Tony WOODHOUSE

Mr Hythe & Dibden he was and still called by those who know him. Tony played for Hythe over 52 years before his body could take no more.

Tony started playing in 1947 when his father in law, who was skipper at the time was one player short. From there on it was either he or Alan Wiltshire who would captain or vice captain the Second XI through the sixties,seventies and early eighties. When Alan retired Tony took on the Sunday 2nd XI right upto the ninties.

A self taught spin bowler Tony took over thirty five wicket hauls during his time with the club. He also took all 10 wickets in a game against Purbrook & Portsdown during the eighties.

Tony has also served as Treasurer of the club for over 25 years and he also had spells as first team umpire and chairman.

His highest score as a batsman was 86 against East Tytherley. He said he enjoyed playing at Tytherley because of it being a small ground and sixes were easier to hit. Tony was happy to go in at number 11 and on many occasions hit the side out of trouble.

Tony had a good year with the bat in 1969 scoring fifties against Old Tautonians (50) and Old Edwardians (54)

He took 7 wickets in an innings on no more that 12+ occasions and 8 wickets on 5.

He also became a very good slip fielder and thanked Phil Pick for that. Tony says during the sixties he tried his hardest to get out of the slips but Picky kept putting him back in there.

In 1997 at the young age of 69 Tony still topped the Sunday bowling averages at 16.2 - taking 14 wickets in the process.

The highlight 4 for 33 off 7.2 overs at Highcliffe in a game that was dead and buried after Hythe were all out for just 135. With the opposition 40 for 0 Woodhouse and Paul Summers 5 for 32 then bowled the home side out for 108.

Many of the opposition even now expect to find Tony down at the ground on match days.

Every club has a stalwart - we've been lucky to have had ours for 60 years

Tony Woodhouse - a True Hythe Legend