If you’ve played at Burnley Cricket Club in the past half a century, there’s no doubt you’ve been influenced in some way by Joe Fletcher. The club’s leading wicket-taker, who died, this week, after a long battle with illness.
To be more accurate, rather than just if you’ve played down the club; if you’ve ever enjoyed watching an exciting spell of seam, swing or pace bowling by someone in a Burnley shirt; that bowler will most-likely have benefited from Joe’s influence.
Be it close management and coaching for those who were looking for it, or the odd word here and thoughtful question there; Joe was always around. Ever-looking to help people improve their game.
His authority was unquestionable.
With 703 wickets, Joe is the club’s leading amateur wicket taker. What’s more, they were taken at a very miserly 2.69 economy rate.
His skill is legendary. In fact, those who watched and played with him said he would have had even more wickets, if only the amateur batters had been good enough to get an edge on the ball more often.
Growing up at BCC as a bowler trying to learn the art of swing and seam bowling, Joe was the benchmark to strive for. Not that many achieved it, of course, perhaps a certain James Anderson.
Joe said that, ‘Too much swing is a bad thing. It’s better to move it by only half a bat’s width. That’s how you get them caught behind.’ Which explains why ‘Caught Richardson Bowled Fletcher’ was such a common scorebook entry, over the years.
When he was bowling in tandem with Charlie Griffiths, there can’t have been many better opening partnerships at club level, anywhere in the world.
Joe, end of the back row, on the right, in the 1964 Lancashire League title winning side.
Keeping the game simple was his approach.
As a child, he’d draw a small circle on the wall at the height of the top of off-stump and bowl a tennis ball at it until he hit the circle six times in a row. Again and again. Honing his metronome consistency that would pay off in later years.
As a coach and Third XI manager, his mantra was ‘hit the top of off’ and ‘bat the overs.’ When he won the Third XI league title as manager, in 2006, the single game that his team lost all season was also the only time it got bowled out. It was also the only game Joe was absent, due to attending a family event.
But all these statistics and stories, impressive as they are, still don’t tell the full character of the man. Stubborn and steadfast when he knew he was right on what would improve your game. Dedicated and hard-working to help you get better and improve, if you showed an ounce of willing.
But all this doesn’t show the fun-loving and humorous side of Joe. The passionate and caring coach, stood behind the nets or down at third man. Always wanting to help anyone who loved cricket and his beloved art of bowling. Especially the next generations.
If you were a youngster looking to make your way into the senior teams, he’d willingly cast his eye over your game. Pulling you to one side and offering advice. Ever willing to do a drill or even throw down some balls if you asked.
Or even just share one of his countless tales from yesteryear, laughing with that amazing toothy smile.
All the stories that have been shared about Joe on WhatsApp, this week, have a consistent theme.
Just as likely as he was to teach you how to respect the game and the opposition, he’d also teach you to respect yourself. To not get carried away when things were going well and how to pick yourself up when things weren’t going too great.
That’s why he doesn’t just leave behind a rightly proud son, Andrew, and the rest of his family; but generations of his extended family down at the club.
Great spell, Joe. Have a rest.
