Ex-England, Leeds United and Everton goalkeeper Nigel Martyn to swap his football gloves for wicketkeeping gloves in Hartlepool this week
Former England, Leeds United and Everton goalkeeper Nigel Martyn will be swapping his football gloves for wicketkeeping gloves.
Sports fans across the region are being urged to head down to Seaton Carew’s Hornby Park on Friday, May 15 to witness a unique slice of international sporting history.
Former England, Leeds United and Everton goalkeeper Nigel Martyn will be swapping his football gloves for wicketkeeping gloves as he takes centre stage for the England Lions Over-60s cricket team. With this being a World Cup year for the Over-60s, the warm-up fixture will see the England squad face off against Scotland Seniors.
The action gets underway at 11am and also provides the extra incentive to see Martyn back in international colours - 24 years after his last international appearance between the goalposts in an England World Cup warm-up. For Seaton Carew Cricket Club, securing the fixture for a second consecutive year at Hornby Park, Elizabeth Way, is a nice endorsement of the club's facilities and spirit.
Paul Frankland, Seaton Carew treasurer, said: “We are immensely proud to once again host the international cricket match between England and Scotland Over-60s, following the tremendous success of last year’s fixture at Hornby Park. The return of this prestigious match is a fantastic testament to the hard work, commitment and dedication of everyone involved at Seaton Carew Cricket Club, and we are delighted to welcome players, officials, and supporters back to our facilities."
And Paul, a keen football fan, is also looking forward to watching Martyn dive behind the wicket too, in a match that is already attracting media attention. He said: “Obviously there is that extra bit of added excitement this time around with former England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn swapping his gloves for wicketkeeping duties as part of the England side. We can’t wait to welcome him and the rest of the players.
"Having a sportsman of Nigel’s stature playing at Seaton is a brilliant occasion for the club and another reminder of the quality and reputation Hornby Park continues to build within the game. “The decision to return once again highlights the standard of our venue, the hospitality we provide, and the fantastic support shown by our members, volunteers and local community.
“Events such as this give us another wonderful opportunity to showcase both our facilities and our passion for cricket. “Finally, we would like to thank everyone for their continued support, which allows us to keep developing the club and supporting grassroots cricket within our community.”
Martyn was a formidable presence in the Premier League and for the national team throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. He racked up 23 caps for the Three Lions - an incredibly impressive feat considering he was competing directly with the legendary David Seaman for the number one jersey.
The 59-year-old was a key feature of the England squads at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups and played in some of the era's most iconic fixtures, including the unforgettable 2002 qualifier against Greece where David Beckham curled in his famous last-gasp free-kick. Martyn retired from international football after the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan, eventually hanging up his football boots entirely in 2006.
However, two decades later, he is officially back in the England set-up, having been selected for the 2026 Lion Squad by England 60s Cricket. Growing up in Cornwall, Martyn played for Fowey Cricket Club and Cornwall Schoolboys. Following his retirement from professional football, he fully embraced the sport, even appearing alongside fellow ex-England goalkeeper Paul Robinson at Knaresborough Cricket Club.
Paul Bradley, England Over-60s' head of internationals for the seniors county cricket championship, is actually from Teesside and left Hartlepool's English Martyrs School in 1976. Paul said: "This is a repeat visit to Seaton Carew because of the fantastic hospitality shown to us on our previous Lions game. "They went out of their way to look after us and it was out of this world.
“The comments that came back to us from both the Lions and Scotland was that it was incredible and added to an enjoyable day, with everyone including the NYSD League also getting involved."