A cricketing legend is coming to Skelmanthorpe Cricket Club on Thursday June 29 – and the event is completely free to attend.
Sir Gordon Greenidge was an opening batsman for a West Indies team in the 1980s that was one of the greatest of all time.
Barbadian Sir Gordon, now 72, will take part in some junior coaching sessions and then join an audience to chat about his cricketing career and answer questions.
Sir Gordon, who played club cricket in England for Hampshire, graced the international stage between 1973 and 1991. In 108 Test matches he scored 7,558 runs.
The event at Skelmanthorpe’s Lidgett Lane ground will run from 5.30pm to 9.30pm.
Event organiser and local businessman Andy Needham said: “I am a huge cricket fan and I’ve supported Skelmanthorpe ever since I moved to the village over 30 years ago.
“I attended a legends cricket match that the famous Lashings side were playing in. They are like the Harlem Globetrotters of cricket and tour around playing local sides and raising funds for charity.
“I was at one of their games and won one of the auction prizes. The prize was for Sir Gordon to cook me a meal at my house.
“I got to speak to Sir Gordon and asked if we could swap him cooking for me and instead come and do a talk at Skelmanthorpe. He agreed and that is why the event is happening.
“We want to see as many people come to the event as possible, it’s totally free and it’ll be a really interesting night with Sir Gordon telling many stories from both his playing and coaching days.
“While a lot of our younger members and supporters may not know of Sir Gordon’s career, it will be good for them to listen and learn from a master of the game.”
There will be training, tips and advice and a photo opportunity with Sir Gordon from 5.30pm-7pm; Huddersfield chef Barrington Douglas will serve Caribbean-themed food between 7pm and 8pm; and there will be an audience with Sir Gordon and a Q&A from 8pm until 9.30pm. Entry is free.
