Western Suburbs Cricket Club has signed former Aussie Test bowler and NSW cricket great Mike Whitney as their newest recruit.
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Whitney penned his signature to the registration form in a light-hearted ceremony at the club’s emotion-filled awards night on Saturday.
The club, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in the 2016-17 season, crowned its champions and champion characters but the highlight was the presentation of the Brad Shone Trophy to his son Matthew for epitomising the spirit embodied by his late father who died suddenly in 1992.
One of the club’s most coveted and respected awards, the Brad Shone Trophy was presented to Shane by his mother and aunt.
In an emotional speech Matthew said his father was his greatest hero and he was sure he would be looking down proudly on him.
There was hardly a dry eye in the crowd and Whitney admitted he shed a tear at the wonderful moment with his new clubmates.
Scott Holtz’s fantastic contributions around the club were recognised with him being awarded the Chris Mudd Memorial Trophy and the Charlie O'Connor Memorial Trophy.
All-rounder Mitchell Fisher was named the club’s player of the year.
The club also capped off their major fundraising efforts in tribute to club legend Chris Mudd, who passed away in December 2012 after a battle with cancer, with $6200 presented to Maitland/Dungog Palliative Care Service.
The money was raised through the annual Chris Mudd Twenty20 match, sponsor and crowd donations, the Maitland & District Cricket Association, sales of the Chris Mudd wines at the Bradford Hotel and the "Back Them or Back Yourself” campaign.
The “Back Them or Back Yourself” was initiated by Mitchell Fisher who backed himself to contribute $10 to the fundraising efforts for every wicket he took. He was joined by Thomas Rumbel, Scott Holz and Joshua Riches who pledged money for their runs during the season.
The fundraising efforts were completed when Lisa Partridge announced that Donut King Maitland would top up the contributions with another $1000.