It all started in 1998 when I moved to Drighlington. Being committed to play for Birstall CC that year was an absolute pleasure, as we did not lose a game that year and I took 98 wickets. It was only when I heard the sound of bat on ball, only a good six away, was I aware that Adwalton CC existed, so I used my spider senses and tracked down the entrance. Watched a bit and to my surprise bumped into Stuart Jackson and Jerry Myton, two of my old combatants from the Bradford league. We chewed the fat a bit and I thought how handy this club would be for a good social life.

1999 was my first season and after winter netting with the current players, scaring a lot of them
to get their dancing shoes on, I was persuaded to sign by Stuart and Ian. A good season for the club but I was like Marmite at the club, but my performances soon won round some of my critics. 91 league wickets later and a lot of drinking at the bar the season was over.

2000 came and I was persuaded to go back to Birstall, the less said the better.

2001 – 2019 initially played in the first team until my old bones were suffering and then I
stepped down to captain the second with the plan of bringing on our talented juniors, including my own grandson, Vinit, Josh, Tommy, Chris, Tom and many more. The first season was a tough one, but we didn’t disgrace ourselves and they learned so much. The club has a lot to offer from playing, to watching and socializing, of course, not to mention the cheapest pint in the village and everybody knows how tight I am. People will agree I am not the easiest team mate to play with, as I can sometimes expect more than can be offered. I wish I had a fiver for every dropped catch or misfield that happened, but that’s cricket. I consider everyone at the club to be my teammates, as without everyone’s support the club would not be what it is to the village.

There have been so many outstanding performances in my twenty seasons with the club, and I
apologize if I miss some out. New ball bowling with Steve Laycock, Stuart Jackson trying to
smash the case off the ball, the class of Jerry Myton, the success of the juniors moving on to
play for the 1st team, myself playing with two of my grandchildren, Jackos performance at
Rodley, who could forget and he wouldn’t let us, Paul Bennetts consistent batting, notably him
hitting 177. I cannot forget that fateful Saturday Ian Lindley at the crease 99 not out and me at
the other end. Just hit it and I will back you up I said, alas missed a half volley which cannoned
into the pads, finger up, no first hundred for Ian, I was gutted for him. There are so many more
and far too many to mention, but who could forget the time Stuart smashed the ball towards the local houses in Wilsden, only for the ball to go through a bathroom window and land in the bath, much to the surprise of the lady actually taking a bath.

Best game played, probably a sunny Sunday in the cup, batted first and got a useful target. Things didn’t quite go too well at the start and the opposition were closing in on the target, a
huge Adwalton crowd were treated to an amazing turnaround as we kept chipping away until
only two wickets required and only two runs to get for the opposition. Tension was in the air and everyone knows how small Adwalton can be on a sunny day, with a road to bowl on. Ball one, play and miss by the batsman, oohs and aahs everywhere, the noise was deafening. Ball two, nick to the safe hands of Phil Hopkins behind the stumps and an almighty cheer rings out around Adwalton. Ball three. nick again, caught behind again, game over and the spectators erupted as we all mobbed each other.

Funniest moment had to be when I was bowling at a batsman who challenged himself with
pulling the ball off a good length. Whack, straight in the gooleys, went down like he’d been shot. A few minutes later, next ball, with the chanting of ‘do it again’ ringing in my ears from the blood thirsty crowd, bowled the same ball and the batsman tried the same shot only to be pole axed again with one in the gooleys. Laugh, I nearly wet myself as did the spectators and my teammates. He was carried off never to join the game again.

These are just a few of my memories at Adwalton and I have played with some fantastic
teammates, had some good drinks and enjoyed the majority of my time on and off the field.
I have only had 4 clubs that I have played at and I can count Adwalton as the most memorable.
To all I have failed to mention I once again Apologize, but you will always be part of the history of Adwalton CC.