Convinced by his son, Neil, to take up competitive cricket at the tender age of 45, it would be fair to say Alex is a late bloomer in the cricketing world. Now approaching his 4th season with the second highest appearance rate for the third team over the past 3, Alex can almost be considered a veteran of senior cricket.
Roll back the clock to Saturday 7th June, 2003. Alps are batting first and in more than a spot of bother at 55-5. Perched nervously on a bench at the pavilion, sporting borrowed gear from head to toe sits an 11th hour replacement, a debutante - but not your typical Alps beginner.
The GP and father of three smiles at his son, 30 years his junior, who has come from a school match to watch him perform. "I used to score centuries in park cricket, you know," he offers.
"I think we'll just concentrate on your first one today, Dad," his son replies.
Cheers. The sound of a wicket falling. The old man's facial expression turns to one of steely resolution. "Good luck, then, Dad." Bravely, he trudges out to the centre.
5 minutes later, he trudges bravely back in again, dismissed lbw for 1. He can't keep the smile off his face. "Remind me to buy that umpire a beer for not calling my "run" leg-byes." His first "run". And he hasn’t looked back since.
Alex has now appeared 16 times for Alps, scoring 112 runs at 7.47 and taking 2 wickets at a cost of 29.5 apiece. He has filled shirts in the second eleven and development team and even claims a first team debut, Accies vs. his son’s Academy side of 2005.
Though his on-park performances have never reached the giddying heights of those in park cricket in Glasgow, Alex has certainly done his bit for the club over his three years as member. He is a keen supporter, turning up to watch his sons' every match, unless of course he is required to play. He has participated actively in Accies’ new fund-raising committee, has served as unofficial team-doctor on many occasions and is now the club’s Child Protection Officer. This month he became a qualified umpire.
It can only be said that it is a shame that he came to Accies so late in life - so Accies could have claimed his best on the pitch as well as his diligence off it for many more years.
Written by Austin, updated December '24.