3:57pm Wednesday 8th September 2010
By Matt Donlan
Settle’s long-serving captain and experienced campaigner Andrew Davidson is calling it a day at senior level after 40 years of Ribblesdale League Cricket.
Davidson’s swansong will be on Saturday at Marshfield against Padiham, who were the opponents when he made his second team debut as a 10-year-old way back in 1969.
He made his first team debut at Baxenden three years later and has been a regular in the Settle line-up ever since, apart from a two-year stint in the Yorkshire League with Sheffield Collegiate in the early 80s.
Davidson was capped by Yorkshire at schoolboy level and played alongside Yorkshire stars Martin Moxon and Kevin Sharpe.
He represented Lancashire Young Cricketers and the Ribblesdale League side on several occasions in the 80s.
Davidson’s top league score of 113 and a best bowling return of 7-37 proved his worth to the Marshfield men and he was captain of the North Yorkshire outfit for a record 15 seasons.
He led Settle to four Ramsbottom Cup finals and the league and cup double for the only time in the club’s history in 2005.
And Davidson says he will take many happy memories with him.
“The time is right. No one needs to be told when to go, you just know it,” he said.
“Basically the body, mind and spirit has run out of petrol.
"Saturday will be my saddest day in cricket. It will be hard but I’ve had a good ride.
“I have played with and against some of the best players the world has produced, I’ve had lows and highs at the club and played in many exciting, tense and enthralling games.
“The game has been good to me, the club and people have been good to me and I would like to think I’ve given something back over the years.”
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