Club legend quits Nestles

That was 60 years ago.

There was no junior division in those days, so he was promoted to the seconds.

Half a season later, the teenager was in the top side.

More than half a century later, Wright is leaving the Factory.

"I've enjoyed the whole 60 years," he said.

"I've had a great time.

"Every year was enjoyable."

In his expansive career at Nestles, Wright went from player, to captain/coach to the club's manager.

He collected 15 premierships, which is a club record.

When the talented all-rounder retired from his on-field duties at age 44, he had recorded 10,470 runs and 835 wickets.

"I'm proud of what I've done," he said.

"But more importantly I've enjoyed the friendship and comradery throughout Victoria."

Wright's involvement in local cricket went beyond Nestles.

He represented Warrnambool at Country Week for 20 years.

In 1965 the captain/coach led the region to its first ever division one win in 1965.

"I give 100 per cent in whatever I'm doing," he said.

"Whether it be sport or life.

"You have to train hard and work hard at it."

The former Fletcher Jones paymaster presided over the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association and chaired the Australian Country Titles committee in 2002.

"I'm satisfied with the time I've spent and put back into the sport, which is important to me," he said.

The father-of-two said there was only one way he was able to achieve so much.

"I was lucky my wife and family supported me," he said.

"I couldn't do it without a good wife."

Most recently, Wright has been coaching budding junior cricketers.

He nurtured a young Trevor McKenzie - who holds the same premiership record as Wright - and Tim Ludeman, who now plays for the South Australian Redbacks.

"It's great to see the young kids improve," he said.

While Wright excelled at both cricket and football, his passion remained with the former.

He is now concerned that the two sports can not co-exist.

"Cricket going through a difficult time," Wright said.

"Footballers think they they can't play both.

"When we played we would a two week break after footy and then we'd be playing cricket.

"I think it's good for to have a change of scenery over summer."

After years of competition against Wesley, Wright said he was sad to see the club demoted to division two.

"I'm not absolutely sure about promotion-relegation," he said.

"Wesley might not recover and that could be Nestles or Merrivale next year."

The seasoned campaigner also called for a new hard wicket ground to be established in the region.

"It's been 40 years since we've had one built," he said.

"The younger people need more to practice on."

Wright's sparkling record on the field and behind the scenes will be tough to match.

But he has some people in mind who could pick up from where he left off.

"Hopefully the likes of Trevor McKenzie, Glenn Skilbeck and Ross Corbett can step up and fill my shoes," he said.