…and in recent times has been a very active administrator as chairman of the Grasshoppers, and within the Northern Cricket Union. Always a frank and honest spokesperson, he answers some probing questions from Ulster Cricketer editor Clarence Hiles…
1
You have donned some interesting roles in recent years as Chairman of the Ulster Grasshoppers and Director of Development within the Northern Cricket Union. Is cricket administration as rewarding as playing?
Reasonably similar I’d say. As chairman of the Ulster Grasshoppers, I had the opportunity to help decide where the Grasshopper tours were going to be and this was fun the whole time – being afforded the opportunity to organise cricket tours to beautiful countries for local cricketers and genuine nice guys gave me a real buzz and to still hear these guys talking years later about these tours is fantastic.
Equally being Director of Cricket Development now affords me an opportunity to work with a bunch of other cricket lovers from various NCU clubs in trying to make NCU cricket better and stronger for all those who play or officiate within the game. Although I’ve only been in post for about a year, I’d like to think we are making positive strides. At least I don’t think I’ve offended too many people yet!!
Playing was similarly rewarding – I got to meet fellow cricketers not only locally, but from all over the world, and struck up some great friendships.
I’ve been very lucky to be involved in three different, but very rewarding aspects of cricket!
2 Did we see you making occasional appearances this season?
Yep – I’ve done my usual few games again this year – I never learn!
Since I first retired at the end of a Grasshopper Tour in Cape Town in 1998, I reckon I’m about on my 6th attempt to give up playing. I’ve differing reasons for turning out the odd time, but the main one is that my son Peter who’s now fourteen, is playing on Muckamore 4ths, and the guys down there know that I’m a soft touch if they are a player short and Peter is playing. I also managed to wangle my way onto Muckamore 2nds for the semi final and final of the Intermediate cup. I’ve never won a cup final during my whole career, so I reckoned this was an opportunity to rectify that. However the weather was the only winner this year, so that’s a gap I may never fill now. I also played in the midweek league a few times. It is ideal for me these days as you have to retire if you get to 30 (or so I was told) and its five overs max per bowler. That’s just perfect for my one good knee!
I still get the competitive edge once you get me over the white line but I can assure you its much easier from the sidelines!
3 You had a great career with Muckamore and Ulster Country but do you feel your loyalty to a country club and a few troublesome injuries cost you an Ireland cap?
I’m too old and sensible now to give you my honest answer on this one! You might actually know the answer to it better than me! Lets just say my thoughts on it now are that the selectors at the time must have felt that I wasn’t good enough and that’s OK with me. My performances on the pitch were what they were and to me that’s what counted. Yes, it would have been nice to get anIrelandcap but hey, there have been better players than me who didn’t get capped so I take some consolation from being in that group!
4 Muckamore is one of the most beautiful grounds inIreland. Can the club get into the big time in the years ahead?
This question is the bane of my life. My heart says yes, but the head says no. We haven’t managed it during my career apart from fleeting appearances in Section One, so I’m not sure why it might be suddenly any different. I’ll probably get in trouble for this, but the majority of players seem happy with their lot, and don’t appear to want on to push to the next level. For me, that’s very disappointing.
Having said that, it would be fabulous if within the next 10-15 years Muckamore could become a top class side that is respected throughout Irish Cricket. Personally I’d bust my gut to help achieve that, and I know the likes of Ivan McCombe and John McCormick would be right behind me. However, the hard work has to start now, but do the players and the club really want it?
5 You have played with and against the best players of your era and you always set a high standard of sportsmanship. Do you think the modern players have the same commitment to playing cricket in the right spirit?
No, absolutely not! Some of what goes on in local cricket these days is embarrassing, never mind downright stupid. I don’t understand why the game can’t be played hard but fair, and why players and clubs can’t treat each other and our officials with respect. We can certainly be competitive and have a bit of banter with both players and umpires alike, but don’t overstep that mark, which all players know, exists. Some of what goes on during games is petty, uncalled for, and doesn’t reflect well on the individuals concerned.
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