Sports-mad Jack Wilson has had two spells playing for Shelf – the first dating back to 1968. Jack began playing cricket when he was 10, idolising his hero Geoffrey Boycott in the school playground. Unfortunately the current 2nd XI skipper was unable to play competitive cricket outside school as he grew up in an era when junior sports sides were a rarity. "From 10 till 17 I played on parks, greens and anywhere else we could pitch up our wickets," he said. "No clubs ran junior sides, so unless you were good enough to play for the men’s team, you didn’t play."

Jack joined Shelf again in 2000, having left the club after missing their championship-winning season of 1979. "That year was definitely the lowest point of my career," he explained. "I was happy for the club, but to be left out of the team was devastating". However, Jack made up for this, in his second spell at the club, by leading the 2nd XI to the third division title as captain. "I’d probably say that was my biggest achievement at the club, I won the league bowling prize with 50 wickets at an average of eight that year as well." Jack is clearly a talented bowler, but in his early years with the club he also won the league batting award - "not bad for a bowler?" he joked.

Although the game that won the 2nd XI title holds fond memories for Jack, it is not his most memorable game. As a junior Jack watched the Shelf 1st XI battle back from a poor position in a cup semi-final against their great rivals, and neighbours, Jer Lane. "It was a fantastic match that we looked as though we would lose," he remembers. "The game was eventually tied and we won the replay."

Jack’s involvement with the club is not restricted to playing – he is currently assistant secretary and coaches the club under-13s. "I didn’t plan to become a coach." Jack said. "To be honest, we had nobody to run the under-17s five years ago so ever since then I have run one of the teams. I have been in charge of the under-13s for the past two years and we won the league last year, with maximum points!"

And he is optimistic about the future of Shelf CC and cannot wait to get started in the new season. "We’re venturing into the Halifax League but there is no reason why both senior sides shouldn’t win their respective sections," he said.

Thanks to David Febrero and Peter Davies from The Cricket History Of Calderdale for their contributions with this profile.