A Review of the 1923 Season
The 1923 season was totally overshadowed by the tragic death of 1st XI Vice-Captain Bill Riding
The Woodford Times on 25 May 1923 picked up the story
SAD DEATH OF MR HENRY W RIDING
Local lovers of sport have been much shocked by the death of Mr Henry W Riding, second son of Mr and Mrs JB Riding of Forest Side, Chingford. He was taken ill on Saturday. A second doctor was consulted on Monday, and an operation performed. A London specialist also saw him, but he died of blood poisoning on Monday night at the age of 23. The deceased, who was an Old Bancroftian was an ardent cricketer (the Essex Captain spoke very highly of him when he played for the county last season) and a keen football and tennis player. He held a commission in the Navy during the war, and was on duty when the German ships surrendered. The deceased is a nephew of Mr Henry Riding FRCO of Chigwell. He was interred in Chingford Churchyard yesterday (Thursday) A very large congregation included many of his former colleagues in sport. A large number of handsome wreaths were sent by his relatives, personal friends, the Chingford Cricket Club, the Chingford Football Club, Chingford Juniors, his two City firms, etc
The Club was managed as explained in Club Rule 4:-
…this Club shall be managed by a General Committee consisting of the five Guarantors called the Finance Committee, Cricket Committee, Tennis Committee, Captains, Vice-Captains, Hon Treasurer, Hon Match Secretary and Hon General Secretary, any ten members to form a quorum.
It appears that this era was pre Club Cricket Conference with instead, the club being affiliated to the London and Southern Counties Cricket Conference
Not a huge amount s known of the 1923 season, although the fixture card survives – it appears that three Saturday sides were now run along with a Thursday Eleven. Len Pugh was Captain , with Mr A Cornish Captain of the Tennis Section. Rev AM Batty was President and Club Patrons were Lord Lambourne PC, CVO and Bri-Gen RB Colvin CB MP. Playing subscriptions for cricket were now 31/6
Ominously for local batsmen, the name Downes appeared on the Chingford teamsheet for the first time.
Gordon Downes scored 104 v Southend for the 1st eleven and WF Barkas 73* v Woodford Thursday while with the ball W Barkas took 6 wickets v South Woodford.
Interestingly on 14 July, Chingford 2nd XI rattled up 300-7 v Walthamstow 2nds with Freddie Fedrick hitting 79. Chingford’s declaration was so late they gave Walthamstow just 90 minutes to get the runs !!