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Alan Martin RIP
Steve Jinman1 Jan - 18:51
Pinkneys Green Cricket Club was saddened to hear of the passing of Vice President Alan Martin during the festive season.
Alan was a leading playing member during the second half of the twentieth century and remained a popular figure at the club to the present day, regularly supporting the annual President’s match. Current club President Kevin Snapes described Alan as: “An absolute gentleman who will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him, team mates or opponents.”
Born locally, he first appeared for the Green as a teenager in the mid 1950s. Blessed with a classic fast bowler’s physique, he went on to become half of a fearsome attack with Peter Jackson, their destructive power with the ball exemplified in 1958 when together they bowled out Marlow Park for just 24 runs.
After some time away from the sport, Alan returned to Pinkneys in 1967, and in 1968 (pictured left standing behind Vic Gurling) he was named the 1st XI bowler of the season. In the club’s final match of the decade he was instrumental in a nine wicket win, taking 8-25 as Blunsdon crumbled to 44 all out.
Alan would go on to be a key member of the all conquering team of the 1970s, playing alongside his brother Barry.
In 1973 he took 84 wickets at an average of 8.7 as the Green won the Area final of the National Village Cup for the first time, beating Kidmore End.
Two years later it was his late order batting that came to the fore. In an East Berkshire League match at North Maidenhead, Pinkneys were in deep trouble with the score at 62 for 7. Alongside Bruce Dunsford, Alan saved the day, scoring 51 not out in an unbeaten stand of 102 to win the game. Having won the Area final of the Village Cup for the second time, Alan and Bruce once again came to the rescue in the first national round, this time putting on 39 for the last wicket, runs which were to prove vital as Pinkneys eventually beat Horspath by just 6 runs in front of a four figure crowd at the Green
The sweltering summer of 1976 proved to be no hindrance as Alan took 10 wickets across the last weekend in August including a hat trick against Wooburn Narkovians.
The treble winning season of 1977 looked an unlikely prospect when Pinkneys were bowled out for 46 by Hurst in the Area Semi-Final of the Village Cup. However in partnership with brother Barry, Alan (3-5) reduced the visitors to 20-5 as the Green won by 13 runs. Alan went on to take another two wickets as Pinkneys beat Kidmore End in the Area final. The following week Alan took the opening wicket of the Julian Cup Final when he dismissed Boyne Hill’s Griggs for 1 and was at the crease at the end of the match as Pinkneys won by 3 wickets.
In the 1980s Alan’s most prominent role was as a captain. Following an exodus of senior players at the end of the 1983 season, he agreed to captain the first team in 1984, a thankless task which reflected his loyalty to the club. By this time injured knees had forced Alan to cut his run up to a few paces, but his strong shoulders meant he could still generate sufficient pace and swing to trouble any batsman.
As a young player in this era, Kevin Snapes was well placed to assess that Alan’s priority was for young players to flourish at the club. This was exemplified in 1985 when Alan became the 2nd XI league captain and led the team to promotion as runners up. This was Darren Craythorne’s first season at the club and he recalls not only how friendly and supportive Alan was but also his strength when challenged.
Following the end of his playing career he was made a vice president of the club and remained a popular character, always with a smile on his face and a bottle of Guinness to hand, ready to discuss the cricket or the fortunes of his beloved Tottenham Hotspur.
Although a formidable opponent his aggressive approach with bat and ball was always leavened with a keen sense of fair play, with Kevin Snapes recalling that Alan was well known for being ready to recall a dismissed batsman if he felt the umpire had erred in his decision. A man whose physical presence reflected his strength of character, Alan was the consummate sportsman who will be long remembered by those with whom he shared the cricket field.
Pinkneys Green Cricket Club sends its sincere condolences to Alan’s wife Pearl and all his family at this sad time.
Born locally, he first appeared for the Green as a teenager in the mid 1950s. Blessed with a classic fast bowler’s physique, he went on to become half of a fearsome attack with Peter Jackson, their destructive power with the ball exemplified in 1958 when together they bowled out Marlow Park for just 24 runs.
After some time away from the sport, Alan returned to Pinkneys in 1967, and in 1968 (pictured left standing behind Vic Gurling) he was named the 1st XI bowler of the season. In the club’s final match of the decade he was instrumental in a nine wicket win, taking 8-25 as Blunsdon crumbled to 44 all out.
Alan would go on to be a key member of the all conquering team of the 1970s, playing alongside his brother Barry.
In 1973 he took 84 wickets at an average of 8.7 as the Green won the Area final of the National Village Cup for the first time, beating Kidmore End.
Two years later it was his late order batting that came to the fore. In an East Berkshire League match at North Maidenhead, Pinkneys were in deep trouble with the score at 62 for 7. Alongside Bruce Dunsford, Alan saved the day, scoring 51 not out in an unbeaten stand of 102 to win the game. Having won the Area final of the Village Cup for the second time, Alan and Bruce once again came to the rescue in the first national round, this time putting on 39 for the last wicket, runs which were to prove vital as Pinkneys eventually beat Horspath by just 6 runs in front of a four figure crowd at the Green
The sweltering summer of 1976 proved to be no hindrance as Alan took 10 wickets across the last weekend in August including a hat trick against Wooburn Narkovians.
The treble winning season of 1977 looked an unlikely prospect when Pinkneys were bowled out for 46 by Hurst in the Area Semi-Final of the Village Cup. However in partnership with brother Barry, Alan (3-5) reduced the visitors to 20-5 as the Green won by 13 runs. Alan went on to take another two wickets as Pinkneys beat Kidmore End in the Area final. The following week Alan took the opening wicket of the Julian Cup Final when he dismissed Boyne Hill’s Griggs for 1 and was at the crease at the end of the match as Pinkneys won by 3 wickets.
In the 1980s Alan’s most prominent role was as a captain. Following an exodus of senior players at the end of the 1983 season, he agreed to captain the first team in 1984, a thankless task which reflected his loyalty to the club. By this time injured knees had forced Alan to cut his run up to a few paces, but his strong shoulders meant he could still generate sufficient pace and swing to trouble any batsman.
As a young player in this era, Kevin Snapes was well placed to assess that Alan’s priority was for young players to flourish at the club. This was exemplified in 1985 when Alan became the 2nd XI league captain and led the team to promotion as runners up. This was Darren Craythorne’s first season at the club and he recalls not only how friendly and supportive Alan was but also his strength when challenged.
Following the end of his playing career he was made a vice president of the club and remained a popular character, always with a smile on his face and a bottle of Guinness to hand, ready to discuss the cricket or the fortunes of his beloved Tottenham Hotspur.
Although a formidable opponent his aggressive approach with bat and ball was always leavened with a keen sense of fair play, with Kevin Snapes recalling that Alan was well known for being ready to recall a dismissed batsman if he felt the umpire had erred in his decision. A man whose physical presence reflected his strength of character, Alan was the consummate sportsman who will be long remembered by those with whom he shared the cricket field.
Pinkneys Green Cricket Club sends its sincere condolences to Alan’s wife Pearl and all his family at this sad time.
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