PLAYERS READY FOR A BIG SHAVE
LOCAL cricketers will be reacquainting themselves with their usual grooming regime after helping to raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity.
The lack of recreational cricket this summer because of the coronavirus pandemic prompted Porthill Park seamer Craig Barker, club coach Dave Fairbanks and Meakins legend Dave Edwards to set up the ‘smashthetash’ campaign to raise funds for the NHS.
Participants were encouraged to grow their facial hair before moulding it in to a moustache to resemble a famous cricketer ahead of the first match of the season.
It’s been a long waiting game for club cricket, but last week’s news that the season can finally get underway will no doubt see a boost in shaving accessory sales.
The North Staffs and South Cheshire League will commence on Saturday, July 18, which will not only see cricket’s return, but also witness a fine array of top-lip artistry on show.
And the day will signal the curtain being slowly brought down on the fundraiser, which is on track to raise £35,000 for the NHS charities... a mammoth effort considering the initial target was £500.
“We always said that the day before the start of the season players would have a shave and play the following day with a moustache,” said Barker.
“There will be some challenges which go on beyond that date, like James Ecclestone’s journey from Lands End to John O’groats and Josh Johnson and Nathan Ball at Ashcombe who are visiting all of the first-class county grounds.
“It’s going to be a mixture of emotions on the first match of the season. It’s sad that it is coming to an end, but it has been amazing.
“There’s so many friendships in cricket and although we are in opposition on a Saturday afternoon, it’s a friendly rivalry.
“The whole campaign has been brilliant and it shows that in tough times you get to see the real character of people.
“We are just over £30,000 at the minute, but there is still money to come in and we will be around £35,000 when it is all finished.
“That’s testament to the local cricket community and how people have taken to the fundraising.”
There have been a whole host of challenges undertaken by individuals and clubs since the initiative was launched back in April.
Newcastle & Hartshill have covered the distance from their club to Newcastle in Australia, Stone completed a ton-up challenge in May, while Elworth are currently running, cycling and walking almost 10,000 miles.
There have been so many more, while the ladies ensured they were not going to be left out of the campaign as they embarked on a ‘walk on the WAG side’ challenge.
“There were more than 200 ladies who took part in that and raised more than £6,000, which is remarkable,” added Barker.
“Amy (Furnival, Dave Fairbanks’ partner) was exceptional with that and has really driven things forward on social media for us.
“There’s been so many great memories. From a selfish point of view, seeing my young nephew Noah do his marathon in a week was a highlight, as was Oscar Johnson doing his bike ride.
“And Luke Woodward’s back-toback marathons were very special. To do one marathon is a feat of endurance, but two on the trot is phenomenal.
“The support we have had is incredible, especially from the North Staffs and South Cheshire League as well, who also donated to the cause.”
Attention is now turning to which moustachioed cricketers local players will opt to resemble a week on Saturday.
Barker says there’s a few top contenders for a strong look.
“Sam Kelsall’s is looking good, and then there’s obviously Pete Wilshaw. But he looks like WG Grace anyway and has seven years’ head start on us all,” added Barker.
“Mine isn’t looking that strong. It’s more of a Mitchell Johnson look. The good news, though, is that we are going to be back playing cricket.
“When the news came through last week, Sophie (Barker’s wife) just said ‘brilliant, you’ll be able to have a shave now.’ She never mentioned playing cricket again!
“The whole cause has been hugely worthwhile. We said if it could buy one piece of PPE equipment for the NHS it would be worth it, and we’ve exceeded all expectations.
“It’s never been about myself, Fairy, Eddie or Amy, it’s been the whole cricket community. We can’t thank them enough.”
‘Smashthetash’ organisers would like to see the newly-groomed moustaches when the razors emerge the day before the season.
To do this, follow all the latest news on Twitter at @smashthetash and on Instagram at @smashthetash1.