I first fell in love with cricket when attending my 1st Test match in 1949 when England played India with only 149 runs scored in the first day, I must have been a glutton for punishment! Watched cricket at Lords and the Oval throughout the 60/70's, but played very little turning
out for Warminster 2nd Xl in Wiltshire until hit by a ball above the eye.
This led to playing and umpiring a few CAMRA knock about matches in the 70's whilst I enjoyed the conviviality of the game regarding the craic, stats, and have appeared on the TV quiz show in 1987 'Time Please' hosted by Chris Tarrant, answering questions on the history of Ashes Test cricket.
My Wisden collection dates back to the 19th century, but I only possess a complete yearly collection since 1945!
I owe my current interest and involvement in Umpiring to one- Malcolm Ripley, who I sat next to at the Hedon Mayoral Dinner in April of last year, on a Thursday.
Less than 48 hours later, a couple of phone calls led me to me walking out to officiate at Humbleton on the Saturday!
Certainly - very short timed recruitment!!
My unfulfilled dream would have been a County cricketer before going on to become a First Class Umpire