BLAST FROM THE PAST – Richard Johnston

Richard Kingsley Noel Johnston seen here taking off for another run amongst the many he scored for the City Cricket Clubs premier side over the years that he was involved in as a player.
Richard moved up from the Hawkes Bay, was a stylish but dashing left handed opening batsman who went on to represent Northland and was well known for never ‘blocking many’ and simply getting his team off to a flying start by taking too many opposition bowling attacks. Richard played an integral part in the successes of the City premier side during his playing time at the club.

The story goes that during this time playing for City (after scoring many quick-fire 30s and 40s) he was dared to play out a maiden over when on 49 – he did so! He then funnily enough went on to score his first century for the club then repeating that feat the following weekend. ‘Johnno’, as he is more widely known as, is a real character on and off the field and is man of many names (known to some as ‘Kojak’ because of his distinctive hair style (or lack of it), a few of his other aliases have been ‘Bull’ or ‘Nude Nut’ for the same reason. Johnno is the great impersonator, he has been called ‘Uncle Fester’, in recognition of his fancy dress attire and has also has been described as ‘Paddy Batch’ as he bats like former Black Cap Mark Greatbatch. Richard is still dusting off the whites and can been seen playing the odd match for the Cobham Club and the Northern Districts Masters team which play their annual tournament in Queenstown every year.

Richard works as a Sales and Finance Executive for Mark Cromie Holden in Whangarei and has had 25 years in vehicle sales. Richard’s work philosophy is “never sell to the back pocket”