Tony Cook retires
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Alvaro

Tony Cook retires
« on: November 07, 2017, 07:39:07 PM »
“Hunts County Bats would like to announce that after many years loyal and faithful service Tony Cook and Robert Hook have left the company. Tony who started making bats at the age of 15 racked up over 55 years experience in the craft that see him making bats for the very best, names such as Geoffrey Boycott, Imran Khan, Allan Lamb, Nick Knight, Andrew Flintoff, Charlotte Edwards and many many more have all scored many many runs at international level while using one of Tony's hand crafted bats. We wish them both all the very best in their retirement.
On a personal note I would very much like to thank Tony for the many years he has helped me develop my skills in bat making and I only hope that I can carry on producing world class cricket bats as he did. Many thanks Tony.”

Here’s to a great retirement - as another legend hangs up his spokeshave
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ppccopener

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Re: Tony Cook retires
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2017, 08:36:00 PM »
It comes to everyone in the end, the important part is the batmaking skill is passed on, which it has been here.

Andrew Kember learnt under John Newbery and ends up with his own Company making some of the best bats around.

If I remember correctly Gary at Choice also started batmaking at Hunts, if fact anyone who has a Choice willow bat may see a slight resemblance to a Hunts one.
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Bats_Entertainment

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Re: Tony Cook retires
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2017, 08:42:57 PM »
Robert Pack and Charlie French also learned at Hunts. As did the Black Widow (I think?) guy in SA.

I would have liked to have met Tony. People on here speak highly of him. I'm terrible at putting things off.
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FattusCattus

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Re: Tony Cook retires
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2017, 09:05:45 PM »
Happy retirement boys, always had a soft spot for Hunts, they should be proud of what they achieved in a crowded marketplace.
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ppccopener

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Re: Tony Cook retires
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2017, 09:40:55 PM »
Plus you got a nice one Cat for your net practice. I once had 3 from eBay, an insignia, a spirit and I can't remember the other one
All brand new from David Milnes(think that correct) was a big nasty fast bowler back in the day but had three cracking bats for sale when he retired.

They all went beautifully, think my favourite was the Spirit.
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Bats_Entertainment

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Re: Tony Cook retires
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2017, 10:08:07 PM »
You kept that quiet! Millns is now a first-class umpire, I believe.
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jamferg

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Re: Tony Cook retires
« Reply #6 on: November 08, 2017, 10:22:33 AM »
I had one via Gordon Parsons ( another Leicestershire player) 32 grains and 100% heartwood... Unfortunately never went as well as it looked
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northernboy1987

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Re: Tony Cook retires
« Reply #7 on: November 08, 2017, 10:38:11 AM »
My first "proper" bat was a Hunts, cracking stick it was too. Happy retirement gents.
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Bats_Entertainment

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Re: Tony Cook retires
« Reply #8 on: November 08, 2017, 11:26:40 AM »
Quote from: jamferg on November 08, 2017, 10:22:33 AM
I had one via Gordon Parsons ( another Leicestershire player) 32 grains and 100% heartwood... Unfortunately never went as well as it looked

Gordon Parsons! I remember him!

Anyone have one off Nigel Briers?
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Alvaro

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Re: Tony Cook retires
« Reply #9 on: November 08, 2017, 11:55:07 AM »
My earliest memories of Hunts bats used by pros were Northants players like Allan Lamb.
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Johnny

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Re: Tony Cook retires
« Reply #10 on: November 08, 2017, 01:13:10 PM »
Warwickshire players used them a lot in their golden era too. Paul Smith, Andy Moles etc..
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Alvaro

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Re: Tony Cook retires
« Reply #11 on: November 08, 2017, 01:26:43 PM »
Quote from: Johnny on November 08, 2017, 01:13:10 PM
Warwickshire players used them a lot in their golden era too. Paul Smith, Andy Moles etc..

Dominic Ostler, Nick Knight, Neil Smith...
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Bats_Entertainment

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Re: Tony Cook retires
« Reply #12 on: November 08, 2017, 02:38:47 PM »
Quote from: Alvaro on November 08, 2017, 11:55:07 AM
My earliest memories of Hunts bats used by pros were Northants players like Allan Lamb.

I remember Northants players suddenly using the original County brand en masse one year - 1982 or 1983, I think. Looking back I wonder if it was a load of bankrupt stock that had been put their way? Certainly players' usual sponsors seemed to go out of the window for a while.

Later on, yes, Allan Lamb was sponsored by Hunts. Graeme Swann was too, early in his career.
« Last Edit: November 08, 2017, 02:43:41 PM by Bats_Entertainment »
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KettonJake

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Re: Tony Cook retires
« Reply #13 on: November 08, 2017, 02:44:28 PM »
Hunts is not going anywhere just to clarify. I've seen a few FB posts and some of the posts on this topic could be taken to assume that no Tony means no more bats and therefore no brand.

Matt, who was trained by Tony and has been making bats at Hunts for a number of years will be continuing to do so. The reality of the last couple of years is that most Hunts bats that were made in Huntingdon were made by Matt as the inevitability of old age caught up with Tony.
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Kulli

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Re: Tony Cook retires
« Reply #14 on: November 08, 2017, 03:01:18 PM »
Who's Robert Hook dare I ask?
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