THE start of the cricket season was of special significance to Tom Stafford, as it marked 40 years of involvement with Yarm Cricket Club.

Newsagent Mr Stafford, 55, is lucky to be alive and enjoying his cricket again, after suffering a serious illness last year.

Just after the final match of the cricket season last September, Mr Stafford underwent emergency surgery to remove and seal off a burst aneurysm in his brain.

He has praise for his GP and all the staff at the neurological unit of Middlesbrough General Hospital who saved his life.

Cricket has always played a part in Mr Stafford's life and that of his family. Mr Stafford moved to the North-East from London in 1962 when his parents took over a dairy serving the Yarm and Eaglescliffe area.

Both he and his father, also called Tom, joined Yarm Cricket Club and his mother, Madge, made the teas for home matches. He even married the groundsman's daughter.

His first game was with the junior team in August 1962 and since that time he has been in and out of the second XI until he became a regular for the first team in the 1970s.

A talented wicket keeper, Mr Stafford has served the club in various roles including captain of the reserves, club treasurer and chairman. He is currently vice-president.

He worked for his father and took over the dairy when his father retired, but sold the business nine years ago. He now has a newsagents business, in Healaugh Park, near Yarm.