Earliest Cricket memory
This was my first game in an adult team. I was taken to games by my father (sorry John, but we had a car) and scored for Sheffield Teachers, yes the same club Brett, Jason, Roey etc. played for but obviously years earlier, possibly before they were born! I used to take my kit just in case they were short and on this occasion they were. I remember it was at Teacher's home ground at Maud Maxfield's School on Ringinglow Road, freezing cold day in April! Someone obviously did not fancy playing so I played, at the age of 14. Who we were playing and what the scores were etc. I cannot remember but I was put in at number 4 and the opposition crowded round the bat but after I had reached 20 they were much further spread. I went on to get 25. The captain was Terry Bishop and he was linked to Sheffield boys and due to my innings I was drafted into the Sheffield Boys Team. First game was at Bramall Lane. In the same team behind the stumps was Phil Mintoft, father of Richard and Simon!
Favourite Ground
Not easy, far easier to name the grounds I did not like e.g. (censored by CT so as not to cause any grief). I think it has to be Abbeydale; played there for 10 years, quality wicket, good outfield, nice bar and changing rooms with balcony, but teas not so good. I must say Coal Aston comes close. From a spectators point of view Colleen would say Bradfield.
Best Team Mate
Again far easier to say who was a dick, and there have been a few over the years, but I will leave that blank. I have played with some quality players, some great on the field but complete pillocks off it and visa versa. White line fever. I think as a young lad Roy Bunting from Teachers was a great influence and also later Jack Bethal at Collegiate.
Best Opponent
It has to be teams in the Yorkshire League. Most of them had county/test players and just the intensity they played at was amazing to watch. Fortunately I was on the same side as Ian Bishop and Kenny Benjamin when they played for Collegiate, I did face them in the nets and never saw a ball just heard it fizz past, at probably three quarter pace!
Best Cricket Memory
Non playing memory- Being at the 20-20 finals last year. Some great cricket, excellent crowd antics together with Flintoff and Bumble singing. Playing - Your first hundred has to be up there but I must admit I cannot remember much about mine other than it was at International Harvesters in Doncaster on a very hot day. Also I think winning the SY cup playing for Oakes against Elsecar, funny, John also picked beating Elsecar as a highlight.
Worst Cricket Memory
No problem with this one, still shiver now thinking about it - I drove with Colleen, James and Matt to Scarborough in the pouring rain and sleeting snow, with all four of us, on and off chuntering about - why are we doing this , it is a complete waste of time, etc, etc. We get to Scarborough the covers are on and the ground is covered in wet sleety snow. I then hang around for hours, Colleen and the boys have gone off into Scarborough to play on the slot machines and find a nice warm cafe to have fish and chip. After about two hours, as it does in Scarborough the sun comes out, dries the ground and we are going to play. We lose the toss and are put in, I open the batting and yes you guessed it I am out first ball!!!! The day went down hill from there.
Funniest Memory
I have two - the first I was reminded about from Chris’s blog regarding the game at Treeton where Rich and myself had an opening partnership of 160. The captain of the Treeton side was Mark Gee, I have played against Mark for years and he obviously knows me. I had hit one six early on in my innings and then later I hit another over square leg, the next ball I hit straight over the bowlers head onto the football pitch for my third six. I then heard one of the young Treeton lads say to Mark Gee “ I thought you said this old git would not get it of the square” - priceless!
The second was at Ashford in the Water playing for the friendly side, Sheffield Casuals. They were a side with no home ground just played Sunday friendlies. Peter Gilder, yes the car man, got eleven players together every Sunday. Players like Joe Root, Michael Vaughan, Jeff Miller with Ted Hemsley the captain. Needless to say we did not lose many games.
I was batting and a new bowler came on and our scorer shouted “bowlers name?” The reply came back A Muppet - yes that is his name Andrew Muppet. He then proceeded to bowl a series of long hops and pies which were dispatched to all parts. Not difficult, for those who do not know Ashford, it makes Park Head look like the oval.
In their innings Mr Muppet came into bat at five and Ted put on one of the players sons who was about 13, the first ball was wide down leg the second was a full toss which A Muppet missed and the third bounced twice and bowled him! He stormed back to pavilion but half way there took of his helmet and threw it to the ground, he then gave it an all mighty kick over the boundary which must have hurt because he limped the last few yards off the pitch. We next see him with his foot in a bowl of iced water with a face like thunder. He certainly lived up to his name!!
Many thanks to Dave for his contribution, I have one more interview lined up for next week and hopefully a few more in the pipeline!
