Sleaford 1st XI Review
This was to be my final year as the captain of the first eleven, a very good end to a small stint in the history of the club. Topped off with some individual performances of which I will never forget and neither I am sure will the ones who were there.
I will come back to those but I would like to be a bit selfish and recap on my time as captain. When I was approached to be captain I didn’ t really understand the role or how it may affect me, both on and off the field.
Firstly on the field, having never been a captain of a men’ s team before I believe the vision and faith shown by Martyn Miles and the then current board was amazing. The fact that they were able to see some qualities in me that they thought could make me suitable for the job is humbling and nearly unbelievable, being as I couldn’ t see them myself. I hope the way I have led the team and developed the side has made them happy with the way they did their jobs. I feel I have taken the club forward and together with whoever has been Chairman we have been able to be successful in seeing the progression of our youth in our senior ranks. I never claim to be perfect or right all the time, in fact I don’ t really mind what others think as I don’ t take myself that seriously anyway. But when I think of the seasons I have had at Sleaford, I will always look back proudly at the things we all achieved and I will always be honored to say I was a part of it.
Off the field, this was an area I never envisaged captaincy changing me. But it definitely has, and for the better. When I took it on I think I thought I was quite experienced and that I understood people. I was very wrong. It turns out there are a lot of different types of people in the world. Sleaford has a fair proportion of those types; this isn’ t a bad thing, don’ t think I am having a dig at anyone as I am not. However, having to manage peoples needs is the greatest challenge and I am very much still at the early stages of this. For example, over the years we have had a dressing room mixed with the personalities of Alex Sears and Stephen Bradford, or Rhys Collings and Tim McIntosh. A team talk to try to be relevant to the two ends of the spectrum was difficult to say the least. At the same time an absolute pleasure and a laugh a minute, and I can honestly say that no one has fallen out properly in the dressing rooms. Team spirit has won us so many games over the five years, something Sleaford as a club should be very proud of.
I will be forever grateful for all those of you who have scored or made teas for me and to Colin for all his help over the 365 days of every season as it never stops for him. The biggest thank you to my parents who step in at the last minute to do teas when I will have forgotten to sort it, or anything else which needs doing when I have messed up on a match day. Thank you to the handful of Chairman over the years that have put up with my lateness or poor memory, Thank you and sorry. Thank you to all of the coaches and volunteers who have helped bring through the
amazing talent we now see in all our senior sides. It takes years to see the rewards of your hard work, but it’ s desperately needed and really worth it; thank you. Thank you to all the players who I have played with at Sleaford, I appreciate your hard work and efforts in training and on Saturdays. I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did.
Back to this season, and as I said some brilliant individual performances. Tim McIntosh again proved why is he is the best player to have played in the Premier League with a constant demolition of every bowling attack. In the 20 innings he played he racked up 1172 runs and averaged over 90. Nick Goacher also put in some brilliant bowling performances, our only bowler in the top 25 bowlers. He bowled over 170 overs and only going for 530 runs taking 33 wickets in the process. He was constantly the one I turned to when we were in a partnership or runs were coming too easily, never letting me down and that’ s true in all my seasons at the club. Finally was Tom Shorthouse. I was very fortunate when I came to Sleaford to have a talent so good as Tom and he has now begun to fulfill the potential he has always had. This season was one he will not forget, having the batting innings of his life so far. An unbeaten innings totaling 204 in 50 overs, it was a faultless display and has been well documented in local and national papers. Again I was very proud to say I was in the team that day, it’ s just a shame the people who came down to watch Tim McIntosh bat didn’ t hang around, because they would have witnessed a knock not even Tim could have produced.
Looking forward as I always like to finish, we are very lucky to be in a healthy cricketing position. In handing over the reigns I am in no doubt we will be in safe hands. The new captain has played at every level at Sleaford, is the best player we have produced in my opinion and is one of the nicest guys to boot. He will have the respect of every player that steps onto the field with him and has the match experience to make the right calls. I am very excited to watch how the club develops and help in any way I can. We do face different times now to when I took over and going forward we may not always have the luxury of a Tim McIntosh. I was very lucky with that and I am in no doubt that he was a big part of our successes, I don’ t think successes should be judged on winning titles or cups. At Sleaford I think success can be judged very differently, I will try to briefly explain. For example, how many under 18’ s are in our first team on merit? Do we have a good reputation on and off the field? Is the cricket we play exciting to watch and to play? Are we encouraging young players to be a good people to represent the club? Just a few examples of how I think success should be judged. I think we have been under my watch and I know we will be a huge success under Shaun.
Thank you to everyone for my chance to be a part of Sleaford Cricket Club.
Oliver Burford 1st XI Captain 2015
BAKER PLANT HIRE