As a small boy my cricketing hero was (still is) Sir Garfield Sobers. Imagine the joy I felt when on the 17th May 1975, I was playing for my then club Royton CC in the Central Lancashire League against Littleborough CC who had just signed the great man as Professional (scorecard available on Royton playcricket site).
I was only 16 years old and on the same field as my hero in front of a huge crowd. The day got better as I batted quite well to reach 48* when Garry bowled a short ball. It hit me full in the solar plexus and flattened me. As I looked up Garry was staring down laughing, and saying I should have gone to my 50 by hitting it for 4. Anyway I recovered and made my 50 (courtesy of an overthrow!). In those days if you got 50 or 5 wickets a collection was taken from the crowd. I think I made almost £50 that day which in 1975 was a fortune to me.
Littleborough won the match, with Sobers taking 5 for 70 off 18 8 ball overs and made a majestic 59 (even though his knees had gone!). Afterwards in the dressing room, I was alone counting my collection when in the opposition room Garry was counting his. I went in, just me a 16 year old prospect and the greatest all rounder of all time and my hero. He was so kind to me. He autographed my Gray Nicholls Red stripe ( still in the loft!) and more amazingly invited me to be his guest at a showing of his great innings (258 I think) for R of W against Australia, which Bradman rather liked. The event happened and he made me feel so special. A feeling I'll never forget and fostered even further my love of our great game.
For all my great memories in the game Sir Garfield remains supreme.
Memory added on July 4, 2021
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