History as we know has a bad or good habit – depending on where you stand, of repeating itself.
This being the case in the local game of cricket, I would welcome the involvement of the local councils in the game, as was the case in 2009 when after Aberdeenshire won the national league and cup double under the inspired leadership of Matthew Hays.
Aberdeen City Council were well up to the occasion, nobly granting the team a civic reception. As the local reporter of their exploits, I was invited to accompany the team, as I had to various grounds over Scotland in a season of delightful success.
Due to a family holiday in the USA, I was unable to attend, something I was most sad about, particularly as the team saw me as a 12th man, privileged to write about their achievements.
The city council were to be applauded for their enterprise, and hopefully in the years ahead might get the opportunity to reward the club again should they triumph in their play off bid to reach the Eastern Premier at the expense of Edinburgh South this weekend, and go on to greater success, and perhaps be followed by Gordonians, Huntly and Stoneywood Dyce in later years.
Getting to the top Scottish club league may be the easiest part of the battle, while staying there might be more difficult for the Perthshire and Strathmore Union hopeful.
For the record, should Shire make it back to the big time, the present team will have only one member of the 2009 side to remind them of just how many big beasts are lying in wait. Wicketkeeper Kenny Reid alone has stood the test of time and will no doubt be girding his loins for trips to the Grange, Goldenacre, Myreside and my own favourite Grange Loan in Edinburgh, just along the road from my old pub, the Volunteer Arms, better known as the Canny Man to us students of yester year. Well done Kenny you have seen me off, or there again not quite yet.
I like to think Shire’s possible return to the top flight, marks the start of something big for North East cricket, giving local councils the opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of clubs in the area, as they did in 1973 when Fraserburgh Town Council honoured Fraserburgh CC who that year had won their own double, collecting the Grade 1 title and the Aberdeenshire Cup.
Among the team’s number was Ian Watson, a most remarkable player of the era who topped both the Grade 1 batting and bowling averages in 1970, but more of him on another occasion.
Ironically the same season, Fraserburgh F.C also won soccer’s version of the Aberdeenshire Cup.
Both clubs attended a joint civic reception to celebrate the feats, convincing me that local councils even now in these cash strapped days, have a role to play in supporting sport. But first clubs have to let them know of their existence.