Custom Bats Cricket Forum

Companies => Custom companies => Topic started by: billyb on March 13, 2023, 09:46:55 PM

Title: WG Willow
Post by: billyb on March 13, 2023, 09:46:55 PM
Just saw them pop up on Instagram. What's the story with them?

Billie
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: Cpatel93 on March 14, 2023, 01:01:29 AM
I found this https://wgwillow.com/ but couldn't find who made it or where. Hopefully somewhere in Middlesex
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: SOULMAN1012 on March 14, 2023, 06:49:42 AM
Gary Sandford is the man that owned and made all the bats for Choice Willow. Assume he now owns or makes for WG Willow.

Excellent bat maker had a superb Choice willow bat many years ago, we had a forum net at his set up and whilst I was there got a bat made up.
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: Neon Cricket on March 14, 2023, 09:03:45 AM
Just a re-brand as I understand
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: jonny77 on March 14, 2023, 09:22:05 AM
Choice are still going though aren't they?
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: More Glue Than Wood on March 14, 2023, 11:41:09 AM
the 'Hapsburg' does make me giggle a little - that Royal family had some issues for sure!!  :D :D :D
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: jonny77 on March 14, 2023, 12:29:13 PM
the 'Hapsburg' does make me giggle a little - that Royal family had some issues for sure!!  :D :D :D

Had?! 😆
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: edge on March 14, 2023, 12:38:25 PM
Just a re-brand as I understand
They've really gone for a change up there.

Had?! 😆
Been a little while since the Hapsburgs got up to much of note!
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: Jimbo on March 14, 2023, 12:49:33 PM
Take it they won't have a HARRY+MEGAN discount code with those naming conventions 😂
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: jonny77 on March 14, 2023, 01:04:23 PM
They've really gone for a change up there.
Been a little while since the Hapsburgs got up to much of note!

Sorry, read the post as 'the Royal family had some issues'.
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: MichaelM on March 14, 2023, 01:09:41 PM
How's one justify buying these bats?
These names are more suitable for race horses.
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: Jimbo on March 14, 2023, 03:26:06 PM
How's one justify buying these bats?
These names are more suitable for race horses.

Batmaker with 35 years experience is a pretty good justification. Presumably the naming/branding appeals to somebody.
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: Mel Jessop on March 14, 2023, 03:27:08 PM
I believe WG is based in Cambridgeshire, March area to be precise.
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: DiscoStu on March 14, 2023, 03:34:26 PM
Batmaker with 35 years experience is a pretty good justification. Presumably the naming/branding appeals to somebody.

Does the royal thing sell well overseas? Here in the UK it might seem a bit naff but the styling might generate some interest in places like north America
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: KettonJake on March 14, 2023, 04:20:32 PM
I believe WG is based in Cambridgeshire, March area to be precise.

My hometown. I haven't been back since Christmas to see Mum and Dad, but I'll be there at the weekend. Looking at the address on companies house it is just a house on a road I know well. I assume either Gary has moved in and built a workshop in the garden or this is just a correspondence address and he's running the business form somewhere else.

I've never met him but have spoken to the boys at Hunts County bats about him many times, knows his stuff and produces good equipment.
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: Jimbo on March 14, 2023, 05:38:11 PM
Does the royal thing sell well overseas? Here in the UK it might seem a bit naff but the styling might generate some interest in places like north America

I imagine there's a demographic who'd be fans in the UK as well, maybe among a slightly older generation.
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: billyb on March 14, 2023, 05:49:46 PM
It's just... Very similar to what Choice was? Right?
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: ppccopener on March 14, 2023, 06:43:20 PM
Not sure about the new branding but always liked Choice and Gary makes great bats, very underrated.

Didn’t  know he played a very good standard either, I met him once believe he has also played a high level of hockey.

Not that many older bat makers I can recall also played a good level, of course there is Aldred who makes a great bat but let’s be honest burgled it for Derbyshire.  :)

Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: DiscoStu on March 15, 2023, 10:22:18 AM
I imagine there's a demographic who'd be fans in the UK as well, maybe among a slightly older generation.

Maybe GB News viewers?
Title: Re: WG Willow
Post by: Jimbo on March 15, 2023, 12:02:31 PM
Maybe GB News viewers?

You said it, not me  :D