The M.C.C. (Moose Cricket Club) was founded in 1979 by Nick Ogden, Robert Stewart and the late Rob Howie of Merrydown cider company. Based in the Waldron area of East Sussex near the Merrydown orchards, most of The Moose membership originate from that area.

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Although many of the members had played cricket to a high standard at school and university they wanted to play their cricket in a less pressurised environment than was offered by competitive league cricket.

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Moose cricket is not results orientated, and the emphasis is more on the social aspect of the game. The Moose motto of 'NKBV' (No Kif Before Victory, coined by Bob Howie) sums up our attitude to the game.

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Nevertheless The Moose have over the years notched up much success both in the UK and on tour throughout the world. The Moose is a migratory beast, constantly moving to pastures new (we have no ground of our own). The first tour was to the Standard Athletic Club in Paris and the following year the club went to Jamaica and played a variety of clubs on the north coast including the police side in Ocho Rios! Other locations include Rome, Oporto, Menorca, Jersey and most recently Majorca C.C.

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The domestic fixtures have been somewhat varied over the years ranging from pub sides to established Cricket clubs such as the HAC and Bluemantles C.C.

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The Moose can raise it's game no matter what the standard of oppostion. But the convivial spirit in which we play the game means that we always give our opposition a chance to make a game of it. 

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A Bit of Moose History...

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The founder members of The Moose CC met in the ‘Star Inn’ in Waldron, East Sussex, some time during the late 1970's. Nick Ogden, Rob Stewart and the late Rob Howie played a number of games for the pub against ‘The Blackboys Inn’ at around this time. Precisely when they started to call themselves the Moose is hard to say, but they were certainly established by 1981. The origin of the name remains a carefully guarded secret, known only to a few, and even they are not absolutely sure they've got the story right.

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Early members included such luminaries as Chris and Julian Heron, Andrew Walley and Francis Pemberton, to name a few who remain subscription payers.

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At this time, the fixtures were in and around Waldron. As time went on, an attempt was made to establish a home ground at Hellingly Hospital, a local Psychiatric establishment who initially welcomed them with open arms. Many players felt they had found their spiritual home ground, but sadly the hospital was closed - The Moose remains one of only a few clubs to have been adversely affected by the 'care in the community' programme, and they were forced to seek a pasture new.

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By the mid 1980's the club activities had shifted towards Mayfield, and matches were played henceforth on grounds around there, Tunbridge Wells, and Stonegate.

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At around this time, The Moose began to acquire their now famous wanderlust, and the first of many tours took place in 1986 or possibly 1987, depending upon whose point of view one seeks. Most of those who went are sure of the destination however, which was Paris.

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This trip was such a success (in the loosest sense of the word) that a year (or possibly two) later, in 1988 they assembled a large squad to tour Jamaica. Large both in numbers, and individual bulk, as it turned out. Very few touring teams to the Caribbean have boasted a bowling attack averaging 18 stone per man. The Jamaican Weekly Gleaner was suitably impressed, and reported in affectionate terms.

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Subsequent tours have been to Minorca, Rome, Oporto, Majorca, Jersey and France once again in 2002. This time to sunny Saumur, where the hospitality was superb, and The Moose won their first overseas match since Margaret Thatcher was in Downing Street.

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Nowadays the fixture list is much reduced, but the line-up is a happy blend of inexperience and extreme old age, and the future of The Moose looks brighter than it has for some time.