Cherry tree for cricket club legend who’s 90 not out

A VETERAN of Stonor Cricket Club has been honoured.

Tony Fisher has been involved with the club as player, groundsman and handyman for almost 70 years.

So when he reached his 90th birthday last week club chairman Nigel Allsop presented him with “a very appropriate and practical” present, a wild cherry sapling which has since been planted at the ground.

Mr Allsop said: “Appropriate because Tony has been the curator of Stonor’s picturesque cricket ground for much of his time with the club and practical because, in time, it will provide shade for Tony’s favourite viewing position, known at the club as ‘The Grumpy Bench’.

“By the time Tony reaches his ton, the tree will be 40ft or 50ft tall. He has been ever-present in local village cricket circles since 1955. The word ‘legend’ tends to be over-used these days but in the eyes of everyone at Stonor Cricket Club, it doesn’t adequately describe this man’s standing.”

The presentation took place during the tea interval of Stonor’s match against Weekenders CC, a fixture which dates back almost as far as Mr Fisher’s association with the club.

He was joined by nine former players of the club with whom he shared a birthday cake, baked specially for the occasion by Mr Allsop’s wife, Alison.

Mr Allsop added: “Tony has been a wonderful servant of this cricket club and we hope he will be for many years to come.

“In the immortal words of ‘Sir’ Geoffrey Boycott, ‘there’s no excuse for getting aat in’t nineties’.”