Everyone at Chingford CC is heartbroken to hear of the passing of our oldest member and Past President Ted Sandrock who was aged 101.
Ted passed away on the 18th May and had been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer.
He had a green burial on the 8th June, no ceremony and only a few friends according to his wishes.
A tribute to Ted is below.....
At the time of his passing Ted Sandrock was aged 101, and throughout his life continued the tradition of the Sandrock family’s involvement in Chingford Cricket Club since its formation in 1903. Ted was the father of current Chingford President Geoff Sandrock.
Ted made his debut on 30 April 1949 for the 3rd xi v Buckhurst Hill and promptly hit a half century. Immediately promoted to the 2nd xi and by 1956 he made it into the 1st xi. An opening batsman in the traditional style, Ted sold his wicket dearly and always hit the ball along the ground (rather than the modern day practices). In fact when I spoke to him on his 100th Birthday he took great delight (and almost pride) in informing me that he only ever hit three sixes, and only one of those had been intended with the others being an edge over the slips another a miscue !
Nonetheless a total of 9102 runs in 318 games for Chingford before his retirement in 1971 tells its own story as does his batting average of 33 in an era when a team total of 200 or even 175 was very much a rarity. Along the way Ted compiled 6 centuries and 55 half centuries. An outstanding effort which sees him 31st in Chingford’s All Time Leading Run Scorers.
Ted was instrumental in the success of the Chingford Colts Section in the 1970s and many of us have fond memories of standing in lines practising the backlift and forward defensive for weeks on end together with laps round the ground for any dropped catches in the practice sessions. A glance at 1st xi Chingford scorecards from the 1980s would reveal almost full teams of colts graduates that Ted would have coached from scratch. So many of us have so much to be grateful for from Ted, and not only did he teach us how to play cricket but as importantly we all learned what the standards of Chingford Cricket Club should be and the behaviour that was expected at all times.
I also remember Ted being a willing volunteer whenever a quizmaster was required when he conducted proceedings in his wonderful eloquent style. Ted also heavily involved in innovative Fund Raising initiatives for the Club, like The Triple Top Society and the 100 Plus Club. Ted was also Press Secretary for some time, providing match reports and scorecards to the local papers.
In recognition of his service to the Club Ted was awarded the Presidency in 1981 and subsequently became a Life Vice President in 1984. To this date only 19 members have ever held the honour of being Chingford CC President.
Ted was a baker by trade and given the fact that “early closing” on a Thursday afternoon presented opportunities for further cricket matches it was inevitable to see Ted’s considerable involvement in the North London Bakers CC who used Chingford’s ground for many years.
It was inevitable given Ted’s cricketing pedigree and reputation that he would become Chinghopper 384 in 1958. Ted had the honour of being the Hoppers President in 1989 and subsequently a life Vice President and was always present at the Annual Dinners, even in his nineties. For the Hoppers Ted scored a wonderful 120 in the all day fixture at Gore Court in 1960.
Following his retirement for cricket Ted led an active life with his many interests including tennis, flying and golf. He retained his mobility till the end so even though he had passed his century he was still fit enough to go for short walks
Ted will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with the Sandrock family at this sad time.