It’s back! Howzat for a piece of work from John Breckin?
Following careful consideration - and a slight change in plans! - Rotherham United’s Honorary Life President John Breckin has put a new date in the diary for his previously postponed charity cricket match in aid of the Rotherham Hospice.
After the most recent Government announcement that detailed that the coronavirus restrictions would no longer be lifted by 21st June, Breck took the difficult decision to call off the originally planned date – which would have seen Paul Warne’s players and staff come together at Wickersley Cricket Club for this popular event.
The Government have since outlined plans for restrictions to be lifted on 19th July – by which time Paul and his players will be deeply immersed in their pre-season plans and unfortunately, not in a position to take part in the game.
However, with the evergreen John Breckin, where there is a will, there is always a way.
Lost count of what number pre-season this is for me, but if I get much fitter I'll be knocking on the Gaffer's door!
— John Breckin (@JohnBreckin) July 7, 2021
That said, cricket is a bit more my pace - so I'll stick to that!
Another shameless reminder of the details! #rufc https://t.co/StncDarqxh pic.twitter.com/hYQbpU99YP
Breck and Warney got their heads together and decided that a team of ‘John Breckin’s All Stars’ will lock horns with Wickersley CC on the new date of Friday 23rd July – by which point we are again hopeful that restrictions will be a thing of the past.
As keen to support the community and the Rotherham Hospice as always, Paul will be asking his first team squad to attend the event following another gruelling pre-season session in the morning and ahead of their trip to Grimsby Town on the following day, to show their faces and say hello to the – hopefully – many supporters in attendance at the cricket.
Breck’s phone is never quiet, but it has been busier than ever in the last few days as he has stepped up a last minute summer recruitment drive to put together a team of Millers ‘All Stars’ from yesteryear to represent Rotherham United on the day.
At present, he is keeping the names of those involved a secret and will drip-feed his list of legends to supporters in the build-up to the event.
His ‘All Star’ team will also wear specially designed Puma Teamwear shirts for the occasion, which have also been earmarked to be sold off after the game to raise further funds for the hospice – the design of which will be revealed in due course.
He was keen to again place on record his thanks to the many local businesses who have been back on the phone pledging their support for the newly-arranged event.
“I’m like a boomerang when it comes to raising money for the Rotherham Hospice – I might go away for a bit, but I’ll always come back – it just means that much to me!” Breck laughed.
“We were bitterly disappointed that we couldn’t hold the event as originally planned and as much as I know that Warney would have supported a new date, it wouldn’t have been right to ask him to make the lads available for a game of cricket the day before a pre-season game or after a really tough session.
“As always, he has been absolutely brilliant and was adamant that the lads would at least come along and have a presence, even though they wouldn’t be playing in the game.
“I called around a couple of the businesses who were on-board with supporting the event before and not only did each and every one of them want to get involved for the new date, but we have also had a few extra takers, including the guys at Broadsword who will be helping us to produce our bespoke ‘All Stars’ kits and Eric and Matt Twigg, who will be donating their famous Pukka Pies to be sold on the night.
We've raised over £1,000 for @RotherHosp in sponsorship alone ahead of the charity cricket game!
— John Breckin (@JohnBreckin) July 6, 2021
Following last night's announcement from the Prime Minister we're looking forward to a great day for the cricket.
Send me a message if you'd like to sponsor the game! #rufc pic.twitter.com/jHzTLW1Pci
“I’ve trawled through my extensive phonebook and enlisted the help of some former players and coaches from over the years and I think we’ve not only got a group of great lads, who want to be a part of raising money for the hospice, but a half decent cricket team too!"
“I would like to say a massive thank you to all of those players who have answered the phone to me. I literally can’t think of anyone who has been available that has said no, and a some of these lads I either haven’t spoken to for a long time, or haven’t spoken to at all!
“As I talk to you now, we are confident that the event will go ahead whether the restrictions are totally lifted or not – but of course, whatever happens, we’ll make sure we’re complying with Government advice at the time and are keeping everyone safe.
“Whilst we won’t get carried away, we wanted to get the information out into the public domain in plenty of time to make sure that anybody who would like to be a part of this fantastic day in aid of the hospice can make plans to do so.”
As per previous years, no tickets will be on sale for this event. Instead, a donation will be taken from those attending upon arrival at the gate.