| Ground Name: | J. Samuel White's Ground |
| Country: | England |
| Location: | Cowes, Isle of Wight |
| Establishment: | 1953 |
| Coord: | 50.7572°N -1.3121°W |
| Owner: | Isle of Wight Council |
| Year1: | 1956 - 1962 |
| Club1: | Hampshire |
| Date: | 30 December |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Source: | http://www.cricinfo.com/england/content/ground/56939.html Ground profile |
J. Samuel White's Ground (also known as Plessey Ground) is a sports ground in Park Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, England. The ground is owned by the Isle of Wight Council and is surrounded by residential housing. A multitude of sports have been played at the ground, including cricket, football and bowls.
The ground was originally owned by J. Samuel White & Co. Ltd., a ship builders based in Cowes. The company constructed the ground in 1953, with construction being funded by subscriptions from employees of the company.[1] Hampshire first played first-class cricket there three years later in 1956, when Worcestershire were the visitors in the County Championship,[2] with Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie scoring the maiden century on the ground in Hampshire's first-innings, followed by Laddy Outschoorn in Worcestershire's second-innings. The match ended in a draw.[3] Hampshire played a match there each year until 1962, playing seven first-class matches there.[2] However, J.Samuel White & Co. Ltd. fell on hard times, with the company's Cowes shipyard closing in 1963, bringing to an end Hampshire's use of the ground.[1] The ground was sought after for development, but planning was refused, with the ground falling into disuse.[1] The ground was later bought in 1978 by the Isle of Wight County Council. The council sought to offload the ground to a community-based organisation in 1984, with a lease being agreed with the Plessey Club.[4] The Milne Memorial Sports Ground Co. Ltd (named after Sir James Milne, C.B.E. 1896–1966, managing director 1941–1962, J. Samuel White[5]) was formed in 1985 to acquire the lease and manage the day-to-day running of the club. When first acquired, the clubs membership was only open to employees and ex-employees of Plessey's and J. Samuel White & Co.[4] Having been disused by until 1984, the cricket ground and football grounds had been used for hay making, the tennis courts and bowling greens were in a state of disrepair, as was the pavilion. The club borrowed £65,000 to extend the pavilion and £10,000 to building a new clubhouse for the bowling greens.[4] Hampshire returned there for a match in 1987 in aid of Malcolm Marshall's benefit,[1] though the game didn't carry first-class or List A status. Today, the cricket ground is used by Cowes Cricket Club.[6] More recently, the club was able to acquire National Lottery funding to the tune of £330,000 for an indoor bowls facility, though this was only possible by club members lending £100,000 themselves. The club is today open to membership for all residents of the Isle of Wight.[4] [7]