Greg Aitken

Father figure of the TPE. The only man to have made contact with the club’s immortal patron - the deeply, darkly mysterious Dolores del Schwartz. Aitken epitomised the early years of the TPE before the dark clouds of deregulation, economic rationalism and Alan Jones inspired invective turned the Club into some sort of competitive unit.

Vaughn Davies

There once was a keeper from Wales

A cricketer whose weekly travails

Began with the toss

Culminated in a loss

For the TPE inevitably fails.

Although this little ditty emanated from Ireland it was the favourite song of the TPE's favourite son one Welsh keeper suitably named Vaughan Davies. Davies was a thumping batsman and an extraorinarily untidy keeper whose captaincy skills made Kim Hughes look like a winner. Davies was an expert at the last card on the deck style of captaincy which meant that the last person likely to take a wicket opened the bowling and the last person likely to score a run opened the batting. Davies set the benchmark. A benchmark so dreadfully betrayed by the latter day TPEers, Judas' every last one of them. A benchmark in which the TPE set its standard to the mast of inglorious, routing defeat. Shame on those miserable wretches who have conspired to lower that standard and seek vainglory through (it sickens me to say the word) victory.

Ron Lipovac

Too good for the TPE in the days when Colin Cowdrey was our coaching and fitness advisor. Could bowl, bat and even catch. An abomination. A bloody embarrassment. A disgrace to the baggy gold and all it’s emblem stood for.Played second row for Wests rugby 1st grade for God’s sake. Saw the error of his ways and returned to grade.

Would fit in nicely these days.

Tim Burns

Burns was an enigma. Could’ve been bigger than Mel Gibson had they not blown him up in Mad Max I. Could’ve been bigger than Kim Hughes had he been able to curb his impetuosity. "Johnny the Boy" batted like a thrashing machine on speed. Once nearly destroyed Five Dock Oval single handedly with a quick fire century which remains one the most explosive your correspondent has witnessed.

Burns was one of the many true characters the TPE once boasted before the Hawke/Keating era. One of the Whitlamites. True Dreamer who pined for a world in which the "Internationale’ was Top of the Hit Parade, It was in such an era that a young Gray, still in short pants, first took guard for the TPE.

It is no coincidnece thatGray is the last remaining idealist in the club gone mad, seduced by the "performance based" idolatry of the New Breed.

Al Faulkner

Right arm swing bowler.

One of the TPE's best and crankiest cricketers. Could swing the ball, which makes him a rarity amongst TPE quicks, (unlike the spinners who could all turn it on a sixpence). Faulkner was an outstanding bowler but alas had no understanding of the finer points of TPE cricket. He got frustrated when slips catches went begging. Begging?? What a joke! Couldn't grovel for one. Faulkner fumed at dropped catches and in his heyday they weren't restricted to the slips corden. No-one could bloody catch. Which makes you wonder how many wickets a certain trundler might have taken had the outfielders...but hey that's another story. Faulkner could bat a bit too but his back gave way after falling to his knees once to often as another snick flew towards the boundary. He was carted off to hospital cursing the TPE fielders and anyone else in earshot. I think he might have been one of those would-be actors who have populated the mighty ranks of the TPE over the years and by GOD haven't there been a lot of them. Bloody imposters the lot!! Faulkner was Welsh which provides an interesting link with our first and most imaginative captain, the mighty Vaughan (lose at all costs) Davies.

Steve Wallace

Wallace was once revered by the fans of the TPE and the players looked upon him as a Divine inspiration. That was before the takeover. He bowled his heart out, batted stubbornly and threw himself around the field with gay abandon. The sight of Wallace, headband inplace, fingers tightly gripped around the "cherry" was enough to put the fear of God into the most experienced batsman. He cleverly toyed with their brains as he feigned indecision as to which end to bowl at or which run up to use. He would bound in, stop suddenly, return to his mark, bound in again before delivering the befuddled batsman a ball which changed course, speed and direction many times before finally exploding somewhere in the batsman’s vicinity. As often as not the time honoured chorus of "HOWZAT" followed and another flannelled fool left the crease.

Wallace encapsulated the ancient TPE spirit at a time when winning wasn’t everything and was in fact hardly ever contemplated at all. He was a gentleman cricketer and cricketer’s gentlemen.

Dan Maloney

"Prez". Medium pacer and middle order shot player played crucial role in TPE political upheaval during the eighties. These heady times would come at a cost as the TPE social scrum descended on his Glebe home but Dan was always the consumate host either at post game functions or rugby Test evenings. Over beers and chips in a beer garden or bar he would plot the course the TPE would follow. The TPE are a tribute to his constant nurturing. Has role pivotal in keeping the club together. Owner of the most famous "hammies" in TPE history.

Dom Wilson

Lawyer, rock musician, style setter and the master of the "eight iron" drive over long on. In his baggy white shorts, Raybans, cowboy hat Dom would stand at gully adding character and colour to a TPE afternoon. He kept for a while but it was at the crease that he made his mark. His array of shots was limited, consisting of basically two but he had mastered those to such an extent that he hammered many attackes through the eighties. He either patted the ball back. The forward defensive shot played well. Or he launched the ball into the surrounding yards, roads or canals over long on with a mighty swoosh through the ball. Impossible to bowl to when he had his eye in.

John Sheerin

TPE hard man. The friendly voice behind the GST belies a competitive shot player of the highest order. Fearsome puller and cutter Sheerin played it hard as a man who packed down in the front row for Gordon First XV would. His bucket hands swallowed many a slips chance in the era when nobody bothered to count the catches. Fancied himself as a bowler of spin unfortunately from the non turning school. Il Duce reign as captain remembered for a will to win that caused much brow furrying among chardonnay Left.

Peter Caisley

Playboy all rounder of the highest class. Legendary chick magnet the teetotalling Caisley smashed attacks as an opener or upper order strokeplayer and then bowled them out with his cutters and seamers. Batting avg and number of wickets surpassed only by notches on his bed post.

Ned Manning

Timeless leggie, middle order shotmaker turned tailend scraper and beer garden dancing legend. Teamed with McNamara in Healy/Warne like synergy to spin out those who venture from their crease.Has given colour and movement to the TPE both on and off the field through regimes of every hue. Elder statesman of the True Believers. Social enthusiast whose onfield banter makes him a treat to field near.

Richard Mills

Former Eastwood rugby lineout jumper who used a high action to great effect. The likable Millsy bowled accurate cutters and swingers and proved the perfect foil for tearaways Wallace and O’Brien as his wicket total shows. Genuine number 11 his donning of the pads a signal for a fielding warm up. Cordial vintages still unsurpassed in TPE catering history.

Steve O’Brien

Probably the TPE’s most decorated player. A true champion of the club yet will he settle for being number 2 on the all time wicket takers list? Several years in Japan and TPE fielding has probably prevented him from being well above the 300 mark. " He was a kid with potential, but he had no ticker.." A Townsden

Keith Marshall

Genuine athlete, batsman, bowler and fielder. With the bat could play the stodgy rock to the flamboyant showpony. In your pocket short leg or athletic gully catcher. Bowled handy cutters and champion sledger.

Steve Ivory

Accurate swing and cut medium pacer whose average shows his ability. Craggy features and four kids gave him the look of a bowling grandfather that fooled many a top order batsmen. Used a good bowlers brain to great effect in the "mat" era.

John Brennan

Team psychologist and motivational guru has maintained the TPE’s razor like edge through triumph and tragedy. Played pivotal role in restoring the TPE financial position during the hectic eighties by clever positioning on the agricultural futures market. Brains behind eighties revamp that took the TPE from perennial losers to premiership contenders. Arguably the worst cricketer to don the baggy gold.

Michael O’Neill

Personality player Michael was a glider and a prodder who gathered runs when nobody was looking. His hundred snuck up on in the dead of a late afternoon.Good slip field and left arm finger spinner from the non turning school who fortunately had a very good arm ball. Another bloody actor.

Conrad Gray

"Best player never to score a hundred"winner. Social conscience and cherubic strokeplayer who was born the wrong colour. The subtle wrists of the Subcontinent combined with the back foot play of the Carribean Conrad has played some of the brightest innings ever played in the baggy gold. His friendly offies, classic catches and stumping show his all round prowess. Last of the traditional left and has teamed with Bacic to maintain the social and political correctness of the club.

Antony Townsden

Gritty opener who has mastered the value of the leg glance to its optimium. His average a testiment to his ability to see off the new ball. With Hession formed one of the TPE’s most successful danceteams that played crucial role in premiership winning glory. Perfecter of the "alligator" method of catching.

Shane McNamara

The Bob Menzies of the TPE has ran the organisational machine for the last decade. From carrying the mats to playing the match winning innings the word all rounder is inadequate a description. The hardest hitter of the ball in TPE history has played some of the most memorable shots ever scene whilst maintaining an atmosphere of jocularity and enjoyment for all participants. Best ever TPE keeper, stumpings a gift from the Lord for TPE spinners. Drives the TPE bus as well.

John McDonald

Social legend and skilful bowler of swingers and cutters. Bowling average an indication of his cricket ability. Played many memorable innings remembered by everyone there except himself. Forever missed at gatherings where ales are drunk and tales are told.

Rod Weaver

Former Soapie idol, late blooming legal eagle wicketkeeper and top order batsman. Batted in a weak batting team and often played the important dig. Athletic stump custodian who kept to O’Brien at his most wayward. Captained the TPE during turbulent 80’s .

Shaun Dengate

Strong quick who rarely bowled one in the batsman’s half his intimidation value should not be underestimated. Half of one of the most nostalgic afternoons for this reporter when he and Gray as teenagers opened a second innings at Timbrell in fading light and smashed the attack to all points.

Greg Hession

One the TPE’s best all rounders. Runner up in "best player to never score a century" category. Prolific opener against quality attacks teamed with Townsden to play pivotal role in TPE premiership success. A much underated bowler who moves the ball at a brisk pace. Friendly demeanour hides a steely will and tremendous concentration.

Richard Woolley

The TPE’s most elegant player has all the shots. Classic driver of the ball or back foot slogger has destroyed quality attacks across the NSCA and far off lands. Two time TPE century scorer the likable Tasmanian has played some of the TPE best innings. Deep cricket thinker has taken the reins of the a TPE in transition and handled the job with flair and intelligence. Bowls friendly offies and catches when the sober. TPE running between wickets coach.

Giles Barton

Left arm fast bowling Buddhist and lower order hitter who used ample frame to great effect. Was large part of TPE success in modern era with his abilty to smash through opposing top orders. His cameos late in an innings always played with panache and plenty of action. Perfecter of the "banana" ball.

Craig Ilott

Elegant top order century maker. Strong front player with an excellent off drive has played some important digs against quality attacks. Good company in the field and arguably the TPE’s best ever vocalist.

James Johnson

Class bowler whose stats don’t benefit from career on synthetic pitches. Ability to swing the ball both ways at a lively pace has made him the scourge of upper orders through the NSCA. Bowled one of the greatest spells in TPE history late in the day at Blckman. Gritty lower order batsman has figured in some memorable lower order rallies. Another bloody lawyer.

Glenn Bacic

The "Bagman". Modern day TPE power broker and finance guru who runs the TPE backroom with legendary iron fist. Middle order shot player has led many middle order fightbacks with short leg killing pull shot. Groomed as McNamara successor and brains behind TPE float.

Paul Moorhouse

Off spinning all rounder whose stats indicate his ability. Excellent flighter of the ball and rarely gives wicket away cheaply. His versatility means he has played the steely dig in almost every possie in the order. One of the rare "can catch" fielding fraternity. Another bloody lawyer.

Angus Stevens

From the "hard Friday night" school of match preparation this rookie has played some memorable swashbuckling innings in his first season. Drives the ball hard and often. Boundary hitting specialist whose heavy social schedule puts his fitness to the test every Saturday afternoon. A glowing endorsement to the skill of the TPE conditioners.

Juan Renshaw

Likable top order shot player and "quicker than he looks" medium pacer. His strong straight driving has sapped the morale of many fast men in his short career. A pair of rare safe hands in the field combined with his youth garuantees that he will patrol the outfield for many years to come. Coffee purveyor to such "stars" as Cruise, Reeves and Manning.

Dale Harrison

Philosophising allrounder who led middle order in premiership winning glory. Lively big swinger of the ball and gritty front foot player scored heavily against good attacks in short career. TPE public transport consultant.

Rob Vilensky

Enigmatic lower order slogger and mystery bowler. Has brought colour and style to the TPE look. Unusual fielding technique and "hell for leather" running between the wickets always means he is in the thick of the action. TPE IT guru.

Steve Albin

Late swinging master of the killer spell. Albin single handedly won game after game for the TPE this season with some remarkable spells. The "Inzie" of the NSCA uses guile and skill to bamboozle any unsuspecting young swashbuckler. Mysterious ties to ALP noted by TPE powerbrokers.

Jeremy Sims

Likable thespian and broad shouldered fast bowler has brought some much needed pace to the TPE attack. Bowled some hostile spells against quality top orders, his ability to lift the ball off a length making him a handful with the new ball. Handy middle order shot player and can catch.

Simon Cleary

Simon came to the TPE as a talented wicketkeeper/ batsman. On discovering this Captain of the day McNamara persuaded Simon that he should be a talented opening bowler/batsman. So convincing was the Skippr that in Simon’s first year he was awarded the Player of the Year. Once took three blinders in the slips before an attempted fourth sent him to hospital. Although not present for the institution of the "No Dick heads" policy he became the respected arbiter. Simon left for QLD as one of the club’s bes t all rounders with fond memeories and a broken nose.

Bruce Nettheim

Bruce was not merely a wily leggie but a swashbuckling middle oder batsmen, Yet it was a brutal 68* made as an opener which was his finest moment. He was the second player of the club to make the headband a fashion statement (Steve Wallace was the first) bringing the sweatband from the gyms of th L.A. to the fields of the lower North Shore. Much remembered one time editor of the Sticky - legal action still pending.

Unging

Outstanding outfielder, selfish bowler and unlikey batter.

For many years Ung was the TPE's official mascot and ball retriever. Many a day she would gamely dive into the canal at Timbrell to retrieve a lost ball whilst the men in yellow caps took a moments breather and reflected on the score of 0-250 and decided it was a good day for cricket. A regular at the Oak, Ung was often spotted outside to pub door well after closing time making sure that all the TPEers made it home safely. On one particularly inclement evening, she stayed at Timbrell till well after nightfall, keeping watch over the centre square whilst her erstwhile master carried out Club duties at the Oak. As fate would have it she was rescued by our esteemed editor who now goes under the absurd sobriquet of VFM. Unging was the best actor the TPE ever produced. She snaffled a starring role in Bodyline, and had more close ups than any of the so called thespians of the TPE.

She was a great dog.

The Royal Oak

Pleasant drinking establishment not averse to the company of the female sex. In compiling biogs for the Sticky it seemed appropriate to pen one for the dear daparted Royal Oak. The Oak played a pivotal role in the early and middle years of the TPE. In latter years this little family hotel has been supplanted by a Men's Drinking Hotel which spurns the gentler gender, dogs and conversation involving words of more than one syllable. In days of yore a good thrashing on the field was followed by a jovial drink in the beer garden. Wives, girlfriends, partners of all persuasion and friends were welcome around the TPE table. Young men like Gray learnt about feminism, socialism and human rights at the feet of the spiritual elders of the TPE.