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Stan Cherry - 'The way we were' Bath Chronicle 11/07/2001 |
Each week, we ask a local resident to dig out an old photo of them in days gone by – and then explain exactly what they were up to back then. This week, Bathford Cricket Club president Stan Cherry looks back over decades of friendly fun.
Stan Cherry has lived in Bathford since 1970 and has been part of Bathford Cricket Club since 1972.
The photo above was taken in 1974, not long after Stan had been elected club secretary.
"In the team at the time I was a general dog's body really, middle of the batting order and occasional bowler. In those days, we struggled to get ten players out. The first game, I remember quite well, was against Bath Exiles, who had a demon bowler called John Cox, who everybody was terrified of."
"In fact, I think he's still connected with the club. If I remember rightly I got about 17 that day, which quite surprised me. I think we lost – we used to lose most games in those days. We only had one team back then instead of the two we've got now".
"The star players for Bathford were Derek Brown, who was there before I was, Mike Noel was a founder member, Jack Blanchard and Mike Doubleday. Mike was our president until his death a few years ago, when I decided I no longer wanted to be secretary, so they made me president instead."
"We won one or two games that season, although, of course, there was no league, it was all friendlies and we used to play two games a weekend, every weekend, and some midweek matches too."
"I actually missed that shot in the photo where I'm playing the pick-up, – it was a lovely stroke but, yes, I missed the ball."
"I retired from playing four years ago, mainly due to having shoulder problems from bowling too many overs. And then last season I was umpiring for the first team in a league match and they only had eight players and asked me if I'd go and get my kit, which I reluctantly did and then thoroughly enjoyed the game."
Since that comeback four years ago, Stan has been a regular player for the Bathford 2nds team – along with Derek Brown and Mike Noel – and remains a popular figure both at the club and on the local cricket league scene.
Stan Cherry, 2001
