In the mid/late 1970's AVM Deryck Stapleton was the General Manager of BAC Iran Ltd. (now BAe) and known affectionately by the Iranian Staff as 'the Marshall'. The BAC Cricket XI (Tehran), very much 'ad hoc' and 'take us as you find us', needed a player to make up the numbers for a key match in the Iran Air League. I had the temerity to approach 'the Marshall' for help. He agreed (to my astonishment) and turned up at 6:30 in the morning the next day at the Aryamehr Stadium with his driver, who served him tea, resplendent in his whites, cricket boots and 'Old Totenesian' colours. He then proceeded to give us all a lesson in batting I shall never forget. Unflinching on a wet and 'flying' temporary wicket his stroke play and impeccable defence caused us all to 'up our game'.......that is the stuff of leadership.

Thank you Deryck.....and well done on making a 100 before the umpire called stumps.

Richard Wynne-Jones