Nicky Crawley has broken a 41-year Norfolk Men’s team record. The Men’s Captain made his 144th match appearance last week, when he led the Winter County Cup squad in Division 4A at Exeter Tennis Centre.
Crawley, who made his Norfolk Men’s team debut in 1999, moves past Robin Lincoln, who contested 143 matches between 1958 and 1983. Crawley has won 187 of 319 singles and doubles rubbers played in Winter and Summer County Cup events.
Former pro Richard Bloomfield, in third place with 135 match appearances, has an outstanding 79% match winning percentage (clinching victory in a record 242 of the 308 rubbers he played). Another Wimbledon main draw player, Gordon Fitt, who represented Norfolk between 1938 and 1956, won 198 of his 258 rubbers.
Norfolk’s Men have competed in Division 1 of the Summer County Cup in 1976, 2012 and 2013. The team also played in the top winter division in 2012 and 2014. Lincoln, who maintains County Ladies and Men’s Team records, featured in the 1976 Men’s team alongside Paul Sussams, Eddie Fox, Richard Oliver, Richard Patrick, Martin Smith, Tony Spurgeon and Don Lillistone.
NORFOLK MEN'S COUNTY TEAM RECORDS
Top 10 Most Ties Played
1. Nicky Crawley 144 (1999-2024)
2. Robin Lincoln 143 (1958-1983)
3. Richard Bloomfield 135 (1998-2023)
4. Barry Fulcher 107 (1996-2018)
5. Gordon Fitt 102 (1930-1956)
6. Dan Wynne 97 (2005-2022)
7. Paul Sussams 91 (1967-1983)
8. Mark Nicholls 90 (1979-1996)
9. Eddie Fox 89 (1968-1980)
10. Mike Musson 88 (1974-1995)
Top 10 Most Rubbers Won
1. Richard Bloomfield 242 (of 308 total rubbers)
2. Gordon Fitt 198 (of 258)
3. Nicky Crawley 187 (of 319)
4. Paul Sussams 166 (of 247)
5. Barry Fulcher 162 (of 262)
6. John Baker 147 (of 188)
7. Eddie Fox 139 (of 229)
8. Tom Spinks 130 (of 172)
9. Martin Smith 119 (of 204)
10. Edgar Readwin 107 (of 163)
Top 10 Winning Percentages (20 minimum matches)
1. Richard Bloomfield 79% (242-66 rubbers won-lost)
2. John Baker 78% (147-41)
3. Gordon Fitt 77% (198-60)
4. Tom Spinks 76% (130-42)
5. Basil Lawrence 74% (45-16)
6. Jack Readwin 71% (72-30)
=7. Ulli Nganga 70% (62-26)
=7. Jimmy Reddall 70% (78-33)
9. James Auckland 68% (97-45)
10. Paul Sussams 67% (166-81)
Top 10 Longest Span Between First & Last Matches (Years)
1. Tony Spurgeon 43 (1961-2004)*
=2. Gordon Fitt 26 (1930-1956)
=2. Ronnie Havers 26 (1930-1956)
=4. Richard Bloomfield 25 (1998-2023)
=4. Nicky Crawley 25 (1999-2024)
=4. Robin Lincoln 25 (1958-1983)
=7. James Auckland 24 (1995-2019)
=7. Tom Spinks 24 (1992-2016)
9. Nigel Foxhall 23 (1982-2005)
10. Barry Fulcher 22 (1996-2018)
*Tony Spurgeon was Men's Team captain in 2004 when he had problems getting a Winter Cup team and had to play himself or concede a doubles rubber. He won! So his first call-up came in 1961 and he made his last appearance 43 years later, in 2004! A Norfolk legend.
With many thanks to Robin Lincoln for all his statistical work.