Andy Wilsdon is ending a distinguished playing career

Undercliffe stalwart Andy Wilsdon has hung up his bowling boots and is set to start a new career as a JCT 600 Bradford League umpire.

After 30 years Wilsdon is swapping his bowling boots for an umpire's coat and looking forward to the challenge.

Wilsdon is one of three well-known players to have qualified on the October training course held by the JCT 600 Bradford League Umpires Association.

Former East Bierley skipper Phil Taylor and the veteran all-rounder Maz Bhatti - who has spent the last two seasons with Spen Victoria - were the others.

Wilsdon has indicated that he will be officiating in league games from the start of the new season.

It means the end of a career which started back in 1979 at Eccleshill and saw him play at Farsley, Idle, Undercliffe, Gomersal, Mirfield and finally Undercliffe again.

He took 960 first team wickets, at least 350 second team wickets. He also won the Priestley Cup with Eccleshill in 1982 and won the Yorkshire Champions' Trophy with Undercliffe in 1998.  

Wilsdon had a Testimonial Day in 2006 which raised £3,000 for the Cancer Ward at the Bradford Royal Infirmary in 2006.

If you would like to follow Wilsdon's example and become an umpire the next training course starts at Spen Victoria on Sunday, January 17 at 10am. The course lasts for six weeks and each session is two hours long. Further details can be obtained by contacting: Glyn Pearson 0113 226 4714 or 0771 775 1365, Bill Holdstock 01274 569020 or Andrew Bullock 01274 822809.

Notice of course