DOWN the years, Golcar have both produced and recruited some very fine players, and although success has been limited, they have also boasted some very useful teams along the way.

Players like the legendary Brian Turner, the late Rod Bull, Sonny Ramadhin, Hartley Alleyne, Jim Cumbes and Indian Test players Sanjeev Sharma and more recently Atul Bedade have all graced Swallow Lane.

However, it was not until 2009 that they could count the Sykes Cup among their list of credits when they beat Elland in the final at Honley, while their last League success goes back a long, long way.

In fact to 1944, which was the last time they lifted the Byrom Shield, although they have collected the old Section B trophy a couple of times in the 80s.

But one thing they can proudly boast is that among their ranks of now retired players is the highest-ever run-scorer in the history of the Huddersfield Cricket League, namely one John Cooper.

That fact is probably widely-known among Huddersfield cricket followers.

But I’m quite sure one that isn’t, is that Golcar now also possess the second-highest run-scorer in League history following the close-season recruitment of Lee Baxter!

The 36-year-old hard-hitting batsman joined the Swallow Lane club after nine successful years at Elland and has already scored almost 250 runs in six knocks, which has taken him beyond 18,000 career runs and overtaking previous second-placed occupant Richard Horner, who had over 17,000 (see panel for further stats).

“I’ve been trying to get Lee to Golcar for a few years now,” said club skipper Steve Whitwam, who himself is likely to become something of a legend at Swallow Lane after successive Jack Gledhill Trophies as the League’s leading all-rounder.

“Although I’ve not played with Lee other than in the League’s representative side, I’ve known him all the time I’ve been playing, and he has always been one of the best players in the League.

“So I’m pleased to have finally persuaded him to join us at Golcar this season.”

Baxter may have failed to register a century last summer (which was quite surprising), however he did perform consistently with 10 half-centuries to finish with 923 runs at average of just over 51, and that is the sort of consistency Golcar were lacking last year, when they finished in mid-table and lost in the first round of the Sykes Cup, having won it the previous year.

Not only was Whitwam excited about landing Baxter, but he admits to being ‘chuffed to bits’ at recruiting Jack McNamara, the fifth Australian Golcar have employed in the last seven years.

“I’ve been wanting a left-arm spinner for a while, and Jack is just the sort of player I’ve been looking for.”

The 24-year-old McNamara plays first grade cricket for Camberwell Magpies Cricket Club in Melbourne and last weeks’ seven-wicket return against Slaithwaite took him to the 20-wicket mark in half-a-dozen matches.

“His bowling is going to be a great asset, and although he’s been batting down at No8 and not really had much chance to show what he can do up to now, he does look like he can bat,” continued Whitwam.

“We suffered a major blow recently losing our wicketkeeper/batsman Eddie Wilson, who has been given a contract with Yorkshire’s Academy.

“As well as a good keeper, Eddie was our No3 batsman, and will really be missed.

“But we are absolutely delighted for the lad who could have a great future.

“He’s only 16 but he definitely has the right attitude to go further.

“It was also disappointing to lose (bowler)hen he chose to return to Broad Oak, which I suppose we expected at some point, but that left us short of an opening partner for Will Hinchliffe.

“So we have brought in 16-year-old Jack Hendy from the Seconds, and this is going to be a big learning year for him.

“We’re okay with regards to the wicketkeeping, because obviously Mickey Illingworth is more than capable of taking over the gloves. And we also have Glenn Collier in reserve who has also agreed to step in for some matches because Mickey’s batting well and I don’t want his keeping to take anything away from his current form.

“And with Lee’s arrival, its given me a chance to put James Sykes down the order to steady the innings in the middle.”

Whitwam is in his seventh year at Golcar (in his second stint after four seasons at Scholes) and admits to finding it hard last season, his first as captain, when certainly his batting tended to suffer.

“I think the first season as skipper is always going to be difficult, and I probably put too much onus on my captaincy, although I did get a lot of help from previous skipper Ashley Pamment and Jack (Craig Horner).

“This season I’m determined not to put as much pressure on myself, and relax more. And as well as advice from Jack, Baggy (Lee Baxter) is also a big help.

“He’s got a very good cricket brain, and has plenty of experience of captaincy, having filled the role at Almondbury, Slaithwaite and Elland.”

Despite losing Wilson and France, Golcar have already moved into third place in the table and include an opening-day victory over fancied Shepley.

“I’m not going to tip us to win the League, but I do fancy a top 10 finish and a good Sykes Cup run would be nice,” added Whitwam.