Perpetual Trophy Biographies

The club awards a number of perpetual trophies named after individuals who have made significant contributions to the club.

W H H (Bill) Costelloe (Club Championship)

Bill Costelloe was one of the most significant figures in Hampton’s long history. He joined the club when it reformed after the first world war and remained a force as both a player and administrator for the next 30 years. He was a fine cricketer in his own right having captained the 1st XI for a number of seasons and winning the 1st XI batting and bowling averages several times including the double in 1937-38 and 1938-39.
However, he is probably best remembered as Hampton’s foremost administrator of that era. He served as President of the club for many years but also filled numerous other roles including curator, social organiser, correspondent, association delegate and selector. He was the cornerstone of the club for over a quarter of a century.

R L (Ron) Patterson (Club Championship runner-up)

Ron ‘Banjo’ Paterson was one of the key on-field contributors to Hampton’s successful rebuilding during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Ron was a fierce competitor, a great fast bowler and aggressive lower order batsman. With another club legend, Kevin Gleeson, he formed one of the most feared opening attacks in the VTCA at that time. He was an extremely popular club-man and his sudden and untimely death at age 29 devastated the club. The R L Paterson trophy was struck in his honor and memory.

J T (Jim) Kenny (Killara Medal)

Jim Kenny is truly one of the club’s greatest players and was the first to reach 300 games. Starting in 1959-60, Jim amassed 350 games, scored 8,675 runs with a top score of 149, took 36 wickets and completed 199 dismissals. Some would argue that all this was achieved with scant attention to training! Jim’s classical batting technique, coupled with his deep understanding of the game, equipped him to be a successful junior coach later in his career. His off-field contribution included many years as Secretary and further periods as a committee member, and in more recent times, ‘The Godfather’ to whom many have turned for sound advice.

Grantley Evans (1st XI batting average)

Unusually for a Life Member, Grant did not play cricket. He is remembered as one of the great administrators, serving at various times as President, Treasurer, delegate, 1st XI scorer and Chairman of Selectors. He did not confine his activities to Hampton, as he was also a member of the then VJCA (now known as VTCA) executive for several seasons. On moving to Queensland, he was appointed Secretary of the Queensland Cricket Association in 1980-81, one of his early discoveries being that the score book from the famous tied Test of 1960-61 had been disposed of in the interests of saving space.

George Jackson (1st XI bowling average)

George, competitive, uncompromising and with a temperament usually associated with fast bowling was an all rounder of distinction. A powerful and aggressive batsman and orthodox left arm slow bowler whose principal weapons were flight, control and accuracy, he played all bar the first three of his first 90 games in the 1st XI, won the Club Championship three times between 1960 and 1969, captained the 1st and 2nd XIs for several seasons and was also a long serving committeeman. A contemporary report described him as ‘the most colourful, aggressive and provocative player in South A’. Equally, he was the first to invite the opposition to join him for a beer after the game.

R J (Bob) Kilkenny (4th XI batting average)

One of the club’s genuine characters, ‘Killa’ was an attractive batsman and a bowler of some of the slowest and highest flighted leg-breaks in the history of senior cricket. Being a teacher, his appearances were limited as he spent several seasons in country postings. He was a member of the 2nd XI which posted Hampton’s record score of 459. After a turf career spent chiefly in the seconds, he returned in the late 1960’s to captain the 5th XI in the CMCA. His side, colloquially known as Killa’s Commandos, included a high proportion of juniors, many of whom became the backbone of Hampton on and off the field over the next three decades. He was an extremely humorous raconteur whose style and content of match report is fondly remembered by players of his era.

Len Manzie (outstanding wicket-keeper)

Len commenced his career in 196, and despite having been absent from the club for some years, became the third player to reach the coveted 300-game milestone some time ago. Len has now played 384 games – a club record. During his career, Len has scored 4776 runs, with a highest score of 91* and completed 300 dismissals (251 catches and 49 stumpings). After abandoning his wicket-keeping role some years ago, Len confounded everybody by re-inventing himself as a bowler! Not only did he win a 6th eleven bowling average one season, but his unconventional bowling action has seen the end of 67 batsmen to date – so much for the unimaginative captains who refused to give him a bowl, and those who said he would never take a wicket!

Whilst Len has made a great contribution on the field, this pales into insignificance when compared to his off-field activities. Len has at times been Secretary, Treasurer and committee-man for many years, all of which duties he discharged without fuss, but with great commitment and competence. Len has won the Harry Sutton Trophy for Best Clubman three times, but, such has been his contribution in so many ways (and over such a lengthy period of time), there would have been little complaint from anybody if it had been awarded to Len every year. Perhaps the only aspect of Len which exceeds his contribution to the club is his personality – he has a generous nature, a wonderful sense of fair play, a great sense of humour and is genuinely respected by all who are, or have been, at the club during Len’s time.

Max Grimmer (best 1st XI player)

Max Grimmer started his career in 1958-59 and his on-field contribution can be explained only partly in his impressive statistics – 340 games, over 2800 runs and a sensational 688 wickets. He has also been a highly regarded captain of both the 1st XI and 2nd XI, with a reputation for astute tactical judgement, an uncompromising attitude to success, but with an ability to get the best out of most players. His trophy cabinet contains many examples of the bowling averages he has won, plus many other visible reminders of his on-field skills, including the highly-prized Killara Medal.

Max’s on-field contribution has also extended to being Chairman of Selectors on many occasions and preparation of the David Street wicket. Above all, Max has always been an astute adviser on almost every aspect of cricket and his opinion has been as highly-valued as it has been sought. His off-field contribution has also been extensive and was recognised in the award of Life Membership some years ago, as well as the Harry Sutton Trophy in 2001-02.

Harry Sutton (best club person)

Harry Sutton joined the Hampton Cricket Club in the mid 1950s at a time when the club was descending to one of the lowest points in its history. A few people stood between the club and extinction at that time and prominent among those was Harry Sutton.

As President he used his great people skills to galvanise support for a rebuilding program and laid the foundations for the modern club. Among other things he presided over the club’s expansion from two to four teams and the introduction of junior cricket to Hampton for the first time. After his retirement he remained an enthusiastic organizer of the Hampton past players group. The Harry Sutton trophy was struck in recognition of his outstanding contribution at such a critical point in the Club’s history.

JM (John) Kenny (Junior Club Championship)

Although he was only directly involved at the Club for a little over a decade, John Kenny’s influence at Hampton was profound. He was one of a small group of club members who initially saved and later rebuilt the club during the late 1950s and early 1960s. John was the driving force behind many initiatives including the establishment of the Hampton juniors, developing the now famous “statistical reviews” and undertaking extensive research on the Club’s early history. Apart from his contribution to the Club’s administration he was also fine opening batsman in the successful teams of the 1960s, a part time left arm spinner and a classic cover fieldsman.

Mike McLean Team of the Year

Michael “Macca” McLean joined Hampton in 1978/79. Whilst he made a strong contribution on the field playing 205 club games and winning a Killara Medal and Club Championship in one season as well as playing in the 1998/99 4th XI premiership, it was his off-field contribution that will prove his legacy.He served on committee in two stints from 1985-90 and 1997-2004; serving as Treasurer for 3 years, Vice-President for 4 years and Chairman of Selectors for 6 years. In this role, he brought in the Team of the Year concept that remains a pivotal award at the club today. He was also awarded Life Membership in 2003.

Macca pursued his dream of becoming a sports reporter and football commentator and carved out a distinguished career particularly in his later years with Triple M. His contribution to the Club’s centenary celebrations can not be understated and he will forever be remembered for his roles as MC at the Centenary Celebration and as a narrator to the club history.

Vince Palamara (‘Duck of the Year’)

Vince Palamara (‘Ponga’ to his friends) has been at the club since 1975, when he commenced his junior career as a pace bowler who eventually claimed a total of 69 wickets. Over his career, he established himself as a quality batsman who has made almost 4,500 runs, with a top score of 125 – this belies the trophy which carries his name. He is also a fine gully fielder. Vince has been a constant and willing contributor to the club in all aspects and has delighted his friends with some of social antics, especially when he still had the fires of youth burning within!

Alan Broadbent (‘The Broadie’ – Most Improved)

Alan Broadbent, or “Broadie”, as he was universally known, joined Hampton in 1981 and, at age 45, began a wonderful career with the club both on and off the field. Over the next 25 years he played 255 games, scored over 1000 runs and completed 350 dismissals behind the stumps.

These statistics tell of a man very dedicated to his cricket but they reveal only a very small part of Broadie’s contribution to Hampton. At various times he assumed the role of President, Secretary, Vice President and was a member of the General Committee for many years. He also played a prominent part in the organisation of the Club’s centenary celebrations in 2008. Even when he held no formal office he gave generously of his time and was always a source of wise counsel not only in relation to club matters but at a personal level as well.

Broadie loved the camaraderie that existed at Hampton and contributed greatly to it. He had an eye and an ear for the quirkier side of club life and had a gift for weaving strange stories from the past into his wonderful MC performances at club events. His invention of the Vince Palamara Award for the “Duck of the Year” is further testimony to his love of the unusual and his understanding of what makes a club’s heart beat.