Clive Hinchcliffe

Stonehaven Thistle stalwart, Clive Hinchcliffe, has long been an effective bowler. His left arm action is rare in The Grades and, perhaps as a consequence of that rarity, takes plenty of wickets. His status was briefly elevated to deity during the month of June 2006 when his performances against reigning champions Kintore and (then top of the table) Cults were such, that a "micro faith" (or pseudo religion) was created around him. The "Church of Clive" faded into obscurity soon after as performances returned to mere mortal.

The performances against Kintore and Cults served as a reminder of how capable a bowler he actually is, something many around the Grades had perhaps forgotten, although his value to his club has never been underestimated, either as a player or behind the scenes, including maintenance of their Mineralwells wicket. This unselfish cricketer is a popular figure amongst the Grades community and in spite of being English, isn't at all a bad lad.

Along with his batsman brother, Andrew Hinchcliffe, Clive has formed the backbone of the Stonehaven club and has tasted Grades cricket from the lowest levels to the highest. Although he has had several decent scores with the bat, no one seriously considers him to be in the all rounder class, a claim this self effacing cricketer would never make, in any case.

His career might have taken a different path. Had he opted to play for any other club, his English heritage and accent might well have seen him suffer ridicule. The broad local accents would have left him virtually excluded from team discussions. Setting a field would have been an impossibility due to the communications barrier. Fortunately, he settled in the sleepy little England that is Stonehaven and joined the local club, Stonehaven Thistle.

Advancing years and hairline seem to have had only a moderate influence on the affable Clive and he's as deadly a bowler now as he ever was or ever was be.