LCCC Celebrates Past Players' Day

Leicestershire CCC celebrated the contributions of some of its most esteemed representatives with a special ‘Past Players’ Day’ during the opening day of the Club’s County Championship fixture with Nottinghamshire.

Each of the 16 former players were presented with their numbered county cap at the luncheon interval on day one by Club President Jack Birkenshaw and Head Coach Paul Nixon.

Leicestershire CCC Head Coach Paul Nixon said: “It was a great honour and privilege to celebrate the careers of some our most distinguished players.
“Cricket offers a chance to make lifelong friends, as well as memories on the field. It is always great to see familiar faces and reflect on the successes of our past, as we look to shape the future of the Club."

The presentations were accompanied by a characteristically colourful anecdote from Birkenshaw, who in turn received his ‘Gold Fox’ cap from Director of Cricket Claude Henderson.

In keeping with the modern style, each cap was adorned with the number corresponding to the order in which the players made their County Championship debut for Leicestershire.

The concept for numbered caps, also known as ‘The Numbers Club’, originated from Ben Smith and Richard Holdridge in 2014.

Smith was amongst the pantheon of former LCCC players in attendance, along with fellow County Championship double winner Darren Maddy, long-serving opening partners Barry Dudleston and John Steele, plus ex-LCCC and England all-rounder Peter Willey.

Leicestershire’s youngest ever County Championship debutant, Rodney Pratt, was also present to receive his cap. He became the 221st player to represent the Club, making his maiden appearance as a 16-year-old in June 1955.

At a similar age to Pratt, 17-year-old Rehan Ahmed recently became the landmark 500th LCCC player to be awarded his CC cap when debuting away at Worcestershire last month.

The Club is proud of its history and will celebrate the service of more former players at future events. If any ex-players wish to get in touch, please contact dannice@leicestershireccc.co.uk.

Pictured: Back row -  From left to right: (Jack Birkenshaw, Barry Dudleston, Darren Maddy, Peter Willey, Russell Cobb, John Steele, Claude Henderson, Rod Pratt, Robin Matthews, Peter Booth, Geoff Coe, Ben Smith, Freddie Foulds, Donald Munden). Front row: (Geoff Hickingbottom, Paul Nixon).