Terry RAWLINS

Ask anyone associated with the club to name their all time top three players and Terry would be in there. A fine all rounder who is still going strong at the highest level with B.A.T Sports. George Knights described him as the most influencial player at the club during his time.

Terry joined Hythe in 1974 from Old Tauntonians who used him as a middle order batsman and change bowler. Knights recognised he was better than this and promoted him up the order to open the innings or number 3 bat and opening bowler. Rawlins quickly became feared by many batsman around the County.

In 1975 Hythe came 3rd in County 1 and the following year 1976 - Terry was dominant as Hythe won the County 1 title and the Sydney Wyatt Cup - taking 48 wickets and scoring 545 league runs including 100* v AWRE.

An injury in 1978 prevented him from bowling and Hythe suffered winning only 4 games in the first season in the Southern League.

In 1979 Terry also represented the Southern League representative side and in 1981 he took 9 for 16 against Poole whilst also winning the man of the match award in Hythe's Sydney Wyatt Cup Final success.

During the 1983 season when Hythe finished runners up in the Southern League Terry took 8-48 bowling spin because an injury prevented him from bowling his normal pace. That season he took 28 wickets and scored 219 runs.

1984 Hythe finished 5th but Rawlins had a cracking season scoring 491 runs including 113 vs Trojans and 106 vs Winchester.

With several of the 83 side now left the club Hythe struggled to 17th and 15th in 1986 & 87 season. During the later Rawlins battled almost single handedly taking 34 wickets and scoring 536 runs in the process which included winning Southern League Player of the Month for June.

At the end of that season with the club struggling to find new players - Terry moved on after 11 years with the club.

George Knights said had he gone to public school then without doubt he would have gone on to play for Hampshire. Knights also said Rawlins was a great clubman who was very active in the bars. As well as being a top batsman and bowler he was also a fine fielder in all positions with a tremendous throwing arm.

We know Terry went onto bigger and better things at Totton & Eling ( B.A.T Sports) but in the Hythe record books Terry Rawlins will always be a Hythe Legend and one of the greatest players to wear the Green Cap.