AFTER making his cricketing debut against his father's wishes at the age of ten, York Vale League stalwart Jeff Atkinson has remarkably now racked up half a century's service for his village team.

The 60-year-old has lived in Clifton for ten years but, after playing his first game in 1951, has featured in each of the 50 years since then for Kelfield, where he was born and brought up.

His appearances have been limited in recent years but, having made his annual debut earlier this month, he turned out again in Kelfield's latest division two clash with Thorpe Willoughby - though only for half a game.

He had agreed to umpire the first innings having earlier promised to take his wife out that evening, but was then called on to play due to a shortage of players. However, he was out for a duck as his side lost by seven wickets.

"I still left just after tea, though, because I'd promised Sandra we'd go to the theatre," he said.

Funnily enough, Atkinson's debut was made against Kelfield for National Glassworks after he had gone to the ground hoping to fill in for either side should they be understrength.

"My father never wanted me to play so young, but after that first game he said that as I've already played against Kelfield, I might as well play for them," said Atkinson, who went on to make his debut for his home team the following season.

"It just went on from there," he added. "I played more games as I got older, and I've been everything in the team."

Atkinson captained his side for 25 years up to 1990 and has been club chairman for nearly ten years and secretary for 18 months.

The club's most successful years were during the 1970s, with two league and cup trophy victories among their successes. They also lifted the Guy Mitchell Trophy five years ago.

"For a local side, we had a good team in the '70s and did well," said Atkinson, who worked for 17 years at Rowntrees and at Drax power plant for a further 27 before retiring a year ago.

"These days, if we're short, I will fill in. I'm not a regular though I might have to play a bit more this season as we've got a few injuries plus there are holidays."

Having mainly been a medium-pace bowler, Atkinson's best figures were nine for 28 against Bishopthorpe, while his best knock was 76 not out versus Osbaldwick, both efforts coming some 30 years ago.

"At that time, the club had five thick stumps and one thin one and on that day I put the wickets out - making sure I put the thick stumps at the end I was bowling to," he said.

He has also taken three hat-tricks, including one in the crunch derby with Riccall, though they too were some years ago. "I haven't bowled for about three years now as there are younger, better bowlers at the club."

The name of Atkinson has been synonymous with Kelfield CC over the years, with five family members having played on the day Jeff made his debut and four more playing last week.

He moved to Riccall about 12 years ago and has lived in Clifton for a decade, regularly going down to Clifton Park, home of York CC, to watch games there.

"I still enjoy the game and I still go to watch if I'm not playing," he added.

Updated: 12:38 Wednesday, July 25, 2001