Despite having momentarily thought about his choice of words in the event his Worcestershire side were crowned champions of the Metro Bank One Day Cup, Alan Richardson says any preparation he had done went out of the window once the Rapids were confirmed as List A champions for first time in 18 years.
The sense of unity was prominent on Saturday, with the high-octane drama brought to a spell binding end when victory was sealed with just two balls of the match remaining, cueing scenes of utter joy amongst everyone connected to the club.
After the pandemonium had settled somewhat, Richardson was able to take a moment’s reflection on what was a seismic day both on and off the pitch.
“It was just an amazing occasion.
“I think I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in a couple of finals myself, but this just meant so much to the boys, it felt like we played such good cricket throughout the group phases and then in the semi final we deserved something like that.
“But just a really great day for everyone to be involved. It was so good to see everyone there, so many people from the club and so many supporters there. All the players there just really enjoyed it.
“They soaked it in for the occasion it was, and then obviously the result was the icing on the cake.
“The game of cricket is about how it makes you feel and the people that you’re with, so hopefully that feeling will really stick with them and they’ll talk about it for a long period of time. Those sort of moments for these guys, they won’t forget those.”
In a season of contrasting emotions, Saturday’s jubilation came as a welcome moment of wild celebration and positivity, with the club having been condemned to relegation in the County Championship just days before the final.
With the final taking such an nerve wracking course to it’s eventual conclusion shortly after 7pm, Henry Cullen was the man who looked to have secured victory for his side, but celebrations were halted with the match still in the balance.
In the moments after the on-field umpire waited to confirm that Worcestershire would be collecting a first piece of silverware in seven years, Richardson was so caught up trying to watch the television replay back, he was unable to find anyone to celebrate with, as his players and support staff mobbed one another on the balcony!
“I very clearly remember that we were all out on the balcony watching it. Henry plays that shot, there’s a lot of confusion about what’s going on.
“I ran straight back into the changing room, we had got a couple of screens in there, so I’m looking at that, trying to find out what’s going on.
“I’m the only one in the changing room, I think, and then obviously it gets called then I just watch all the players are going absolutely berserk, which is fantastic.
“I sort of have no one to sort of hug or jump up and down with, so I just sort of stood there, and it was just surreal!!”
With hundreds of loyal supporters having made the journey to Trent Bridge to watch the Rapids write themselves into cricketing folklore, Richardson emphasised the significance of trophy to the club.
“We will talk about it a lot.
“You take a lot of pride in that, because, we’re here to help facilitate the players, support them as much as possible, try and guide them. It’s like herding cats sometimes!
“It’s just a real pleasure to be part of. I have a huge soft spot for this club so very biassed, in terms of that, it’s a real honour to be able to be part of it and be a guardian for a little while, but the players are the ones who should take all the credit.
“We have an amazing support staff and we work really hard for each other.
“We have to be quite creative at times, but they all muck in, and they look after the players incredibly well.
