Melbourne Uni's stalwart 1st XI seamer Mark Stafford is set to retire from Premier Cricket at the conclusion of the season's final home & away match against Northcote, following a highly distinguished 17-year career in the Black & Blue.
Having joined Melbourne University in 2009/10, Staff has gone on to play more than 250 matches for the club, with an incredible 401 club wickets currently to his name in addition to over 880 runs. In the 1st XI alone, he has 290 wickets with career-best figures of 8/53 against St Kilda.
Staff's career at MUCC has included 8 five-wicket hauls, and a notable 44 wicket season in 2018/19.
He was also awarded the 1st XI Bowling Award in 2016/17 having nabbed 32 wickets with best figures of 6/44 against Ringwood.
In 2018/19, Mark was part of the 2nd XI Premiership team that defeated St Kilda at the Albert Ground. He played a vital part in the match, having taken 4/62 in the first innings before making 18 crucial runs as MUCC won by a single wicket.
Outside the playing field, Staff has also been a terrific clubman throughout the years, not only working with the committee but also acting as a mentor for young MUCCer's coming through the Premier Cricket ranks. He has been a valuable fast-bowling coaching asset for the club and guided many of the young seamers throughout their careers so far.
The club would like to extend their best wishes to Mark for next year and beyond, and hope to see him down at the Uni Main regularly supporting the boys!
