Andrew Flintoff keen to help St Annes Cricket Club after succeeding grandfather as president

Andrew Flintoff has assumed the role of his late grandfather as president of St Annes Cricket Club.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Lancashire and England great is eager to find time in his busy schedule to become more involved at his boyhood club, on and off the field.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Flintoff, 43, has registered as a player with St Annes this season, making his first appearance for seven years in their season-opener at Morecambe – son Corey made his Northern League debut in the same team.

Andrew Flintoff making his St Annes comeback at Morecambe on the opening day of the season Picture: TONY NORTHAndrew Flintoff making his St Annes comeback at Morecambe on the opening day of the season Picture: TONY NORTH
Andrew Flintoff making his St Annes comeback at Morecambe on the opening day of the season Picture: TONY NORTH

St Annes stalwart Harry Hargreaves, Flintoff’s grandfather, served as president of the Vernon Road club for five years until his death this month, aged 93.

Harry would have loved to see two generations of Flintoffs playing in the same St Annes team 10 days ago.

At 15, debutant Corey was just older than Andrew had been on making his first XI bow three decades earlier.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Andrew had first been brought to the club by his grandad and St Annes chairman John Cotton told The Gazette: “We are delighted Andrew has agreed to become club president with immediate effect.

“Harry always supported the club and was a great ambassador for us.

“And as a lad Andrew first came down to the club with his grandfather.”

And just like Harry, TV presenter Andrew is determined to be involved at Vernon Road as much as possible.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Cotton added: “Andrew brought his sons Corey and Rocky along to play senior cricket last year and he said he would like to help the club by putting on a fundraising event, which we are presently working on.

“Chatting to him recently, he intimated he would like to get more involved.

“He mentioned going on the committee and I asked whether he would consider becoming our president. He was delighted to accept.

“He also said he’d love to play alongside his lads if ever we were short and if his other commitments allowed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Hopefully he will continue in the role of president for many years to come. This is fantastic news for the club.”

St Annes have started the season with two exciting draws and staged their first home game of 2021 on Saturday against Lancaster, albeit behind closed doors.

And Cotton has found the early signs most encouraging. “Most of the players are homegrown,” he said.

“We have started the season with no professional and a lot of lads brought up through the juniors.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Hopefully they continue to develop through the season and that will stand us in good stead for future years.”

Like all cricket clubs, St Annes are looking forward to welcoming spectators back – in limited numbers at first – from May 17.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here