Fifteen years is a long time in cricket, and looking back, I feel incredibly proud of what we have shared, achieved and built together. Being captain of this club has meant far more to me than simply leading a cricket team on a Saturday. It has been a huge part of my life, and one that I will always look back on with enormous pride.

Over those 15 years, I have been fortunate enough to meet and play alongside so many fantastic people. Some came for a season, some stayed for many years, but every player has played a part in the story. The friendships I have made along the way are something I will treasure long after the runs, wickets and results have been forgotten.

To all the players who have pulled on the Hoddesdon shirt alongside me — thank you. Thank you for your commitment, your effort, your belief and, most importantly, for making it such a brilliant group to be part of. We have shared some incredible moments on the pitch, but it is the memories off the pitch that will make me smile the most.

The celebrations, the beers, the laughs, the table dances, the stories that somehow got better every time they were told, and all the moments that only a team can truly understand — those are the things that make playing cricket so special. We have had some great times together, and I wouldn’t swap them for anything.

I also want to give a huge thank you to all of our sponsors over the years. Your support has been hugely appreciated and has helped give the team the backing and resources needed to represent Hoddesdon Cricket Club with pride. Your contribution has never been taken for granted, and I am incredibly grateful for everything you have done for us.

To the committee, thank you for backing me since I took over as captain and for supporting me in every way you could. I have always felt that you wanted the best for the team and the club, and having that support behind me has meant a great deal.

Most of all, I want to thank the people who have made these 15 years what they have been — the playing group. Captaining a team is never about one person. It is about the people beside you, the people who turn up, put in the hard yards, have each other’s backs and then celebrate together afterwards.

There have been wins and losses, good days and difficult ones, brilliant performances and days when we would probably rather forget what happened! But through it all, there has always been a sense of togetherness, and that is something I will always be proud of.

I also want to say a very special thank you to my wife Jen, for all her support over the years and especially for everything she has done for our family to give so much time to cricket. I know 15 years of Saturdays, training, matches and everything that comes with being involved in cricket isn’t always easy, and I couldn’t have done it without her support.

And to both my parents, thank you for all your support, encouragement and belief in me throughout the years. You have always been there for me, and I am incredibly grateful for everything you have done and continue to do.

When I eventually look back on my time as captain, I won’t remember every scorecard or league position. I will remember the people. I will remember the friendships, the laughs, the celebrations, the changing room, the long days in the field and the feeling of walking onto the pitch with a group of lads I was proud to call my mates.

Fifteen years, countless memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Thank you to every player, supporter, sponsor, committee member, friend and family member who has been part of the journey.

It has been an absolute privilege to captain Hoddesdon CC 1st XI, and I will always be incredibly proud to have done so.

My last home game as captain is on 29th August, and I would absolutely love to share a beer with everyone who has been part of this journey with me. Whether you’ve played alongside me, supported the team, sponsored us, been part of the committee, or simply shared some of the good times over the years, it would mean a lot to see you there.

Thank you for everything.

Robert Walters
Hoddesdon CC 1st XI Captain