BT Oddbods – Cricket Club History

All games were played in the evenings as BT didn’t give any time off or sponsorship of the teams. The one exception to this was when an American CEO (Debra Covey) joined BT and enabled the supply of a full set of BT shirts for the players at that time. Games being played at venues like Hamilton Park, Taunton Green, Tonevale as well as the Civil Service Club.

As the years progressed the number of teams gradually dwindled until in 1989 all BT remaining players combined to form 1 team The BT ODDBODS. Playing all sorts of other works teams from companies like Taunton Cider, Wombats, Lloyd’s Bank, Midland Bank, National Rivers as well as teams from County Hall. The team’s home ground was The Civil Service club on Trull road until it closed in 2008 and  transferred to The Wyvern club.

Paul Woolvin “temporarily” took over Captaincy of the Oddbods in 1992 and somehow retained the temporary position for the next 30 years until the team folded in 2022 when multiple retirements, in close succession, from the firm took their toll.

BT Oddbods were a very egalitarian team introducing rules like players picking their own batting position depending on when they arrive giving those who arrived early to help set up the best choice of batting position.

Games were played for the enjoyment of cricket so rules were introduced for example any player scoring 25 must retire to give others the chance and also each player should bowl 2 overs (excluding the wicketkeeper) to make up the 20 over game.

Games against Taunton Cider were always especially memorable, or perhaps just a hazy blur, as samples were often available before, during and after the game, no idea who won these matches.

As the years progressed the team was supplemented by son’s of BT making up the numbers.

Many of the other “works teams” gradually disappeared until BT Oddbods were playing much better Saturday league teams, and then in 2022 it was decided to fold the team.

Article and photographs contributed by Mr Paul Woolvin