Description
The Player From 'Ponty' is the biography of Glamorgan cricketer Bernard Hedges, the talented sportsman from the valleys of south Wales who played rugby for Pontypridd and Swansea, represented a Great Britain side at football and became a widely respected cricketer with Glamorgan between 1950 and 1967, who: Scored 17, 773 first-class runs - Glamorgan's 7th all-time top run scorer. Hit Glamorgan's first one-day century, v Somerset in the Gillette Cup in 1963. Was one of only six Glamorgan players to score 2,000 runs in a season (2,026 in 1961). Bernard's journey from his early days in Rhydyfelin - the eldest of eight children raised in a small council house - to the local grammar school, his National Service days, and to his professional career with Glamorgan is lovingly revealed by his son Stephen, who tells the story of the sporting life of a man who epitomised the 'unsung hero' by showing great grit and determination to make the most of the sporting talent he had.
About the Author
Stephen Hedges is Bernard's son. He is a school librarian and lives in the King's Heath district of Birmingham.
Reviews
`Bernard was a true sportsman and played the game with an honesty and sense of fair play that stood out ... He was a good player but more than that, perhaps, he was a good bloke, easy company and willing to do anything for anyone.' Don `Shep' Shepherd, from his Foreword; `Bernard Hedges was an inspiration to a generation of cricket-mad Welsh kids. That was partly, of course, because he was such a steady batsman - who could weather any attack and punish every loose ball - and a marvellous fielder ... but our admiration was particularly strong because we knew that he was a 'valley boy' who'd had no special coaching or fancy equipment. That made Bernard really special. Truly, he was a hero who lived up to my expectations on and off the field. Every team in every sport needs a Bernard Hedges to make it whole.' Neil Kinnock; `As kids, we grew up playing all sorts of sport in the street, including cricket. We had stringent rules with six ball overs with every player in our imaginary teams having to bat, and many times I chose to be Glamorgan's Bernard Hedges. We dreamt of being sportsmen. We wanted to be part of that exciting life and Bernard, along with all the Glamorgan boys, was part of that.' Sir Gareth Edwards
Book Information
ISBN 9781902719566
Author Stephen Hedges
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint St David's Press
Publisher St David's Press
Dimensions(mm) 244mm * 170mm * 20mm
About the Author
Stephen Hedges is Bernard's son. He is a school librarian and lives in the King's Heath district of Birmingham.
Reviews
`Bernard was a true sportsman and played the game with an honesty and sense of fair play that stood out ... He was a good player but more than that, perhaps, he was a good bloke, easy company and willing to do anything for anyone.' Don `Shep' Shepherd, from his Foreword; `Bernard Hedges was an inspiration to a generation of cricket-mad Welsh kids. That was partly, of course, because he was such a steady batsman - who could weather any attack and punish every loose ball - and a marvellous fielder ... but our admiration was particularly strong because we knew that he was a 'valley boy' who'd had no special coaching or fancy equipment. That made Bernard really special. Truly, he was a hero who lived up to my expectations on and off the field. Every team in every sport needs a Bernard Hedges to make it whole.' Neil Kinnock; `As kids, we grew up playing all sorts of sport in the street, including cricket. We had stringent rules with six ball overs with every player in our imaginary teams having to bat, and many times I chose to be Glamorgan's Bernard Hedges. We dreamt of being sportsmen. We wanted to be part of that exciting life and Bernard, along with all the Glamorgan boys, was part of that.' Sir Gareth Edwards
Book Information
ISBN 9781902719566
Author Stephen Hedges
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint St David's Press
Publisher St David's Press
Dimensions(mm) 244mm * 170mm * 20mm
