15 January,2009 08:40 AM IST | | Sanjjeev K Samyal
Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden's club mates at Valley DCC are sad over his retirement, but excited about having him around in Brisbane
ASK any cricketer and he will agree a home club has a special place in their hearts. It is the place, which shapes your destiny, provides the platform for you to grow. Matthew Hayden's affection for Brisbane's Valley District Cricket Club is well known.
He is regarded as Australia's greatest opening batsman now, but it was at Valley that he took the first steps in his quest to achieve his cricketing ambition.
There were a lot of emotional people at the farewell reception of Hayden at the Gabba on Tuesday night, none more than members of the VDCC.
Valley's pride
The VDCC members had turned out in full strength to cheer their hero and their chest swelled with pride when the Australian hero made a special mention of the club's contribution in his development. "The way all the grassroots has nurtured my progress is truly humbling," said Hayden after mentioning VDCC's name in his farewell note.
"We were a bit of surprised and naturally sad to hear about his decision to retire, but all good things have come to an end one day," VDCC vice president and life member Gill Chapman told MiD DAY amidst the din at the Gabba.
"He has been a wonderful ambassador for the club, always interested in the future and success of the club. He started at Valley in 1988-89 and came through the grades. Even after he became an international, he never missed a season, making time for one game at least," said club's executive chairman and secretary Jon Stoddart.
Helping the club with fund-raising has been one of Hayden's important contribution to the club, said Stoddart.
While sad at his retirement, the VDCC officials are excited that it would also mean he will be able to spend more time at the club. "He will be playing in the IPL and we are hoping that he makes himself available for little bit of club cricket for Valley," wished Chapman.
Club coach Clinton Kempnich said VDCC was "very lucky to have him as a role model given his work ethic."
"His work ethic was always very high and everyone could see he was destined for great things. At nets, he would just work on one shot by hitting 200-300 balls. He was very hungry, very driven.
No problem
"One incident which sums him quite well is about his chat with one of the stalwarts of Queensland cricket, Bill Brown, the former Australia player.
"He was playing in the Queensland side and getting a lot of hundreds. He approached Brown and told him, 'Bill, I have got a problem'. Bill asked, 'What's the problem?' and he said: 'I keep getting out between 150 and 200'.
And, Brown said: 'that is not a problem mate."
It's only apt that his Valley club mates have named their new training complex as the Allan Border-Matthew Hayden Complex.
