Garry Wilson has been surprised by the reaction he’s received over the last two weekends as he took to the field for his 400th cricket match.
Just the second Sunbury United player to play 400 games, behind his good mate Kevin Cartwright, Wilson said he was humbled by messages he’s received.
“I’ve been a little taken aback by the interest,” he said.
“My grandkids put up a banner last weekend and there’s been a fair bit on Facebook.
“It’s really pleasing the people you meet over 400 games have taken the time to acknowledge the milestone.”
Wilson started playing in 1980-81 when the club was still known as Sunbury Centrals and has been part of the club since then.
He’s seen plenty of change at the club, which changed its name to Sunbury United in 1982-83.
“The club was Centrals and then it changed to United,” he said. “I’ve been here when we’ve won five or six senior flags and I’ve been here when we’ve been relegated.”
Wilson has spent most of his career in the lower grades, describing himself as not the greatest cricketer but a “determined” one.
The clear highlights for him has been playing with both his sons in different premiership teams.
While taking to the field each week, Wilson has been a big part of the club off the field, including being a past committee member.
Each week he’s busy doing the small bits and pieces behind the scenes making sure things are ready for game day.
“Someone has to do the back room work and I’ve been involved off field for nearly my whole time I’ve been at the club,” he said.
“I just feel a lot of people put in on the field, but not many off field.
“We’re lucky we’ve got a lot of younger people coming through who are prepared to put in the work.”
It isn’t just at United his impact has been felt, with Wilson being involved with the Gisborne and District Cricket Association for nearly 30 years. He’s currently an association board member.
Wilson said it is an accomplishment to have been involved with the association for so long.
With 400 games on the board, the 65-year-old said it might be the end of his career with his side not making finals.
“My wife is laughing in the background,” he said about his cricket future.
“At this stage I’m going to call it quits, but if they are short I will still play on.
“It becomes part of your life.”
