Player Profile of the Week - Luke Connolly

In the first of a new weekly series in which will be getting to know more about some of the players at Croxteth Drive, we speak to 1st and 2nd XI batter Luke Connolly. Luke has played for Sefton Park since 2011 during which time he has scored over 3,500 runs at an average of 25.22 with 21 50s and three centuries to his name. A massive thank you to Big John's Neighbourhood Takeaway who sponsor Luke.

Name: Luke Connolly

Age: 34

RHB

How did you first get into cricket?

"My dad played crown green bowls at Huyton Cricket Club and I used to go down with him and the cricket was on the opposite to the bowling green so I just got into it from there."

How did you come to play for Sefton Park CC?

"Huyton was on the verge of going bust and I had to find a club. I knew Peter Kelly and David Baird from playing representative cricket from when I was kid and it was a toss up between Liverpool and Sefton. I nearly signed for Liverpool but Huyton's secretary - who was my cousin - wouldn't release me because he said I hadn't paid my subs when I had. He just wanted to keep me for another season. In the end I signed the forms myself after bumping into Pete on a night out."

What has been your highlight while playing for Sefton Park?

"It's a tough question - I've been involved in a couple of finals and we won the T20 at Formby in 2018 under Richie Conlon when Dan Coonan and I were opening the batting. I top scored in the final so that wasn't bad. Another one was when I scored two not out off about 70 balls after Paul Squires had got out when he was captain of the 1st XI against Orrell. When he passed me he screamed at me 'Do not get out!' and I thought 'Sound'. 70 deliveries later we managed to draw but I got absolute hell throughout the innings. It was fun."

Who is the best player you've played with at Sefton Park?

"Jomel Warrican. He was unreal. When I was at Huyton I played with an Australian fella called Grant Lambert who was the best pro I've ever seen at a club. I think he scored something like 900 runs in 11 games - he was off the scale.

And who is the best player you've played against?

"I came up against Jesse Ryder once but he didn't do much. There's been plenty of great competitors who've made it tough for me."

What are your hopes for this season?

"I really enjoyed playing in the 1st XI last season but I had an awful season. I think my time of getting in the 1st XI might be numbered but you never know if I carry on scoring runs. With the 2s I think Ormskirk are slightly weaker this season and we're stronger so I think we can build on last season's second place. We can definitely challenge."

And what do you think of Sefton Park CC in 2024?

"Unbelievable. When I first joined the club I still lived in Huyton and now I live in a house around the corner and I love it. One of the reasons I live so close is because I think it's the best beer garden in the city. The club looks great at the moment but when the weather picks up and the ground looks gorgeous there is no better place to spend your time in the summer."