The Twelfth Man 2016

9 School, he joined a local Doncaster works club, before being captured by British Ropes, a top Yorkshire Council team, and it was after playing awhile with them he was invited to play for the Yorkshire Colts. His ability soon saw him selected for Yorkshire and he really enjoyed the challenge, soon earning a regular place in the County team. Taking wickets regularly, the high point of his career was when chosen for the MCC tour to Pakistan in 1955/56. Before that, like so many young men at that time, he was ‘called-up’ to serve two years in the RAF. Of course, being a recognised county cricketer, he turned out for the RAF and it was after his excellent performances in matches against Army and Navy that he was chosen for the tour. This tour saw him slip on a mat which caused his back trouble, not helped by a long delay in diagnosing the actual trouble, and eventually only cured by an operation. He returned to County cricket, taking nearly 300 wickets for Yorkshire and was ‘capped’ in 1960, before two years later, along with Brian Bolus his friend from St Michael’s, being released. He went into League cricket with great success. The Central Lancashire League and then Wakefield, where with Vic Wilson as skipper and Sonny Ramadhin, they swept the board, going through the season unbeaten. His next move was to Brodsworth, before joining his local club, Doncaster Town as Club Captain and he has retained his connection ever since and nowadays is so pleased to watch his son and Grandsons making their way in the great game. As I mentioned in my introduction, Mike proved to be a great speaker for my YCW Club dinner, and as the years have rolled on, his reputation has grown, not just at dinners of all descriptions, but as a top draw, regular speaker on sea-going tours and cruise ships. Members of Wombwell know him very well, there can be no friendlier ex-player and it is always a delight to be in his company. I must conclude by reporting how difficult it was for the two Brian’s and I to tear our selves away form this lovely man. Brian Workman, Brian Sanderson and Normal Hazell at home with Mike Cowan