Memories of an Amateur Sportsman

If you have no interest in sport or my memories, this post probably isn't for you. If you want to hear about my best and worst sporting moments, this post probably is for you. Simple really. And let's face it, it's 2am. My desire to go to sleep should be poignent yet it just isn't.

Where to begin then? Well, I suppose it makes sense to start with a couple of memories from my first love, football. I was about to start typing of my days in youth football, but we shall go back even further. Under 8's or so, football at Hazeldene Lower School, played on rather small pitches in 5-a-side goals. I remember we had a good team, with the fabulous yet silent Dixon in goal, Adamson and Caffrey at the back, (Caffrey, having grown to 6ft by the age of five was a dominant force), myself, Kelly and Donaldson in midfield with Warner up-front, diving from an early age to gain countless penalties, (probably). We had a good rival in Bromham, who won the league one season on goal difference I seem to remember. I can't remember what competition this particular memory was in, but I was very young. I remember running back to cut out a cross but inadvertantly lobbing my own keeper and scoring my one and only own-goal ever. To lob a goalkeeper in 5-a-side goals is some feat! I then burst into tears, thinking the world was going to end, and stomped off the field, only to be calmed down and put back on by Mr.Caffrey. I would love to see that in an Under 18 game, would be so funny!

Anyway, back to my original subject and youth football. I was a bit older, 11 to 14. I was captain of a largely successful youth team called Bedford Park Rangers, or if you're lazy and don't want to talk as much, BPR. Most of the Hazeldene team had transferred to BPR, so we all knew each other. The crowning glory however, was the U12 County Cup final victory against Barnfield. I was captain that day, and was really up for it. Maybe a little too up for it.. 2 minutes in, I dived in with a crunching tackle, and would probably have been sent off if I were any older. Instead, I was substituted to "get my head in gear". We went 2-0 down by half-time, but won the game 3-2 thanks to a last minute winner from the same Warner, (he didn't dive this time!), via his knee and we went beserk. I never even made it back on to the pitch, but I didn't really care because I got to live my dream and lift the FA Cup at Wembley. Or as close as I was ever going to get.

A few good years later however, my interest in the game had severely waned. After one game of the U15 season, in which I was an unused substitute, (despite it being rolling subs), for the entire game, much to Father Mitten's disgust, I gave up playing. At least until I got back into it as a goalkeeper 4 years later. I remember crying on the way home, (I cried a lot as a youngster!), and Dad asked me the million-pound question.

"Do you want to carry on playing or not?!" (in an almost irate tone). I let out a wrangled, "no" and that was that. Dad rang the manager when we got home and got angry with him and I was no longer a player.

I, as you probably well know, then became a referee, but I'm not here to talk about me controlling 22 hormone-filled footballers. That comes at a later date!

What with not playing football anymore, I felt I needed to broaden my sporting horizons. I joined the local tennis club, Riverside, and got extensive coaching. I played in different competitions, and even became Under 17's County Doubles runner-up, despite my playing partner dominating most matches due to his uncanny ability to use a tennis racket, but the title is still next to my name aswell! I got fed up with it quickly though. I played in a fair few tournaments and I came across a few cheats who called balls 'out' when they were 'in'. The amateur games of this sport could easily be corrupted and although I could have done the same, what's the point in winning knowing you've cheated? Hollow.

So I gave it up. And joined my local golf club instead! I had played all these sports along with football, but just for fun. I didn't join clubs as a complete novice and built my way up to champion status! The best moment for me in this sport was by far the Junior Club Championship of 2005. 2 rounds of the famous Mowsbury GC. After the 1st round, I was doing rather well in 3rd place, but a fair few shots off the front 2, who had stormed ahead. Bear in mind, this was the handicap event. The gross event, (which I've always thought is a strange word to use), was already won by Kettle's brother before we had even started. Anyway, at the start of the 2nd round, I sliced my 1st tee shot into the woods and from then on realised it wasn't going to be my day. So, relaxed. It clearly worked, because I holed a par putt on the 18th to win by one shot and take home the massive bowl. It was fantastic! I had succeeded at another sport!

Something else I will always treasure in golf was the infamous hole-in-one. Playing with Kettle's brother at the age of 12. 5th hole, 134 yards(ish), 4 iron... I was 12! I didn't hit it very well, but it scuttled over the edge of the bunker and I saw it drop in the hole. I shouted, but Bolger Snr. didn't believe me, until the person on the 6th hole told me. Incredible scenes ensued! I vowed to keep the ball forever, possibly framing it in my bedroom for all eternity. What did I do? Hooked it into the woods on the very next hole. Oops. I went on to hit a very, very modest 110. But, a hole-in-one... You can never take that away from me. I believe, even playing off a handicap of 4 these days, Bolger Snr. has yet to match my feat!

But since then, the cost of playing golf regularly has become sky-high seeing as I'm now over 18 and another sport had to be found, which is where cricket came along. Considered by most as the most boring sport on the planet, I completely disagree. I think it is actually the best, above football.

It didn't start off too amazing though. I spent my first season feeling like an extra, batting low down the order for a midweek team, Aspen. I did enjoy it, but I didn't bat a lot and I was amazed when I even reached double figures. I had built up a good reputation of being a good fielder though, hence the nickname, 'Mitten', and I continued to play because I enjoyed it. I played in a couple of 40-over matches that season and the next, but never really got the opportunity to bat a lot. And these matches never seemed to last very long.. We weren't the best of teams. I distinctly remember playing a team called GNG, which provided me with a rare opportunity to bat at 3. We got bowled out for 36, with me getting a first-ball duck. Ouch.

But then came a crisis. We were playing at The Bury, the home ground of Bedford CC, and our usual opening batsman had, "called in sick", so to speak. So we were left without an opening batsman. The captain spoke, asking if anyone wanted to. Surprisingly, it's not that popular a position, given the possibility you may get out to the very first ball of the match. I thought, "Well, here's my chance", so spoke up, a rare thing for me, and went out to open, and face the first ball, which I edged for 4. Risky! I made a solid enough 35 though and haven't looked back since.

Which brings me on to, what I think, is my best sporting achievement. My 100 last season. I did dedicate a whole post on here to this, but it really is my best achievement as a playing sportsman. It wasn't a bad ton either. No false shots at all, 72 of those runs coming from boundaries and hit in 76 balls. The reason why I think it is my best achievement is the amount of concentration that went into it. I struggle with concentration, usually getting out to a lack of it and playing a stupid shot. I wanted it so much. And I don't want a lot of things. I was God. It wasn't bad bowling either. They just bowled it to the areas I like and I cashed in. It was a rare game in which I got a whole night's sleep beforehand, (remember the nights?), and I took full opportunity. I remember some of my boundaries. 2nd over of the match, against a quick-ish left armer. 3 consecutive cover drives, all out of the middle of the bat and all finished off with a perfect follow-through and a pose for the cameras. I played all around the wicket, even lofting some shots purposefully, (which just isn't my style usually), and when I pulled a short ball for my 18th boundary... And hearing the shouts and applause telling me I'd got my 100. Amazing. Just amazing.

I think that innings proved to myself that some confidence and believing you can do it, makes a whole lot of difference. I have been netting pre-season with that team from last season, and facing some of the bowlers I did that day and I feel good doing so. I know I've hit these guys all around the park, which gives me confidence, and makes me look and feel good. I am wanted by a few clubs for Saturdays and Sundays this year, although I am staying put at Bedford because I enjoy it there a lot.

And I will remember one comment I heard in the immediate aftermath of hitting that 100, for the rest of my life. It wasn't a comment I was supposed to hear, but I did.

"I've been playing for many years, and that's the best innings I think I've ever seen. That can't be his first ton, he's too good for that".

Best. Feeling. Ever.

Sport, in a sentence, has saved my life. If I wasn't a sportsman, I probably wouldn't have become a football referee, developing some backbone, and wouldn't have these memories and achievements to look back on. And although I might fail in other aspects of life, I most certainly am not a failure in the world of sport. It won't get me much money over the years, but boy... it gives me sanity.