The name “Eccentric Flamingoes” may not appear to be immediately synonymous with any form of sporting movement, let alone cricket, however the social side in Edinburgh provide a quirky break from the norm and frequently live up to their ‘Eccentric’ title.

Since 1987, the Flamingoes have always been a cricket side that promoted inclusion, rather than ability. This was after one of the founding members, Alan Brown, spotted a local pitch was never used and felt that there was a gap in the market. The format was, and still is, 20/20 which was relatively novel at the time. Some of the opposition had different rules, but the Flamingoes played ‘Cutters’ Rules’ which entail all players bowling two overs, enforced batting retirement at 25 runs and a limit on the number of wides. It may be perceived that this was a way for a number of keen but arguably sportingly challenged cricketers to get a game when no serious club wanted them however we prefer to think this reinforced the ethos of inclusion, ensuring also that no one player could eclipse a team and make a game too one sided, but still allowed for rare flashes of inspiration.

The name ‘Eccentric Flamingoes” goes back further than 1987 however, with references dating back to an article by Andrew Lang (the Scots poet, novelist, literary and critic) on Borders Cricket. Lang talked about participating in a touring side with that name, founded in 1868 and who wore "red and black curiously disposed". Consequently the Flamingoes have shied away from traditional whites, and Flamingoes of all shapes and sizes can be found donned in their traditional red and black ‘feathers’.

Although times have moved on and the club membership’s natural evolution has meant new players and organisation, a number of the old traditions are still held. The Flamingoes still (try to) play the Cherrybank Allstars in their opening game of the season, replicating that of their maiden season, they still play predominantly by ‘Cutters’ Rules’ and there remains no selection by ability, either in team choice or batting order. Any form of training or practice is frowned upon and condemned as un-Flamingo-like behaviour.

The Flams have tried their hand against various opponents over the years, including the Ship Inn at Elie, the brilliantly named E=MCC (Edinburgh University Physics team), as well as other social, academic, and club level cricket teams in Edinburgh and the Lothians. In ‘Eccentric’ fashion the fixture list also includes the annual New Year game played on 2nd January with old friends and rivals Inchcolm and The Woodcutters, as well as the end of season tour taking on Glengorm on the island of Mull.

While a lot of the playing staff over the years have been local players, they can also boast having had the services of Danny Buckingham (former Tasmania), Iwan Tukalo (Scottish rugby player) and Jimmy Adams (yes, THAT Jimmy Adams), when he was a young pro at one of the established Edinburgh clubs. Jimmy thoroughly embracing the Flamingo’s ethos by scoring a (fair) few runs before deliberately reverse sweeping the ball onto his stumps. It is believed that this was the catalyst for his development as an international cricketer of repute who would go on to captain the West Indies cricket team. It is also believed that Adams is the only Flamingoes player to have played at international level, but it is perhaps more correct to assert that he is the only international player to have played at Flamingoes level.

A number of new players have made their way to the club, but new players with new enthusiasm are always needed and this remains the biggest hurdle for upholding tradition and keeping the Flamingoes Sporting Movement going forward. However for as long as the Flamingoes attitudes and ethos continue in the manner they have done, they remain an attractive, if slightly unorthodox, way to participate in cricket in Edinburgh.

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The Club occasionally produces a humorous newsletter entitled "The Living Mallet" referring to the use of a Flamingo as a 'mallet' in a game of croquet described in "Alice in Wonderland". Alice, her flamingo mallet and hedgehog ball courtesy Wikipedia, original by Sir John Tenniel.