Known by many as the worst cricket team in the country, Minstrel Taverners Cricket Club were founded in 1980. They evolved out of a football team, Minstrel Wanderers F.C. (Super Slobs), and most of the founder members of Wanderers were founder members of Taverners. Both are known as 'Minstrels'. Minstrels (Taverners) played in the Birmingham Parks league until 2003 and regularly came bottom, often losing every game in a season. The team badge is a pint glass covered by crossed bats and the legend 'Quando duo plures MInstreli congregerunt quiddam conluvies' - translated as 'When two or more Minstrels are gathered together, it shall be deemed Scum'. They rose to local and national fame when they were bowled out for ten for the second season running.(They were actually bowled out for 8 once but they don't count this one as they only had 10 players at the time). The Birmingham Evening Mail (May 1999) headlined them as 'Losers XI' and even The Cricketer (July 1999) had a half page spread referring to their apalling cricket but excellent sportsmanship. Players are acceptable more for their 'Minstrelesque' qualities rather than any cricketing ability. 'Minstrelesque' is difficult to define but it definitely has something to do with the following: drinking, sportsmanship, an enjoyment of the game, drinking, being able to lose, taking the mick and having it taken, drinking and drinking.
Minstrel regularly tour and have been to such diverse places as: Bicester (vs the Warthogs), Isle of Wight - twice - (vs The Lighthouse Keepers and Ryde 2nd XI), Gibraltar (vs Gibraltar - yes, the National Team - and Gibraltar under 15's), South Wales - three times (vs Sully Centurions 3rd XI) and Winchester. One of the highest honours that can be bestowed on a Minstrel is to be voted 'Worst Player of the Year' by his peers. This honour has been bestowed on many players but Bugner and Hawkeye deserve a special mention as the have shared this honour over the last five years with Bugner recently been voted 'Scum of Scum'.
|
|
|
Home
Start a new conversation