TREVOR BRITTON is the man entrusted with the task of making Glendermott’s centenary a year to remember for the famous club embedded in the Waterside community of Londonderry.

A tough challenge for a club with high expectations, but Britton has fought tougher battles before and came out the right side.

A cancer diagnosis in 2019 would have ended many a career, but the former Ireland A international bounced back and has continued to play, and win, in the eight years since.

"With two previous cancer diagnoses and continuous health challenges which necessitated recent surgery, cricket has always helped me focus and appreciate the good days," said Britton.

“There are more important things than cricket, and that’s something I’ll be instilling into the squad. That’s not to say we don’t want to win. We will certainly be competitive and try our best.

“I want us to enjoy the experience and play with a smile on our faces. I’m a pretty laid-back character so won’t be one for shouting and roaring, but hopefully I can set the tone and lead by example.”

Indeed, just last year he had the best-bowling figures in senior cricket in Ireland, taking nine for 14 to beat St Johnston, as Glendermott went on to win the Sammy Jeffrey Shield.

This won’t be his first taste of leading a side, his previous captaincy stint coming with Bready in 2009, when they reached the Senior Cup final, losing by five wickets to Donemana in a rain-affected encounter.

He has won every honour in the game, save for an Irish Cup medal, the closest he got was a last over loss to Waringstown in the semi-final while part of a formidable CIYMS side.

The 43-year-old is well travelled in cricket circles, starting his journey at the hotbed of Donemana, before spells at Bready, Brigade, CIYMS, Bonds Glen, Muckamore and now Glendermott.

The father of three is happy and settled at Glendermott, which he feels is a real home from home.

“I loved my time in the NCU, but it’s great to be back in the North-West. It’s hard to beat and just feels right. My wife Noeleen and the three kids can come and watch which means so much to me, and you really couldn’t wish for anything more from a club.

The ‘GCC’ have added some high calibre signings to their ranks over the close season, including Blayde Capell, who almost inspired Killyclooney to the title in 2023.

The South African hit eight centuries in his haul of 1788 runs at an average of 99.33, and if he can hit those heights then the sky's the limit.

“His signing is huge for us. A real game changer. It’s just lifted everyone around the club to have a player of his quality. It took a while to get the deal over the line but we managed it.

“He has so much experience and a real calm aura about him that will hopefully rub off on the squad. We also have Craig Averill coming in whose another who will help us in the tough, pressure situations where we probably let ourselves down last season coming up just short.

“We were beaten by one wicket against St Johnston and a few runs by champions Fox Lodge. Hopefully we will be on the right side of these results this time around.

As part of a new regime, Britton introduced some new initiatives which he hopes will make a significant impact on their season.

“We have been trying a few things differently over the winter. We got a S&C coach in, Rodney Hill who played with Donemana and that was fantastic. He kept it cricket orientated which the players bought into. We’ve had trainers before but they were running focused and the guys lost interest. We won’t be Arnie Schwarzenegger’s, but in games of small margins then fitness could be the difference.

It looked as if Britton and his team would have to wait another week before starting the campaign, but the good weather of the past week, and a herculean effort by the grounds staff and volunteers mean that the Rectory is ready to go.

“We had a slow start last year when we were beaten by Ballyspallen in the opening game. It would be great to get early points on the board, set the tone for the season, and try to build momentum.

‘Ted’ would love to lift silverware this season, and although the Championship and promotion would probably be the first choice of many, he’d love a National Cup medal.

“We reached the quarter-final last year but lost to Kerry. That was hard to take but hopefully with the squad we have, it’s certainly achievable.

“I would like to thank everyone at the club for all their effort on and off the field. A hundred years is an amazing effort for any club, and it’s a genuine honour for us all to be a part of it.

“Hopefully we can learn from the mistakes of last year, and the importance of having squad depth and commitment are areas we’ve tried to address.

“I’m looking forward to walking out on Saturday with a great group of lads who will back each other, have put in a great shift over the winter, and really enjoy playing the sport we all love.”