THE Barry Wanderers Cricket Club hosts a special match on Bank Holiday Monday, May 26, in memory of founder Mike Ashton who sadly passed away in October last year aged 64.
The memorial match will be between a current Wanderers XI and an ''Old Boys'' side featuring past players from the club's founding decade of the 1970s all the way through to the 2000s.
Former players, who featured a 'long time ago' for the Wanderers, are coming from as far away as London and Portsmouth and dearly want to be part of this great man's day of remembrance.
Club chairman Chris Barnes said: ''It's so hard for us to understand that 'Ashy' is no longer with us. The loud chuckle, distinctive voice echoing around the place, and his dry sense of humour is now very sadly missed.
''The place don't seem the same without seeing him wandering around the boundary and sitting at the far end of the ground preening his beard in ponderous thought, and hoping we would win the game being played.''
Playing over 1,500 games for the club, Mike scored over 11,000 runs and took 2,236 wickets and 328 catches. He played cricket for his beloved club into his Sixties before retiring, being honoured with the accolade of club president in the process; a position that may never be offered to anyone else at the club!
The memorial game is being played at the Wanderers' ground at Hayes Point, Hayes Road, Sully, and the club requests that those going along to be there for 12.15 pm for a few unveilings and presentations before the match starts at 1pm.
Chris added: "Everybody who has been associated with Barry Wanderers is more than welcome to come to Mike's big day and re-live the stories, the memories and the laughter the big man brought to 'HIS' club."
In the pavilion on the day, there will be memorabilia and old photographs that Mike collected through the years and trophies awarded for his contribution to sport.
"We look forward to seeing you all," said Chris.
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