On 9th October, Upminster Cricket Club added Chairman Oliver Peck as it’s 9th Life Vice-President. This is the highest honour the club can give one of its members, and is awarded for exceptional and ongoing service to the club.

"Ollie" joined the club in 1993 as the club began to rebuild it's colts section after a number of years without a structured set up.  Ollie was part of a side, led by John Sutton and Colin Thompson, that enjoyed many successes, culminating with reaching the final of the prestigious Mobil Matchplay competition in 1996.  During that period if Ollie was not playing senior cricket on a Saturday he could be found scoring for the club's 1st XI.  That side contained many members who played a huge role in the rebuilding of the club around that time, such as David Allen, John Nash, Neil Foss and Nigel Emes and it would become clear over the coming years that their attitude and enthusiasm had rubbed off on Ollie.

Ollie's early years of senior cricket were played in the lower elevens, but he showed his leadership skills with the 4th XI as he captained them to back to back league winners pennants in 1999 and 2000.  His big break playing wise came in the 2002 season when 2nd XI skipper Neil Foss spotted his potential as a left arm spinner and brought him into the side.  While his performances could stop the 2s being relegated that year others had also now seen Ollie's ability and it was not long before he broke into the 1st XI alongside his old colts team mate John Curtis.  In his early days in the 1st XI he was heavily influenced by veteran batsman Paul Brockman and overseas star Lorne Sprigg and "Pecky" took on board a lot from both men.  Both these players also encouraged Ollie to take on the 1st XI captaincy when it became available for the 2004 season, and taking on the role was a decision which would change Ollie's cricket career and the direction of the club.  Over the next six seasons the 1st XI moved from mid table in Division 2 to fourth in the Premier Division and the way the club was viewed internally and externally was transformed.  

Ollie stood down as captain at the end of the 2009 season, but returned to the role in 2011 when he once again led the side to promotion to the Premier Division, and although he left the role after the 2014 season he did have one further stint in charge as he helped the team stabalise in Division One.  In all he captained the side for 11 years across three spells.  While Pecky's captaincy skills are unquestioned it is easy to overlook his playing record.  He has taken 987 PlayCricet wickets (there will be many more in old scorebooks which are not on line) including 506 at 1st XI level.  There have also been many useful contributions with the bat in crucial games as well as some spectacular catches.

As Ollie's cricketing experience grew he began to put this to good use in other ways.  He was Chairman of Youth Cricket for two seasons in 2006 and 2007 and when previous Chairman Gwynne Mack stood down after a long stint in the role, Ollie took over the job for the 2016 season.  At that time Ollie set out a number of projects and ideas which he wanted the club's committee to focus on over the coming seasons and it is testament to his drive and ambition that almost all of these ideas have come to fruition and have been a success.  The Windmill Whack, now an integral part of the club's programme, was introduced in 2016 and has increased participation in Sunday cricket as well as raised important revenue for club funds.  Our main square is now back as one of the best on the Essex League circuit, while our two outgrounds have seen huge investment in recent times.  Ladies and girls cricket has become an important part of the club and has seen a number of new members take up the game.  Our colts set up, already the envy of many clubs in the area, has increased in terms of participation, while the quality and volume of coaching has improved and increased.  Our programme of social events has increased and helped to make the club an attractive place for people to come and enjoy themselves, and the club has linked up with a number of local businesses to secure sponsorship deals which have made continued investment in capital projects a viable option.

Not only has Ollie driven all of these projects and ideas, but his enthusiasm and influence has ensured that others on the committee and within the club have been supportive of these developments and have wanted to work with Ollie to help move the club forward.  The club is in a strong position both on and off the pitch despite the extremely difficult situation of the last 19 months, and in many ways the way Ollie has helped to galvanise the membership during this period reflects his contribution to the club over the last 28 years.

The club is delighted to have acknowledged Oliver with this recognition, and welcome him to the exclusive list of Club Life Vice-Presidents.