THE demands of football, even at non-league level, leave little time for other sports but during the brief summer recess a few of Worcester City's players enjoy swapping shinpads for batting pads.

Not surprisingly there are a few good cricket players in the ranks at St George's Lane and non more so than keeper Danny McDonnell who played representative cricket for Worcestershire County Cricket Club up until the under 19s.

McDonnell, an accomplished opening batsman, plying his trade with Pedmore in Worcestershire League Division One, also played in the old Birmingham Divison One for Stourbridge alongside the likes of New Road stars Martin Weston and Paul Pridgeon.

During his time at New Road he played for the seconds and made his debut alongside current County stalwart Vikram Salanki.

"I think I was 18 at the time when I made my first appearance for the seconds and also playing for the first time was a 15 or 16-year-old called Vikram Salanki," said McDonnell.

"We've both taken slightly different paths - me at Pedmore and Vikram for Worcestershire - but you could tell straight away that he was a good player and would go far."

It was only in his early 20s that McDonnell began playing football more seriously and established his reputation with Halesowen Town.

"Up until I was 21,22 cricket was my main sport and I would not play football until the season end but now it is the other way round," he said.

"I got to an age when I had to get a job and realised football was going to be more productive so concentrated more on my goalkeeping.

"I play cricket purely socially now and usually get around eight to 10 games before pre-season but I really enjoy it and they are a great bunch of lads at Pedmore.

"It's possible that I might take cricket more seriously again after I have finished with football and if I am still good enough."

For now cricket offers timely relaxation away from the rigours of football and with a couple of half centuries to his name McDonnell is helping Pedmore ride high in third place.