Cricket is springing back into life across the north-east as the new season beckons.
But there will no return to the crease for Inverurie Don Valley stalwart John Jessiman, who has decided to pack away his white flannels and retire – at the age of 75.
It’s more than 60 years since the man who has worn more hats than Audrey Hepburn at the club first began his love affair with the summer game.
He has been, among other things, scorer, captain, batsman, bowler, wicket-keeper and pitch preparer. He continues to serve on the committee and, if there is a fence that needs fixing or a wall that requires painting, nobody else has to volunteer.
Yet Mr Jessiman confirmed yesterday that, while he has kept on rolling along first as an all-rounder, then principally a bowler since the 1950s, he will henceforth watch from the sidelines.
He said: “I started out as a scorer when I was 12, then one of the players didn’t turn up and I played my first game against Woodside at Stewart Park in Aberdeen. I have loved being involved ever since these early days.
“I had four uncles who played cricket and my father encouraged me to take it up. But I think I have had a pretty good innings.
“I did actually think about retiring in 2017, but my wife asked me what on earth I was doing, so I stayed on. I’ve really enjoyed it, and I’ve had a lot of different roles, but it’s time for a change.”
He missed most of the action for two or three seasons while he was employed by the British Transport Police and was regularly on shift work, but he has never been in the Inverurie ranks simply to make up the numbers.
Mr Jessiman added: “I’ve no idea how many wickets I have taken or runs I have scored. I don’t really worry about these things. It’s all about the enjoyment of cricket and I genuinely love it. I’ll still keep helping out at the club in the future, but I hope to be at Mannofield a few times in the months ahead. I’m certainly not walking away from cricket.”
His former captain, Trevor Norval, has admired his colleague’s unstinting commitment.
He said: “John does all the preparation on the wicket and gets the outfield ready for training.
“To call him a stalwart is an understatement.”