A WINSFORD Guardian photograph has brought back many happy memories for two of the town's cricketers.

James Tierney and Mark Skellon are the only remaining members of Winsford Cricket Club who appeared in the flashback 2007 team picture published on the back page two weeks ago and reproduced again here.

With the absence of recreational cricket so far this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the image from 13 years ago has at least provided a talking point for the town's past and present players.

"I have played for Winsford for 27 years since an eight-year-old and can honestly say it’s the best time waiting for a Saturday to play a game with your mates," said Tierney.

"We are a very close team and are one big family. Now as a 35-year-old not only am I still playing but also I am now junior coach to the under 9s where I get to coach my own two boys.

"If they have as much enjoyment playing cricket as me it will be incredible to be a part of.

"The teams and lads I have played with have been great. Memories to last a lifetime."

Tierney, stood second from the left in the picture, moved out of town to Crewe 10 years ago but stayed loyal to Winsford Cricket Club and recalls the 2007 campaign vividly.

"Martin Barrett was the captain, he is the one sat down bottom right of the picture," he said.

"This team came close to promotion as we finished third and were pipped by Weaverham.

"Martin is now living in America and myself and Mark Skellon are the only two players left playing for Winsford from this team."

Skellon has offered a profile of each of the players featured.

"I’m the old grey haired player back left," he said.#

"Ive been a player at the club since 1977 and I’m still an active member of the club and naturally I know all the guys on the photo.

"Looking at the line-up, it appears that some key players are missing, maybe the holiday period. Failing that it’s a team in transition with a nice blend of youth and experience from around 2007.

"Starting on the back row from left is me, Mark Skellon, a veteran top order batsman and occasional left arm bowler.

"James Tierney, 27 years at the club, spin bowler, very useful batsman and a phenomenal throwing arm, great fielder too.

"Gary Sergeant, fast right arm bowler followed his father Derek as a player at the club, brother Mark currently plays for the club too.

"James Dean, a real talent sadly lost to the game too early in my view, great fielder rarely dropped a catch and capable of some huge hitting, could bowl quickly too. A member of the Dean family who have graced the club for many years.

"Gareth Whitney, batsman, slow bowler, hands like buckets and a great tactician, another one lost to the game too soon. Scored the winning runs in Winsford's Cheshire Shield Final victory in 2000 against Malpas.

"Andy Beswick, right arm quickie swing bowler, heart of gold would run in all day for the team, great lad.

"Chris Brandon, the unofficial club statistician, he was the first person I contacted to ascertain which year this photo was taken. Mr reliable, has probably batted 1-11 in his career, great wicketkeeper but also a terrific fielder, rapid across the turf and a scorer of vital runs with the bat too.

"On the front row, from the left, first of all is Kieron Berrington, young emerging talent at the time of this photo, sadly for us he went on to represent Oulton Park shortly afterwards.

"Barry Crellin, not sure if I can sum up his talents in a paragraph but a superb all rounder in his prime, a fast bowler and a scorer of huge runs and in quick time too. No ground in Cheshire was too big for his muscular hitting. Ultra competitive and a real match winner. More than capable wicket keeper too, another one who rarely dropped a catch.

"Michael Dean, a youngster here, but already showing the all round abilities that caught the eye of the Cheshire coaches. A real talent with both bat and ball, excelling at both, and another real competitor on the field and a guy capable of winning matches on his own.

"Martin Barrett, not sure if he knew how good he was, but we all did. Stylish batsman who on his day made the game look ridiculously easy coupled with the ability to bowl with pace and bounce."