HOMEGROWN pro Chris Holt says he wants to pay Burnley back in the best way – by leading them to Worsley Cup final glory on Sunday.
The 25-year-old former Read and Padiham man was handed his chance in the Foster’s Lancashire League by the Myprotein Turf Moor outfit this season and now he wants to shine on the biggest stage.
Holt and company head to Rawtenstall for Sunday’s showpiece – and the left-arm spinning all-rounder can’t wait.
“I’ve always dreamed about playing in a Worsley Cup final ever since my dad took me to one when I was young,” he said.
“And I really can’t wait for Sunday to come around.
“It’s like a dream to have the chance to play in the final in my first year - and I want to win it for Burnley.
“They have given me my chance to play in the Lancashire League and everyone has stuck by me, even when times were tough earlier in the season and I want to pay them back by winning the Worsley Cup.”
Cup holders Burnley were pre-season title favourites but had a torrid start to the campaign with Holt not coming close to hitting his usual high standards.
But he has come into form with both bat and ball ahead of the final – and has special praise for one of his team-mates for that.
“I had about two hours talking to Steve Brunt after training one night,” he said. “He said I was falling over when batting and that’s why I was getting trapped lbw.
“He then spent about an hour-and-a-half giving me throwdowns in the nets...and low and behold I got 90-odd and 50-odd the following weekend.
“So I owe Brunty big thanks for that.”
Holt is expecting a few words of ‘advice’ when he walks out to bat on Sunday and laughed: “I am sure Vinny Hanson and company will have a chat.
“But that doesn’t bother me. I know Chris Cook-Martin from the Ribblesdale League and I played with Nick Payne at Read.
“So I’m sure I will have a few answers for them when they start. That just adds to the day.”
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