North Devon paceman King on way to Premier side Sandford for 2021

Josh King bowling at pace for North Devon against Plymouth

By CONRAD SUTCLIFFE

SANDFORD have made a significant signing for the 2021 season in the Tolchards Devon League Premier Division by luring Josh King to Creedy Park.

King, who bowls briskly and bats like a man in a hurry at times, has been with North Devon since 2015. Previously he played for Bideford.

Richard Foan, the Sandford captain, has been an admirer of the 28-year-old pacer for a while and has seen at close quarters in the Premier Division how effective he can be.

“I have been on to Josh for a few seasons now and he has finally agreed to join us,” said Foan.

“It was tough decision for Josh to leave North Devon and I am glad he leaves on good terms with them. 

“Josh is very handy with the ball and can be destructive with the bat on his day.

“Josh wants to play at the highest level and push for Devon selection, which is great for us. 

"The club is making progress every season and adding players of Josh's ability will only improve us next summer. 

“All we need now is a competitive season to show what we can do as a team.”

King had five full seasons in the Sandhills at Instow, but took a sabbatical in 2020 rather than play in the Covid-restricted mini-divisions.Josh King running in to bowl for North Devon | Fiona Tyson

Tom Popham, the North Devon captain, said Sandford have acquired a useful all-round cricketer.

“Josh said he wanted a fresh challenge, which I fully understood and respected,” said Popham.

“Sometimes people need a change of scenery in order re-motivate themselves again and Josh needed that. 

“As a club we wish Josh all the best and hold absolutely no ill feeling towards him at all, he's a great lad and top player

“I want and need players who are fully committed to us and want to be a part of what we want to do going forwards at North Devon. 

“Josh will be greatly missed and will add quality to Sandford in all three aspects of the game as well as a great attitude.”

“The fact Josh didn't play last season means we are more used to not having him in the side and it allowed others to take a more prominent role with the ball.”

King was talent-spotted by the Devon Lions coaching programme in 2013 and by 2014 was playing development games against First Class county 2ndXIs.

A six-wicket haul against Somerset 2ndXI in a two-day game caught the eye of Devon’s then director of cricket Keith Donohue, who promoted King to the senior side in 2015.

Between 2015 and 2019 King played 23 times for Devon in competitive games and took 25 wickets. In a three-way T20 tournament at Truro his victims included Somerset’s rising stars Tom Banton and George Bartlett.

King picked up 125 Premier Division wickets in five full seasons with North Devon at an average of 24.06. His best day with the ball was five-for-35 match against Exeter in 2016.

King’s batting could be a hit-or-miss affair at times, but when his eye was in he was impossible to contain. Plymouth learned that one afternoon in 2016 when he lashed 58 off just 18 balls against them.