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TEARFUL Kent captain Matthew Fleming pulled down the curtain on his county career on Sunday night by handing over the Norwich Union League trophy to Glamorgan.
The Spitfires skipper was reduced to tears during and after an emotional farewell as the Dragons clinched a four-run win and with it this year’s Division 1 title.
For once Fleming, so often Kent’s one-day icon during a sparkling 13-year-career, was left speechless following a touching series of presentations and hand shakes that was followed by narrow failure on the field.
"I was left feeling a complete emotional wreck by the end of it," Fleming conceded afterwards. "I knew there was going to be a presentation to me during the interval, but I wasn’t expecting to see so many Kent fans in front of the balcony and although I wanted to say thank you I couldn’t get anything out.
"I just had to go and sit in a corner and get myself together in time to go out and bat, but I was incredibly grateful and touched by the send off the Kent crowd gave me. They and the club have allowed me to finish my career on my own terms and that means a lot to me.
"The Kent supporters are second to none. They aren’t as vociferous as some, but they are loyal, patient and very knowledgeable. They’ve stuck by us through thick and thin but one thing’s for sure, it hasn’t been dull."
Fleming, who is hoping for a career in politics, is now expected to hand over both championship and one-day captaincy roles to current four-day skipper David Fulton.