A surprise contact

The greatest thrill for me over the five years of writing this blog is the contact that it has brought me with Derbyshire supporters, as well as players past and present. I had no idea that such things might happen when I started things off, but it remains a thrill to chat to people whose cricket I have enjoyed and whose willingness to become involved has been a constant pleasure.

The latest such encounter came the other night, when, out of the blue, I received an e-mail from former Derbyshire and Yorkshire batsman Chris Taylor. I knew that Chris had started a cricket coaching business when he left the first-class game, but had no idea that he was behind All-Rounder Cricket of Headingley, Leeds, which is now the sixth largest cricket retailer in the country – no mean feat from over 120 specialists. His Pro Coach business is also the largest cricket coaching company in the country, so he has done extraordinarily well to develop them both in just five years since his premature retirement from the first-class game.

As Managing Director of All-RounderCricket, Chris offers a wide range of equipment to suit all ages, abilities and pockets and is, of course, ideally placed to advise on the best kit for your needs.

He speaks very fondly of his time at Derbyshire and has kindly agreed to an interview on the blog in the near future. It promises to be a fascinating read, as a successful first summer was followed by a second that held frustration for all parties, especially supporters. It ended in a departure that was both ill-timed and unnecessary.

As I wrote last weekend - coincidentally – Chris was a stylish batsman who looked a cut above most of his peers at the time and the club could ill-afford to be so profligate with its talent to allow one of the better ones to go. There will be more about that in due course...be assured that I will be asking about a story that I have heard mentioned a few times in the intervening period...

Anyway, I'm happy to offer a link, in return, to the All Rounder Cricket site, which I am sure you will find both interesting and useful - it is below the side bar advert for blog sponsors, Officecare. Between now and the start of the season I also hope to offer readers information on some special offers - and there may even be a competition or two!

Watch this space...

PS Any questions that you would like me to ask Chris? Drop me an e mail over the weekend...