18/09/2026
Sixteen years ago today, our club woke up to devastating news that no community is ever prepared forโour opening batter, Dan Mothersdale, had taken his own life at just 21 years old.
Dan broke into the seniors when he was in his early teens, proving his class early on. This year also marks 20 years since the Under 17s side containing Dan won the Doncaster and District Cricket League Under 17s Cupโthe very first trophy our junior section won after being restarted in 2001, setting off a floodgate of silverware for our juniors in the years since.
By his final season, Dan was the engine room of the 1st XI as we completed our first year in the Bassetlaw League Division 4 following our move from the Doncaster and Sheffield Cricket Alliance, finishing 3rd behind Kiveton Park Colliery 2nd XI and Mansfield 2nd XI. Dan was our leading run-scorer that summer, racking up 525 runs at an average of 32.81 across 19 innings. His season capped off with a magnificent 108 against Blidworth Colliery Welfare 2nd XI at the Memorial Sports Groundโjust a week before he tragically passed.
Beyond his talent at the crease, Dan was the heart and soul of so much at the ground. He ran the Midweek team, coached in our junior section, and brought an infectious passion, drive, and competitive spirit to everything he touched.
In the 16 years since we lost him, the club has reached heights we could only have dreamed of back then:
- The 1st XI finishing 3rd in the Nottinghamshire Premier League Division 2 in their first season.
- Our 3rd XI (the old 2nd XI) climbing all the way to Bassetlaw Division 2 after starting in Division 6.
- The merger with Everton, who are now on the brink of promotion to the Championship.
- The launch of our Sunday XI in 2015, rising from the bottom tier to compete in the Premier League against much bigger clubs.
- The junior section going from strength to strength.
Itโs impossible not to stop and wonder just how much further we could have gone with Danโs drive leading the way.
Having gone through preschool, primary and secondary school with Dan, and playing alongside him from the Under-13s straight through to the 1st XI, losing him meant losing incredible talentโbut above all, losing a true friend and teammate.
Cricket is a team sport, but life is too. If you are struggling, please reach out to a teammate, a friend, or anyone you trust. And to all our members: check in on each other, in-season and out-of-season. A quick message or conversation can save a life.
If you or someone you know needs support, help is always available:
- Samaritans: Call 116 123 (free, 24/7)
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pmโmidnight) or visit thecalmzone.net
- Shout โ text SHOUT to 85258 (free, 24/7)
- NHS 111 โ for urgent mental health support
- In an emergency, call 999 or go to A&E
We miss you, Dan. You will always be present at our club. ๐๐
