Burscough Archers Club News
Fresh challenge for Flintoff
Photo: Ian Robinson Story: www.prestontoday.net
Cricket ace Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff swapped his bat and ball for a bow and arrow during a visit to a Lancashire village.
The home-grown sports star paid a low-key visit to Burscough on Thursday, where he tried his hand at archery and met local schoolchildren.
Freddie, who is currently suffering an ankle injury, spent around three hours with the Burscough Cricket Club Archers, where he received some top tips from twice-Olympic bronze medallist Richard Priestman.
Youngsters from the two local junior schools couldn't hide their delight as the Lancashire hero spent time signing autographs and posing for photographs in the sunshine.
But cricket fans needn't worry, Freddie isn't planning to switch sports. He was simply taking part in an archery challenge for his regular slot on the Sky programme Cricket AM.
The visit is a huge boost for the BCC Archers, which was only formed a matter of weeks ago by Richard and former Burscough cricketer and coach David Fairclough.
David, 46, who used to shoot with Richard years ago and took up the sport again recently, said they would gladly have Freddie join the club.
He said: "It was something he had never done before. He got right into it. He wanted to know everything about it. I think he got a couple of bulls.
"It was fantastic. He's one of the world's greatest cricketers at this moment in time.
"He stayed behind later on and did everybody's autographs. He had a little game of cricket with one of the lads. He was really good, a down-to-earth lad, no airs or graces."
Last Updated: 09 June 2006 1:36 PM
The home-grown sports star paid a low-key visit to Burscough on Thursday, where he tried his hand at archery and met local schoolchildren.
Freddie, who is currently suffering an ankle injury, spent around three hours with the Burscough Cricket Club Archers, where he received some top tips from twice-Olympic bronze medallist Richard Priestman.
Youngsters from the two local junior schools couldn't hide their delight as the Lancashire hero spent time signing autographs and posing for photographs in the sunshine.
But cricket fans needn't worry, Freddie isn't planning to switch sports. He was simply taking part in an archery challenge for his regular slot on the Sky programme Cricket AM.
The visit is a huge boost for the BCC Archers, which was only formed a matter of weeks ago by Richard and former Burscough cricketer and coach David Fairclough.
David, 46, who used to shoot with Richard years ago and took up the sport again recently, said they would gladly have Freddie join the club.
He said: "It was something he had never done before. He got right into it. He wanted to know everything about it. I think he got a couple of bulls.
"It was fantastic. He's one of the world's greatest cricketers at this moment in time.
"He stayed behind later on and did everybody's autographs. He had a little game of cricket with one of the lads. He was really good, a down-to-earth lad, no airs or graces."
Last Updated: 09 June 2006 1:36 PM
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