60 seconds with Rob 'Budgie' Swannell

Name: Rob Swannell

Nickname: Budgie. This was given to me by Roy Sattar, aka The Noob (pictured, front row second from left) on the basis that apparently I never stopped talking!

How would you describe yourself as a player? My passion and love of the game sadly did not match my skill or abilities. However, Addiscombe welcomed me and with a range of XIs there was room for everyone to find their level and compete with like-minded cricketers.

I spent all of my career playing primarily in the Adders (Saturday 4th XI), with the occasional appearance for the Sunday Strollers (3rd XI). I was Captain of the Adders for a few years and also served as Club Fixture Secretary and Editor of The Hectic newsletter for periods during that time.

Best cricket memory? My best personal memory was managing to win the Club award one season for the fastest 50. It was my one and only half-century. What made it even better was that my best friend Martyn Locke was batting at the other end when I reached my Everest. It just proved that every dog does have its day.

My best cricketing memory was watching Martyn Bain win an unwinnable match against Maidenhead & Bray in The Cricketer Cup quarter-final (late 80s I think). The game was lost when he went in to bat but he proceeded to smash the ball to all parts of the ground. Anyone who was there, and there were a few of us, will never forget it. (Editor: Bainy and John Vigar managed to score 57 off just 3 overs to win the game)

Most embarrassing cricketing moment? Playing in a tour match in Nottingham against Southwell CC, we were defending a very small total (about 130 as I recall).

Bainy had bowled one of the best spells of his career to keep us in the game. It came to the last delivery of the match, Bainy bowling, 3 needed to win for Southwell and 1 wicket remaining. It had been a tense affair and I had been posted out of harm’s way down at 3rd man on the boundary’s edge.

Well you have probably guessed what happened next, a top edge goes a mile in the air, swirling its way towards me. I watched it like a hawk, steadied myself and even had time to anticipate the adulation and glory that was surely heading my way upon my return to the pavilion…

Then I dropped it.

To make matters worse the ball went on to hit my boot and roll across the boundary to secure the win for Southwell.

Favourite player/cricket hero? Not everyone’s cup of tea, but it has to be Geoff Boycott for me – I remember coming home from school to watch him complete his 100th century during the Headingley Test of 1977.

He gets a bad press and was almost certainly too dour a batsman for today’s world, but if you asked an Australian of that era, the prized wicket was always Boycott. (Watch Geoff Boycott reach his 100th hundred v Australia, 1977)

Favourite format to watch? Test match cricket...or a Sunday afternoon at Sandilands!

Best thing about Addiscombe CC? I have been associated with the Club for over 40 years and the best thing is always the people.

I was a very young 16 year old when I first went to Addiscombe and, if I am honest, was from ‘the wrong side of the track’. I think it is no exaggeration to say that my experiences at Addiscombe, meeting and playing with a vast range of people helped me in my development as a person and enhanced my life. I am thrilled to still be close friends with many that I played cricket with (and hockey).

I married in 1993, started a family and moved to Hartlepool on the North East coast. I am still in touch with friends from Addiscombe and recently returned for Brian Carter’s Memorial Service. It was very much a case of walking into a room of old friends – some of whom I had not seen for many years, but were just as warm as always. I know there is always a warm welcome whenever I return to visit the club.

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Addiscombe CC loves being in contact with former players. It is brilliant to have these kind of great memories being shared for others to read.

If you want to send in a 60 second interview just answer the questions above, include a cricketing photo (ideally of a whole team like above) and send it to us at AddiscombeCC@Outlook.com

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