Played my first senior match v The Mote as a 15 year old. Skippered by Buddy Jessop, my reward was a couple of free pints and an Indian. Had a couple of sojourns away from Chingford, but always returned. Need my head examining. Thought I would have to retire end of 2004 due to a tendon problem in my upper right arm. Being a gullable soul, or was it that sod Paul Hart who me talked into giving 2005 a whirl. With regular match day physio from John Woodland and careful nurturing from Mark Campbell I had one of my better season with ball for quite a while. My batting would have been better if both John and Paul Hart had convinced me earlier that I was blind. Then its forward to the 2007 season. Gonna call it a day as far as indoor is concerned, is a young person's game, and also my peer group have all buggered off either crippled, knackered or some other committment they can think of. 2008 was a bland year for me, couldn't bowl a ball off the straight and narrow. Batting, still blind leading the bat. 2009, an emergence, Sammy being the hero here. Now the ball was swinging again, especially off the boundary ropes. Played mainly in the Sunday Bs (was very honoured to play 3 matches in the As with the elite). Jemmied out of retirement and played 3 indoor matches. You know, was right to retire when I did. Now have 2010 season. Wonders what is in store.
Next instalment - 2015. CRAP.... am still playing!!!!!!!
Can't blame Paul or John this time, tis Michael Blake's fault. Now I guess why you are wondering why I am not blaming myself. Answer is simple - DENIAL.
Both won and lost the toss, now 4th XI vice-captain, so Saturdays and not Sundays. Wow, have really missed the "Peter May" and all the other communal cabbage patches in Essex.
Am Myles' sidekick, poor bastard.