult post war years, the team playing at a lower level than ever before and holding on to deflect the unimaginable- further relegation.  Artie and his 1940s/50s colleagues struggled to...

Having played against Ralph in the 2000 and the 2004 Senior Challenge Cup Finals , North Down was fully aware of the talents of the all rounder.  He played at The Green from 2005 to 2009 and was an excellent...

George Combe, a member of the family of engineers that supplied and fitted the machinery for the Spinning Mill in 1863, was also a key player in the side. His batting was of the highest calibre and he wasn’t short...

Fast bowler who arrived with an Irish Passport from New Zealand in 2006 and played successfully with the club until 2010, taking 120 wickets. Went on to win 59 Irish caps before returning to NZ where he is a PE...

Left hand opening bat and slow left arm bowler. Key player on the 2nd XI and occasionally steps up to the 1st XI. Close family ties with the club going way back.

Raymond epitomised everything that was good about the club, on and off the field. He had a distinguished career as an all round sportsman, starting with the Boys’ XI and eventually winning a place in the 1st XI in the...

A true veteran still playing into his seventies Billy has made major contributions on and off the field of play. His first season was 1975  when the 1sts were relegated but he played on the Section 2 league winning sides...

Jack came to The Green from Ards in 1960 and played for 8 seasons proving invaluable to a senior team and club striving to return to top flight cricket. He spearheaded the attack with some pace and took plenty of...

Marty came to The Green in 2003 and was a major part of the success story of the times. He unfortunately sustained an ankle injury in 2004 which, in combination with Peter Shields finger surgery and Taimur Khan's delay in...

Served his cricketing apprenticeship at Ards CC and came as an experienced cricketer in 2000 and made quite an impact as a medium paced bowler and a useful lower order batsman. In the Irish Cup Quarter Final against Pembroke in...

Sammy played in his first Senior Challenge Cup Final in 1897 and won 2 more winners medals a year later and in 1908. He also suffered a 'pair' in 1904 and was on the losing side again in 1909 even...

Tall aggressive 1st XI opening bowler who can cause problems for the best opponents. Peter  played his first Premier League in 2013 and to date has played 109 1st XI games for the club. His role became more defined and...

Jack was an outstanding wicketkeeper during the Second Golden Era winning 12 Senior Challenge Cup Finals and playing a big part in the 8 League wins. Jack somewhat notoriously claimed for 'lost wages' from the NCU after his interprovincial selection,...

An aggressive all-rounder who played a few games for the club in 2010 and 2011, two important moments for the 1stXI included a vital last over 'six' at Pollock Park v Lurgan and taking a 'skyer' at Belmont to dismiss...

Peter began his 1st XI career in 2011 but had played a major role in the youth teams from an early age. He was a key player in the magnificent  winning year 2010 when the under 15s won the Graham...

Darren (Fax) brings a vitality and vision to the Executive Committee and follows in the footsteps of father Sydney who was club secretary for some years. From a young age he followed the fortunes of the sides and  was the...

  Sydney (Syd) came to North Down in 1967 and served the club with distinction on and off the field for 40 years. As a batsman he was technically sound and built his innings purposefully. A memorable 'knock' at Stormont...

In 1999 Andrew led the 4th XI to a rare league win picking up the Division 4 Section 2 trophy and captained the 3rd XI to an encouraging 4th place in 2004. Always enthusiastic, Andrew did a lot in introducing...

As with most long serving players, Jimmy experienced the great days with the not so good, and as a member of the 1975 Cup Final team he experienced the latter, although he took a creditable 3 for 21 in the...

Son of much  admired James (Jimmy), Ryan played most of his cricket for the 2nd XI and was a very useful all rounder, being a match winner with bat and ball and a member of the 2006 Jumnior Cup Winners. ...

John was a high order right hand batsman and also a very useful slow medium paced bowler.  His great strength, and weakness was hooking and his ability to bowl straight was more than useful in the dreaded 'bowl out'. He...

It would be interesting to do the sums in relation to the vast amounts of sponsorship finance raised by Wesley over the years. He was the go to man when funds were required and he rarely disappointed. On the field...

Robin Haire may not have emerged from a strong cricketing background, but by the mid-Nineties he had established something of a dynasty at North Down, with sons Ryan and Andrew much to the fore, father Sammy a doyen stalwart and...

For someone who never played the game Sammy gave a large proportion of his latter years to North Down CC in many different guises. One of his greatest gifts to the club of course was his talented cricketing son Robin,...

Founder member and driving force behind the establishment of the successful ladies section of the club. Also 'broke the mould' by becoming the first regular female player in the men's team and now the veteran captain of the 4thXI.

Although domiciled in Barbados since 1996, Clarence Hiles has remained in close contact with North Down Cricket Club and Irish cricket in general. His boyhood dreams of emulating the great North Down cricketers of the past were largely ‘kept on...

After his marriage to Maureen in 1971, Lawrence Hunter moved to live in Comber and joined North Down from Lisburn. He was to make a huge impact at the club during the Seventies. At the time, the big strapping pace bowler...

Not many clubs can boast of having a first class Irish Cricket International analyst. When he is not globe trotting with the Irish squad, Scott makes an appearance with a North Down team. He is capable with bat and ball...

One of the best batsmen to play at The Green, David was a high order batsman who made major contributions particularly in the big games. He was a good slip fielder who bowled one critical over in the cup final...

David Kennedy arrived from Holywood and gave the club a season where in 2011 he bowled right arm medium pace and the records for that year show that he bowled 52.1 overs of which 5 were maidens taking 9 wickets...

Taimur hailed from the Peshawar region in the north of Pakistan. He holds a degree in law but worked for the Allied Bank of Pakistan, that is whenever he was not representing their very successful cricket team in the national...

The Legend of Raman Lamba No player in post-war Ulster cricket made a bigger impact than Raman Lamba. He was a legend in his time and gave the club a huge boost. However it may surprise many people to learn...

Played on every team at the club and the proud winner of Senior Challenge Cup medal and others. Great advocate and participator in youth work.

Cricketing family background with Downpatrick, Keith has been a playing member at The Green for a good many years, after a spell at his old club. (More to Follow)

Excellent medium pace bowler who has led the attack on the women's side and made great contributions on the men's 4th XI side. Stacci is currently (2021) secretary of the club and is also heavily involved in the NCU coaching...

Colin (Gatch) has been a vital member of the club for many seasons and is the current Vice Chairman. Living on the periphery of The Green he knows more than most what goes on around the ground on a nightly...

1st XI slow right arm bowler and an excellent slip fielder, Derek played in the seventies, took plenty of wickets and catches and played in the prestigious Ballymena and RUC sixes.

Charles 'Charlie' McCrum played for North Down from 1990 to 1996 and during that time was one of the leading all-rounders in the country, helping the 1stXI to both All-Ireland and Challenge Cup success with a series of outstanding performances...

The 1995 Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup Final North Down v Bready was arguably the most dramatic final of this competition and is remembered for Charlie McCrum bowling Alan Rutherford for a 1 run North Down victory.  With a 98...

One of the great North Down 'characters' Hugh was a knowledgeable cricketer who experienced the game at Hove and The Green. A left hand bat in the classical mode and a teller of many good cricketing stories. Known affectionately as...

Having taken 4 for 45 against Bangor in the 2nd round of the Senior Challenge Cup, Gavin played in the 2004 Cup Final against Belfast Harlequins and took 2 for 40 in the 1st innings and 2 for 53 in...

One of the stars in the 'dream team' of the late twenties and thirties, DGR was a classical stylish often opening batsman. He was also a capable slow bowler who was denied the opportunities in the 1st XI, already, at...

Grandson of Tommy Maxwell, a Senior Cup winner in 1920, David has played for the club since boyhood and has captained and given his knowledge to the very good young generation in the mid nineties. He has played at every...

A true Comber man, Tommy was the inspirational opening bowler in 1919 and the early 1920s producing match winning figures game after game. In the 2nd round of the Senior Challenge Cup 1n 1919, he took a remarkable 7 for...

Having been introduced to cricket in the area, Victor played his games at North of Ireland in 1932 but by 1934, and persuaded by Walter Wishart with whom he had worked in Kenya, he transferred to The Green for 3...

With his brother, Freddie was originally a Cliftonville player but where his brother Wesley stayed at the family club, Freddie ventured to The Green and was a more than useful all rounder with an emphasis on his batting. He played...

Resilient opening batsman who was a popular captain of the 1stXI in 1999 when the league title was won for the first time in 63 years, Challenge Cup winning captain the following year. Also captained Colts Cup winning team in...

Jonathan arrived at The Green from Ards CC at the same time, as friend Paul Davidson and was usually the opening bat on the 2nd XI and sometimes played on the 1st XI.  In 1991 he was 12th Man in...

A big hitter and a very good fielder, David was often the go to man when there was a place to fill in the 1st XI in a crucial match although his work often kept him from the field.  He...

One of the most consistent wicket takers in the history of the club, Martin's deceptive slow bowling has lured top class batsmen to their downfall. Every medal in the cupboard but the elusive Irish Cup.

A big man in North Down cricket, Raymond has an outgoing personality, particularly good at welcoming visiting teams and guests to The Green and assuring them that the playing surface is the best in Ireland. He certainly has spent hours...

Garson, another Ards man with a famous brother, was a very capable 1st XI player in the late 70s and 80s. He was a particularly good fielder and a middle order batsman and a winner of an Irish Senior Cup...

Very talented sportsman who has ability to make a big contribution on the 1st XI with bat and ball at the premier level.

Miller played for the 1st and 2nd XIs during the seventies and followed a great family tradition, following his father, Miller and uncle David who played in the fifties.

David, or Davy John as he was affectionately known, was a sportsman of some note as a footballer who played for Comber Rec at their prime. He was also a very useful left arm slow bowler and a great cricket...

John has always had a great love for the game and was involved in the early 60s with the Dundonald League .Shortly after he became the official scorer for the 1st XI, a position he held for many years. He...

One of the highlights of Michael's 1st XI career was the matchwinning performance in the final of the Irish Cup in 1989 when, in partnership with Billy Docherty, he steered the side to victory under difficult circumstances. He captained the...

The Michael Reith affair The shock news in 1980 that North Down had signed Michael Reith, the Waringstown and Ireland international all rounder, was greeted with amazement in local cricketing circles. Michael was Waringstown born and bred, the team’s opening...

Zimbabwian born Carl came to The Green in 2017 and impressed as an all - rounder. He has developed into an excellent leg spin bowler and has warranted a call up for the Interprovincial Northern Knights side.

Gavin spent most of his early formative days in Southern Africa and played a good standard of cricket as a youth. His strong connections with Comber brought him to The Green where he played off and on from 1995 to...

Played in the North Down boys teams before beginning his senior career at Instonians. Returned to The Green and became a key member of  the Third Golden Era squad causing chaos with the opposition opening attack with a very aggressive...

Adrian hailed from the North West and played interprovincial cricket there. With brother Lionel he came to The Green during the mid nineties playing 4 seasons from 1992 to 1995. He won a Senior Challenge Cup medal in the tied...

Robert James Semple was ordained as minister of 2nd Comber Presbyterian Church in 1897 and founded the Boys' Brigade company 2 years later - to become the 50th Belfast Battalion. One of the 90 in the WT Graham album.

Current 1stXI Captain who lifted the Robinson Cup in 2020, stylish right-handed batsman and occasional off-spinner who played on the successful youth teams of the early 2000s. Former Under 19 international and senior interprovincial player.

Oldest player to represent the club in a competitive fixture, Don has played in all teams from the Boys' XI in the fifties until 2018 when he played for the fourths. Initially a 1st XI opening bowler and opening bat,...

Jack's 1st XI career began in the mid 20s and continued through until the mid 30s. He was aquick opening bowler and a very useful middle order batsman. Brother of Billy and uncle to Don and Ian.

Peter has been steeped in the traditions of North Down from an early age, hearing the stories about his grandfather Billy and his brother Jack and their successes in the 20s and 30s. Also hearing and witnessing the ups and...

Billy Shields played his cricket from a young age at The Green, playing for the 1st XI in the mid to late 1930s as a middle order batsman and slow bowler and was a member of the 1936 double winning...

A dedicated club man, Alan has actively served on committee and played on all elevens from an early age, reaching a pinnacle in 1994 with a Senior Challenge Cup winners medal. He was a hard hitting middle order batsman and...

Andrew came to the club in 2008 and played for the 1st XI for 5 seasons. The big Aussie was a solid left handed opening batsman, scoring plenty of runs. He won a Senior League medal in 2008. (more to...

As a teenager in 1894, David played in the Junior Cup winning side with Thomas Andrews, a side captained by John Miller Andrews  against Springfield.  In 1899 and 1900 North Down opted out of competitive league games and David along...

A very talented Comber sportsman who played football for Comber Rec., rugby at Ards, hockey and cricket at The Green and even billiards/snooker in the 'big hall' all very successfully. He also was Treasurer at The Green from 1968 -1972...

Times were not easy for the club after the 2nd WW and but for the hard work and perseverance of members like Roy in the late 60s, the club would have been in dire straights. Roy guided the boys XI...

An enthusiastic and wicket taking slow bowler who played mostly for the 2nd XI and should have played a lot more 1st XI cricket. Always a smile and an encouraging word, Willie was a popular team member.

David has had family connections with the club going back a few generations but most recently with his illustrious father Walter and late brother Peter. David has played throughout the club, the highlight probably being the 1994 tied Senior Challenge...

The name of Walter Wishart first appeared in North Down scorebooks as long ago as the mid-Forties and was still around in the mid-Eighties. Rarely was it seen outside the 1st XI until he stepped down voluntarily in 1979 to...

Sammy was a very useful left hand batsman in the Junior teams and won a league medal with Jimmy Boucher's 3rd XI in 1967. They won Section G of the 2nd Division of the Qualifying League and Sammy scored 184...

David was one of three brothers who played originally for Saintfield, Downpatrick and North of Ireland before he found his way to The Green. By then he had already played in 3 Senior Challenge Cup Finals with NICC losing 2...

A dual sportsman at The Green  playing down the teams at cricket and as a senior goalkeeper in hockey. Raymond was a capable wicketkeeper playing on the 4th XI when they won the Minor Qualifying Cup and Division 4 Section...