Roger Hardie has been part of the club since he was just five years old, going on to play for and captain the first team as well as serving twice as president.

He captained Greenock for four years from 1975 to 1978, leading the side to the Western District Union Championship in 1976 – the club’s first title in 24 years.

The 79-year-old told the Tele: "I was born in Finnart Street, just above the cricket club.

"There was a wee lane called Bedford Lane, about 100 yards from the club, and I was allowed to go down the lane into the ground, but only if I played cricket.

"I've been playing since I was five."

Roger Hardie (Image: George Munro)

Roger broke into the first XI at 17 before becoming captain in 1975.

He said: "I captained the side in 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978, and we won the Western District Union Championship in 1976.

"It was the first time in 24 years."

But Roger’s contribution to the club has extended far beyond playing.

He became social convener at just 19 and later spent 30 years as grounds convener, as well as nine years as groundsman.

Taking pride in his work (Image: George Munro)

Roger said: "Greenock Cricket Ground is considered one of the best, if not the best, in Scotland."

His expertise in maintaining sports grounds also led to him spending 10 years as groundsman at Greenock Wanderers Rugby Club.

Roger, a former Greenock Academy pupil, was brought up in Greenock’s west end by his parents Bill, headmaster of Boglestone Primary, and Margaret.

His older sister Jacqueline is a retired doctor.

Roger worked for IBM for 32 years before retiring from the company at 52 and becoming self-employed, laying patios, erecting fences and cutting grass.

The move gave him the flexibility to help maintain both sporting grounds, and he only stepped down from his role at Fort Matilda two years ago.

Roger is married to Patricia and the couple live in nearby Johnston Street – exactly 628 paces from the cricket club, according to Roger.

Reflecting on his lifelong association with the club, he said: "It's such a friendly club.

"I used to play all the time when I was young and, when the seniors played, I used to retrieve the balls from the nets.

"You always felt involved.

"I remember when I was only 15, we would go to Glasgow with the minor section or to Ferguslie Cricket Club in Paisley.

"We would walk from the ground to the West Station with all our kit, get on the train and the mothers used to pack lunches. I loved it.

"It's been a massive part of my life."

Roger still visits the club regularly and, when a groundsman is working, likes to make sure everything is as it should be.

He said: "I have always taken pride in the job and want to see the ground looking lovely."

Roger captained the side in 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978, and we won the Western District Union Championship in 1976 (Image: George Munro)

Roger believes the success of the 1976 side helped usher in one of the greatest periods in the club’s 160-year history in the 1980s.

Greenock went on to win the Western District Union Championship several more times as well as lifting the Scottish Cup five times.

Roger said: "We went on to win the Western District Union Championship several times after 1976, although not under me.

"We won the Scottish Cup five times. It was the best time in Scotland for cricket.

"Our success in the Western District Union generated a lot of interest and a lot of excitement.

"We had a lot of youngsters coming to the club and they got the opportunity to play with some top players and coaches."

For Roger, however, the friendships and social side of the game have always been just as important as results on the pitch.

He said: "Although we were competitive on the park, when we came off we always socialised with the opposition.

"I remember Kilmarnock Cricket Club coming up on a bus. We finished at 7.30pm and they didn't leave until 2am to get the bus home.

"All the clubs loved coming here – Clydesdale Cricket Club in Glasgow and Ferguslie in Paisley."

Roger Hardie (Image: George Munro)

Roger is saddened that interest in cricket has waned over the years and would love to see more youngsters taking up the sport.

Greenock Cricket Club offers summer coaching for children aged five and over, while its coaches also visit local schools.

Roger said: "Cricket is a team sport and an individual sport.

"Some people think it is a long day and sometimes you don't get to do anything, whereas you can go to the golf course and hit a ball every four minutes."

Cricket is not Roger’s only passion.

Away from the crease, he sings with the Allegria Choir and is active at Lyle Kirk in Union Street.

Roger with team members from Ardgowan Curling Club (Image: George Munro)

He has also curled with Ardgowan Curling Club for 50 years and has been involved with Greenock Light Opera for 30 years as well as Laughing Stock Theatre Company.

But after more than seven decades of memories, friendships and sporting success, Greenock Cricket Club remains a huge part of his life.

"It's been a massive part of my life," Roger said.