Full Name: John Robert Rudolph Ward
Nicknames: Wardy, Snoz and, at school, Emergency
Birthplace: Kings College, London 1947 (I was 5lb 2oz and went down to 4lb;
the Doctor told my mother I would never be a big boy!)
Residence: Blackheath, Colchester
Where educated: North Street, Monkwick, LSP (London School of Plumbing)
Occupation: Buoling Manager, Plumber, Heating Engineer, Gas Fitter, Chairman and Groundsman (all retired).
Previous clubs: None. I am an Abbertonian through & through (although I did help out other clubs when Abberton didn't have a game in the early days).
Abberton debut: Dedham away in 1962. I was young and thought I could bowl, but after this game I realised I had a lot to learn.
Career HS: 165 not out against Lexden in 1971 at Abberton. (I got dropped five times after reaching my 100).
Career BB: 9-45 v Earls Colne 1969, 8-22 v Marks Tey 1970
Cricketing achievements: Being a member of the Abberton team that won the first National Village Essex Final at the Chelmsford County Ground in 1972. I remember Kenny Brush hitting the first ball off the back foot for four, that set the stage for a very memorable day. Kenny won a bottle of whisky for man of the match and it was finished before we left the changing room ten minutes later. Barry Dyson and myself with the help of Kevin Death after an indoor league game at Monkwick Sports Centre got Simon Swinn and ourselves drunk in the process of persuading him to come and play at Abberton. Barry and myself had to play for the Borough Staff that evening at The Royal London Indoor League and we lost our first game of the season. Our captain was happy with us and we had hangovers the next day, but I think you would all agree it was worth it just to get the 'Legend' to come to Abberton.
Best non-professional played with: Simon Swinn. It was a pleasure to be in the same team as Simon and play under his Captaincy. He was respected by team mates and opponents alike. He has been a magnificent Ambassador for our club..
Biggest cricketing influence: Cyril & Freddie Taylor, Edgar Rumney and Mick Loughton. I learnt a lot by just watching those guys and they were good cricketers in their own right.
Favourite local ground: Abberton, Copford, Frinton, Braintree, Elmstead and Halstead
Least favourite local ground: Eastcliff Stadium, Harwich & Dovercourt (always very cold even when it was sunny) and Great Bentley (always feared I was going to get my nose run over).
Favourite Abberton player: Not Barry Rudlin!
Three sporting legends: Geoff Boycott, Henry Cooper & Bobby Charlton
Other sports played: Football, Bowls, Darts and in the early days Golf
Most memorable sporting moment: England winning the world Cup in 1966. England beating Australia at Headingley in 1981 and England winning the Ashes in 2005,
Advice for young players: Watch, listen and learn from your fellow players and opponents. Also, always practice as much as possible. Keep your nose out of what doesn't concern you.
Favourite food: Anything that Marian doesn't cook. Chinese, BBQs and a good old English breakfast. All the wrong food, that’s why I'm a fat bastard now, but you don't live for ever!
Favourite drink: Appletise, Lucozade Sport and the (very) occasional Vodka and Coke or Whisky and Lemonade.
Biggest fear in life: Not seeing my Grandson grow up, Marian getting home before me at tea time and ending up like John Everett. A tax on Nose length.
Newspaper read: Sun, Mirror, East Anglian Daily Times. The more I read the less work I have to do at home!
Favourite 'lower shelf' periodical: B&Q Bargain magazine, Bird Watch (very handy for Twitchers' Corner), Amateur Nose Surgeon.
