Next up in the ‘On the Square with’ feature, is former 1st XI captain, Shaun Guest.
Alongside ‘Brewer’ and ‘Threlfall’, the surname ‘Guest’ is synonymous with Fordhouses CC. If you head up to the Brewer Room, you’ll see Shaun’s name on the 1st XI club captain boards 7 times between 1986 and 1995. His son, Chris has continued his legacy, captained the club since 2014.
Shaun is a top man and inspirational captain and it was great to see his playing return last year as he led the Fordhouses over 45’s to victory in the Staffs cup.
Without further ado, over to you Shaun…
1. Why did you join FCC?
Living on the Stafford Rd, Fordhouses CC was my local club. Jack Threlfall spotted a few of us playing in the street and took us round to the club to enrol in the junior section. I was 10!
2. What (or who) was your Inspiration to get into cricket?
Not sure as my dad didn’t play. I played football in winter and enjoyed being part of a team/club. Therefore, cricket in the summer seemed natural progression. Once involved in FCC I was lucky to have played under captains who encouraged you to improve and be the best you could be.
3. Who is the best FCC player of all time and why?
Tough one as I had the benefit of playing with many talented players. I would have to say Brian ‘Ticker’ James, who played the game in the right spirit. He was the most accurate seem bowler around. A hard-hitting reliable batsman, great slip catcher and always an encouraging voice for all of the younger players coming into the 1st team.
Brian was well respected by all opposition teams and in true Fordhouses CC tradition found time after the game to have a drink at the bar and relive the days events. Sadly missed to this day…a legend.
4. Who is the best player you have ever played against?
Ex Wolverhampton skipper, Staffordshire batsmen, coaching guru and all around good bloke, John Moore. He was ahead of his time with shot improvisation, thinking about the game and match preparation. Always made runs look easy and was willing to give his time to young cricketers who wanted to improve. He not only coached me as a youngster but Chris also when he was coming through. Another who is sadly missed by all.
5. What is your most memorable personal moment?
My 1st team league century at the age of 19. This was away at Wightwick and I finished 118 not out. My dad was there to see this and probably smoked 40 cigarettes during that innings!!
At that period of time the top 3 very rarely failed so to get time at the crease was rare, so much so that you had to make the most of any opportunity!
6. What is your most memorable team moment?
I’m lucky to have experienced many Express and Star wins, wightwick cup wins, league wins but if I have to go with one it would be winning the league in 1995 after a number of years of transition. Skippering that side was an absolute pleasure. We had a team spirit that other clubs envied as they could not emanate this themselves. It was a ‘if one of us goes down, we all go down’ mentality and that together with a lot of ability helped us win the league at Himley.
A cowboy themed party took place after, with not only the 1st team but the 2nd and 3rd team players joining in. Many of whom were still asleep in my living room the next morning!
This team spirit lives on as when the over 45’s won the cup last year we were still in the dressing room 2 hours later having a drink, laugh and all in agreement that ‘once a fordhouses man, always a fordhouses man’.
1993 Knockout winners. Shaun pictured bottom row, centre
Over 45 Staffs Cup winners. Shaun picture bottom row, centre.
7. Did you have any superstitions before, during or after a game?
I have a plastic Ken Dodd ‘Diddyman’ that has been in my bag for over 40 years! It now has no arms and no legs but was still there during last years over 45 games. I also had to get changed in the same seat in the old dressing rooms.
8. What change would you make to the game to get more kids playing?
Very little. If kids want to be involved in sport generally they need to have enthusiasm and parental support.
There are better facilities available now, more qualified coaches & coaching available at an earlier age. We can’t change the fact that the game demands time (both practice and playing) but the social skills, team involvement and lifelong friendships that are gathered from playing this great game are worth every minute.
Read more ‘On the Square with’ features:
On the Square with Dave Ramsbottom – click here
On the Square with Peter Jones – click here
On the Square with Roy Salter – click here
On the Square with Jez Thomas – click here
I was lucky enough to be a part of a great team and club for a few years in the 90’s. Obviously, Shaun was captain at that time and was one of the best captains I ever played under in all of my cricket career. Shaun is spot on talking about the team spirit we had, it was awesome. Winning the Staffs KO as part of that team was one of my all time highlights. (I’m pictured front left).
Great club, great team, great memories.
Well when we played against Fordhouses 1st’s at Penkridge, we found that the game on the square was a hard place to play. Often we were up against it, but even when we felt we had the upper hand, someone came in and smashed a 50 and the bowling attack was always challenging and with Reggie’s chirping, added to an uncomfortable afternoon as a young player.
However, the game was relieved in the Horse and Jockey pub or Morris Ground bar and Guesty Senior always bought a round and talked to the opposition with a smile and admiration for those that performed well. This showed respect and is a measure of the man. Looking back I never felt I would ever be involved with FCC but since joining as a parent, then a coach and now a player, I and my family have been made to feel so welcome. I can see how the team spirit works in the next generation and it is great to be a part of it. Matt Jones.
Great memories Tef!