Will Bancroft. I remember a rainy Saturday over at Radlett in the HCPL. Will happened to be fielding at long on for the last ball of their innings when it was smashed to him, Will came steaming in from the boundary for the ball to go straight through his legs and over the boundary. Will kept running and we all left the field for tea. Oh, and his 140+ at County Hall during a mid week T20. Not necessarily keeper related I know. He was at the top of the Hertford keepers during my time there.

Lawrie Wright:

Don Parton - the best by some miles. Kept in late 60’s / early 70's. A big man, no gymnastics just wonderfully safe hands and brilliant positioning.

Nigel Hillary:

Can’t remember Nick Anderson in the 1st XI but I’m guessing he would be well up there for best in the club. Still taking great catches.

Jamie Riddle:

Symbols, Alex Siegmund.

Will Ray:

Hurts to say it, but it's Benji Cowell for me. The best best keeper I’ve played with with the potential to get better still. Particularly good and agile up to the stumps to medium-fast bowling, of which we have a lot at the moment. Taught him everything he knows…

Rob Darby:

Tom Pearman talent-wise was a different level, but for comedy value would have to be Steve Benford!

Steve Gale:

George Pavey best hands up to the stumps, faultless back to the seamers. Explosive at no7 changing games like Gilchrist. Great encouragement and banter from behind the stumps. A true leader of men. Sold my soul for 2 San Miguel’s.

Rob Carter:

Tom Pearman.

David Rowe:

Malcolm Chapman. Martin Leach. Peter Huxford (ask Trapper).

Keven Roberts:

Nick Anderson.

Paul Williams:

Nick Anderson and Anthony Woodcock both great glovemen and great blokes. Never played with Tom Pearman or Benji Cowell so won’t comment but they always looked classy from a distance. If we go the other way, I’d put me alongside Dunny in the bottom three.

Another one to consider is Will Ray when he was in the U11s. He used to open the bowling, finish his spell and get the pads and gloves on, then open the batting. Proper all rounder. Yet to see Ben Stokes do that.

Jim Riddle:

Malcolm Chapman / Nick Anderson best I have played with. Ben Cowell is also right up there with one of the best that’s been at the club.

Mo Niz:

I have played with Will Bancroft and Steve Benford... Season goes back to 2008 (that is the only season I played for HCC).

Cliff Cavener:

I can think of a fair few shocking keepers in my time but for the best I reckon its Anthony Woodcock (Woody). Don’t forget his circle of shame during the pre-match stretches. Legendary!

Hugh Cavener:

I suggest a certain Nick Horton to be given the award. Unsung hero IMO.

Chris Thompson:

A number of keepers come to mind including Leachy, Malcolm Chapman and Tom Pearman, but for me it would be Nick “Gloves” Anderson. A top keeper who always played with a smile on his face.

Richard Cordingley:

Tommy Pearman the best for me with Nick “G.Loves” Anderson a close second.

Parim Patel:

Tom Pearman. But Simon Carter aka “UMPA” holds a special place in my heart!

David Williams:

1. Anthony Woodcock was probably the best technical wicket keeper I have seen at the Club and had the highest proportion of stumpings of my three candidates.

2. Malcolm Chapman was the most immaculate with never a shirts collar out of place and whiter than white boots - how he would have coped with coloured boots let alone coloured clothing I shudder to think. He had 315 1st XI Victims including 93 stumpings and skippered the 1sts for three season.

3. Nick "Gloves" Anderson belied his build to be a very athletic keeper. 351 1st XI victims including 95 stumpings and, in a career that continued until very recently, over 500 victims altogether. Add to this 5 seasons and 1st team captain and over 11,000 runs for the club at an average of more than 26. All in all a difficult decision but I must plump for Nick Anderson.

Ian Harris:

George Pavey, simply because he stood back to me, giving me the respect I deserve.

Rob Slater:

Woody by a mile!

Darren Benford:

Woody for me.

Richard Leather:

Craig Lyte. Proved himself better than Benji Cowell in 2019.

Ben Currie:

Only one man’s voice could make a wolverine purr.

(Nick Anderson)

Stuart Cradock:

My best wicketkeeper is Martin Leach. Although not the most stylish keeper he was very effective and made light of a serious ankle injury which left him with a permanent limp. He was always lively, encouraging and enthusiastically supported other team members. He was very much a team player and made an important contribution to Hertford's successes in the mid to late 1970s.

Tally Up:

Nick Anderson - 7
Tom Pearman - 5
Anthony Woodcock - 4
Benji Cowell - 3
Malcolm Chapman - 2
Will Bancroft - 2
George Pavey - 2
Martin Leach - 2
Craig Lyte - 1
Will Ray - 1
Peter Huxford - 1
Don Parton - 1
Alex Siegmund - 1
Steve Benford - 1