From Elland Road To The Crease: Longstaff Joins New Farnley

New Farnley Coach Andrew Lawson is “over the moon” after securing the signature of Sean Longstaff, the Leeds United midfielder, from Tynemouth Cricket Club.

New captain Aidan Langley shares that excitement, particularly following the departures of Andrew Brewster, Dan Houghton, Liam Guthrie and Usman Arshad from the two-time Bradford Premier Cricket League champions.

Nigel Martyn — an Leeds United legend who now plays club cricket for Knaresborough in the ECB Yorkshire Premier League North — has seen footage of Longstaff bowling and was impressed.

“Sean has got a very good bowling action,” said Martyn. “When he signed for Leeds in the summer following his move from Newcastle United, I felt there would be plenty of local clubs eager to welcome him. I’m sure that’s still the case.”

Longstaff’s most recent appearance for Tynemouth came in the July 5 victory over Felling, where he scored 17 runs and claimed one wicket — his fourth appearance of the season for the club’s first XI. Whether he will be permitted to continue playing cricket alongside his football commitments at Leeds remains to be seen.

Martyn knows that situation well. During his seven years at Elland Road, after signing under Howard Wilkinson in 1996, his contract prohibited him from playing cricket due to the risk of injury.

There was a time, however, when cricket and football went hand in hand at the highest level. Denis Compton played 78 Test matches for England while also lifting the FA Cup with Arsenal in 1950. Meanwhile, Ian Botham — one of cricket’s all-time greats — kept fit in the winter by turning out for Scunthorpe United in the old Fourth Division.