Mark Simmons Appointed Berkshire CCC Chairman

This Spring, Leighton Park Superstar and Senior Master, Mark Simmons, takes up the position of Chairman at Berkshire County Cricket Club. Mark’s wealth of knowledge and experience in the game is a culmination of his time as a player, coach and administrator in club and county cricket.

“We warmly congratulate Mark on his recent appointment as the Chairman of Berkshire County Cricket Club. We are hugely proud that he has been selected for this prestigious role and wish him every success for his term of office. Congratulations Mark!” commented Matthew Judd, Head.

A cherished sport at Leighton Park, Mark himself began the School’s annual Cricket Week back in the 80s. The event, which remains a great success to this day, was born out of his desire “to give top players a platform to show their skill and an experience they’d never forget”. Cricket Week has always seen the same sides play (The Forty Club, Marylebone Cricket Club and Old Leightonians Cricket Club), and has cemented itself as a beloved tradition at LP.

Last Summer, one cricketer delighted to return to the Park and play alongside his younger sister, Nic, was Old Leightonian, George Lee. Reflecting fondly, George said “My favourite sporting memory from school was winning our U16 cup, unbeaten in Year 10, and putting a smile on Mark Simmons’ face… which I don’t do often.”

Mark’s career has included coaching county cricket and rugby age group teams and a six-year spell on the ECB’s Schools, Junior & Youth committee before it was disbanded.

Commenting on his return to Berkshire CCC, Mark said: “Berkshire cricket has been a massive part of my life. It afforded me the opportunity to play at a high level and left me with so many memories on and off the field. I am delighted to have this opportunity to help oversee the future experiences of our players, whilst striving to build on the recent outstanding record of the senior team. It’s just a great time to be a young cricketer in Berkshire and I believe this hints at a bright future.”

Berkshire CCC write, “[Mark’s] long association with Berkshire began at Under 15 level. He then captained the Under 19s XI that won the national competition (Hilda Overy Trophy) in 1974 before making his Minor Counties debut in 1976. Capped in 1978, Mark went on to play in 148 championship matches and is one of only six batsmen to pass 6,000 runs for Berkshire CCC. He captained the County from 1988 to 1995 before ending his Berkshire career under the captaincy of Gary Loveday in 1996.”

“Mark began his club career at Wokingham CC before joining Reading CC five years later in the first year of the Thames Valley league. He was then part of the successful Reading side of the 70s and 80s that won seven league titles and appeared in two National Knock-out finals at Lords. He also captained Reading for eight years before taking over as coach from 2004-2010.”