Old Boys > Kelvin Walton (1950-1958) writes:

Mike Henwood’s news reminded me that I played for the Old Boys in the Cowdrey match, in 1962 I believe.  I enjoyed the privilege of opening the innings with the great man: I top edged the first ball I received straight over the fence into Sutton Park Road, so that was that for me, six and out!  Colin Cowdrey of course went on to give an elegant batting exhibition using a cut-down bat, in a most memorable occasion for Homefield, and especially for Mr. Chubb, who was the organiser of the day.  My recollections of Homefield are mostly good – with the exception of the corporal punishment, which was capriciously administered by some staff members.  The recognisable positive legacy from those days is the School’s academic excellence.  In the 50s, the junior classes were soundly based in the fundamentals, and the 6th form teaching, by Messrs. Chubb, Doyley, Evans and Stafford, could be inspirational, as evidenced by strong Common Entrance results, and a scattering of scholarship awards.  Many boys were enthusiastic about sport, but we weren’t really very good, in part because Homefield was not a large school, with probably less than 25 boys in the final year at any time.  Our first teams were cobbled together from two - and more - year groups.  At football, the disastrous 1956 1st XI’s record of total defeat was finally saved in a thrilling 1-1 draw with Bickley Park, who had beaten us 12-0 in the away fixture.  Both teams missed penalties in the return match.  Our rugby was a little better, as we had a few big lads who at least mastered the technique of running straight and hard at the opposition line, plus some speed and determination.  Cricket was always the star sport in those days, and the 1st XI really was talented, and competitive.  The School has changed profoundly in the 50 years since I left, and it’s good to see its growth and success, its liberalism and its broadening of understanding of what ‘education’ really means.  I like to think that the foundations of this advance were laid by MLB Hall, the humane and able Headmaster who rescued the School from the turmoil of the mid-50s.