SOMERSET County Cricket Club were formed in 1875 and this coming year marks their 150th year.

To celebrate this momentous occasion the club is publishing ‘The Official Somerset CCC 150th Anniversary Book’.

Edited by West Somerset Free Press and Wellington Weekly cricket correspondent Richard Walsh, who has a long association with Somerset CCC, this premium A5 hardback book is packed with fascinating articles from a number of respected writers and contributors who each bring 150 years of history vividly to life.

From the origins of the club right through to the present day, every aspect of the last 150 years is covered within the pages of this outstanding publication alongside some stunning images from its glorious past and a comprehensive stats section.

Contributors include: Ian Botham, Brian Rose, Vic Marks, Scyld Berry, John Cleese, Marcus Trescothick, Anya Shrubsole, Jos Buttler and many more.

This book is written by people who know and care about Somerset cricket and what it means to the people who live within the county or are part of its far reaching community.

Inside the covers of the book there are articles about some of the great cricketers and characters who have graced the field in Somerset colours from the likes of Sammy Woods and Jack White through to Marcus Trescothick and Jack Leach.

One such article is about Bill Andrews, one of the club’s more colourful characters who was sacked at least four times by the club, which recalls a night in March 1977 when the Somerset legend drove from his home in Weston-super-Mare to the Royal Oak at Withypool where there was deep snow on the ground, to be guest speaker at Cutcombe Cricket Club’s dinner.

After regaling those members and guests with stories from his long career as player and coach the former Somerset all rounder produced a holdall bag containing copies of his book ‘The Hand that Bowled Bradman’ that he proceeded to sign and sell to those present, making it a night to remember for everyone.

Despite the continuing snow Bill then drove back to Weston, a round trip of 130 miles. all of which he did free of charge, such was his life long love affair with Somerset cricket.

I wonder if copies of Bill Andrew’s autobiography still adorn the bookshelves of any former Cutcombe CC player or guest who was there on that never to be forgotten occasion back in 1977?

The book is now on sale priced £24.99 and is available from the Somerset County Sports Shop which is situated at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton. The book is the perfect Christmas gift and it is now available to order by logging onto shop.somersetcountycc.co.uk.