John Wright is halfway to his 50th century and it has taken a good deal longer than the previous 49 accumulated by one of the most stylish and prolific run-getters in club cricket.

Wright made his second team debut for Colchester and East Essex 50 years ago at the tender age of 13 and his teenage talent quickly earned him a first-team spot, more than 50 appearances for Essex seconds, and four games for the county side.

During his playing career he emerged as one of the most dominant opening batsmen in Essex cricket. He made 49 tons - his two biggest being 150 against Cambridgeshire for Essex 2nds and versus Lowestoft Vikings for C&EE - topped the 1,000-run mark in 12 consecutive seasons and posted an incredible aggregate of 1,671 in his best.

Appropriately his 49th hundred came in his last game for the club at Woodford Wells. His exertions at the crease aggravated a dodgy knee, which had twice undergone surgery, and persuaded him that it was time to retire.

That was in 1979 but Wright's passion for the club was sustained by serving on the committee and as chairman for many years, before becoming president.

John began as a footballer - he was once on West Ham's books - but it was his brother Peter who made a name for himself in that game, playing on the left wing for Colchester United.

It was Peter's reluctance to play for Colchester Royal Grammar School's old boys that opened the door for his brother. John took his place against C&EE and this prompted one of his teachers, Eric Richards, to take him along to the Park nets.

His career quickly developed although some of his strongest memories involve his occasional games for Essex.

He had his first taste as a 15-year-old schoolboy when he was called upon by Doug Insole as sub for a Championship match against Northamptonshire.

Ironically it was against Northampton that he made his county debut at Colchester ten years later. He turned up to watch and, with Essex one short because of a late injury, he was sent home for his gear. Wright went on to make 40 and 12.

Essex skipper Trevor Bailey included him in the second Colchester match against Warwickshire and five years later he played against Middlesex and the Pakistani touring side at the Colchester festival.

Wright, who lives at Great Horkesley, set up a hugely-successful 100 club group which raised thousands of pounds and enabled C&EE to buy the Castle Park pavilion.

It was there where he was presented with a celebratory bottle of champagne by the club's main sponsors, Colchester chartered accountants, Holm Lucking Pace.

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