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[play-yourself-in]

There was a time when men were men and big cricket bats were like railway sleepers and at that time the top of the tree in cricket bat terms was Duncan Fearnley.  I remember my mate bringing his uncles old magnum to nets once and none of us could lift it (we were U15s) but it went like crazy off the middle.

I had one from the age of about 16 and loved it and they used to be the big name in the UK but also overseas.  I know they are still going but was wondering if anyone had used or seen one recently.

I'd love to see them back in the big time!

[tim2000s]

They still sell bats: http://www.fearnleycricket.co.uk/products/Cricket-Bats/retro-range/

But they aren't the shapes you remember!

[snackylane]

They do a lot of the playing kit and training wear for clubs around Worcestershire but you don't see many using their bats, pads etc

[skip1973]

They made an ill fated comeback attempt here a few years ago, they were a poor Indian made imitation, one being the Magnum "Limited Adition"  Not sure if someone just bought the naming rights or if DF were behind it.

Sadly another popular name of my era unheard of today.

[FattusCattus]

They used to do pads with a tartan detail to the lining or straps - I loved that, I'd be interested in a pair if anyone still had some!

[GoldenArm]

I play in and around Worcestershire and you literally never see anyone using one unless its an old chap on a sunday who's had a magnum since the 80's. I've been into the shop in recent months and its a pretty dire story bat wise. They had a few racks with their offerings in and they were a complete embarrassment. Hundreds of pounds for the ugliest, thinnest, worst shaped planks you've ever seen in your life. I was shocked. They do some clothing for teams around the area but generally the factory shop was unloved and just looked shabby and way behind the times. The world on the street is that the shop and the brand is being sold, hopefully whoever picks it up will attempt a genuine revival.

[Neon Cricket]

The world on the street is that the shop and the brand is being sold, hopefully whoever picks it up will attempt a genuine revival.

The company has been up for sale for a good 5 years as I understand - they still make the bats in the factory though, a teammate of mine is good friends with the current owners so gets looked after (his bat is an absolute weapon, cleft is on par with LW Signature level...)

One of the cheapest "bat maker experiences" you can get - http://www.fearnleycricket.co.uk/Hand-Made-Cricket-Bat-Experience/

[springbok45]

The world on the street is that the shop and the brand is being sold, hopefully whoever picks it up will attempt a genuine revival.

Forum whip round anyone?

[GoldenArm]

The company has been up for sale for a good 5 years as I understand - they still make the bats in the factory though, a teammate of mine is good friends with the current owners so gets looked after (his bat is an absolute weapon, cleft is on par with LW Signature level...)

One of the cheapest "bat maker experiences" you can get - http://www.fearnleycricket.co.uk/Hand-Made-Cricket-Bat-Experience/

Blimey has it really been up for sale for that long. Obviously not attracting much interest, thats really sad. Didn't think they made any bats in there still, the ones in the shop surely can't have been made there, they were terrible! Didn't know they did that hand making thing! Who does it? Roger Weston?

[bruggers100]

Hopefully they'll bring back the gloves with the green two figure protection on the bottom hand and the buckskin pads !  Add a Magnum and handle bar moustache into the equation, and relive my younger years yearning to be Goochie

[Seniorplayer]

A teammate of mine was Sponsered by DF his job takes him there on a weekly basis he tells me bats are still being made and there are excellent prices on kit single or bulk.

[Frontfootdrive]

Saw Roger a couple of months ago and it certainly isn`t him,he didn`t think they had anyone on the premises who made them

[Neon Cricket]

Nah Roger runs Solitaire, still makes a cracking bat - scored my first ton with one of his.

If you go into the factory shop then the kit is very well priced as @Seniorplayer says, however I would question the branding as a whole - they just need someone to go in and give everything a new lease of life, stuck in the 80s a bit. Don't think they sponsor any county players at all anymore (and half the Worcs team are using total rubbish so it wouldn't be hard to change that!!).

http://www.fearnleycricket.co.uk/cricket-equipment/batting-gloves/
http://www.fearnleycricket.co.uk/cricket-equipment/batting-pads/

It is a real shame at times, I used Fearnley all through my youth (including a pair of the nice F-Tec tartan pads that @FattusCattus mentioned!) but nothing seems to have changed/progressed in the last 10 years or so. I'd love to go back to using the gear but it just isn't up to the level of what is available elsewhere now.

I've also heard that GN have taken over the ECB coaching deal that Fearnley held for years, must be a killer for them...

[GoldenArm]

Nah Roger runs Solitaire, still makes a cracking bat - scored my first ton with one of his.

If you go into the factory shop then the kit is very well priced as @Seniorplayer says, however I would question the branding as a whole - they just need someone to go in and give everything a new lease of life, stuck in the 80s a bit. Don't think they sponsor any county players at all anymore (and half the Worcs team are using total rubbish so it wouldn't be hard to change that!!).

Funny you should say that about the Worcester teams kit, we got to the final of a T/20 cup comp which should have been played on the county ground. It bloody rained all day, absolutely gutting. But we got to hang around in the pavilion and the changing rooms all day waiting and I got to look at all the bats left in there by the players and I was surprised by the overall lack of quality. Just goes to show its not the bat but the bloke on the end, having said that you'd think they'd be keen to own a killer piece of willow just to make their living a bit easier! Speaking of solitaire not a fan of them either! has roger ever made a bat under 2.13? haha.

[well past my peak]

Never had the pleasure of owing a Duncan Feanley but always wanted one. Growing up in Aus the brand to me always seem as a exotic one.
Where they a good bat??
Where did they go wrong with the business.
Interesting on Wikipedia its says they still hand make about 5000 bats a year out of the  Worcester.