Amateur cricketer, 62, hits ton in first game for a decade

Marten Gadd, father of Thomas who Bradford City fans will know due to the photographs he takes on matchdays for the T&A, has been unable to walk since spending three hours in the crease knocking off the ton for Thackley Cricket Club on Saturday.

He's only made three appearances since quitting the sport in 2014 and only when they were desperately short on numbers.

But he'd never had chance to bat, so when he got the call at the weekend, he was determined to hit only the third century in his career.

Marten waves his bat to the crowd as he celebrates his great knock (Image: Thomas Gadd / SWNS) Sadly his efforts were not enough to seal victory for Thackley as they fell short against Saltaire, losing 269 runs to 234.

Semi-retired gardener Marten said: "I think I'll play occasionally as I've been unable to walk for two days. 

Sadly his efforts were not enough to seal victory for Thackley as they fell short against Saltaire (Image: Thomas Gadd / SWNS) "I was meant to play golf this morning but I can hardly walk so I've had to cancel it.

"The aches and pains are surprising but I was out there for three hours and it's hard work for a 62-year-old.

Marten and son Thomas many years ago (Image: Thomas Gadd / SWNS) "I've had 100 before twice - the first time was on my son Thomas' first birthday in 1994 and the other was around ten years later in 2004.

"So I had a ten year gap and now a 20 year gap between them. 

"After I retired and just played a couple of games for them, I didn't really get the chance to bat so thought this could be my last chance ever.

Marten has been unable to walk since spending three hours in the crease (Image: Thomas Gadd / SWNS) "I was rather concentrating. I wish I had done that for the rest of my career and I might have got a few more. 

"I was thinking 'it's not going to happen again, so let's do it."

Marten in action at the weekend (Image: Thomas Gadd / SWNS) Marten started playing at Thackley Cricket Club in 1976 and played consistently until 2014, when he retired due to work commitments. 

He added: "I was self-employed and I realised I was thinking too much about my work when I was fielding.

"I also got injured once, I broke my thumb quite badly so I thought I would be better concentrating on earning some money.

"I think I've played three games in ten years, when they were short. 

"One of my friends asked me to come out of retirement and play on Saturday, because they only had ten men so I agreed instead of going to football."