Sheffield Cricket Lovers' Society Year Book 2026

that’s what proper players do!” He also was quick to remind me, after I had nicked one to first slip whilst attempting a drive, to.. “Never drive at a rising ball outside the off stump until the end of May, Gerald!” My father then helped me sign up to my local Bolton League club, Astley Bridge Cricket Club whose ground literally backs up to the ambulacrum of the college. This was when sometimes my loyalties were divided. Of course, school came first but sometimes I yearned - especially in the sixth form - to be allowed to play for both teams at once! As I graduated from the junior ranks at Astley Bridge we were successful in winning the Bolton League Third Team Championship. On one occasion when I was probably about 15 years old we played the Horwich RMI third team. On our side was a fast bowler called Bob Parkinson who scythed through their team one evening. They were skittled for just eleven runs with Bob’s bowling analysis being an incredible 7-1. Yes, seven wickets for one run! I met up with him by chance a few years later and reminded him of his feat. He smiled at first and then grimaced. I understood why when he remembered that I had dropped a catch off him, so if it wasn’t for me he would have recorded 8 wickets for 0! It was during my progression in the junior ranks that I played against Steve O’Shaugnessy who went on to represent Lancashire. So successful was he that he held the record for the fastest first class century for a while, taking just 35 minutes, albeit in contrived circumstances. My best memory of 3rd X1cricket was beating our deadliest enemies, Tonge CC, to get through to the Jake Tatlock Trophy, which Astley Bridge ultimately won. I played my part that day, scoring a decent enough 50 odd, but something else pleased me more. The biggest thrill was when Keith Eccleshare (more about him shortly) and his brother, Ray, popped into our dressing room and congratulated me. I felt ten feet tall. Over time I progressed from the 2nd X1 to opening for the 1st X1 which I did for about four seasons. We, like the majority of the leagues in Lancashire, employed a professional player, which is how I came to play with quite a number of well known cricketers. Sometimes, when a club’s professional Astley Bridge 3rds, withme front row, 2nd left. 11