'An absolute gentleman': Pinkneys Green mourn the loss of vice president Alan Martin

Pinkneys Green Cricket Club announced the sad passing of its vice president Alan Martin over the Christmas period.

Alan was a leading playing member during the second half of the 20th century and remained a popular figure at the club.

Club member Steve Jinman, also a director at Maidenhead United Football Club, paid the following tribute to Alan.

‘Born locally, he first appeared for the Green as a teenager in the mid-1950s and he was blessed with a classic fast bowler’s physique.

He formed one half of a fearsome bowling attack with Peter Jackson, and their destructive power was illustrated in 1958 when together they bowled out Marlow Park for just 24 runs.

After taking some time away from cricket, he returned to Pinkneys in 1967 and the following summer he was named the first XI’s ‘bowler of the season’. In the club’s final match of the decade, he was instrumental in a nine-wicket win over Blunsdon, taking 8-25 as their opponents crumbled to 44 all out.

Current club president Kevin Snapes described Alan as ‘an absolute gentleman who will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him, teammates or opponents’.

Alan went on to become a key member of Pinkneys’ all-conquering team of the 1970s when he played alongside his brother Barry. In 1973, he took 84 wickets at an average of 8.7 as the Green won the Area final of the National Village Cup for the first time, beating Kidmore End.

Two years later, his late order batting helped rescue The Green in their East Berkshire League match at North Maidenhead. In deep trouble with the score at 62-7, Alan saved the day, scoring 51 not out in an unbeaten stand of 102 with Bruce Dunsford to win the game.

Having won the Area final of the Village Cup for the second time, Alan and Bruce once again came to the rescue in the first national round, this time putting on 39 for the final wicket in a six-run win over Horspath, watched by a four-figure crowd at The Green.

The sweltering summer of 1976 proved no hindrance to his bowling as Alan took 10 wickets across the last weekend in August, including a hat-trick against Wooburn Narkovians.

The treble winning season of 1977 looked an unlikely prospect when Pinkneys were bowled out for 46 by Hurst in the Area Semi-Final of the Village Cup. However, in partnership with brother Barry, Alan (3-5) reduced the visitors to 20-5 as the Green won by 13 runs.

Alan went on to take another two wickets as Pinkneys beat Kidmore End in the Area final. The following week Alan took the opening wicket of the Julian Cup Final when he dismissed Boyne Hill’s Griggs for 1 and was at the crease at the end of the match as Pinkneys won by three wickets.

In the 1980s Alan played a prominent role as captain. Following an exodus of senior players, he agreed to captain the first team in 1984, a thankless task but one which reflected his loyalty to the club. By this time his injured knees forced Alan to cut his run up to a few paces, but his strong shoulders meant he could still generate sufficient pace and swing to trouble any batsman.

As a young player in this era, Kevin Snapes was well placed to assess that Alan’s priority was for young players to flourish at the club.

This was exemplified in 1985 when Alan became the 2nd XI league captain and led the team to promotion as runners up. This was Darren Craythorne’s first season at the club, and he recalls not only how friendly and supportive Alan was but also his strength when challenged.

Following the end of his playing career he was made a vice president of the club and remained a popular character, always with a smile on his face and a bottle of Guinness to hand, ready to discuss the cricket or the fortunes of his beloved Tottenham Hotspur.

Although a formidable opponent his aggressive approach with bat and ball was always leavened with a keen sense of fair play, with Kevin Snapes recalling that Alan was well known for being ready to recall a dismissed batsman if he felt the umpire had erred in his decision.

A man whose physical presence reflected his strength of character, Alan was the consummate sportsman who will be long remembered by those with whom he shared the cricket field.

Pinkneys Green Cricket Club sends its sincere condolences to Alan’s wife Pearl and all his family at this sad time.’