Matthew Walker back where he started at Gravesend Cricket Club

by Andrew Gidley

Matthew Walker is going back to his roots to help Gravesend Cricket Club try and revive their former glories.

The former Kent batsman, who turned 38 last week, has been appointed head coach and will be working with senior and junior players at regular winter indoor nets.

He will then concentrate on his new full-time role as assistant coach at Essex but his involvement won’t end there as he aims to "keep an eye on things and hopefully pop in to take the odd session."

Walker’s appointment is another boost for Gravesend, who were awarded a Sport England Legacy Grant of more than £43,000 last month to improve nets and practice facilities.

His grandfather Jack and father Richard, a former first XI skipper, both played for the club, who will again play in Kent 2 this season.

Walker said: "I love the club dearly and have got some happy memories.

"I played there for 12 or 13 years, making my Sunday 2nd Xl debut at the age of 13. I talked to them about possibly doing some coaching in the winter and things developed.

"Committee member Robert Lister is an old school pal from King’s Rochester and has put a lot of time and effort into the club along with Tim Hance and Johnny Hinks, brother of former Kent opener Simon, while the chairman, Pat Harlow, is one in a million, trying to raise the profile of the club and attract funding."