Broomfield Bowling Club

Both part of the Oldbury 'A' team that won Division 1 three years running 1974 - 1976. Brian Male won the Club Championship in 1976 and the Handicap in 1971 & 1974.

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Peter Nichols

Started playing the game in 1980, Broomfield being his first club. 1983 was the sign of things to come for 'Nico' as he broke his way into the first team (W&W Prem Div 7), and won the West Bromwich averages with a plus of 132 after only 16 games. In 1985 he won his first club competiton, the Chairmans Shield. 1987 saw a double as he won the Club Handicap and The Neale Trophy. He won the Oldbury Pairs with Roy Freeman in 1988 as well as the Oldbury Individual Merit in 1991.

Took on his first captaincy role in 1989 and led the Smethwick 'A' team to the Division 1 title and the final of the S.F.Jones Cup. The following season he was nominated as Club Captain and kept the position for 3 seasons, ending with promotion to Division 2 in 1992 after we won W&W Premier Division 3.

Peter was always successful in club competions, winning the Club Handicap for a second time in 1989 and the Club Championship for the first time in 1990. He was also Club Handicap runner up in 1992. He has featured in all 6 club competition finals as he also won the Club Pairs with Steve Blakeman in 1988.

1995 was without doubt a season to remember. He played a vital part in our promotion to W&W Premier Division 1, add to this the Free Press Cup win and the Smethwick 'A' Division 1 title. On a more personal note he featured in three club competition finals, winning the Club Championship and Club Handicap as well as being runner up in the last final of The Roy Freeman Cup. At the end of the season he reached the semi finals of the George Masters, this still remains the furthest a Broomfield bowler has progressed in this competition.

He left the club on a high in 1998, winning the Club Championship for the third time. At the time he was only the sixth player to achieve this. He was part of the W&W Premier team who finished 3rd in Division 1, our best ever finish as well as playing in the Oldbury league and cup double winning side and the Smethwick 'A' Division 1 Champions side.

Enjoyed a three year spell with The George B.C. and has not played bowls since 2002.

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Ian Tew

Joined from The Old Chapel in 1988 and in his first season won the two main club competitions. He beat Malcolm Spencer in the final of the Club Championship and Paul Freeman in the final of the Club Handicap. He was the only person to win the Neale Trophy twice, 1990 & 1991. Also won the Club Championship in 1996 when he offered to retire in the final feeling ill but went back on the green managing to beat Ollie Newman.

Won the W&W Premier club averages on at least three occasions (1995, 1999, 2000) and finished on a plus of 100 or more in Premier Division 1 twice. Has captained the Oldbury 'A' for Broomfield more times than anybody else, eight seasons in total: 1989 ~ 1993 & 1995 ~ 1997.

Won the Smethwick Ex's Open in 1995 and the M&B Deers Leap Open in 1998.

He left the club over a dispute in 2006 and his quality is missed. Was rated by his peers and on his day had the ability to destroy any opponent home or away.

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Malcolm Spencer & Frank Newman

This photo was taken at presentation evening in 1998, Malcolm had won the Warwick & Worcester Alliance Division 1 league averages. He held the role of secretary 5 times between 1977 and 1985 and was also treasurer in 1990 and 1991.

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Darren Griffiths & Janice Freeman

Darren had 16 seasons with us between 1988 and 2003. Chairman 1998 & 2000. Club Captain 1994. Club Champion 1991 & 2001 and also runner up in 2000 when he lost 21-20. Handicap winner 1994, 1996 & 1998. Chairmans Sheild winner 1990, 1995 & 1996. Was nominated as the very first 'Club Person Of The Year' in 1999. Won the pairs in 2000 with Steve Barnwell. Captained four different teams during his time with the club and was a committed and active member of the bowls section. 'Sumo' eventually made himself part of the top 8 and was regarded as very good bowler on Broomfield.

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Joe Russell

A playing career that spanned 25 years (1973 ~ 1998), Joe Russell will always be remembered for his captaincy. He was our first Warwick & Worcester captain in 1978 (Senior Division 11) and held the role through to 1983 taking us to Division 6. In 1988 he took on the W&W Alliance captaincy and completed seven seasons as captain until 1994. He also captained the Smethwick 'A' in 1977, 1981 & 1983 and the Oldbury 'A' in 1978. He is the only person to captain all three 'A' sides at Broomfield and achieved an unrivalled 17 terms as captain, leading a side in an estimated 400 games.

He won the Pairs with Peter Gwilt in 1979 and the Chairmans Shield in 1980. Was made a life member in 1995. Won several averages including: W&W Premier 1978 (+97), W&W Alliance 1988 (+138), 1989 (+91), 1992 & 1993. Smethwick 'A' 1980, Smethwick 'B' 1992.

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Steve Blakeman

Accepted as a member on 18th December 1985 and left the club on 19th January 2007.

Through 22 years at Broomfield, 'Blakey' became one of the clubs most active members. He held the position of treasurer a record 16 times. Chairman in 2006 and greenkeeper for nearly 20 years.

As well as the surface he provided and maintained he will be remembered for his 10 years as Smethwick 'A' captain. He brought the club 14 pieces of silverware which included 8 Division 1 titles and 4 Cup wins. The team finished outside the top two places once under his captaincy.

Was Bar Chairman for the main club in 1997 & 1998. Cricket groundsman 2002 & 2003. Provided the club with its stadium seating and also put forward the ideas for the Arse Of The Year and Club Person Of The Year trophies.

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Dave Jones

Became our most successful W&W Alliance captain after a silverware filled four year stint. In 1996 the team gained promotion from Division 3, finishing 3rd and also won the Alliance Cup. In 1997 the team were Champions of Division 2. In 1998 Dave took the side to its best ever finish, Runners Up in Division 1 as well as adding our name to the Alliance Cup for the second time. His last season in charge saw us finish 3rd in Division 1 and a third cup win in four seasons.

Due to ill health Dave's final games for us came in the 2003 season, his form that season earned him 6 games in W&W Premier Division 1.

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Janice Freeman, Nigel Freeman & Roger Seeley

Presentation evening 1997. Nigel Freeman beat Ollie Newman to win the Roy Freeman Club Championship. Trophy presented by Nigel's mother Janice who was Presdient and Roger Seeley who was Chairman in 1997.

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Ian Tew, Frank Newman & Janice Freeman

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