COL IS 60 NOT OUT

Col and wife Liz, with his sports-themed cake.

Cricketers – past and present - braved blizzard conditions on Saturday night for a special surprise 60th birthday party staged in honour of popular player Col Mumby.
Still playing for Broughton 2nds in the Lincs League, batsman Col has also turned out (since the 1960s) for Elsham, Brigg Town and Brigg Sugar Factory.
Wife Liz organised the milestone event behind Col’s back, and when she led him through the door of Brigg’s Ancholme Inn – not far from their home - he was amazed to see so many friends, relatives and sporting mates (past and present) from football and cricket.
Among those attending were Dave Atkinson, Broughton seam bowler of so many years; Ralph Gray, Lincs ECB umpire and ex-Alkborough strokemaker; Richard Antcliffe, Grimsby Town CC first team captain, and Paul Taylor; Phil Glentworth, Broughton; Carl Taylor, App-Frod; Graham Hunt, ex-Brigg Town, Brigg Sugar, Elsham and Broughton; plus many, many more.
As a footballer, Col – still playing in the Scunthorpe League – was good enough to line up alongside Kevin Keegan for Scunthorpe United Reserves.
There were newspaper cuttings and photos on display featuring some of his sporting achievements. The fact he really enjoys sport – summer or winter – and always plays with a smile on his face is a major factor in why he’s lasted so long. Plus having a lot of ability, of course, which certainly helps!
Many of us have enjoyed his on, and off-the-field, antics down the decades, including the amazing good luck underpants he wore throughout a successful season (getting more holes in them as the weeks went by) and (when things weren’t going well) his send-up of Dad’s Army’s Private Fraser: "We’re doomed! We’re doomed! Aye, we’re doomed!"
And not forgetting the ever-present suggestions to "Bring Mumby on" to break a stubborn partnership with his flighty leg-spin.


Carl Taylor, Richard Antcliffe, Ralph Gray and Paul Taylor. Sorry about the picture quality, the light inside the pub would have meant even me calling a halt to play!