Challenge me if you can dispute this statement, but in the history of BHCHS I don’t think we came anywhere near producing an international cricketer. Vince Mulholland (BHCHS 1977-83) has now achieved that distinction. But he has gone even further. Representing England in the Over 60s World Cup held in Canada last month, his heroic efforts secured victory in a crucial semi-final match against Australia when he took the wicket of the Aussie’s leading batter, Peter Solway, just when the Australian looked set to pile up a big score. Vince is an all-rounder, but it was his fiendishly accurate medium pace bowling that helped England to victory during the early rounds. It was this pinpoint precision that trapped Solway lbw giving the England side a much-needed wicket maiden.
This set up what should have been a thrilling final against New Zealand. But the Canadian weather had other ideas. While Europe was melting in the seemingly endless heatwave, over in Southern Ontario they had several rain affected matches. Sadly, the final was a complete washout. Not even Messrs Duckworth and Lewis could help. But at least it meant England shared the title. I was delighted that Vince agreed to an exclusive interview with Old Bucks News soon after his return home to Loughton.
GF: How and when did you first become interested in cricket?
VH: I was the youngest of six children, and my earliest memories are playing in the back garden with one of my older brothers. Because he was bigger and stronger, he would beat me at every sport we played but it gave me a taste for competition.
GF: Were you encouraged to play cricket at BHCHS?
VH: Yes, Lionel Marsh was very keen on cricket. We played some school matches, and he also supported us by organising net practices. I vividly remember one occasion. It was my turn to bowl at him, and someone pointed out that he wasn’t wearing pads. He made some kind of dismissive comment that he was only playing against youngsters. I hit him on the leg, and he wasn’t happy. It was a moment for me, surprising him with my bowling and making me feel that I wasn’t too bad at this game.
GF: How did you then progress from school cricket?
VM: My walk home from school along Roding Lane took me past Buckhurst Hill Cricket Club, so I started there while still in the first year at school.
GF: Apart from getting your start in cricket, how did you feel about the rest of your time at BHCHS.
VM: To be honest, I didn’t enjoy it that much. I found it quite a tough environment it must have done me well as my exam results were not too bad. But the sports events and especially cricket was definitely a highlight.
GF: Did you play other sports there?
VM: I played for the school at football but having to wear glasses from age 13 meant that football was a problem, but I still played! I also was pretty good at badminton competing in the West Essex games, and athletics. I also remember playing quite well at chess, a highlight with that was a match against Chigwell school where I won my individual game.
GF: Did you ever consider playing cricket professionally?
VM: Some of the Essex professional players, including Ray East used to come to Buckhurst Hill CC to coach and they kept an eye on my progress although there was no formal junior academy back then as there is now. At this point it was just a sport I really enjoyed and never thought of it as a possible career. Being the youngest of six in a family that was not particularly affluent, a big drive for me was to earn money. I had a paper round by the time I was 13 and I wanted to get a steady job as soon as I left school to help my family.
GF: Did you carry on playing cricket at club level?
VM: I had a few years out from playing during my late teens but then started back again in my early 20s playing for the Leyton Orient Supporters CC in some friendly games. I then joined Ilford Catholic CC playing League cricket. I have played first team cricket ever since, also becoming an active member of committee’s including the League Committee.
GF: Were your parents supportive of you playing cricket?
VM: My dad was from Ireland (he was garrisoned in Loughton in WWII where he met my mum). Being Irish, cricket was not really played there then and so he didn’t understand the game that much, but both parents were very supportive. My dad sadly passed away in my 20’s but my mum became really interested in cricket and always followed my progress, organising the teas for around 20 years when I was playing league matches.
GF: Were you inspired by any of the top cricketers in those early years?
VM: I admired many of the leading Essex players, especially Graham Gooch and John Lever, and I would often go and support them at Valentine’s Park when they were there. But if I had to pick one player who particularly inspired me it would be Ian Botham.
GF: What I noticed particularly about your bowling in the recent World Cup matches was your ability to hit a perfect length with almost every ball. Is that something you have always been able to do?
VM: I’ve always been pretty accurate, and I used to be quicker, being able to swing the ball in the air a lot more. Quite often my team mates call me “the metronome”.
GF: Although it was your bowling that was successful in Canada, I know you are listed as an all-rounder. Has that always been the case?
VM: Actually, I used to be more of a batsman. I opened the batting for my club for many years and was often top scorer in the club. But early on in my time at the club, when we were struggling in a match, I offered to bowl and picked up four wickets. The captain said, “Oh, we didn’t know you bowled.” So, from that point on I started bowling in every game and soon became the top wicket taker. Now, as far as Essex and England are concerned, I am a bowler who can bat.
GF: What did you do in your working life?
VM: As I mentioned, I was determined to get into work as soon as possible, and although I started in the 6th form, I got a job opportunity working in a local sub-post office at Woodford Green, so I left school at took the job. My manager there became a great friend. She quite soon told me that I was way too good to stay in that small sub-office and that I should get a job at The Post Office where they would, in her words, “pay me proper money”. I did just that. Within a year I was working in central London and rapidly got promoted. While working in the property section, the business sponsored me to become a qualified commercial accountant. This gave me further great job opportunities, a highlight being part of the joint venture team between the Post Office and Bank of Ireland that set up the Financial Services business. I left the Post Office with 30 years’ service and worked freelance for a few years, and then with KPMG in mergers and acquisitions. But when my mother got quite ill, I had to work less so I could care for her. After she passed away, I decided to spend more time on cricket before I formally retired in March this year.
GF: When did you first think that you might become an international cricketer?
VM: I’ve always played club cricket to a decent standard, and always competed in the top divisions whichever League I played in. When I got to the prime age of 50, I contacted the Essex manager to ask if there was a chance of playing for the Essex Over 50s. I quickly got a game and a year later was made captain of the 2nd team. Within a year, we’d won two titles, and realised that I was playing a good standard when compared to my age group. This inspired me to keep myself as fit as possible. I went on to win 6 finals as Essex Captain, playing in the 50’s side until last year. In a conversation with someone who knew an England player after a national cup semi-final last August, I was asked my age which was then 59. He said they were always looking for new blood in the England over 60s side. Just two weeks later I had a call to go to the Midlands for a Tri-Nations tournament. I did pretty well and soon afterwards I got a call asking me if I’d like to tour India in January with the England Lions. That tour also went well, and soon after I got the call to play in the England 1st team, as I turned 60 in March this year.
GF: What ambitions do you have now?
VM: Playing for England is the pinnacle for any cricketer, and I never expected to wear an England kit, nor to be so successful in the World Cup. It is a privilege an honour to represent the country and I will continue to do all I can to be part of the squad. But as you can imagine there are always more players coming up and reaching 60 so you have to do something quite exceptional to hold a place in the team. But I still love playing, love the team aspect of the game and I am always competitive. So, I will carry on pushing the barriers as best I can. Early next year, there is a tour to India and in the autumn, England will be visiting Australia for an ‘ashes’ tour. Of course, I would be delighted to be selected for these tours.
GF: It’s been great talking with you Vince, and congratulations again on your superb performance at the World Cup.
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