By Charles Randall
13 April 2012
Graeme Swann has probably a closer tie to club cricket than any current England player and many from the past. The world's No 1 off-spinner retains a close link with Northampton Saints CC, where his father Ray is regarded as a legend on the circuit as a gritty, prolific batsman.
Saints provided much of Graeme's cricket development but until Graeme and his brother Alec broke into the Northamptonshire side, it was Ray who was regarded as the most eminent Swann at the club. Son comprehensively upstaged father when Graeme broke into the England side.
Graeme's affection for the club game is one reason why he agreed to become Kingfisher Ambassador this year in support of the National Club Championship, sponsored by the Indian brewers. Next Monday, April 16, he has made himself available for a live chat session on Facebook for two hours from 4.30pm and he will attempt to answer advance questions. Anyone can take part live or submit questions early by visiting Facebook.com/Kingfisher or by tweeting them to @kingfisherbeer with the hashtag #quizswanny.
The opening round of the Kingfisher Beer Cup is scheduled for April 29. A total of 256 clubs have entered, including Shrewsbury CC as champions, and the 2012 final is to be played at the County Ground in Derby on September 16, with prize money of £5,000 on offer.
Swann said: "The clubs can be a real hub for the local community and can build friendships that last a lifetime. I still remember my club days as fondly as any cricket I have ever played in and still love going back to the Saints whenever I can for a couple of pints and to watch a game."
Ray Swann, now a Northamptonshire Over-60s stalwart and happy to play in Saints lower teams, passed his 100 hundreds two seasons ago, most of those centuries coming in first-team cricket or equivalent. Alec returned to play for Saints after the end of his county career, though Saints could not prise the Hevey Building Supplies Northamptonshire League title away from Finedon Dolben CC in 2011. That dominance might continue as Swann's former Northants colleague Mal Loye has signed for Finedon Dolben for 2012 and incidentally for Buckinghamshire in the minor counties championship.
Kingfisher recently launched the 'Kingfisher quiz and curry night' with the help of the Professional Cricketers Association, inviting clubs to host their own interactive quiz nights for fund-raising, and more than 350 clubs registered to receive the quiz pack. The pack, still available, contains two interactive video quizzes featuring Swann, Darren Gough, Phil Tufnell and Alec Stewart. The videos, answer sheets, ticket templates and posters can be downloaded by visiting www.kingfisherbeer.co.uk and clicking on ‘cricket’ and registering. Applicants will receive an email with a unique user name and password.