The 2001 season is going to be a very important one for John Stephenson. It is his Benefit Year and for most players that is the most important year of their cricketing careers. It is doubly so for John, as he is determined to win back his place in the First XI and prove he still has a lot to offer, both as a batsman and as a bowler.

Since coming to Hampshire from Essex in 1995, John has not had an easy ride. He took over the captaincy from Mark Nicholas, and was unlucky to acquire a team that was probably past its best. He tried his hardest by leading from the front, but after two years had to relinquish the job.

This could make some people bitter, but John is decidedly upbeat about it. He said: "There has been a big misconception about my time with Hampshire. When I joined to take over the captaincy it was a great new challenge for me and I have never regretted my move.

"I loved the challenge and would admit it has been a bit of a rough ride. But I have learned so much more about cricket and life. My time as captain was wonderful. It brought out the best in me. Due to the strength of team I had to take a major role in both batting and bowling and I feel this is when I am at my most effective."

John is a reserved man and he admits this may have given off the wrong vibes to people who did not know him well. Once you get to know him he is a wonderful talker about the game and anyone fortunate to enjoy his company for some while would come away the wiser.

Of course, there have also been some good times. There was his splendid bowling at Lord's in the Championship when John finished with a career best 7 for 51. There have also been a good number of occasions when John's bowling or his big hitting have changed the picture of many one-day matches.

John has had to learn through adversity. Not only is he one of that unlucky band of 'One Test' players, he knows that last year the season did not click for him. "That is how you can learn it is all part of life's journey," said John.

A former captain of Durham University, John enjoys working with the younger players and hopes he can instil some of his fighting spirit and determination into them. Looking back at a piece I wrote in the March 1995 Members' Newsletter, I see I described John as being a person who was "prepared to spit blood to keep his team in the match". A classic example of his guts was a couple of years ago when he broke a bone in his arm during a Championship match with Kent at Canterbury. John had it bandaged up and not only batted again but also bowled a large number of overs in a valiant attempt to turn the game.

John's cricket career has taken him to coach in Argentina and he has also spent winters overseas playing and reporting on Test match cricket in just about every cricket playing country. But since the birth of his two daughters, Emma-Lydia and Camilla, John and his wife Fiona have spent winters at home.

During this time John has been concentrating on the start of a new career working with Durlacher and has now qualified as a stockbroker. Trying to learn the logistics of stockbroking and accumulating knowledge is hard work, but work which John sees as his longer term future.

For the immediate future his plans are "to get my place back and hope we can do well in all of the competitions". He said: "I want to show what I can still do. I feel my best role is to open the batting and be an all-rounder, but I will do whatever is best for the team. I hope to keep playing as long as there is a part for me to play."

He thinks the signing of Neil Johnson will be good for the team chances in 2001 and hopes his own form will be similar to those times when he has given Hampshire such electric starts with his batting in the one-day competitions.

For his benefit season John has lined up a mixture of tried and tested events plus some innovations. He has a trip to Ireland to Cork County Cricket Club for a cricket match and some golf (and who knows, maybe the odd glass of 'the stout' will be available). He also has a trip to Oporto, Portugal, in October for a special tour of the port estates that will be a must for any serious port enthusiast. In addition there will be a number of chances at the Golf Days to sink a putt and win a BMW car.

John is delighted at being given the opportunity of a benefit season and hopes Hampshire supporters will rally round him and enjoy this exciting new season at the Rose Bowl. He hopes that in return he can give them some enjoyment from his cricket on the field and some pleasure at his benefit events.

This quietly determined man is a fighter, and you can rest assured he will be giving his very best to ensure that Hampshire's first season in the new surroundings will be made even more memorable by some of his contributions. All John needs is that little bit of luck we all need in life. Given this, there is every chance that his year will be well rewarded both on the field and off it.

Ray Cook is a member of the Hampshire committee

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