I Owe My Career To Gloucestershire Says Will
18 September 2014
Will Gidman has been reflecting on his prolific time with Gloucestershire and looking forward to a new challenge with Nottinghamshire next season.
The popular all-rounder marked his last home appearance at the Bristol County Ground last week by scoring 104 not out in the second innings against Leicestershire, despite suffering a shin injury in the game.
Will told this website: “I couldn’t be happier to have finished on such a good note. I felt my attacking options against the spinners were good so I was hopeful of getting to a hundred when I got close. It was my fifth for the club, which gives me a lot of pride.”
Asked to pick out favourite memories from his four seasons with Gloucestershire, Will pondered for a moment.
“A couple of our NatWest T20 Blast wins this season were highlights, the Kent match and particularly the victory over Sussex on TV,” he said.
“On a personal note, my maiden century will stay with me as a cherished memory, and each of the times I have taken five wickets in an innings.
“Scoring a hundred and picking up ten wickets in the same match (against Leicestershire at Bristol last season) was special and I am very proud of that achievement.
“But most of all I am proud to have represented my boyhood county and to have played with such a great set of lads.”
Will paid particular tribute to elder brother Alex, who is also leaving at the end of the season to join Worcestershire.
He said: “To play alongside my big brother at Gloucestershire was a dream come true. You can’t speak highly enough of Alex.
“He is one of the most selfless cricketers you could hope to meet, both on and off the pitch, and he has given a lot to the club. I hope everyone is proud of him and I’m sure that is the case.
“Alex is simply a good man. He plays cricket hard, but fairly and has been a fantastic role model for myself and the other players.
“He will be missed by Gloucestershire as much off the field as on it, but I am sure all supporters are wishing him well.”
Will outlined some of the reasons behind what has been a tough decision to part company with his many friends at the County Ground.
He said: “The opportunity to play First Division cricket in the LV=County Championship was a big part of my decision because I am an ambitious person and I want to keep achieving.
“It wasn’t so much to do with hopes of playing international cricket because I don’t subscribe to the view that playing for one of the less fashionable counties is a barrier to that.
“There were some personal reasons involved, including location, so it wasn’t one factor that persuaded me to move.
“I was incredibly lucky in that I had a choice to make over where I went. But I feel as though I have made a fantastic decision.
“Notts are a club that I have only heard good things about. I have met director of cricket Mick Newell a couple of times and I am so looking forward to working for him.
“I don’t know many of the players personally, but I can’t wait for those relationships to form. At the moment there is a natural sadness over leaving Gloucestershire, but come November I know am going to very excited at the new challenge.
“How big a challenge it will be stepping up to First Division cricket, I’m not sure. I might fail, but I am 29 now and I don’t want to end my career with what ifs.
“Maybe I’ll end up wondering whether I could have won something with Gloucestershire. I perfectly understand that and I wish the club all the very best for the future.
“I owe my career to Gloucestershire. It’s a simple as that and I will be forever grateful. The amount of kind words I have received from people since it was announced that I was leaving shows how great a club this is.”
