How long have you been playing at Earlswood?
I started playing when I was 11 back in 1988 and retired in 2018. I played my first game away at Bournville and I remember playing in my school shirt :-) I can't remember the result, but what I do remember well from that game, was the Legend, our coach John Snipe, giving me a rollicking for backing away; needless to say I didn't back away again ever, cheers John!

What do you enjoy most about playing at Earlswood?
Like many others have said it really is the club spirit, the family feel. Growing up with people from 11, I class so many of them as family I really do. It's not just the cricket, so many life lessons learned as well. I'll borrow a quote my football team Everton use that sums it up perfectly. Once Earlswood has touched you nothing else feels the same.

Highest score for Earlswood?
I scored 127 on a Sunday against someone, but in the league my highest was 110 at Norton Lindsey in the 1s; I think it was 2010.
[Ed: it was 2004 but sadly Marv we don't have the scorecards for those but do have records of one or two others:
12/09/2010 - 104 v Walsall Stars
15/05/2011 - 101 v Burton
05/07/2009 - 101 not out v Kineton
29/05/2005 - 105 v Shilton
31/07/2004 - 101 v Norton Lindsey
22/08/2002 - 102 v Lapworth
XX/XX/2001 - 127 v Someone

Best bowling figures for Earlswood?
I think it was my last ever game in 2018 v Pak Shaheen with 5 for something, or actually, it might have been Wellesbourne 5-15, not sure when, maybe 2013?
[Ed:It was even better than that Marv ...]
5 - 11 v Wellesbourne, 12/05/2007. Included catching Gary Maynard off Alex Price as Wellesbourne were dismissed for 54.
5 - 23 v Pak Shaheen, 08/09/2018

Best moment in cricket so far?
In 1999, winning the Tapster Cup with my great friend Jim Clarke who top scored with 64, and, when Norton were going well, we turned to him as our last change bowler as nothing was working and he took 5 wickets ... RIP mate.

Playing in the Cotswold Hills League in our first season and only winning 1 game; a lot of learning but then to finally win the Premier Division was so so special.

Playing in Dubai in 2012 against the UAE on international grounds with some great cricketers.

To see where the club is now, from having hardly any juniors with two Saturday teams, to now having over 200 juniors, five Saturday teams and still playing a decent level of cricket on Sundays whilst retaining the family feel is great.

For myself, selfishly - to play 1st team cricket for 25 years, and to finish with five wickets in my last game, and to retire on my terms.

Favourite away ground?
I only played there once but Banbury was special with great facilities. Closer to home and biggest club in the area, Knowle and Dorridge have to say.

From a non-Earlswood perspective, The Sharjah Stadium in Dubai.

You need to take a road trip but must take three team-mates. Who gets the call?
This is really tough, I'd say Nigel Snipe, Nick Bolt and Arron Snipe.

Who would be banned from touching the car stereo?
Probably Bolty with his Pet Shop Boys, keep him off it.

Who is a Captain in the making?
I'd say Josh Craven, I think he has everything, the talent to lead on the field and a great cricket brain.

Who is the dressing room joker?
My word, so many, and when I was playing as a young kid in the late 80s and 90s, put it this way, a lot of the behaviour wouldn't be allowed these days! I would say Nigel Snipe who is genuinely one of the funniest guys I know. You had to be on your guard all the time. Martin Calkeld - people see him at the club now watching and having a few drinks after his golf, but he was not only the best wicket keeper I have played with, but was certainly a joker in the dressing room, which isn't a surprise his son George Calkeld is the current joker! The pranks and jokes have certainly changed over the years, but one thing for certain, I do truly miss the dressing room, some great times!!!

Who can't step away from the mirror?
Apart from myself...joke...I would have to say Nigel Snipe. I can just see him now constantly in the mirror doing his hair after he's been in the showers after everyone has left and nicked the shower gel; it was like he won the lottery! But yeah, I had no chance of getting inf front of the mirror when he was there.

Worst time-keeper?
Chief - the amount of times I was at an away ground, waiting for everyone and get a message "still waiting for Chief".

Who's the most dedicated trainer who puts you all to shame?
I would have to say Mick Weir and the passion he has for the game. I don't think you could get anyone more dedicated. He takes it extremely seriously, with his shadow batting in the middle of the square before games, and he's fitter than some of the youngsters even at his age.

Who has the worst potty mouth?
I think i would have to say it's George Calkeld - no more words needed really.

Who is Mr or Mrs Smooooooth?
I would go for Dave Snipe. It takes a lot giving him a compliment as he didn't rate me as a batsman and said I'd be 10-11 haha, but yeah, legendary stories back in the day, and always took care of himself, always with the moisturiser after games, and still looks smooth now at his age.

Who is the least likely to help put the rope out?
Stuart Reeve - not that he didn't want too, I think it was more due to time needed dismantling all his cricket bag, taking his 15 bats out and lining them up in the dressing room, plus putting a lot of strapping on all over his body - he just didn't have the time for the rope to be honest.

Who do you need to be ahead of in the tea queue to ensure you get some food?
Wayne Scott - I have never seen someone load so much food on one plate, however, I wasn't going to argue with him! I remember him during an away game at Offchurch - he was about 11 and not playing and he had to be told several times to leave the doughnuts alone. LET THE PLAYERS EAT FIRST, WAYNE, LEAVE THEM ALONE!

Best away ground tea?
Norton Lindsey

Funniest thing you've seen on a cricket pitch?
I'd certainly say one of the strangest things I've seen is wild horses running around when we were mid game from the field next door.

I remember playing Overbury and we had Rob Slowey, a very quick Aussie. We had 8 in the slips and the Overbury team were all huddled up literally praying none of them would have to come out to bat. It was the quickest spell of bowling I've seen.

On a tour once I saw Micky Eagles going berserk after being dismissed by Flash Colbourne - he's fuming and swearing and as he walked off he threw his bat in disgust, but it went backwards by 10 metres on to the pitch again, and he had to walk back and get it. We were all silent and then as soon as he went in the dressing room just burst out laughing.

I know for a fact I've missed loads as my memory isn't the best but I just remember genuinely having so much fun with great laughs on and off the field.

Who's the best Earlswood cricketer you have played with?
I'd have to say Craig Everett, he had everything - unreal bat, decent bowler, and his fielding was a joke. He made the game look so easy. If Worcestershire had given him the contract I would love to see where he could have played.

Who's the grumpiest team-mate on the pitch?
I'd have to say, RIP Barrie Yates - He was the best swing bowler I've seen, but extremely grumpy.

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