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Not a lion but a big bear this week. A man who on his day could wreek havoc on the opposition. Christopher Akers is from the North Country – well the Midlands I believe anyway which is nearly the same thing. He played mainly for the Sunday side pre & post merger although he actually took a “michelle” in one of his last (and our first ever 2^nd XI) games at Brighton in 2007.

Chris was a bowler who usually opened or was first change. His opening ball was always a total surprise to many of us and the batsman! He bowled at the stumps - very straight but usually of extremely varying length… Full tosses & beamers through to short pitched stuff which flew over peoples’ heads. He obviously bowled a great deal more full length or back of a length deliveries and he would no doubt have won more LBWs which are often unheard of on a Sunday as the opposition provides the umpire.

Batting was usually a mystery to Chris – he always played the same way as he bowled – fast and loose. Occasionally it came off but more often, it was a six or four and then out – he could never be too bothered building an innings as it involved running between the wickets, something Christopher was never keen on. He just couldn’t see the point of hanging around. The only time I remember him being very angry when he had his pads on was when this correspondent gave him out caught behind at Barns Green. Oh well, the old eyesight has never been too clever.

Above all though, Chris enjoyed the game and being around the Sunday side for many years. He gave his all to the Club until his back told him a couple of years ago that he could play no more. His devotion to the Club also included trying to keep Hardisty’s audacious plans in check as Club Treasurer for several years. He lived in the village (West Chilt) opposite the mighty Gee when he worked at Epsom but following a short stint in Botherham, South Yorkshire, he brought the family home again when he got a job back in Sussex. On his return, we even got him back as Treasurer for a year.

As a Nottingham Forest fan, he’ll be enjoying his football again after so many years in the doldrums and like all Legends, he will always be welcome down at the Rec after many years of service to both West Chilt. and the merged Club.

Awarded legend status for his many seasons with the Club, his stints as Club Treasurer and his always interesting bowling spells!

Christopher Akers – Green & Gold Statistics

Seasons at West Chilt & Thakeham (merged club): Six (2002-2007)

Batting: 48 innings, 371 runs at an average of 8.83;

High Score: 33 against Beeding & Bramber in a Sunday home game in 2002

Bowling: 340.2 overs, 33 maidens, 54 wickets at 30.15. Number 21 on all time list at the end of the 2009 season.

Best: 6-57 at Amberley for the Sunday side in May 2003

Game results: Chris won nearly 22% of WC&T games he was involved in

Next Week: David Hardisty