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Eric Clapton Performs At Bunbury Fundraiser on 9 May 2009. Plus ECXI Charity Cricket Match Announced For 12 July 2009 At Cranleigh School, Surrey

12 May 09

On Saturday 9 May 2009 – two days before his Spring Tour started – Eric Clapton and His Band performed at a very special fundraiser for the Bunbury Cricket Club at the Grosvernor House Hotel, London. The festivities also included a charity auction with exciting items like becoming a character in a Jeffrey Archer novel, a private dinner with cricket legend Ian "Beefy" Botham, and a Fender Stratocaster autographed at your table by Eric Clapton.

The black-tie gala was emceed by Rory Bremner and comedian Peter Kay performed. Eric Clapton and His Band performed a 9 song set of some of his best-known songs for the more than 1,000 people in attendance. The songs touched on all aspects of his career – "Badge" from Eric’s days in Cream, "Layla" from the classic Derek and the Dominos album, and radio staples "Lay Down Sally," "Wonderful Tonight" and "Cocaine."

Each year, the organisation hosts the English Schools Cricket Association’s annual under-15 Bunbury Festival. The Bunburys also raise funds for a variety of charitable causes including the Leukaemia Research Fund, Crossroads Centre Antigua (founded by Eric Clapton) and several childrens’ causes. Since its inception in 1986, the Bunburys have raised over 12M pounds for charity.

The Bunbury Cricket Club will also take on the Eric Clapton XI on 12 July at Cranleigh School, Cranleigh, Surrey as part of their fundraising matches this summer that will take place throughout England. Further details to be announced.

Eric Clapton was introduced to the sport by Dr. David English, former president of RSO Records and founder of the Bunbury charity cricket team in the 1980s. Eric joined the first Bunbury side in a match played at Ripley Court School in 1986. In the ensuing years, Eric would occasionally take part in matches in the greater London area fielding the Eric Clapton XI.

Eric Clapton & His Band / Set List at Grosvernor House Hotel on 9 May 2009

01. Lay Down Sally
02. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
03. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
04. Badge
05. Old Love
06. Before You Accuse Me
07. Wonderful Tonight
08. Layla
09. Cocaine

Related Link
Bunbury Cricket Club