Well, our season started with a bang and ended in rapt silence.
Andy ‘Moler’ Moles is one of the most down-to-earth of speakers.
No nonsense, no drama - but one who can definitely hold your attention.
Perhaps his dressing-room voice helps – he didn’t need the mic.
His story is amazing, and at times thrilling, which makes him well worth hearing.
It’s far from a conventional cricket story of school, academy, debut, county and perhaps country.
In fact he only switched to cricket after breaking a leg playing rugby or football.
Playing for Warwickshire for twelve seasons, Andy developed the highest regard for coach Bob Woolmer.
Bob introduced ideas and practices that helped improve the team both on and off the pitch, including his trailblazing use of video and stats to develop players.
For Andy, the best bowlers he faced were Wazim Akram and Malcolm Marshall – although he also name-checked the ‘hard but fair’ Darren Gough.
Coaching in South Africa at the time of the match-fixing scandal, Andy gave us a compelling and compassionate account of Hansie Cronje, his family and his role in South African sport and society.
A later short but successful spell as New Zealand coach included an early meeting with then vice-captain Brendon McCullum that clearly remains etched in Andy’s memory ...
Following this, he accepted a request to coach Afghanistan.
The money was good, but the war was still ongoing and the Taliban were in control.
No spoilers in this report, but I think some of our members were holding their breath during this part of Andy’s talk!
In 2020, an infection in a blistered foot led to Andy losing around a third of his left leg – a subject he neither dramatised or dwelt on.
He currently lives in South Africa and spends a couple of months each year coaching in the Bahamas.
Andy gave us few stats or playing stories, mainly talking about life with cricket rather than as a cricketer.
I can reveal, however, that so compelling was he that my husband (a true Yorkshireman) opened his wallet to buy his book.
Enough said.
Maggie gave the vote of thanks, and thanks also to all who contributed to another successful raffle which raised £140.
Finally, may your summer be healthy and enjoyable, may Yorkshire lift a trophy, and hope to see you all next season.