Every summer on my visits home I watch a number of cricket matches. I'm not a great watcher so invariably like many other retired players, I get as much enjoyment talking to former players around the boundary as actually watching the match. I occasionally get the chance to talk to some genuine cricket fans, but sadly they are getting thin on the ground and unless you hang out in the clubhouse for the final hour's play, you might not meet any of them at some grounds.
It's all part of the modern culture in club cricket but what a sad loss to the game over the years. Love them or hate them, and there are plenty of examples in both camps, the genuine fans added a lot to the game and provided the atmosphere for some memorable exchanges. And the players loved it too, even although they knew they were in for a bit of banter and abuse if things went wrong. But they also loved the praise and the genuine fans gave it just as willingly. After all, what fun was there in taking a few wickets or reaching a fifty when two men and a dog were meandering around the boundary? Even some players these days have a problem recognizing a batsman's milestone and how often do you hear a batsman say 'well bowled' after the bowler has comprehensively beaten him? More likely an expletive and a rude gesture followed by the all too familiar glare.
The "Critic's Bench" at the Green in the early eighties was full of 'has-beens, never-beens and could have-beens' but they weren't afraid to air their views on friend or foe during matches. The players loved them because they added a bit of spice to matches and stories about them could fill books.
I fondly remember umpire Sam McCormick senior taking a bit of stick from one particular loud Comber supporter and after a few overs 'stick' with his back firmly towards the mouthpiece and his eyes focused on the wicket, Sam stuck two fingers up his back. There was a great roar of laughter and I have to say approval, because although he critics were unashamedly biased they loved the banter. Sam was a lovely man and like any decent person he'd had enough. In barely a few years the "Critic's Bench" at Comber disappeared and it took some time before it came back with a new generation, just as biased, just as vociferous and just as important to the game as the players. North Down supporters travel in numbers these days led by the inimitable 'Cooperman' and they easily outnumber fans at most grounds far and near.
On our away matches in the eighties we loved going to places like Waringstown, Downpatrick, Lisburn, Woodvale, and Donemana because they had genuine fans around the boundary and even although they were biased, they did respond to good performances from the opposition. At least I think I saw two Waringstown supporters clap Raman Lamba's century on his first visit to the Lawn but come to think about it, I never saw them again!
Many of the fans who stood on the road at some grounds appeared to just come for the banter and with the benefit of a hedge in between they could shout as much as they liked and most did. In stark contrast it was not very exciting heading off to play at Ballymena, Bangor, Lurgan or North, because apart from the groundsman and the tea-ladies, there wasn't anybody else at the games!
Times have changed and the clubhouse culture of to-day's game can be great fun too but give me an afternoon anywhere with genuine fans ringing the boundary, flasks sandwiches and all, and that's as good an amphitheatre as you'll get in good club cricket.
Love them or hate them, the game needs its fans badly!
Clarence Hiles
