News

EC XI To Take On The Bunbury Cricket Club On 10 August

23 Mar 03

As exclusively announced in Issue 33 of Where’s Eric! Magazine, the Eric Clapton Cricket XI will be re-formed for a very special charity cricket match on Sunday 10th August 2003 at Ripley Court School, Rose Lane, Ripley, Surrey. Playing against the world famous Bunbury Cricket Club, run by Eric’s close friend and Bunbury founder David English, and featuring many famous stars from the sporting and entertainment worlds, the event will be in aid of the Crossroads Centre, the NSPCC and the Alec Stewart testimonial (Alec Stewart is the popular batsman/wicket keeper for Surrey and England).

Eric Clapton will not only be playing in the match but he will also be donating a signed guitar to be auctioned after the match. Further details will be posted on this site and in Where’s Eric! magazine in due course.

In the meanwhile, here’s some more news from Ripley Court School’s News and Message Service …

Travelling Bunburys return to Ripley Court School

David English organised his first charity cricket match at Ripley Court seventeen years ago. Then, Eric Clapton returned to his home village to captain a celebrity team to raise money for charity.

Within a year the Bunburys were formed – the organisation has become world famous, playing countless matches at venues all over the country (including four more at Ripley Court) and raising millions for charity.

The Travelling Bunburys will playing at Ripley Court School on Sunday 10th August 2003, at 2 pm.

Eric Clapton will captain a celebrity XI and Alec Stewart, in his testimonial year, will captain the Bunbury XI in this 35 over match.

The good causes being supported this year are the NSPCC, Eric’s Crossroads Clinic in Antigua, and Alex’s testimonial.

Tickets cost £5, children under 10 free.

Many cricketing and media stars will be appearing, including Eric Clapton, Bill Wyman, Graham Cole, Alex Stewart, Sir Viv Richards, Ripley’s own Ashley Giles, David English, Mike Gatting, Jack Russell, Andrew Symons, Mark Ealham, Min Patel, Ian Salisbury, Mark Butcher, Martin Bicknell, David Ward, Emlyn Hughes, Matthew Walker, Paul Davis, Frank Skinner, Emlyn Hughes, Dion Dublin, Michael Vaughan, Andrew Flintoff, Dermot Reeve, Matt Dawson, Mark Ramprakash, David Smith, Andy Jacobs, Bon Key, Alan Butcher and others yet to confirm.