SENSATIONAL PRE-SEASON SIGNING [01/04/08 00:00:01]
In what is possibly the most audacious signing ever to hit local cricket, excitement has gripped The Brow following the announcement of the capture of ex-England pace bowler Darren Gough (pictured right in his new club cap).
It is understood that Gough, who retired from Test cricket in 2003 following a distinguished career which saw him net 229 wickets in 58 matches and who made numerous matchwinning one-day contributions will be able for Abberton's Saturday 2nd XI after discovering a clause in his Yorkshire contract that permits him to not have to work at weekends.
37-year-old Gough became a firm favorite at Chelmsford during his stint as vice captain prior to returnring to take charge of his native white rose county at the beginning of 2007, something which he describes as a massive honour.
When speaking to the website last night, he claimed to feel every bit as excited over the prospect of visiting such village rural outposts as Worlington and Debenham playing under the single lion of Abberton as he was wearing the three lions of England.
He was unstinting for his praise of the Abberton set-up and said he had already identified some real talent at The Brow. He is looking forward to improving the diet and general fitness of a side whose weights range from mildly chubby to chronically obese and he told the website, "just because you are a fat b***ard, it doesn't mean that you can't be agile and have to be a slummock in the field".
Gough, who like many at ADCC has suffered with knee probolems, is a former winner of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing and is well known for his humour both on and off the field.
News of his signing has been welcomed in all quarters and elected TCL 2nd XI captain Marc Fox was ecstatic that a man with such ability and leadership qualities could be attracted to the club. Even cantakerous old Treasurer John Everett was pleased with the signing labelling the arrangement "excellent value for money".
Head of Security John Stockbridge (68) was equally gushing in his praise for the charismatic Gough. "Darren is a f***ing top class performer, similar to myself in that respect and it will be a nice change to have him here instead of some of the w***ers that we have had in the past like that Aussie t**t last year" he spluttered through a mouthful of Bacardi and Coke.
