By Mark Bristow

It was a case of Back-to-Back retirements for The Mote at the weekend with two generations of the same family drawing a line under their respective roles for the Kent League club.

Chris Back, 43, has decided to step aside from first-team cricket after 24 years in the side, while father Mickey, 83, has called it a day as a grounds volunteer.

Both experienced a contrasting sense of closure at the ground on Saturday with Chris suffering the indignity of being run out for 43 while opening in his final first-team game, which The Mote lost almost in the dark by 16 runs to Sevenoaks Vine.

They finished a disappointing fifth overall having been second at the season's halfway point.

Meanwhile, Back Sr, a former president who was still a player when well into his 70s, ended the season by umpiring for The Mote 3rds in their title-clinching victory over rivals Snodland in Division 10 Knott of the Kent League.

"It's now time to step aside and let the impressive youngsters we have at the club really flourish and take centre stage," said Chris, who continues to play hockey for the Sutton Valence. "I will still be playing lower down the club and the aim is to help the first-team players of the future.

"I've seen many players come and go over the years but one of the great strengths about The Mote is that it has always felt like a second family and long may this continue."

The former Maidstone Grammar School player's first-team career ends proudly however after more than 300 league games and nearly 8,000 runs at an average of just over 35, having always been a one-club player.

With the Kent League cricket season now complete, his father will continue to work as a grounds volunteer with Maidstone Rugby Club, The Mote's site partners.

He has attended the ground on most days for five successive summers having initially taken up the role after the departure of a previous full-time grounds contractor.

The Mote chairman Glen Aukett said: "His contribution has been immeasurable and at an age when most people were putting their feet up in retirement, he stepped for us at a moment of great urgency.

"Not only has he saved us a small fortune through his entirely voluntary work but he has also helped to bring the standard of the ground and its surrounds back to where it should be."