Callum Appleyard - an appreciation
When the 'timid' young Callum Appleyard arrived at the club from Melbourne, Australia in the spring of 2005, few would have predicted the change in fortune that he would have helped bring to the club.
Of course, he didn't do it all on his own, but there is little doubt that his initial enthusiasm galvanised other members to stretch the envelope of their capabilities resulting in ADCC achieving three successive TCL promotions.
Simon Swinn has complied his playing career record which I reproduce below. Although Callum did not strictly maintain the magnificent form that he displayed in his 'rookie' season. there were a numbering of fractors governing this. Importantly, as the club rose up the divisions, the playing standard obviously became better. Secondly, our rugged man from 'down under' was a bit of a whimp and averaged 2.7 visits to A&E each season and a staggering 13.3 annual visits to the physio! Finally, the not unreasonable attaction of Emily clearly took its toll.
His activities were not constrained to the field of play. In the nets, he offered coaching to anybody willing to listen and Paul Johnson was a notable beneficiary. His other main 'pupils', Jack Osbourne and Andy Lockyer, perhaps did not fare quite as well but we can possibly excuse this because of 'language difficulties'.
Callum often worked tirelessly on the ground during the week and few probably realised just how much effort he put in. True, his labouring stints rarely lasted more than twenty minutes without a break for rest and refreshment but, nevertheless, he did a huge amount more than most!
Some of his less savoury 'duties' involved caring for the ageing Treasurer where frequent bedwashes and numerous requests for food from Abberton's chief malingerer were always cheerfully accomodated.
Although it was pretty clear from the outset that he had a drink problem (he couldn't!), Callum was a willing participant in the 'social' side of the club and almost became village pool champion before the local green baize mafia closed ranks to keep the award on English soil.
I will personally miss the occasional lunchtime visits to Mersea where we sampled the local fish and chips, a taste that Callum soon came to enjoy whilst he was with us. For some reason, he always managed to secure a larger portion than myself but, despite his slightly less padded frame, managed to devour the island's best in spectacular fashion.
Callum will be missed in many ways and all at ADCC (including John Stockbridge) wish him the very best wishes for the future. MP
Callum's playing record
Year M Inns NO Runs HS Ave 50 100 Ct Ovs Mdns Runs Wkts BB Ave 5wI
2005 36 28 7 515 114 24.52 1 1 8 406.5 76 1200 90 8-32 13.33 7
2006 28 22 2 336 64 16.80 3 0 7 250.5 31 973 52 6-33 18.44 3
2007 27 22 6 586 136* 36.62 2 1 14 323.1 61 1125 70 7-67 16.07 3
Total 91 72 15 1437 25.21 6 2 29 980.5 168 3298 212 15.55 13
Achievements and awards
2005 1st XI Bowler of the Year, 1st XI Bowling Award (best average), 58 wickets in TCL Div 4 (league record), Young Girlfriend of the Year Award.
2006 Club Captain, 1st XI Bowler of the Year, 1st XI Bowling Award (best average), hat-trick v Halstead, Colchester General Hospital Trophy for Outpatient Attendance.
2007 Club Captain, 1st XI Bowler of the Year, 1st XI Bowling Award (best average), Special Polly Rogers Award for outstanding contribution to the club.
Follow Callum's cricketing progress back home via his club's website
