Peter French Genuine all-rounder. Much loved and very hard working club President. He's a well known face around West Kent cricket grounds. Can bat anywhere and is a very useful off-spin bowler (when he gets the loop going). Regularly scores runs and takes wickets in whatever cricket he plays. ‘Frenchie’ has been considered an Arthur Askey double. Ex-district chairman of The Forty Club. Just don't post him on the boundary, especially if the grass is long beyond it. You may not see the top of his head if he has to hunt the ball. Suffers badly from height deficiency.
	Duncan Innes 'Dunky’. Much respected and appreciated Chairman. Very tight opening bowler who can bat on occasions (has been known to get the odd 50). Probably one of the most consistently accurate bowlers in the district. He works for an organisation that is the national regeneration agency, helping the Government to support high quality sustainable growth in England - claims to have sold ‘The Dome’ in past years.
	Ron Helyar Batsman, wicket-keeper and star fielder. Limitless stamina. Powerful opener whose best shot is through mid-on but has also just about perfected the extra-late cut. Midweek he often features for the Forty Club and when on tour with them is the bookmaker of the team. Often known to dabble in the fineries of on-line betting – so never phone him when there’s a sports match of any sort on TV. Usually found playing cricket when not on the golf course – unless he’s on holiday again! Has now progressed to advanced technology – he’s got himself a computer and an email address!
	Mike Wicks 'Wicksie' is a very, very, very slow bowler (the long run up is three paces) - he's the Murali of the side.....without the spin. Has also been described as a 'lob bowler'. As well as playing for Tonbridge, he also plays for the XL Club and is their first member to clock up over 420 appearances and pass 500 wickets - both are records. Could well have exceeded 600 wickets by now if catches in the outfield had been held. Born in Chislehurst, Kent he is retired (like most XL members are) from banking in order to concentrate on his cricket and keeps fit by being the Tonbridge groundsman. If you need him, you won't get him on a mobile phone or by Email, try the cricket ground or his allotment – he gave up the technical stuff when he left the RAF as a radar operator to join Nat West on a free transfer to count pennies for a living.
	John Simmons Another Tonbridge stalwart and a useful all-rounder who also plays for the Forty Club. If you need a garden makeover, Simmo’s your man – just make sure it’s big enough to make it worth his while. He’s a Chartered Landscape Architect and golf course architect. Rumour has it he’s even designed golf courses in China – a bit too far to go for a take-away for most folk!
	Cyril Davey Useful off-spin bowler who’s played cricket for a variety of clubs in different leagues around Maidstone. Enticed to become one of us through some of the XL Club members. Another retiree who is promoting cricket in school’s in the Maidstone area. Also chairman of Loose CC who he plays for on a Sunday.
	John Bates Wicket-keeper/batsman. ‘Batesy or ‘Big Fella’ in Forty Club and Tonbridge speak, or ‘Basher’ around East Kent where he’s played most of his cricket. Lightning-quick hands: sometimes even too quick for the umpires to have seen (yes they are blind). Joined Tonbridge on a free transfer or put differently, it was the only way to stop Ron Helyar keep phoning him up! If a batsman finds a dark shadow hovering over him, it’s because the big guy is standing up to the stumps like he does more often than not. 30+ years with his previous club before Tonbridge CC. Over 600 victims (431ct, 207st) with previous club and a personal best of 52 victims in 1993 (23ct, 29st). Since 1999 has played in all the top 6 divisions of the Kent Village Cricket League (other than the 2nd) representing two clubs in that period. Author of ‘150 Years of Cricket in Minster: 1848 – 1998’. Webmaster for The Forty Club plus its Kent & East Sussex District website along with various other sports and business websites. His 2005 season was totally decimated by injury and serious illness subsequently this led eventually to a premature retirement from playing - much to the delight of his better half!
?	The next victim..........................
The pen pictures have been supplied by various members and not necessarily by the individuals themselves. No offence to anyone is implied or intended. If you have any other anecdotal comments to include or if corrections /amendments to current entries are required, please contact the website administrator