Mike Foster

Only played cricket at school in the 1950’s before taking up with scoring in 1951 with Hull Town CC An XI. Progressed quickly as a scorer to Hull No 2 which then contained such well known names as Eric Mackman and Maurice Atkinson, then on to the Yorkshire Lge team with popular players like Cawthray, Dickinson, Page and Hodgson.

The then Vice chair of ERCA Mark Ruebens introduced me to the Association after I stood in a friendly at the Circle when Wakefield Penguins had no umpire – the first taste for me in the white coat! In the 70’s I umpired in a game with former Somerset leg-spinner Johnny Lawrence in a schoolboys match. Finally, joined ERCUA in 1957, four years after its inauguration becoming the youngest ever to stand in an EY Cup game at 17 ½ years – a record standing to this day. The person closest to the achievement being Martin Reed, the former Editor of ACU&S ‘How’s That’ and also their Treasurer.

Since 1962, has remedied the qualification of all umpires to “blindness” by correction of vision by wearing contact lenses; I ask how many umpires similarly have these aids?

Attained full membership of ACU&S in 1988 and has since stood in all of the eight leagues in the area, a record of 48 years of officiating. Highlights have been St Peter's School Festival in 1988, various NCA matches appointed from ACU&S headquarters at Lords and Charity matches Hornsea v Yorkshire CCC and Hornsea v Saudi Arabia X1 in 1989. In addition, has been a member of the Jarvis Cup Law quiz team on several occasions, notably when the team tied with the famous Lincolnshire outfit in 1990. Also serves on the Association’s Committee.

More importantly, my aim is to promote the cause of cricket and to recruit umpires where possible, being successful in introducing our current secretary Steve Graham into the fold.

I have a ‘dream’ to grace Lords during my 50^th season in the Village KO Cup Final and, God willing, to continue to serve the Association for many years to come!

Mike was elected to the Presidency of ERCUSA at the 2012 AGM replacing the long standing former President, founder member and Normany Veteran, Eric Whitton, who died during the summer.