Neighbourly advice to join Paignton CC was a decision Ashworth never regretted

Graham Ashworth batting against Sidmouth at Queen

WHEN Graham Ashworth moved to Devon from his native Yorkshire in 1969 his new next-door neighbour gave the young cricketer a piece of advice.

“If you are serious about your cricket and want to win things, join Torquay,” said the neighbour. “If you want to have fun and enjoy your cricket it’s best you join Paignton.

The man offering Ashworth some friendly advice was Torquay’s then all-rounder Roger Matthews, who had been good enough to play for Devon not that long ago and was a 1st XI regular at the Recreation Ground.

“It was a piece of advice my father took and one that he never, ever regretted,” said son Mark.

“My father was a representative for a firm selling soaps and creams and moved to Devon when the company offered him the South West as his territory.

“He did not think twice. Down he came with my mum, they rented a house from Maurice Bagge (late Paignton RFC president) and found their new next-door neighbour was a keen cricketer as well.

Graham Ashworth in 1986“Dad got himself down to Queen’s Park, joined the cricket club and immersed himself in it.

“He played for nearly 20 years, had two years as 1st XI captain and when he stopped playing was chairman for two years.”

Graham Ashworth was born in Leeds in March 1947 and educated at Leeds High School. Future Scotland and British Lions player and coach Ian McGeechan – now Sir Ian – was classmate.

Cricket started with village side Whitkirk CC and the young batsman impressed watchers to earn selection for the Leeds League XI.

There was time in the summer to race sprints in Yorkshire Schools’ meetings and bag a 100-yards winners’ medal presented by Derek Ibbotson, who was a world record breaker over a mile.

Winter meant rugby union with Headingley, either at full-back or on the wing.

“Dad played rugby for Paignton when he first moved down here, but cricket was always his main sport,” said Mark.

Ashworth, a forceful opening bat in Paignton’s team, was a consistent run scorer in Devon League cricket, which started in 1972. He was selected by Devon in 1973 and made his debut in a drawn game against Oxfordshire at Morris Motors. He scored 29 in Devon’s only innings of a rain-ruined match.

He kept his place in the side for the game against Berkshire at Reading two days later, but was dismissed without scoring.

Ashworth was one of a number of Paignton players to feature in the county side that summer under the leadership of new skipper Barrie Matthews. Roger Newcombe, Terry Friend and Stuart Lott were the others.

Graham Ashworth playing it safe against TorquayAshworth never played for Devon again, but continued to turn out regularly for Paignton. He captained the 1st XI in 1974 and 1975. Sons Mark and Andrew both went on to play cricket for Paignton.

By the mid-1980s Ashworth had dropped down into Paignton 2nd XI, but was still scoring runs. His last full season was in 1986 when a side containing himself, Alan Higgs, Paul Mitchell, Colin Knight, Andy Watts, Gordon Milburn and speedster Dave Brooking won the A Division 2nd XI championship. Ashworth – 553 runs, average 32.52 – topped the batting averages.

Appearances became less frequent after that and by 1989 had stopped completely.

“Young players like Mark Griffiths and Liam Talbot were coming through and he could not get in the team – and would not have wanted to get in at their expense,” said Mark.

Instead, Ashworth turned to committee work and served two terms as chairman between 1991-1993.

Although Ashworth’s own rugby days when long behind him, when sons Mark and Andy started playing dad got involved as coach-manager all the way through to under-19 colts level.

Golf at Churston GC with former cricket pals John Smith and Bill Phillips became a sporting passion in later life, along with watching his sons and grandsons on whichever field they happened to be playing.

“During the summer dad would get down to Queen’s Park most Saturday’s to his spot by the nets and watch my sons, his grandsons, Connor in the first team and Joel in the seconds,” said Mark.

“In the winter he would follow Joel playing rugby for Brixham.”

Graham and wife Christine were married for 49 years. In addition to their two sons they had a daughter, Kate.

The couple opened a commercial stationery business in Paignton in 1987, which remains in family ownership.

 

Flashback to July 1971 and a sunny day at Queens Park where a Paignton XI took on the Whitbread Wanderers, a side containing numerous past and present Test and county cricketers. Graham Ashworth is second from left in the front row, next to comedian Leslie Crowther, who was performing a summer season at the old Festival Theatre. Among the players on parade for the Wanderers were David Green and Brian Bolus (back row, together on the far right). Kiwi batsman Glenn Turner, West Indian Ron Headley and Australian Bill Alley, who are second, third and fourth from left in the middle row. Paignton players (and guests) identified in the picture are (back), Jeff Beer, Geoff Daniell, Len Thomas, Graham Allen, Howard Markham, Trevor Ward (on Alley’s left) and Ashworth. Do you remember this game? Get in touch with Conrad Sutcliffe (07767 622530) to share your memories.