Next we catch up with our former overseas amateur turned professional, Grant Jordan. It was in 1986 that Clitheroe had the services of Jordan, a young Victorian State opening batsman. Grant opened the batting with Keith Fawcett and scored freely that season. He was an excellent runner between the wickets and on a number of occasions teamed up with pro Ian Austin to give exhibitions of batting to the opposition much to the delight of the home crowd. Apart from his ability at the crease, Jordan was a good team player and was pleasant, personable and well liked by all.

Grant was awarded the league fielding prize in the 1986 season, and scored 134 on the final day of the campaign, as we secured the league championship. In 1987 Grant returned; with his 738 runs helping lead CCC to glory in the Ramsbottom Cup.

How did you get to sign with Clitheroe?
Firstly Bails, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to answer some questions as I remember my times at Clitheroe very fondly and to this day Liz and I both have some wonderful friends from our time at the club.

I originally signed with the club in the mid 80s as the overseas amateur with all of the negotiations being done with Mick Booth who was the Chairman at the time.

I suspect Brendan Mcardle (Lancashire league legend) and the captain of my district side Peter Hannan were involved in the set-up of the contact between the club and I.

Today as I said we remain great friends of the entire Booth family and I am forever grateful that Mick got me to the club.

The professional at the time was a young up and coming Lancashire and later England representative by the name of Ian Austin. Together whilst we were pretty young we were able to combine to bring some reasonable success to the club. This season we won the league and cup double which I am sure was very rare in the clubs’ history at the time.

The following year I returned under the same arrangement, however it was to change very early on in the season as Ian was picked to play for Lancashire and I was offered a professional’s position in Scotland.

My memory at the time was that the club acted quickly and I was signed on as the professional for the remainder of the season. A season where we went on to win the cup final again.

What were your first impressions of Clitheroe?
To be fair I did think it was a bit Chilly, but I did grow to love the town and the people. I took advantage of the many pubs around the area and the many small villages such as Waddington.

Where did you stay?
When I first arrived, I stayed at Neil Ashworths house in Clayton Le moors ( maybe this was influential in my beer drinking habit ) and I also lived in a shared house with some other cricketers in Accrington. Not an ideal location compared to Clitheroe.

My final year I lived with Dennis Greenup in Clitheroe who was a golfer rather than a cricketer, so I am not sure how that arrangement occurred. After this experience he possibly regretted getting involved with cricketers rather than the gentle sport of golf!

Characters around the club?
Whilst there were characters around, what I do remember most about the club is the supporters and the families that were involved at the club. I remember Derek Thompson and the efforts that he put in around the club as the selector and also the groundsman. He was the poor mans Hughie Wardle of today. He was always at the club willing to do whatever it took.

I recall John Ramsden as a supporter who very rarely missed matches. There were about 4 guys that used to sit in the same seats just outside the club entry every week, but I am not sure of their names (Some of the locals might be able to help me with these names).

John was also influential in getting me some work at Pendle Carpets and I have memories of the hardest days that I ever worked for the lowest pay that I have ever received!

I recall Ken and Sheila Dewhurst never missing a game to watch their son play and I am reliably informed they have shown the same dedication to their Grandsons Jack and Charlie. They were wonderful supporters. The Dewhurst family along with others such as the Booths , Sharps, Coulters ,Slingers, Houldsworth’s, Ducky and Keith Fawcett are the ones that provided me with some great times.

Memorable nights out?
Once again there were many and I do remember lots of lock ins at the waggon. Not sure if that is good or bad, but I did get to meet Coxy, so that is a plus.

Memorable games?
The most memorable game for me was the Cup final against Ribblesdale in the first year. The game had been built up with the cross-town rivalry clearly the main topic.

There was certainly a lot of pressure especially from those that despised Ribblesdale and there were a few in that category.

There was a pretty big crowd on by CCC standards that day and they went home happy.

We ended up winning by either 9 or 10 wickets chasing down their total with an opening stand anchored by Keith Fawcett. To have such a resounding victory in such an important game was very satisfying

Best bloke/lady around the club?
My first introduction started with Neil Ashworth as mentioned and we spent a lot of time together, both on and off the field. His sense of humour and storytelling about his cricket ability come quickly to mind. Some of the changeroom banter and arguments that he provided were very eventful and have created some very funny memories.

Best player played with at CCC?
This could be controversial as I played with a lot of very skilled players. Garth Sutcliffe our off spinner was very under rated and always seemed to do his job. Keith Fawcett at the top of the order protected the pro from getting in too early and played some valuable innings, not the least the one he played in a cup final. Billy Slinger and Rod Booth whilst at the end of their careers were steady away as you guys say. We also had some young guys such as Paul Rushton, Steven Blackburn and Chris Seed also played a few games between study commitments. Phillip Hall was also consistent behind the stumps and rarely missed a chance.

Undoubtedly, though the most talented guy in my two years at the club was Mick Dewhurst . An exceptional allrounder who was known for his aggression or lack of patience let’s put it that way. He was a better bowler I would say, but still played some fantastic innings at important times for the club. I do recall the Cup final against Cherry tree when Bob Radcliffe dismissed me very early and Dewy went on to play probably his finest innings. He loves talking about this day, so if you get a chance take the time to listen to the barman. I have also seen his two lads play and the topic or discussion between them about who is the better player will remain with me. I will stay tight lipped.

Best player played against?
I think Ian Austin even at the time was a class above the rest of the professionals. I did rate Bob Radcliffe as well who was always difficult to face and score off.

What have I been up to since playing at CCC?
35 years is a long time and a lot has happened. I am now the proud Grandfather of 3 kids. Married to Liz who spent some time with me at the club we have 3 adult children, Stephanie, Courtney and Jack.

I am still involved in cricket having spent the last 10 years as player, coach or director of coaching at the Lilydale cricket club in Melbourne. Many of you will know that we have set up a fantastic relationship with the CCC and both the players and our club have benefitted from this. I am extremely proud that we have given the opportunity for 3 of the lads from the club the chance to experience life in Australia. Having JD, Harry and Mully come out has been a great experience and they too will have mates for life. Even Bails and Hughie Wardle have graced the LCC.

For work I am the General manager of a company called Valyarra who have employed all of the lads that have come out to play cricket from the CCC. Having this business to fall back on has been a massive financial gain and I am sure the lads are appreciative of what we have done for them.

If you want me to rate the lads as workers it would be close between Mulligan and Lang with JD bringing up the rear a fair way back.

Dewy was prone to a few Mondays and Fridays off which did not help our productivity.

Have you been back to Clitheroe since?
Yes, I have been back to Clitheroe with both Liz and Courtney and I am hopeful one day that my son Jack will one day be able to come over and spend some time at the club.

We will also be returning in September 2021 for the wedding of Jack Dewhurst and Danielle Parker once this COVID 19 thing is over. We are really looking forward to that celebration.

Do you still watch out for the club results?
I definitely keep an eye out on the results via Keith Fawcett’s videos and your cricket websites and it has been amazing watching the club’s progression into the Lancashire league. Having had the lads come over to Australia has been great for our cricket club as well and our success has almost mirrored Clitheroes. From a distance what looks to have happened over there is that there has been a lot of effort put into the Junior programs, so whoever has been involved in that deserves major credits. I know the social side of the club is also going well so keep up the great work. Thanks again for asking me to do this .