The Baggy Cap Presentation: Conner Haddow’s Debut

Your baggy cap presentation will mark a moment in your career.

A club debut is more than just a game. It’s a celebration of your journey up to that point. It’s a way for you to cement yourself in history. Your baggy cap number will forever be yours. It will forever be part of the lineage of the club.

Yes, we sell baggy caps.

But, what we really do is help people feel proud of the team they represent; to give them a symbol of their hard work and dedication.

So, we spoke to Conner Haddow who has played for Northants Academy, Bucks Cricket and High Wycombe Cricket Club to discuss his debut, the feelings leading up to the day and how he felt with his baggy cap presentation.

“For the first year, it was all garden cricket. I wanted to play because of the 2009 Ashes series. I started off in teh garden trying to copy people and batting with friends,” Conner Haddow said.

He started his career off trying to enjoy it after watching the 2009 Ashes on TV. For him, it was the start of a journey into the High Wycombe and Bucks Cricket history books, although, little did he know.

And as he got older, that motivation to play only built up momentum.

“It wasn’t about playing to a better standard. I just wanted to play more, and do more. The only way to do that was to sign up and play for an actual team.”

When he began to play for junior sides and eventually senior sides, Haddow felt calm and composed. It was the love for the sport that fuelled his desire to continue playing. But, it was when he got picked up by Northants in their academy programme and contracts started to be discussed did he really start to feel the pressure.

“When I was 18, the talks of contracts definitely increased the pressure. But up until that point, I just wanted to continue playing and enjoying my cricket. When I did start to feel that pressure, my cricket took a downhill turn.”

The pressure of performing on debut is huge for many players. Whether it’s for your club, county or international team, you’ve been chosen to perform. That’s why England Cricket have done such a big push on recording their baggy cap presentation on match days for social media.

“With contracts being a part of the equation, there was pressure being put on every performance. But when i started to shift my mindset and just enjoy my cricket, I performed better”

In these moments, every player will fall back on a role model that they’ve watched growing up. We look to our role models for advice, and support, especially for our debuts.

“I loved watching Graeme Swann bowl. I just wanted to copy him as much as I could. I wanted to be him; that’s why I began bowling spin when i started playing cricket.”

When Conner was finally picked for his club 1XI, he talked about heading over to Reading CC as a young 14-year old surrounded by players of 24-25 years old.

“I had no idea about the standard of cricket I was walking into. I had played two games in the 2nd XI, adn the year before I was in the 4th XI. There were a couple of injuries and a broken finger, and I got thrown into the mix of things.

“It was quite overwhelming.”

But despite that, Haddow beat the nerves and pressure of making his debut having performed well. Almost securing himself a hatrick, he cemented himself in the side from the very first game.

“I almost had a hatrick, but an LBW decision didn’t go my way. That’s a discussion for another day”.

He recalled how in the morning of the game, he had the baggy cap presentation, given to him from the captain at the time, Nathan Hawkes.

“It wasn’t quite to the standard that we do it now. Now, we have lads come down to the club just to watch the club presentation. But Hawkes told me that I deserved to be there and wished me luck for the day.”

Haddow still wears the exact same cap that he was given nearly 11 years ago. Despite the wear and tear it’s been through, it still holds it’s original value thanks to the incredible quality of material.

But for him, the cap is “about the journey. I was 14 when i was first given the cap. Now, i’m 24 and played with it for 10 years. A lot of people ahve come and gone into the team, there have been some great wins and tough losses. I think it’s all about the journey i’ve had from 14 to now. I’ve done a lot of growing up with that cap on me.”

He holds onto his baggy cap, with his number 82 embroidered onto the back, with pride.

“It’s because of memories. There is a lot that goes into winning a game of cricket. You’ve had that cap from your debut, played in it so many times. It represents all of those things in one.”

“It shows me everything i’ve accomplished up until this point”.

Haddow has had quite the cricket career. Having picked up the interest of Northants Academy as a teenager, to starring in the NCCA as an MVP in 2023. But at the end of the 2023 season, he was selected to be a part of an England Representative side in the European Cricket Championship in Spain.

“I was coaching for Bucks when I got the call from Lambo. I was quite overwhelmed. I hadn’t expected ot be selected, but it was a great experience.

“It was an interesting brand of cricket. There was a lot going on. But it only benefited me.”

Hundreds of thousands of people tuned into the European Cricket Championship over the week-span tournament. With so many eyes on each individual player, the pressure to perform would have peaked.

“It’s different to yoru club experience. You’ve always got cameras in your face, so you need to be constatnly switched on with your surroundings. And that works for on the pitch too. If you don’t become overwhelmed by it, being under the microsope makes you a better player”

Every player has their story, and every debut is a chapter in the legacy of their club.

Being handed your baggy cap—embroidered with your unique number—is more than just a tradition; it’s a reminder of where you started, the milestones you’ve achieved, and the countless memories created along the way.

For Conner Haddow, his number 82 baggy cap represents over a decade of growth, triumphs, and challenges.

But, what will yours represent?

Start your journey to celebrate your player’s legacy with a bespoke cap from Gentlemen & Players.

Order your custom baggy cap today and be part of the lineage.