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Post by Wicked Cricket on Jul 22, 2014 19:04:18 GMT
Horsham - Day 2Jack was back at Horsham - the endearingly eccentric Jack - the former England and Gloucestershire wicket keeper/batsman
Jack Russell who makes more money today as an artist than ever as a professional cricketer. He has a pitch by Neil Beck's
cricket memorabilia stall at the 'Railway End'. It has a striking red marquee top. He will be in attendance on Wednesday and
Sunday. Since interviewing Jack at Arundel in June, he's been on a tour of county grounds around England. Taunton, Uxbridge, Scarborough. He's loved every minute of it, especially attending the out grounds. Only Colchester was a wash out. On a really good day he sells around £4,000 of cricket prints and books which Jack has painted or written himself. And as county clubs invite him to attend, the large pitch area offered is free. The Previous Interviewunofficialsussexccc.freeforums.net/thread/3/softandfluffys-wicked-cricket-blog?page=5Fortunately, Jack recognises me and in his usual warm endearing way invites me to sit down for a catch up on his recent activities. Arundel still remains his best show this summer. He sold 80 books in one day running out of stock by 2.30pm. Sussex Chief Exec, Zac Toumazi, has invited him back next year (hint, hint!) where Jack may attend for several days. I wanted to learn more about the man Mr Russell - oddities and all. He signed as a professional cricketer with Gloucestershire at the age of 18 for the princely sum of £2,000 a season. In those days players had to take on a winter job and as Jack was a trained carpet fitter, he would be laying carpets out of season. In fact, the club pay "was such rubbish" he made double the money from cricket sponsorship. Well-known for his endearing eccentric ways, I gently probe about his legendary mannerisms. "People always ask me about my old sun hat. If I don't know where it is I suffer a panic attack, so my wife guards it under lock and key. Then, I know exactly where it is wherever I may be." What of his baked beans fetish? "I continue to eat two cans a day, usually between lunch and tea. They are always Heinz. Then there are the chocolate biscuits. At least 10 or more a day. Alongside meals I either add brown or red sauce. I alternate each day. Although, I never add them to baked beans. That is a firm ruling." And what of his most famous eccentricity - drinking surplus amounts of tea? "As I get older the daily amount increases. I am now up to 25 to 30 cups a day - milky with one sugar. At least, I have cut down on the sugar!" Jack only likes "proper tea" which cuts out herbal versions, but the brand doesn't matter. "Whilst up at Scarborough, I discovered Yorkshire tea which I am now hooked on." Alongside his daily "emotional" rations Perhaps, his oddest trait is that he can't paint without a cuppa in one hand and a brush in the other. "I often dab my brush in the tea to clean it but continue to drink afterwards. The painty flavour is quite exotic and one I have come to enjoy." He may use the same tea bag throughout the day which he pins to a board on a wall. One mannerism he's stopped was his daily morning routine of eating a soggy Weetabix for breakfast after it had been soaked in milk for precisely 12 minutes. "Now that was plain boring. I don't miss that routine at all. I ended it after retiring from cricket. The 12th man gave a huge sigh of relief." Jack's luckiest break in life was finding his wife Aileen who understands and copes with his traits. The couple are celebrating 30 years of marriage next year. Not a bad run given that Jack was in the Gloucestershire nets on the night of their honeymoon having batting practise. "During my playing days, she would always check 'Teletext' to see how the team and I had got on. This would help her decide what mood I might be in when I arrived home." Meanwhile, Jack affirms. "I am not bothered by what people think of me. I am what I am. My traits make me happy." So, add this one to the long Russell list. Whilst others enjoy looking around a National Trust house, an antiques market or an aristocratic garden, jack enjoys meat markets. "Recently, I discovered a cracking one near Scarborough. I can't wait to go around it again." www.jackrussell.co.uk/store/news.aspx
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Post by longhops on Jul 22, 2014 21:53:12 GMT
S & F: Arrived at Horsham after school today and the first face I recognised was Jack. He remembered me from when my lads met him last year during Canterbury week. We bought his book which is a great read as well as having some outstanding art work in it. A really lovely man who now ranks up there with my all time hero Alan Knott! We had a real giggle trying to get a Yorkhire fan to buy a copy of his book. The Yorky said He couldn't as he "already has too many cricket books and his wife would not approve of another" We both felt it may have been his unwillingness to part with his money!!
Thanks for the info about Jack. He is fast becoming another friendly face at all cricket grounds!
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Jul 24, 2014 8:46:45 GMT
‘AN INTERVIEW WITH CRICKET MEMORABILIA TRADER NEIL BECK AT HORSHAM’
One of the best known and colourful Sussex CCC characters is Neil Beck who along with his pipe, sun hat and affable charm can be found at every Hove championship and OD match selling his cricket books and memorabilia. From outside the Newbury building to a move to the North East terrace and then a return ticket this season to an indoor pitch, Neil is delighted. "No more tarpaulins, no more unpacking and packing, no more vans. It's a joy being here.” There is even a shark head motif alongside his premise. Neil trades under the name 'Castle Cricket Books' , a company he set up in the early 1990s. The first stall Neil took was at the Eastbourne cricket festival in 1985 and after retiring in 1998 from his County librarian work he became a full time trader. He has been a Sussex Member since 1969. Neil gains his stock from various sources including a personal runner. Although word of mouth is often the best. At Horsham, he'd just bought a rare 1940 Wisden off a client to add to his stock. "Wisdens are the bread and butter of this business, " Neil explains. "My prices are competitive. Anything 1980s or later are £10 each, whilst the earlier ones vary depending on age and condition. " Neil's Bread and Butter No surprise his stall has a strong Sussex flavour. CB Fry is back in vogue. John Snow is as popular as ever with an unsigned book selling for £6 and a signed copy £10. Add to the mix Ted Dexter, Jim Parks and most recently the paperback version of 'CMJ' which is Neil's present best seller at £5 and the turnover grows. The cricket festivals at Horsham and Arundel are his best venues where on a good day Neil would hope to sell over 100 different items. Apart from books every conceivable item of cricket memorabilia can be found on his stall from cigarette/trade cards, scorecards and photos to jigsaws and games. Neil even has a website which specialises in selling old cricket scorecards. Prices can vary from £1 to £5+ for a pre-war example. Additional autographs of players can often double the value to memorabilia items. www.castlecricketbooks.co.ukNeil is excited by a growing trend of youngsters moving into the market. Youngsters being those aged between 25 and 35. "We lost a generation to computers and technology. But this new lot are returning to their heritage. I sold a book on Maurice Tate to one this week." Recent autobiographies of England players do not sell well and are quickly remaindered. Only the Kevin Pietersen book scheduled for publication in October may sell a six figure total. Neil is very proud of "His Team", a family of 7 teddy bears that he brings to every event. They are his lucky mascots. "I was given the first bear, dressed in the South African team colours, by my wife. The collection has grown since." They include the Australian colours and of course Sussex. But his primary collection are the 11,000 cricket related cigarette and trade cards as well as a large assortment of old scorecards and Sussex CCC related books. Meanwhile, Neil is the only British stockist of 'ACS Books', the spearhead of the 'Association of Cricket statisticians & Historians', apart from the publisher. The Association produce around 12 different booklets a year. www.acscricket.comNeil will be attending the 50 over game at Horsham against Nottinghamshire on Sunday (July 27th).Attachments:
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Jul 24, 2014 16:21:42 GMT
The Sussex CCC Hierarchy are very interested with Eastbourne Council's offer to hold a cricket festival next year. One staff
member explained the club are taking the offer very seriously as the money is in place and the Council have said they
will remove any hindrances from the adjacent football ground. This financial co-operation is quite refreshing compared to
Horsham's Council.
While there is some concern over the actual number of people the ground can hold, one presumes Eastbourne will take the place
of Horsham if the festival goes ahead next Summer. The last 1st class match held at the seaside town was in 1998. The downside
is that Horsham is increasingly becoming a successful hunting ground for Sussex and a ground the players love to play at.
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Post by flashblade on Jul 24, 2014 16:26:36 GMT
werpk 'jb 'dfn fng ;efbg ;ejbg 'ejb 'erjbgn'e Now you're talking, fluffy. That's my kind of language. |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Jul 24, 2014 16:32:49 GMT
fb,
There are gremlins in the thread!! I can't attach photos in their proper place.
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Post by flashblade on Jul 24, 2014 17:02:50 GMT
fb, There are gremlins in the thread!! I can't attach photos in their proper place. What you need to do is rkasm tb shjegszkry w2lozmriwkfh That should sort it out.  On edit: no, my photos haven't come through, either.  |
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Post by hhsussex on Jul 24, 2014 19:50:24 GMT
 On Edit: Seems to work OK for me. S&f and flashblade, have you been to the Land of Grey and Pink again? |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Jul 24, 2014 22:27:34 GMT
hhs,
Try placing a photo within the middle of text ie. between sentences. See what happens then.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2014 8:14:17 GMT
I say go to Eastbourne.
Horsham will emerge stronger from the experience.
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Jul 25, 2014 10:05:44 GMT
As Sussex supporters head to Horsham this Sunday to watch the first 50 over match against Notts, another game will be occurring North of Hove with the colour of celebrity and pazazz. Yep, it's that time of year for the annual Piers Morgan XI v Newick CC. Much has been written about these annual razzmatazz events and much has happened to Mr Marmite Man since last year. He's been sacked from his former 'CNN' chat show and has an ongoing personal twitter vendetta against the ECB. So, who are the celebrities playing for his team on Sunday? Yuvraj Singh, Adam Hollioake and Simon Jones with one potential other, as of yet, unknown. Compared to last year when the great Brian Lara graced the Newick playing field, it seems Piers is scraping the barrel a little. No Flintoff or Pietersen, past stalwarts of the event; Adam Hollioake played in last year's match and as for Simon Jones, since his injury problems, not exactly an 'A' lister. But, to be fair, Yuvraj is worth watching where, hopefully, the near-by Newick houses will be insured for window breakage. This man can hit the ball a very long way. The game is free to attend and starts at 2pm. There are two T20 Morgan XI games against the Newick 1st and 2nd's. Piers will be amongst many friends whom he's known from his school days, having been a member and player for the club since 10 years-old. He is a genuine lover of the sport, a half-decent batsman and bowler, and when surrounded by a cricket field morphs into a likeable human being. 'Batten Down Your Hatches Newick'
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Post by hhsussex on Jul 25, 2014 11:21:15 GMT
hhs, Try placing a photo within the middle of text ie. between sentences. See what happens then. Certainly s and f. Here are a few lines of comfort and cheer, interspersed with colourful and edifying pictures to gladden the heart, strengthen the mind and purify the soul. I have flown to star-stained heights On bend and battered wings In search of mythical kings Mythical kings ![]()  Sure that everything of worth Is in the sky and not the earth And I never learned to make my way Down, down, down where the iguanas play  I have ridden comet tails In search of magic rings to conjure Mythical kings Mythical kings Singing scraps of angel-song High is right and low is wrong And I never taught myself to give Down, down, down where the iguanas live Thank you, Dory Previn. How did that post? On Edit: No images at all, but no garbled text in my browser. On Edit 2: Now posting OK, for me anyway |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Jul 26, 2014 10:32:43 GMT
hhs,
It appears the reply pages are quirky and inconsistent. Re: The Neil Beck interview, one was happy to appear
within the text. The other two photos were not.
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Post by hhsussex on Jul 26, 2014 10:34:53 GMT
hhs, It appears the reply pages are quirky and inconsistent. Re: The Neil Beck interview, one was happy to appear within the context. The other two photos were not. Thanks, s and f. I'll watch out for it and report to the Admin if I find any more quirks. |
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Post by Wicked Cricket on Jul 31, 2014 10:08:56 GMT
Piers Morgan Family v Newick CC Match: Sunday July 27thPart 1Around 1,500 people attended the annual Piers Morgan Family team v Newick CC on Sunday. The event has grown year on year since its inception 10 years ago when barely 100 people paid homage. Morgan has been a member of Newick CC since he was 12 years-old and lives less than a mile from the village ground. Always laced with cricketing celebrity, Morgan’s team for 2014 embraced Simon Jones, Adam Hollioake and Indian international Yuvraj Singh, alongside his brother, children, relatives and friends. It is truly a family affair with Morgan’s mother organising the deluxe tea. Around £5,000 is raised via food and drink sales for Newick CC and the match has become the village social event of the year. There are two T20 games against the club’s 1st and 2nd XIs. Spot The Cricketing Celebrity
 Yuvraj Singh
Singh looked like a Hollywood “A” lister on arrival. Lean and mean, he stepped out of a black sedan wearing the coolest of sunglasses alongside a small entourage of friends. Yet underneath he was a frightened kitten. Fully recovered from his testicular cancer, He declined to play in the first match, unlike Jones and Hollioake, and whilst doing the most intricate Pilates exercises in the quietest part of the ground, when asked by a passer-by if he ever got nervous before a cricket match, he admitted he felt as anxious about playing in the impending second game as before a major IPL tournament for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. His state of mind was not helped by Piers Morgan (PM) who’d told him earlier, “This is neither a charity or a friendly match. Newick take no prisoners. They have no respect for legends. You could go the same way as VVS Laxman!”* (* a few years ago Laxman flew into England specifically to play the match. He was promptly bowled first ball. Last year Brian Lara
was out for a second ball duck)During the tea interval Yuvraj practised hitting a few shots and began to relax when he and PM carried out a series of photo-calls together. Later, he scored a 6 and 4 before being caught. He bowled a tidy 4 overs for 15 runs. One of Many Photo-Shoots Simon Jones
Simon Jones now plays for the South Wales Premier Division 1 side Bridgend Town CC as an amateur, after failing to renew his Glamorgan contract and not being picked for both the IPL and CPL this year. His new bowling action is remarkable. From just five paces, Jones generates an 80mph ball with all the force coming from his right shoulder. Jones’ batting was as fun to watch too. His enthusiasm is compelling. He scored 18 and 22 and took 2 wickets and later 1 wicket. Adam Hollioake
He loved playing in last year’s event so much he immediately asked PM for another invite. He smashed 50* in the 1st game and 79* in the second, hitting 4s and 6s to all parts leading to several lost balls. He took no prisoners much to the delight of Morgan who commented, “He gets what these matches are about. This is not a friendly game but war against two village XIs.” Hollioake’s colourful career after retiring from professional cricket includes being a bankrupt Australian property developer and a mixed martial arts fighter. He revelled playing and batted without a helmet. The first T20 game against the Newick 2nd XI was everything you would expect. There were double the amount of catches dropped than caught and fielding was sedentary. Morgan’s team scored an impressive 196-5 and easily won the game by 38 runs. The captain took a useful 3 wickets for 4 runs off 2 overs.  It was the second match against the 1st XI which PM was determined to win, only having beaten them once in 10 years. Newick play in the 1st division of the ‘East Sussex Cricket League’ and were impressive to watch. But Hollioake’s 79* and with Simon Jones as Morgan’s big gun, the game came down to the last two overs when 11 runs were required as Newick chased down 155. But with the evening gloom setting in, Newick clinched the win by 7 wickets with 4 balls to spare much to the upset of Morgan and his team. It was the 43 extras which let them down.
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