John Martin and Whitkirk Cricket Club

That this House recognises and celebrates John Martin's extraordinary service to Whitkirk Cricket Club in East Leeds; notes that John's contribution to Whitkirk Cricket Club started in the early 1960s, where from the age of just 7 he took responsibility for keeping the scores in matches, and has continued ever since then, with John becoming Treasurer of Whitkirk Cricket Club at the early age of 17, beginning coaching juniors whilst in his late teens and continuing to carry out this valuable coaching through to the present day; celebrates the fact that, as a very talented batsman, he captained Whitkirk Cricket Club's First Team for many seasons with great success; further notes that he umpires Whitkirk Cricket Club's senior teams and also keeps the scores; commends John for his role guiding, coaching and running the new Whitkirk Cricket Club Women's Team established in 2026; also notes that John is a Life Vice President of Whitkirk Cricket Club; marvels at the fact that John has been at Whitkirk Cricket Club in East Leeds all his life from the age of 7, apart from one cricket season in the Bradford League; further celebrates the fact that John is as enthusiastic for cricket and Whitkirk Cricket Club as he was when he first became involved in the early 1960s and is loved by all the parents and children at the club and is fondly viewed as Whitkirk's grandad of cricket; and wishes John and Whitkirk Cricket Club every success and happiness in the future.