5 questions with Vernon Angel!

Vernon Angel was undoubtedly one of Acton’s greatest players in the 1980s. In each of 1980, 1985, 1986 and 1990 he scored more than 1400 runs for the club, making him one of the top run scorers for Acton of all time.

You could have taken your pick of any club in Middlesex, why did you choose Acton?

Vic Gregory was the reason I chose Acton. When I met Vic I was playing for a West Indian team alongside another former Acton player, Winston Farrell. We were chatting cricket one day with Vic and he suggested that I joined Acton C.C. Everyone was friendly and welcoming when I came down, so it didn’t take a lot of persuasion.

You played in some great Acton sides and alongside some great players. What memories do you have of those days?

I have tons of great memories of some good innings and some great trips down to Sussex on tour. The memory that comes to mind is with Vic, putting on over 100 for the opening stand and then I went on to score a big century. It was always my intention while playing for Acton to give 100% effort every game I played in.

You hold a remarkable club record with more than 1500 runs, 111 wickets and 31 catches in one season. It’s an incredible achievement – how did you manage it?

I have often wondered that myself! As I said, I always gave 100% on the field, and that factor combined with playing with some great team players and a bit of luck helped me to achieve those stats.

What are you up to these days?

I am still keeping myself fit and was playing cricket up until two years ago. I only gave it up as the team I was playing for wanted to play a different format of cricket; more like softball and that wasn’t for me. I joined a dominoes club years ago and play often and am still playing table tennis. I continue to work in the construction field with no plans to officially retire any soon.

Can you name your all time greatest Acton side?

I cannot really pick the best or greatest side because we had so many good players at Acton over the years I was there. During my time I enjoyed playing with Vic Gregory, Pooran Singh, Winston Farrell, Mike and Vish Jadunath and of course Matty Turnell.