Since Somerset County Cricket Club gained first class status in 1891, over five hundred and fifty different players have represented the club, and in the near future the Somerset Cricket Museum is hoping to produce a book containing a statistical and photographic record of each of these players.

Over the last few months local author Eddie Lawrence, who has already published several other books relating to the club, has been working tirelessly in association with the museum to produce the book which is now nearing completion and it is hoped that it will be published just before the start of the 2003 season.

The book will be hard bound and will be strictly limited to five hundred copies, each of which will be numbered and signed by Eddie Lawrence, and those who are prepared to purchase their copy in advance have got the chance to have their name included in this prestigious publication.

When the book eventually goes on sale to the general public next year it will be priced at £30, but those who sign up and pay before the end of 2002 will be able to obtain their copy for £25 as well as being named in the list of subscribers.

This will be the first publication of its kind and has presented the author with a real challenge. Despite his endless hours of research and countless letters, telephone calls and many many miles travelled there are still some fifty players whose photographs Eddie Lawrence has been unable to locate.

Nevertheless this book will be another milestone in recording the history of Somerset County Cricket Club and I am sure that there will be no shortage of takers from fans and collectors who will want to support this venture.

Anybody who wishes to reserve a copy of `Somerset CCC Statistics and Photographs' should send a covering letter and cheque to the value of £25 made payable to Somerset Cricket Museum to The Curator, Somerset Cricket Museum, 7 Priory Avenue, Taunton, TA1 1XX.

© SOMERSET