5 Questions with Uncle Phil and Uncle Den

Acton C.C. is fondly talked about by many of its members as a ‘family club’. There is no better example of this – both figuratively and literally - than the Hunt family, whose affiliation with Acton has spanned nearly 50 years.

 The first Hunts at Acton were brothers Philip (‘Uncle Phil’) and Dennis (you guessed it, ’Uncle Den’). As well as having successful playing careers with the clubs, and still being proud supporters and Honorary Life Members of Acton, their legacy with the club lives on with Uncle Den’s son James and Uncle Phil’s son Keith both mainstays of the 1st and 2nd XIs over the last 20 years. Keith’s brother, Tony ‘Sven’ Hunt has been a cornerstone of the Colts section and 4th XI throughout a critical period for our club.

 Few have seen Acton C.C. change as much as Phil and Den over the years, which they talk about in the latest 5 Questions feature….

 When did you first join the club and how did you discover Acton?

 Uncle Den: I first joined Acton Cricket Club when I was 28 years old, which was in 1972-73. My brother, Philip, asked me to come and watch his brother-in-law Richard Crew and that’s when it all began. I don’t regret it for one minute, except breaking my jaw in a match.

Uncle Phil: I first went down to watch my brother in law Richard Crew play for West Kensington C.C, as the club was formerly known. The club house was a small wooden hut at the bottom of the field where the Ground Keeper stores his equipment now.

When I finished playing football I was asked to play for Acton C.C., That was in 1972, I started in the 3rd eleven under the Captaincy of Jim Hale.

What were your earliest memories of the club?

 Uncle Den: I remember the club house being a green wooden hut, which everyone was really pleased with as they had just moved into it from a hut at the bottom of the ground. The consistent faces at the club were welcoming. From Harry Deegan behind the bar to the tea ladies that gave up their time at the weekends to feed us cricketers.

 Apart from the cricket, Acton Cricket and Tennis club was a very social club and I have fond memories of members putting on cabaret shows to entertain us all. 

 The summer fayres were a big hit each year. Philip and I would help to put up the swinging boats for the children (thank goodness health & safety wasn’t a big issue in those days!). There were all kinds of stalls. Gwen’s bring a bottle stall and Joan Hoskins’ doll stall. One year, Ricky Palmer even arranged pig racing with his farmer friend from Devon. It was hard work but all members mucked in and had a great time.

 I also have great memories of the Devon & Sussex tours. This was a big trip for the Hunt family as there were so many of us we had to hire our own mini bus which became known as “The Hunt Mobile”.

 Having seen the club change and evolve over many years, what’s your take on where Acton is today?

 Uncle Den: Changes had to happen for the club to survive but to see it go from a green wooden hut, to our first brick building and then a massive jump to the Park Club was difficult. We were still Acton cricket club with its friendly atmosphere but maybe we lost the family feeling along the way. I suppose becoming a social member and not a playing member doesn’t help but it comes to us all!

 From what I have seen so far, it looks like the move back to our own building will bring back that tight, family community.

 How big a role has the club played in your family?

 Uncle Den: Acton Cricket club has played a big part in mine and Auntie Pam’s life. It was like an extended family especially at tea time when Auntie Pam had to feed those hungry cricketers. We have made many good friends along the way and we will always feel a part of the club especially as the Hunts still have family members playing and coaching in the club after I joined 47 years ago.

I hope this continues for many, many years.

Uncle Phil: We have always thought of Acton CC as a family club - most of the team would bring their wives and children to the games, especially on a Sunday.

Most of the young boys that came to the games later joined the colts section managed for many years by Mr Richard Ankerson. I will always remember my son Keith’s first game for the under 10’s - it was played at Fuller Smith and Turners ground in Chiswick. Keith was 8 at the time and he took a wicket with his very first ball bowled. We had so many good players that came through the colts section (way too many to mention them all) who went on to play for the senior teams, and most of them still call us Uncle Phil and Uncle Den along with our wives Auntie Jackie and Auntie Pam. They are all grown up now and have their own Families but to this day they still call us Uncle Phil and Uncle Den.

What’s your all time Acton XI?

 Uncle Den:

1.      Dick Ankinson

2.      Bob Motley

3.      Stevey Sankar

4.      John McCormack

5.      Hugh Williams

6.      Ernie Pine

7.      Ricky Amore

8.      Roy Jefferies

9.      Charlie Brown

10.   Jim Hale

11.   Nigel Basterfield

12.   Bob Wolff

Uncle Phil: 

1.      Vernon Angel

2.      Vic Gregory

3.      Pooran Singh (c)

4.      Sheik

5.      Winston Farrell

6.      Tony Allder (wk)

7.      Sid Seymour

8.      Chris Carter

9.      Roy Braithwaite

10.   Joe Burke

11.   Richard Crew