NCCC News : Hall of Fame revealed

Stewart Marsh has his eldest son Gareth tothank for winning the Hall of Fame competition on the official club website.

The 59-year-old from Calverton had alreadydrafted out his all-time best Notts XI when Gareth pointed out that he hadmissed out one key component of the side.

Explained Stewart: "I sat down and quicklycame up with nine names and after a bit of deliberation, settled on the finaltwo players.

"But Gareth spotted that FranklynStephenson wasn't in the team. As the last man to do The Double in countycricket, we both agreed that was probably unfair.

"I made an adjustment to my selection andthat change obviously won me the competition in the end."

The Hall of Fame section towww.nottsccc.co.uk has proved to be a popular addition to the site. Fans wereinvited to pick their XI from the 24 Hall of Fame members selected by club historian andarchivist Peter Wynne-Thomas.

All the players on the shortlist must haveappeared in at least 75 first-class games for Notts after 1945, and the listalso excluded anyone currently on the staff.

In the end, three entries for thecompetition named the same 11 players as Peter, with Stewart emerging as thewinner thanks to the tiebreaker of having the most accurate batting order.

His reward was the chance to enjoyhospitality for two during this year's npower Test between England and India - which produced a bit of adilemma for the environmental health officer.

"I had to choose between taking my wifeChristine along or one of Gareth or his brother Richard, who both like theircricket.

"Thankfully, both of them graciously said Ishould take their mother along, and we had a fabulous time. Mind you, I'm notsure my waistline could take that kind of diet on a regular basis."

A Notts fan since first watching them playSurrey in the annual Whitsuntide fixture in 1960, Stewart has seen all but twoof the All-Time XI (listed below) in action at Trent Bridge.

He added: "I got the chance to see RegSimpson play in what must have been his last season before he retired, and hadmany enjoyable days watching the likes of Sir Richard Hadlee, Derek Randall andSir Garry Sobers in action.

"Both Bruce Dooland and Joe Hardstaff Jnrhad retired in the 1950s before I went along, but my father used to talk aboutHardstaff's talent, so I went on his judgement."

Stewart has been a regular visitor to thewebsite and after spotting the competition, was quick to send in his entry.

"Every supporter wants to be an armchairselector and pick their own Englandteam. so I was immediately interested in doing it for Notts," he said.

"I've entered a few fantasy footballcompetitions in the past, but never done very well. The main hook for me wastrying to pit my wits against Peter.

"I used to spend quite a lot of time in thelibrary at Trent Bridge when I was a member and aseveryone knows, he's an absolute encyclopaedia of cricketing knowledge.

"I got more pleasure out of realising I hadcome closest to his selection than anything else. Getting the chance to bewined and dined at the Test just topped it off.

"Cricket places a lot of importance onnumbers and fitting them together. That lends itself to this kind ofcompetition and I've always been fascinated by that side of the game."

The Notts All-Time XI of Stewart Marsh

Tim Robinson

Reg Simpson

Derek Randall

Joe Hardstaff Jnr

Clive Rice

Sir Garry Sobers

Bruce Dooland

Sir Richard Hadlee

Franklyn Stephenson

Bruce French

Eddie Hemmings

The Notts All-Time XI of PeterWynne-Thomas: