Brown Celebrates Young Talent

Karl Brown (back) with Lancashire U11 squad

Karl Brown provided inspiration to the Lancashire Primary U11s squad for the young side's presentation evening at Leigh Cricket Club in early November.

Lancashire’s Young Player of the Year attended the special evening at his Club side’s ground armed with the County Championship trophy to celebrate the youngsters’ cricketing achievements in 2011.

The Lancashire Primary U11s squad has proved to be a successful early stepping stone for young cricketers, with many going onto play First Class Cricket in recent years. A young Brown featured in the squad in 1998 and 1999 in which time he scored four 50s and still remains ninth in the all-time season aggregate run scoring records with 389 runs during his second year.

Others cricketers to pass through the squad are Andrew Flintoff, current Lancashire players Kyle Hogg and Gareth Cross, Warwickshire’s Keith Barker, former Red Rose all-rounder Steven Mullaney, and even Everton captain Phil Neville!

Brown presented Rehan Udwadia with the prize for Primary Player of the Year following the youngster’s 259 runs and 17 wickets during 2011. The evening brought back fond memories for the Red Rose batsman who has had an unforgettable year himself.

“It’s been an unforgettable year for me and it was great to see all the boys,” Brown said. “The evening brought back many happy memories of my time with the U11’s all those years ago.

“I remember feeling very proud and nervous but enjoying every moment of my time with the squad. I look back at that time as being the first stepping stone towards gaining a professional contract.” Primary squad Manager Tim McKiernan added: “All year we have pointed out to the boys that many current First Class cricketers started their careers at Primary level and that in the future, one or two of this year’s crop could possibly be doing the same.

“So it was particularly pleasing that Karl found time to come along with the Trophy to prove that hard work and perseverance can really pay off and for him to reminisce about his time with the Primaries.”