EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BATSMAN IAN SNOWDEN

WELCOME BACK TO STCC - HOW DOES IT FEEL TO RE-SIGN?

Thanks lads. Really good to be back again. I didn’t think I would be back quite so soon to be honest.

Thoughts on 2 years away?

It’s been a really busy two years for me both on and off the field!

Leaving the club I’d been at since the age of 9 was incredibly tough but the right decision at the time-which I think everyone respected. It was something that I felt I had to do because I wanted to test myself at a higher level.

I’m really fortunate that Appleby Frodingham gave me the opportunity to do that and I really enjoyed my two years at the club-with a great set of lads. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to contribute with the bat as much as wanted to in my last year but I feel that playing at a higher level has brought my game on and made me a better player all round than I was when I left in 2015.

How have you fitted back in?

It’s seemed pretty seamless really. I’ve stayed in touch with the majority of the lads since 2015 anyway. I’ve quickly become re-acquainted with the horrendous attempts at banter that are dished out by the usual culprits, so in that sense nothing has really changed!

How has Pre Season been going?

It’s been going really well. It was great to hit the ground running before Christmas and then start back again in New year. I’ve been working on fine tuning a couple of things with Krunch which hopefully will put me in good stead for a successful 2018. I’m just hoping that a two week all inclusive honeymoon in the Caribbean in late March doesn’t undo all the hard work!

Excited for the season?

Really looking forward to the challenge, it’s a step into the unknown for the club but everyone seems ready to knuckle down and put in the hard yards. I’m looking forward to just being a player. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel having been Club Captain for 3 years but I’m really enjoying the new stress free role!

Plans for the season and beyond?

I think from a team perspective we just need to keep things simple and take it game by game, as cliche as that sounds, not getting drawn into looking too far ahead.

On a personal level it’s just great to part of my home town clubs first ever year in the ECB Premier League.

Personal targets for coming season?

The main thing is I just want to enjoy my cricket which if training is anything to go by-I will. I know I’ve got an important role to play with the bat so hopefully I’ll be able to make match winning contributions. I’ve certainly worked harder than ever on my batting, fielding and fitness so hopefully that will be pay dividends throughout the season.

How do you think the team will go in the ECB?

I’m hoping that we will surprise a few teams. I think the important thing is to stay together. We have a core of local lads who know what it means to play from STCC which I think is important. Everyone from the top down know what an what an important year it is for the whole club.

For me, our main aim is to retain our ECB Premier League status. Some might say that lacks ambition but I think that has to be the main focus to make sure we scrap for every point. Becoming an established ECB team has proven difficult for newly promoted teams. There’s no doubt that

On our day I think we have a team that can beat anyone in the league.