Geoff Deighton clocks up 60 years in local league cricket (From York Press)

Geoff Deighton clocks up 60 years in local league cricket

10:16am Wednesday 8th September 2010 in

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GOLDEN oldie Geoff Deighton shows no signs of slowing down after completing 60 years in local league cricket.

The 75-year-old all-rounder reached the milestone when his Copmanthorpe II side lost by one wicket at Ovington II on the final day of the HPH York Vale League season.

Deighton’s team-mates presented him with a cake to mark his achievement, and club secretary and chairman John Hughes paid tribute to the evergreen player.

“To be 75 years old and still playing is amazing – and he still holds his end up,” said Hughes.

“Geoff is never short of a word, but it’s always a friendly word. He encourages the youngsters in the second team and that’s what it is all about.

“To my knowledge, I don’t think there is anybody else in York who is still playing at 75. But he is still quite fit and also plays badminton regularly. He shows us all up.”

Deighton played his first league game for Askham Bryan as a 15-year-old in 1950 and later captained the side, while also twice winning the Prendergast Trophy in the 1970s.

And Hughes expects his name to be on the Copmanthorpe roster for the 2011 season.

“I would imagine he will put his name forward for next year,” he said.

“He got rested earlier in the season because they were rotating the second team and I heard he wasn’t too happy about it. But as long as he is enjoying it, why not carry on?”

• Don’t miss The Press tomorrow for a full report on the final day of HPH York Vale League action, plus results and final league tables.