Nigel Martyn
Nigel Martyn, the former Everton and England goalkeeper, is edging closer to a significant milestone in his post-football career as he eyes a landmark international call-up in cricket. Martyn, who played 100 times for Everton under David Moyes and was part of England’s World Cup squad in 1998 and 2002, has found a new sporting passion in cricket after retiring from professional football.
Nigel Martyn said: “It’s pretty special. Obviously as a professional goalkeeper I wasn’t allowed to play cricket in the summer, as it would threaten breaking fingers and things like that. I retired with a stress fracture on my ankle, so I didn’t think I was able to play cricket. But I got the all-clear to do it in about 2011, so I started playing again.”
Nigel Martyn continued: “My good friend Sean Hooper, who was the captain of Cornwall Over-50s, spoke to me about six years ago asking if I fancied playing for them. It’s a long trip but being able to go home and see family more often was always the added bonus with it as well.”
Nigel Martyn added: “The batting and bowling standard is really, really high. The fielding is the one area where it gets more difficult, but there’s still blokes in their 60s diving around stopping the ball, sprinting after it and throwing it in, it’s quite incredible to watch really. I just love playing. If you’re going to play into your 60s and 70s, you’ve got to love it. I love the camaraderie that you get.”
Nigel Martyn concluded: “Because I wanted to be a goalkeeper, I also wanted to be a wicketkeeper. There’s some transferable skills of hand-eye coordination and I’m sort of used to a round object being either thrown or kicked at me. I’ve had several thousand of those things happening to me in my life. So, I can seem to get my hands pretty much in the right place most of the time.”
Martyn’s transition from football to cricket highlights his enduring passion for sports and his ability to adapt his skills to a new arena. Despite being ineligible for the Over-60s Cricket World Cup this summer due to his 60th birthday falling just two days after the tournament begins, Martyn remains optimistic about future participation.
Martyn said: “That would be great. They’ve got the spots at the moment, and I’ll just keep doing my thing.”
Martyn’s journey from the football pitch to the cricket field underscores his commitment to staying active and competitive, demonstrating that age is no barrier to pursuing one’s passions. His story serves as an inspiration to athletes transitioning from one sport to another, showcasing the possibilities that lie beyond a professional career in football.
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