Fred Snell 1913-83
Randwick Petersham Cricket Club | February 14, 2025
Champion West Indian fast bowler Wesley Hall welcomed to Randwick in 1965-66 by (from left) a South Sydney Juniors Leagues Club director, George Wintle, Secretary-Manager of South Sydney Juniors, Bill Beath, President, Randwick Cricket Club and Fred Snell, Hon Sec. Randwick Cricket Club.
Fred Snell was a Randwick man through and through. He was the most loyal of clubmen, the most reliable of players and the best of administrators. He was also Randwick’s oldest 1st Grade debutant.
Frederick Thomas Snell was the eldest son of Fred and Lillian Snell who was born at the family home in Forth St., Woollahra on 28 May 1913. A keen sportsman, he played tennis, rugby league and cricket in his formative years. His early cricket days were with the Centennial Park Junior Cricket Association, but it wasn’t until he was at the ripe old age of 35, that he decided to try his hand at Grade Cricket. As one of the oldest debutants, if not the oldest, Fred rolled up to Coogee Oval prior to the start of the 1948-49 season. He was graded in 4th Grade under the captaincy of Norm Thomas but made only 121 runs with a best score of 31 while taking 11 wickets. It wasn’t an overly successful first season, which may have been the reason he didn’t line-up again the following summer, although he filled in for one match. Fred wasn’t seen again for five years.
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Come season 1955-56, and at the age of 42, Fred Snell was back. With the 4th Grade team in the doldrums having finished 15th and 14th the previous two seasons, Fred was installed as captain of a very young and inexperienced team, which went on and won the premiership! The side won eight matches including three outright while losing just two. It was a brilliant performance and Snell was given all the accolades for “nursing” the youngsters while melding them into a competitive outfit. Fred was also a major contributor, scoring 239 runs with 66 his best while taking 19 wickets. He also took 3-14 in the Grand Final against Balmain.
Two years later, there were more celebrations after Snell had steered the 4th Grade team to another premiership win, defeating Gordon in the Grand Final at Chatswood. Once again, the success of the team was attributed to Fred’s captaincy and his ability to create a harmonious team, while extracting some excellent performances from so many developing players. It is interesting to note that the young brigade included Brian Wyeth, Brian Crowe, Barry Masters and Ron Walpole, who went on to play 1st Grade.
The following 1958-59 season, Snell was promoted to captain of the 3rd Grade team. And while he couldn’t produce another premiership, the side enjoyed its most successful season for some years finishing third. Despite his 45 years, he showed that he could still “mix it” with the youngsters by taking 19 wickets at just 6.47 with his right-arm off-breaks. He bettered those wicket figures the following season with 20, to go with his 185 runs. However, that was Fred’s last stint as captain and his last full season as a player. He turned out in the odd game over the next few seasons when sides were short, appearing in his final match in 2nd Grade in 1965-66 when aged 53.
In his six seasons as a player, Fred Snell scored 1,020 runs and took 118 wickets. He also held a remarkable 63 catches, heading the catching honours in five of those six seasons, with 16 in 2nd Grade his best. He also took 13 in the 1957-58 4th Grade premiership season. Had there been an annual fielding award in those days, Fred Snell would have had a mantelpiece full of trophies. And while he led two premiership teams, he will not be remembered for those deeds alone. The memory of Fred Snell for anyone who knew him, was for his ability as an administrator.
Fred took over as Hon Secretary in 1958-59 from the retiring Stroy Donnan. His organising ability, his strong sense of duty and his dedication to ensuring Randwick had the best possible level of management, earned him the respect and appreciation of club members and other clubs alike. Apart from undertaking many successful administrative tasks, Fred had a major hand in Randwick securing the services of the famous West Indian fast bowler Wesley Hall, for a season in 1965-66. It was the first time an overseas Test player of such high calibre had spent a season in Sydney Grade Cricket.
Snell joined Jack Chegwyn as a delegate to the NSW Cricket Association and was elected to the Grade Committee for four years, followed by a similar term on the Country Committee. The Executive Committee saw fit to appoint him to manage seven NSW Sheffield Shield teams on interstate tours. He also served on the committee of the Cricketer’s Club for a number of years. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the club, to the Association and to the game itself, Fred was elected a Life Member of Randwick in 1967 and of NSW Cricket Association in 1970, the year he retired after 12 years in those many roles.
Almost as a mark of respect, on 23 December 1962, Fred was selected in 1st Grade for the one-day match against Mosman at Mosman Oval. Fred batted no. 10 but was bowled after scoring 4 runs. Randwick won the match 191 to 144. Fred Snell may well have been one of Sydney Grade Cricket’s oldest 1st Grade debutants at age 49 years and 209 days. He was Randwick’s oldest. Fred Snell died at Randwick on 22 December 1983–just one day before the 21st anniversary of that historic 1st Grade debut. He was 70
Vivienne Snell - 2002
Fred was not alone in his contribution and loyalty to the Randwick club. His wife Vivien, was just as involved as he was, being a familiar face at Coogee Oval for many years, serving afternoon teas and providing support to Fred and other members as the need arose. She continued in that role for some years after Fred’s passing. Vivien died on 12 August 2005 aged 95.
Lyall Gardner OAM
