We were delighted to hear recently from a former player who has been in touch to share some memories of his time playing at Upton. Andy McIntosh now lives in Berkshire but played for UCC in the 1960’s before moving on to Birkenhead Park, with his first appearance being for the 1st XI at Aigburth. Primarily a bowler, he wasn’t called upon that day but did score five runs batting at number 6.

In 1965 he returned his best figures claiming 35 wickets at an average of 11.2 runs from 202 overs, playing alongside the likes of Tony Perrin, Ralph Dodd, Gordon Edwards, George Ryecroft, John Martin, Bill Twidale and Colin Byrom.

Andy recalls, “Upton CC ran two Saturday sides and a Sunday team, so there was cricket on both days of the weekend. One of the favourite visiting teams on a Sunday were the Merseyside West Indians who would often have an international player gracing the team. For these games we would get up to a 100 plus gate. The Saturday competition was strong and there were no real weak sides so when we won the competition in 1965,for the first time since 1949 we had to be on our game every week. In fact I don’t think we lost a game that season. I played for the club for 4 years and then moved on to join Birkenhead Park. This proved a good move as I got selected to play for Cheshire in the Minor Counties competition in 1968/69.”

Andy moved away from the Wirral in 1984 and reflects on his time here, and especially his time at Upton with fondness – “Upton was very much the club that gave me my love of the game. I had a great mentor in a guy called Jack Williams who took me under his wing and gave me great encouragement. The camaraderie in those days was outstanding and it is sad that with the passage of time you lose contact.”

Shortly before his retirement in 2006, Andy wrote a book entitled 'Better than Expected, the Life and times of a Birkenhead Boy'' which we are hoping will be available to borrow from the club shortly.

Andy has very kindly shared some newspaper cuttings he collected along the way during his time at Upton which can be seen below.

It is hoped we will be able to welcome Andy back to the club in the near future when he next visits the Wirral.