An all-rounder who has been selected to represent England’s over-60s has spoken of his excitement at being named in the squad to tour Barbados.

Long-serving Whitstable player John Butterworth is in the 16-man squad for next year’s Carib Cup.

He hopes to compete at the 50-over tournament next year but, with no funding support available, will have to raise the money for the tour himself.

Butterworth has started a GoFundMe page and has raised more than £500. It’s estimated it will cost £200 per player to compete in the tournament itself and £400 per player for the touring kit. Along with travel expenses, the cost of accommodation and other costs, the tour is estimated to cost £4,000 to £5,000 per player in total.

“I thought, personally, it was cheeky to promote my own interest,” said Butterworth, who says an A5 tour brochure will be produced, which will provide sponsors with the opportunity to advertise.

"But it was the club chairman, Nick Denly, that suggested it, really, and I thought ‘maybe I should’.

“People don’t have to contribute to it but, if they are inspired by it or they know me well, they might want to do it. I never really thought of going cap-in-hand for support but maybe I shouldn’t be so shy about it.

“I’m delighted by the response.”

Butterworth explained he was first put forward for trials by Kent over-60s’ captain Chris Tarrant and he has played in a series of trial matches over the summer against Scotland and Wales.

His call-up caps a memorable season for Butterworth, with Whitstable’s three senior sides all having won promotion.

Butterworth played for Whitstable 3rds in their final game of the season and he scored 24 runs and ended with figures of 3-18 in a win over Canterbury 4ths. Overall this summer he scored four centuries, including his highest competitive score of 160 not out, and racked up more than 1,000 runs.

He said: “It’s all very exciting. I have been awarded a cap, I have a number and everything (115). They have been going since 2009 I think so, like the full England squad, everyone has numbers.

“I have been at Whitstable for 28 seasons and, obviously, there’s good news coming out of Whitstable at the moment. This year has been the best in some time.

“We have got [former Kent captain] Dave Fulton involved. He’s been very encouraging to me this year along with the chairman, which is Nick Denly - Joe Denly’s father - and they have all been supportive of me doing my bit for the older generation.

“I suppose maybe I have been setting an example for some of the youngsters. It’s all very exciting really to get on this tour.”

Butterworth usually opens the batting and bowls off-spin for Whitstable but, for England, he thinks he will have to make do with a place in the middle-order.

The artist, who had twice unsuccessfully trialled with Kent at under-16 level, explained: “I’ve been an opening batsman for Whitstable and for Kent in the last two seasons, and I can bowl off-spin. And I’m pretty mobile in the field - that’s a big bonus!

“For the England team, in the trial games, I have been batting four or five because I have bowling as well.

“So I’m more of an all-rounder but a batting all-rounder.

“They seem to have a lot of top-order batsmen that don’t necessarily bowl so I guess they’re trying to get a mix.

“So I wouldn’t necessarily expect to open for the England side but maybe I’ll bat four or five.”

While Butterworth is excited to get the chance to head to the Caribbean, with the tournament being held in January and February, he knows the surfaces will be different to what he's used to.

The 60-year-old, who has previously toured Barbados with a Kent senior side and has travelled to Jamaica, said: “It’s a completely different experience.

“Apart from anything else, the wickets are generally rolled mud with a bit of grass sprinkled in. It’s a different type of wicket.

“They bake under the sun and then the ball comes through quicker. So it’ll be an interesting challenge, especially if the West Indies still have some decent bowlers.”

To donate to Butterworth’s fundraising campaign, click here.

Alternatively, you can email England’s tour manager Paul Bradley at bradleyp5@icloud.com or captain Richard Merriman at rpmerriman1958@gmail.com.