Shock and surprise as Armstrong retires from game

CRICKETERS in and around Liverpool were shocked and surprised over the weekend to hear that former Ormskirk skipper John Armstrong retired from the game after his side’s match against Northern on Saturday.

Armstrong, who played in four sides which won the Liverpool Competition and scored over 10,000 first team runs during a career spent entirely at Brook Lane, resolved during the match at Moor Park that he was going to retire and told his father, Walter, of his decision before informing his team mates.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play first XI cricket for Ormskirk for 22 years,” he said.

“I’ve given it my all. For a while now I’ve genuinely felt I’ve been playing out of habit as opposed to playing for a love of the game.

“Yesterday, before the game I knew that I’d run my race. I want to thank everyone involved at Ormskirk CC for giving me some of the best life experiences anyone could wish for. I’ve been lucky enough to spend my entire career playing for what I feel is the best club around.

“We ’ v e been very fortunate to win the odd trophy whilst also remaining a very local team. To e v e r yone I’ve played with and against I can’t thank you enough.

“I’d like to thank all of my family for their sup- port and all the captains I’ve played under, especially Ian Robinson.

“To Tim Dickinson, who is the driving force of the club, I can’t thank you enough. To Bill Hartley, thank you for all your help on the bowling machine at 7am on Friday mornings for the last three years.

“To the youngsters at the club, let me assure you that there is no better place to play. Give it your all.

“To all of the spectators, you’ve got us over the line on many occasion.

“To have the support we have means that we know we are very lucky to represent the Blue and Gold.”

The generosity of Armstrong’s statement is entirely characteristic.

For more than two decades he has been one of the very best batsmen in the Liverpool Competition.

Yet he did more than contribute to the success of one of England’s finest cricket clubs.

Armstrong played the game with a degree of integrity from which others could learn. Fiercely loyal to Ormskirk on the field, he never let that loyalty mar his respect for the game’s highest values.

If any members of Ormskirk’s flourishing junior teams wanted an example to follow in their own careers, they were well advised to watch the skill with which Armstrong batted and the manner in which he conducted himself on the field.

Any young cricketer who does things the John Armstrong way is never likely to go far wrong.