Milner retires after 24 years as Littlehampton chairman

But Milner, 69, has now left the role, which he occupied for 24 years. He will not be disappearing from the local cricket scene, though, as he will still play for the club and will continue as manager of the Littlehampton Sportsfield and as manager of the Sussex over-50, over-60 and over-70 cricket sides.

Milner has also stepped down as treasurer, which he had done for more than 30 years, and both roles will be taken on by Paul Hewitt.

Milner joined Littlehampton in 1966 when he moved from Dorset and first served on the committee in 1968, before later taking on the roles of treasurer (assistant 1978-82, then treasurer 1982-2010) and then chairman (1986-2010).

He has also had various spells as secretary, although is glad to have never had the role of fixture secretary.

He says resigning as chairman has yet to sink in but added: “I wouldn’t have done it for so long if I didn’t enjoy it. At 69, it’s about time I gave it up and I’ll let someone younger and with more enthusiasm do it.

“I deserve some time to myself, my wife, Sue, keeps saying.”

Milner, who was given a life membership of the club in 1995, has many fond memories of his time as chairman, including getting Littlehampton accepted into the Sussex League.

He said: “There was just friendly and social cricket, no leagues, when I first joined the club.

“We didn’t get into the Sussex Championship League at first so Andy Hawkes, our chairman at the time, got together with a few other clubs and set up what is now the Invitation League.

“In the first three years, we won it twice and finished second the other year, and that forced the Sussex League to let us join them.

“My highlight in the Sussex League was when we beat Hastings in the league cup final at Hove.

“But getting grant aid for various projects were my best personal achievements.

“We got grant aid for an artificial net practice area, an artificial pitch on the square, sightscreen and an electronic scoreboard.

“All of those were grants through the usual sources – Sport England, Lord’s Tavenerers, and we were well supported by Littlehampton Town Council.

“Another highlight was the development of the colts section. For the club to have a future, you’ve got to look at how the colts are coached and we wanted quality proper coaches. For anyone who wanted to become a coach, we paid their coaching fees.

“I still think that is the most important job at a cricket club – making sure the club has players for the future and there’s a lot of quality youngsters coming through at Littlehampton. And we also have a ladies’ team and girls’ sides now and the ladies have won the Willostix League two years in a row.”

Two of Milner’s proudest moments have come in the last year. He went to Buckingham Palace for a Royal Garden Party last year after a nomination for what he has done for sport in Littlehampton, and received an OSCA (Outstanding Services to Cricket Awards) for his work for Sussex cricket and the league and also went to the final at Lord’s.

He said: “They are two proud memories for me. I didn’t get to meet the Queen at the Royal Garden Party but it was still quite an experience just to be there.”

Swing bowler Milner finished last season playing for the 2nd XI and finished their third leading wicket-taker. He has best bowling figures of 6-0 from six overs in a game for the 3rd XI against Pulborough and he also bowled 17 consecutive maidens in a game against Cuckfield.

He added: “I’m not going to go away and will still play for whatever team I’m selected for.

“Sport has been my life and cricket has allowed me to visit places such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and America, but I’ve also had a very supportive wife.

“As chairman, you’re always fire-fighting problems and I remember one occasion when I was in South Africa. I had a phone call asking ‘where’s the sawdust’ – that’s the chairman’s role, but you don’t do a job unless you enjoy it.

“I’m still the secretary, fixture secretary and team manager of the Sussex sides, though, and that takes up plenty of time and I’ll still be playing three times a week during the summer, so I’ll have a break now and will start indoor nets again after Christmas.”