Legend Dexter goes in to bat for Wolverhampton
England legend Ted Dexter has joined Wolverhampton Cricket Club – after a chance meeting with one of his fans.
Dexter, who captained England 30 times in his 62-Test career in the 1950s and 60, has recently moved to the city from France to be nearer his family.
And the 82-year-old former swashbuckling batsman was spotted after calling in at the cricket club’s home in Danescourt Road, Tettenhall, to take in a game earlier this season.
And the meeting has proved fruitful with Dexter joining the club and offering to help raise funds.
Dexter, who went on to be chairman of England selectors as well as a TV pundit when his playing days ended, said: “I have been a member of the Wolverhampton Cricket Club now for about six weeks.
“I want to help and support them in whatever way I can.
“With all the youngsters coming through it’s truly wonderful to see such a vibrant club continuing to attract new players.
“It’s truly marvellous and a pleasure to be part of it.”
And the man nicknamed Lord Ted during his illustrious career has already begun by helping spearhead an appeal that has already raised £800 for the club.
Paul Windridge, the son of former Wolverhampton Cricket Club president Peter Windridge, was the man who spotted the cricketing great at Danescourt, who admits he couldn’t believe his eyes when he spotted the former batsman.
Windridge, who previously attended Repton School with the son of cricket legend Sir Len Hutton, said: “I couldn’t believe it when I saw him, he was one of the my heroes.”
Windridge, whose family was behind the Windridge pram firm from the 1920s to 1987, said: “Ted kindly agreed to support the club and I also contacted Selco who provided the £800 sponsorship to help us provide grassroots cricket.”
Carl Cook, branch general manager of Selco Wolverhampton, in Stafford Road, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Wolverhampton Cricket Club.
“We sponsor cricket at First Class level through Warwickshire and Birmingham Bears and it is pleasing to provide support at a local level in one of the communities in which we operate.”
Now, it is hoped that the high-profile support of Mr Dexter and Selco will encourage more people to sign up as groundsmen and volunteers at the club.
“It would be great if this would encourage people to support the club into the future,” Windridge added.
“Mr Dexter may be a major part of cricket’s past and present, but perhaps those in Wolverhampton could be its future.”
* Anyone interested in supporting the club should call 01902 754053.
