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1930s

1937 – The End of the Porters Park Tenure

Fortunes changed in 1937 when Bob Woodbridge took over as first team skipper. A fine all-rounder himself and a barrister by profession, Woodbridge led Radlett to 10 wins out of 21 played, its final season at Porter’s Park, including the Club’s first victory over Harpenden in 18 years. His son Peter topped the batting, blasting 106 and 119 against Stanmore and R.A.F. Henlow.

Well-known faces of more recent history began appearing at the Club for the first time. Golby was joined by Bryan Thompson who in his first team debut was not in long enough to live up to his later nickname, ‘Thumper’. Social events were still rare — just two dressing rooms and a long room — and no bar, though Club dinners were an annual event at the Red Lion Hotel. Ernie Hussey was the official first team scorer for 14 years until 1938. The Club gave him an inscribed watch, he was so neat.

But Radlett’s lease was rapidly running out at Porters, which the Shenley Hospital authorities wanted to start using for their own staff teams. And so to the end of another era, Porters Park had a special charm all of its own.