Ex-Rams stars swap football for cricket in aid of charity
They used to play cricket in between their league matches and former Rams players put those skills to the test during a charity match.
Derby County legend Roger Davies led a side including Phil Gee, Dick Pratley and Graham Harbey at Spondon Cricket Club yesterday, in aid of Sight Support Derbyshire.
They faced a mixture of seniors, juniors and genders in the Spondon team, with captain Steve Williams selecting players from different sides in the club.
Spondon won by seven runs, scoring 148 with Derby County All Stars on 141.
But Mr Davies said the real winner was Sight Support Derbyshire, a charity that helps blind and partially sighted people.
He said: "It's great that we can support them.
"We used to play cricket quite a few times in the season between matches but it must have been about 10 years since the ex-Rams played together.
"But the lads enjoy it and most of them can play. Like football, it's a moving ball game so you just have to try and use your ball-to-eye co-ordination. We were looking forward to it because it was something fun for charity."
Mr Williams said: "We picked a side which would represent the whole club, with two players from each of our four senior sides and some juniors as well, including one of our girls.
"This was all about the charity, about having a bit of fun and also giving players from our different sides a nice experience."
More than 400 people turned out for the event, sponsored by Spondon ice cream firm Bluebells and cake-maker The Rhubarb Tree. Cheerleading troupe Footloose also performed.
Among the crowd was Laura Pennington with husband Andy, 39, and their three-year-old son, Charles.
The 35-year-old, of High Street, Chellaston. said: "It's a good way to show our support and enjoy ourselves at the same time."
And Rachel Walker, 40, of Station Road, Spondon, who was with sons Jack, 12, and Harry, six, said: "Jack's just joined the club and Harry will soon so it was nice for them to come and see the team play."
The event was organised by Neil Bennett, 42, of Ayr Close, Spondon, who said he wanted to raise money for the Nottingham Road charity as he is blind in one eye.
He said: "The weather was superb for us and it was great for everyone – the players, fans and the charity."
And Neil Kellogg, chairman of Spondon Cricket Club, said: "This was probably one of the biggest events we've held and we were thrilled and excited to be hosting it."
Story by www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk
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