DEVOTED cricket servant John Reynolds has a double reason for celebration this year.

For the 64-year-old St John's resident not only reaches his half-century in the sport but also sees the Fossils, a club he founded, mark its 10th anniversary.

Cricket has become his life, ever since he was named first captain of The Chase School, Malvern, aged 14 in 1955.

He spent 20 years with Malvern Cricket Club, including a spell as skipper, and then 25 years in most club positions with Rushwick before setting up the Fossils in 1995 for players aged over 50.

The club currently has 42 members, including 73-year-old wicketkeeper Ian Streeter and slow bowler Tony Neel, 72.

Reynolds does everything at the Birlingham-based club, from administration to playing, as well as holding down his job as a printing agent.

But it's a labour of love. He said: "It's become a way of life, I do everything for the Fossils. It's a 12-month job. I would be a millionaire if I spent as much time on work as I do on cricket."

He's probably not wrong either, given the Fossils are scheduled to play no fewer than 52 friendly fixtures this summer on top of a hectic indoor winter season, their only competitive action.

During his 50 years in the game, Reynolds has become a well-known figure around the county scene.

Eccentric by his own admission, he is quite a character and this season has, at times, taken to wearing a First World War Pith Helmet, acquired from the father of 78-year-old Fossils colleague Tony Rubery.

And, not surprisingly, Reynolds has many memories. "You meet so many nice people and nice grounds," he said. "You couldn't wish to be anywhere more beautiful than Birlingham or West Malvern.

"Years ago, I was known as Wrecker Reynolds because I took nine wickets in one game, the following game I took eight and the following game I took seven wickets.

"I have opened the innings twice in the last two years for the Fossils and been part of 100 partnerships both times, which is amazing for a fast bowler."

Reynolds' love of cricket is also shared by Margaret, his wife of more than 40 years, who helps out on matchdays.

Although the couple did not meet through the sport, Margaret came to watch her future husband play as a teenager, a moment Reynolds will never forget.

"My wife Margaret came to her first cricket match at Martley when she was 17," he said. "She came all dressed up in her best clothes and in those days at Martley they didn't have a pavilion and couldn't cut the outfield, so she had to sit on the only bench dressed up to the nines and it rained!"

That didn't put her off, though, and neither has it done anything to dampen Reynolds' enthusiasm for the game.

He added: "It's human chess because it's such a complex game. You have got to use your brain all the time. It's not as straight forward as people think."

n Fossils mark their 10th anniversary at Rushwick CC on Thursday, June 23, against an XI put together by former umpire Ray Julian. Money raised will go towards the proposed development of the club's pavilion.