Euphoria to devastation as Port lose it late on
AUSTRALIAN cricketers clearly have their own way of doing things but any sandpaper in evidence at Trafalgar Road on Saturday was being used to smooth benches and tables. This was not surprising given that a large group of Southport and Birkdale members had gathered to prepare the Club’s surrounds and facilities for the new season.
However, while taking full roles in the annual Clubforce initiative officials were also welcoming the latest of the S&B’s sponsors after D’vine Catering had agreed to support the senior cricket teams during the coming summer.
The addition of D’Vine, who are already Club caterers, brings the number of main sponsors at Trafalgar Road to four with Nationwide Produce having joined Butler Capital and Pinetree Garden Maintenance & Landscaping this year.
“We are delighted to welcome D’vine Catering on board as one of our main sponsors,” said S&B chairman Tony Elwood. “Unless you’re involved, it’s difficult to appreciate the day-to-day costs of running a cricket club, so we are extremely grateful to all our sponsors for their magnificent support.
“Giles Gottig and all the staff at D’Vine have been extremely supportive of all our sports since becoming the Club’s catering partner over three years ago and it’s tremendous news that he is now prepared to back that up financially by adding his firm’s name to our playing kit. We’re look forward to working with D’vine throughout the season and, of course, continuing to sample their lovely food.”
For his part, Giles Gottig was pleased to have strengthened his partnership with S&B. “People are clearly very fond of this club and they are investing in it,” he said. “They are recruiting new members, often younger members, and we work with S&B to offer all those who visit Trafalgar Road what they want.
“We cover all tastes and we’re looking to attract new customers all the time. We’re here six days a week Tuesday through Sunday and we’re here all day Saturday and Sunday.”
As Southport and Birkdale’s players and supporters gathered to prepare for another season on Saturday morning news reached Trafalgar Road that Ollie McAllister, a cricketer who welcomed spring as joyously as anyone in the land, had died in his native West Indies. He was 86.
Ollie first represented S&B in 1959 and was one of the very first Caribbean cricketers to play in the Liverpool Competition. When he returned home in 1981 he had played over 250 first-team games for the Club and his contribution to S&B on and off the field had been recognised with the award of life membership. His hard-hitting batting could change the course of a match in half an hour and his superb fielding at cover point was renowned throughout the Liverpool Competition.
Stories abounded about Ollie, who played some of his cricket in the District League.
One former team-mate recalled a game in which the YMCA were 35 for six when Ollie arrived at the ground late having had to complete his Saturday morning shift at Hollands Toffee.
Without removing his white overalls, he padded up and made a century.
His friends at S&B were able to recall similar feats performed by a cricketer who invariably played the game with a smile on his face. An afternoon at the cricket with Ollie McAllister was never wasted and the happiness he radiated remained powerful long after he finally left England.