Tom Lace retirement and a lesson for us all

At the many talks that I have done around the country over the past decade, I'm always asked why I started to write a blog on Derbyshire cricket.

The answer is simple. Some of you may remember the old 606 site that the BBC used to host. To say that it was awash with rumour, scandal and outrageous slurs doesn't come close to the truth and I was appalled that a national institution could have its name associated with such a site. 

I checked in once a week, just to see if anything was being said about Derbyshire, but I was always left with the feeling that there had to be something better. The club's own web site was in its infancy and not especially good, so I decided to start to write, specifically about Derbyshire cricket. I wasn't sure if there was anyone out there who would be interested, but living in Scotland I knew no other county supporters and hoped to make a few contacts, at the very least. 

I never realised that over 3.5 million views later it would be going stronger than ever, but from the early days I have been aware of a readership that included players, their families, club staff and former players, as well as supporters of Derbyshire and other counties.

I felt an obligation then and now to steer the blog through the knee-jerk reactions of defeats and criticism of individual players. They were all doing their best, as Conor Hourihane said to Derby County supporters after Saturday's defeat, but sometimes your best just isn't good enough.

Players face the trials and tribulations of life the same as we do. I recall John Morris telling me the issues faced by one player when he was club coach and it was a wonder the player ever got on the pitch. John, like many others before and since trusted me and I never betray a confidence.

With all of this in mind, I was saddened today to read of the retirement from first-class cricket of Tom Lace, who graced us with his serious talents when Dave Houghton was in charge. He was as lovely to watch at the crease as he was a person, looked destined for the top and was missed by many when he opted not to return to Derbyshire.

Like many others, including some close to home in Derbyshire, he has battled depression and anxiety, which got to the point where he couldn't enjoy playing any more. Let's face it, cricket is unique, as a team sport where the individual has the responsibility of a solo endeavour. You hit fours and sixes, you take the wickets, but you also get the first-ballers and go around the park as a bowler.

Writing a blog earlier in the year,  he said social media sites "often reinforce existing feelings of insecurity and inadequacy" and mentioned a Twitter troll whose comments 'tipped' him over the edge.

Which is where all of us come in. I have been thrilled  that in well over a decade no one has ever contacted me to take exception with something written. Indeed, plenty have been in touch to thank me, which is lovely and appreciated.

But we must all be vigilant and wary of knee-jerk reactions, flip comments and personal attacks. In the immediate frustration of defeat or poor performance, it is easy to look for a scapegoat. It goes with the territory to some extent, but while criticism is valid, we must all strive to keep it warranted, as well as qualified. 

Let's be honest, none of us have lives where everything goes to plan, or where we don't make mistakes. But no one takes to social media to castigate us for what has happened. 

Likewise, no sports person sets out to play badly. Sometimes the opposition is too good, the conditions are against them, their health or fitness are letting them down or things are preying on their mind. 

Watching Birmingham fans turn on Wayne Rooney after two games; seeing the 'Warne out' nonsense when Derby concede; reading what Emma Raducanu faces when she loses a game saddens me. These are people who have done more in professional sport than most of us can dream of.

If one thing comes out of Tom Lace's premature retirement, I would love people on social media to be better aware of the hurtful impact of their words. Not just on the player, but their loved ones too. Count to ten; if you are really angry keep your powder dry until you have calmed down. There will always be days when, no matter your talent, your best isn't good enough. Don't crassly type 'X Out' when your team loses or tell player Y he is rubbish because he missed an open goal, or dropped a crucial catch.

Critical comment is fine, as long as it is measured. Player X is not 'rubbish' because you aren't in professional sport. You have made the elite, but sometimes they can be out of form, have things going on or may be out of their depth. 

As for Tom, I wish him the very best in all of his future endeavours. An engaging, charming and personable young man, I am sure he will do well.

Most of all, be happy.  I wish you as much of that as you can handle 

If you can get to that stage, it is worth its weight in gold.