The Twelfth Man 2011

2 snowfall. On this occasion, rather than a single speaker, I thought Chairman James showed great initiative in arranging a group discussion on the stage, with him linking Brian, son of Cyril Turner a great Yorkshire player of the past, with Ben Sanderson, a young fast bowling star of the future and myself. A very happy event as James brought in members with questions. My love for, and life in the world of cricket, has been well publicised and not merely in my own books, but may I pay a personal tribute to all the members of the Society whom I regard as personal friends. Whenever I attend a cricket match anywhere, as I walk round the boundary, I always keep a keen eye out for members to exchange a word; or three. Attended the final meeting of our season, as always the presentation of awards to young cricketers who have benefited from the great work done by our Coaches during the winter appropriately presented by Arnold Sidebottom, who himself was helped by the Society as a boy. I remember Jack calling upon me when I was a ‘Colt’ to join in with Derek Moxon to help at Winter Nets 50 years ago, Martin and Tim Boon particularly impressed me. A final memory of Jack: The time he told the Committee he had booked a group from Liverpool to play at a function. The Committee said no! So Jack had to cancel his booking of The Beatles!!. Two weeks later, they were Top of The Pops and how Jack smiled. A Message From The President I am deeply conscious of the honour bestowed on me in serving this great Society as your President for the past five years. The Wombwell Cricket Lovers’ Society has a great history, known throughout the world, wherever this great game of ours is played. The ‘Wombwell’, established 60 years ago, has a great history and I am happy to place on record my membership going back more than 50 of those years. It is often said “We must look forward”, yet I would argue that at this momentous time in our history, we are quite entitled to stop and take pleasure in remembering so many happy times. The list of officers who have served the Society unselfishly must be headed by our long-term Secretary, the much loved Jack Sockell, but I have no hesitation in suggesting that in Mick Pope, we are blessed. To start listing officers is an invidious task, yet if I only add the names of Chairman James Greenfield (who picked up the baton from dear Frank Taylor), and Roy Foster, Treasurer perhaps I might be forgiven, although let me add right away that I know what a great team of supporting Committee men and ladies we have. The Annual Christmas lunch, a great tradition of the Society was attended by many brave ‘souls’ who made their way to Ardsley House Hotel in spite of a heaby WCLS President pictured at the Society’s Christmas lunch 2010 with Brian Turner (left) and Yorkshire CCC bowler Ben Sanderson.