Report and pictures courtesy of Nigel West
Team-mates, colleagues and friends braved the wintry weather to wish a fond farewell to Wade McCall, who has returned to Australia after nearly a decade playing for Skegness Cricket Club.
The party marked the end of an era as Aussie Wade and his wife Jo said goodbye before flying off to Melbourne.
Tributes were paid to a great cricketer and great leader who has helped put the Skegness club on the map.
His influence has helped them reach the dizzy heights of the Lincolnshire ECB Premier League, in which they finished runners-up in their maiden season.
Club President Stan Watson led the tributes, saying he was proud to have known Wade, who he felt was responsible for Skegness having one of the best teams in the county.
In response, a tearful McCall thanked everyone for making him welcome during his time in Skegness. He underlined his competitive spirit by reminding those players present that they should never give up their Saturday to come second. He urged the club to continue to move forward.
He thanked those who persuaded him to stay on for a second season because that was when he met his wife Jo. They married in May 2003.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’ve had a great time and if it wasn’t for your awful weather I would probably stay a bit longer,” he said.
The club presented Wade with a number of mementoes to remind him of his time in England.
Wade McCall (right) has returned to Australia and handed the captaincy over to Tony Santini.
Skegness Cricket Club President Stan Watson says farewell to Jo and Wade McCall.
Lincs Cricket Latest extends sincere thanks to Nigel West for permission to use this fine feature on a fine cricketing character. Strewth! Club cricket in our county will not be the same without Wade. Those wishing to avail themselves of Nigel West's undoubted talents with pen and camera can contact him by email - nigel.west37@ntlworld.com
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