Strathmore and Perthshire Cricket Union Handbook 2010

2 WELCOME As we begin the 2010 season of the Strathmore and Perthshire Cricket Union competitions, we must pause to reflect on the loss of several people who have graced the Union’s grounds over the years. This edition of the handbook contains tributes to Mike Walton and Eck Daniel and I am grateful to the people who have supplied the moving tributes which appear elsewhere in the booklet. We also have the sad duty to report the death of Forthill stalwart TM Smith and of the former Norwood and Kirriemuir player, Ladson Hayes, whose sudden passing at the end of March robbed those of us who knew him of a much valued friend. The Union extends its sympathies to the families of all these men and to those of any other players whose passing has not been notified to us. The Union continues to provide attractive and competitive cricket and this is reflected in the number of clubs who seek to join us. This year, we welcome Freuchie to our ranks for the first time. By entering a team in Division Three, the Fife village is hoping to find an outlet for the continued development of their youngsters by providing them with regular organised cricket of a decent standard. I am sure that they will find the experience both welcoming and worthwhile and trust that they will have an enjoyable beginning to their Union career. From one new face to an old one - the return to the Union of Gordonians is a very welcome development. The Countesswells club were members from 1940 until 2000 winning the First Division in 1994 and the Three Counties Cup on four occasions. Indeed, they won the cup on their debut in 1939, before they were granted full membership. The committee then were obviously impressed enough to let them in to the fold for the following season. Having withdrawn after the 2002 season after two years amalgamated with Aberdeen Grammar, the club now feels ready to attempt to reclaim its place in the Union’s top tier and will be striving hard to begin to achieve that goal during the coming season. It will not be an easy task for them and I’m sure that the level of competition in Division Two will be all the stronger for their entry. I write this introduction as I embark on my second period as President of the Union, conscious of becoming the first person since the war to serve more than one term in office. Grateful as I am to the clubs for the