Martin Anderson - "Clanger"

When the second team was formed way back in the early 80s, Martin was one of those early pioneers. None of us were much good but we were young, enthusiastic and learned quickly.
Martin brought several things to the team which few of us possessed - a good job and would buy beers, an attractive girlfriend and possibly most importantly, a car. Some of these may have contributed to him quickly becoming a regular player.
So readily did he settle into the side that he soon acquired - as was the style then - a nickname. But Martin, deciding that he was a good catcher, styled himself "Hans" Anderson.
We thought this a fairy tale.
And after one or two spills, "Clanger" was mooted.
It stuck.
Unlike the catches.
Martin was a steady right-arm medium pacer and actually preferred bowling up the hill at Beauchief. A short steady run up and slightly slingy action led to gentle away drift with the odd one cutting back off the seam. On his day very useful.
One of those days was at Whiteley Woods where against bitter rivals Old Eds he took a hat-trick on the way to the astonishing figures of 5-1. Another top performance was at Scarcliffe in one of his very few first team games. A batting attack of big hitters was stilled by Martin, bowling beautifully to take 4-16 from a dozen or so overs. A game we went onto win comfortably. But his best was in a midweek game against Thorncliffe, snaffling 6-40. In all he took over 130 wickets for De La Salle.
His batting was more Pete Pratt than Los Green. A couple of blocks, then an assay of something violent in the direction of midwicket.
Martin was soon club Secretary to the late and equally lamented Jim Finnigan and also joined the Friday night bar rota. In fact my first ever bar stint was with him. We played indoor cricket and took over £100. It was, we joked, the only way we'd ever put on a century together!
Without him neither Tony Flately or the Bartles would have played for us.
We have much to be grateful for.
In everything, Martin was the most amiable and affable of men. The smile never seemed to be far away on or off the field. It didn't seem to matter whether we had won or lost (just as well back then), Martin give the impression that cricket, played amongst friends, was great fun.
He carried this attitude into the last great battle he faced and he leaves those with whom he played saddened yet glad to have been on the field with such a lovely man.
We'll miss him.