Mr. Nice Guy
Ranked as the team’s leading player for many seasons, he starred with both bat and ball and led by example both on and off the field of play. In attitude he was more akin to a professional in amateur cricket. I never heard anyone take the mickey out of him, he remained a respected and successful figure in many walks of life having obtained a grammar school education, a responsible job, married and firmly established in life. I once overheard two middle aged ladies commenting about him at the edge of the pitch. One of them said in a complimentary tone:
“Oh, what a nice lad, he must have had a good bringing up.”
Son of former local Medway superstar batsman Geoff McCue who still turns out for Rainham Third XI, Neil McCue joined Rainham in 1994 after his former club Gillingham had folded up. It was obvious from the beginning that he had exceptional ability as he had previously made several big scores against his new club as a Gillingham player and was an immediate hit with 51 not out in an opening stand of 154 with Keith Morris against Holborough Valley. This was followed up with 66 against Nonington. His first century came against Gravesend in 1996 when he scored 103 not out. This was followed up with 108 against Belvedere and 100 against Burbage on the club tour of Shropshire.
As a bowler Neil didn’t take huge numbers of wickets but was capable of holding down the batsmen. In one game against Addington he took 3-2 in 11 overs and reduced them to 67 all out after scoring 96 in a score of 232-8. He also took 5-10 in the same season against Ditton and scored 119 not out against Bapchild. These quality performances demonstrated his value to Rainham as Henry to Arsenal or Lampard to Chelsea.
The best innings I have personally seen Neil play was against Macknade in an East Kent League game in 1998 when he was left stranded at the end of the innings on 136 not out after making a brave attempt with me to reach a target of 287. I got out for 24 just before the end and we finished on 243 after sharing a stand of almost 100 for the ninth wicket and seriously challenging the home score. He also impressed with an innings of 62 in a second wicket stand of 120 with me against Tenterden. Later in 1998 he scored 79 then took 5-26 against Sherwood. It was performances like these that rapidly placed him as the leading First XI player.
At the end of the nineties Neil was given the opportunity to play at a higher level when he was approached by Whitstable to play in the Kent League Division One. Wanting a greater challenge he accepted the offer and played successfully, mainly as a bowler for several seasons. However, when Rainham won the Mid Kent League Championship and promotion to Division Three of the Kent League Neil returned and played a big part in promotion to Division Two in 2002.
Neil had some very good performances in 2002 but his best was probably against Catford Wanderers when he scored 37 in a total of 129 then followed it up with 4-34. This was particularly outstanding because Catford were 80-1 with 19 overs remaining when Neil struck. During the same season he had a very good 71 not out against Broadstairs in the semi finals of the League Cup, 77 against Catford Cyphers and 58 against Old Wilsonians.
In 2003 Neil continued his good form and helped Rainham to get within a whisker of promotion to Division One by one point. He had a roaring start to the season with scores of 63 against Gravesend, 109 against Old Colfeians, 62 against Chislehurst & Sidcup, 79 against RACS and 77 against Sidcup.
In 2004, for the first time in many seasons Neil’s successful performances were more sporadic as he experienced a lean season. His only two major performances were against OD CUACO when he scored 69 and against Chislehurst & West Kent when he took 6-48. Feeling that his interest was waning Neil made the decision to retire and become a family man. He now remains a distant memory of a great past player as he pursues his family life and is no longer seen at the club.
Dave Wood 2008
