Okay....the first story goes like this.....it's the truth...it's one of mine......
I would only be about 19 - young and easily influenced you do understand don't you?? I was working in Sheffield at the time, had a good job with fantastic wages considering my age - so what does a young chap do with his money - save for a house, put it in some annuities - DOES HE SHITE - he goes clubbing with his mates......and spends all his money on fine and dandy clothes - such as the designer suit, shirt and tie I went out in - total cost of £300!!!!!!......anyway I digress.
This one particular evening after a clubbing session, heavy drinking and larking around I stopped over at an old mates house - he lived in Chapeltown between Sheffield and Barnsley - we called into his local Indian takeaway on the way back and ordered copious amounts of hot Indian food. I got back to his house and lost recollection of what happened after that until I woke next morning...........
With my tie, still tied round my neck, the place was basically a wreck.....and there was a funny smell......couldn't see where it was coming from though, until I stood up.....Somehow....to this day I don't know how....there was either Indian food or vomit in all my suit pockets, and my shirt was covered in it - the suit was ruined and the shirt and tie, my shoes were also full too......I had £8 in cash, to get home - I borrowed a t-shirt and some shorts - which were far too small to get back to Eckington - I threw the bloody suit straight in the bin - it was beyond dry cleaning!!!! I managed to get home - it took me a while - Chapeltown is not the most connected place in the world - but I got home - dehydrated from the booze, freezing due to the attire and pissed off at my suit - ah well, no moral I am afraid to this story - we all do daft things, good job we enjoy them eh???
THE CRICKET INCIDENT......OUCH! - another true one - its me again!
Cricket was and still is (apart from Ice Hockey) the only sport I have been a major fan of - why?? well its because it's the only sport I have ever been any good at - I am a big lad - not suited to running around like a maniac at football and not stupid enough to play rugby....so was I chuffed or what when I got promoted to the first team of my local cricket club - even bought all the new crisp cricket whites, new bat and all the regalia to go with it - perhaps looking back it was a hasty investment.....lol
We were an average side in a red hot league, I was down as first change bowler - which meant I bowled my overs when the first bowler had done his initial spell. The captain was a good bloke he knew my strengths as a bowler and batsman and my obvious weakness as a fielder - I WAS NO RUNNER! He put me in close catching at first then when i went to warm up for bowling - he put me on the boundary at long on (behind the bowlers run up!) Safe place....MY ARSE A SAFE PLACE!
This cocky young kid came on - smashing the ball all over the ground - couldnt wait to get at him and give him a few short pitched deliveries - I was salivating at the thought......then.....disaster.......he hoicks an absolute banger right over the bowlers head straight towards me....right.....I thought....I am having you.....I followed the ball.....cupped my hands......and caught the ball....on a heap on the floor.......captain comes rushing over to give me a pat on the back....just then the pain kicked in.......OUCH!!!!!!
I caught the ball correctly- without doubt - trouble is, it was going so fast that I had broken and dislocated both my thumbs.........my captain called for the first aider who too a look.....gave me lots of hope because she fainted!!!! I ended up having a 6 mile journey in the back of a pet ambulance to Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham, waited 3 hours to get seen and ended up with both hands in plaster for about 2 months - only played a few times after that in friendlies - as soon as I catch a ball now - one of the thumbs pop out - I put them back in my self these days - a doctor showed me how......alas I am now no more than a part time player - I take a few of the kids sometimes upto St Peter's and coach them.....when I have the time - at least my beloved Yorkshire won the championship last year - keeps you going doesn't it:) PS.....does anyone wanna buy a nearly new cricket kit???......LOL...:)