By TIM SCOTT, OLINDA CRICKET CLUB
BACK in the spring of 1992, the Olinda Ferny Creek Football Club (as it was known back then) had a change of coaching staff, with both the senior and reserves positions changing for the 1993 season.
This marked the arrival of Kevin ‘KB’ Brickley into our midst.
By the end of that 1993 season, he had become so entrenched in the community that he began an indelible association with the OCC.
Sadly, that came to an end on the field last Sunday after 22 years as a player.
‘KB’ has played cricket in all senior grades, from 1st XI to many years in the one-day side, through to being one of our original veterans.
He has won numerous bowling and fielding awards and has always been a super competitive man.
He has played nearly all his cricket in tandem with OCC legend Glenn ‘Choco’ Taylor and has many fond memories of playing with him.
Choco knew KB so well that sometimes when a catch was hit to KB, he’d yell out nice and loud “Ahh, he’ll drop it again”.
KB inevitably did.
From an individual point of view, he has a very vivid memory of Craig ‘Spotty’ Jennings blasting 240 down at Billanook College before tea.
He remembers he did the first stint of umpiring which lasted 10 overs, just as Spotty reached his 100.
He also had the unique opportunity for a few years to play cricket with his son, Rob, which he said was a huge highlight.
From a team point of view, he had the unenviable record of playing in seven losing OCC grand finals over the journey, which ultimately provided the main drive for him to continue up until the age of 59.
Of course, last year, the veterans side cracked it for the club’s first ever vets premiership.
KB was front and centre in the result of the game (took three wickets including the final premiership clinching one) as well as the after-match celebrations (see attached photos).
This sealed his cricketing fate really as he now had what he wanted, saying recently ‘the motivation to play has finally disappeared’.
KB said the Olinda Cricket Club is a club full of genuine people who care; it’s been a club that’s been a huge part of his life, and a place where you would dearly love to see your kids grow up in.
He loves that he’s made so many reliable friends; he loves that the club always gives people ‘a go’ and he loves that it’s a place where you can just be yourself.
From all of us who’ve had the opportunity to play cricket with you, to watch you, and to get you know you privately and develop strong friendships, congratulations on an outstanding contribution to the club.
We will all miss you on the field and off it, but we know you won’t be a stranger.
Well played and congrats KB – we dip our lids to you.
