Graeme Fowler: Beard Icon

A beard isn’t always synonymous with cricketers (either past or present) but Graeme Fowler – ex England and Lancashire player – is developing quite a following in the underground World of Facial Hair.
With his candid twitter opinions, spontaneous hilarity and his magnificent salt and pepper mane, Beardrevered’s resident product tester is fast becoming a beard aficionado in his own right. Anyone who follows Beardrevered on Twitter knows that we are just a tiny bit smitten!

As head of the Cricket School of Excellence at Durham and occasional cricket broadcaster Graeme- or Foxy to his friends – is an extremely busy man. Fortunately we tracked him down to find out what he really thinks about his career as a cricketer – and a bearded icon!

So, let’s talk about the beard first. How old is this one and how easy has the growing process been?

I ceased shaving on December 1^st 2013, so it’s about 7 months old. I’ve had beards on and off all my adult life. I grew my first in Australia during the English Winter of 1980. For me it is always the same, yes there is an itchy phase, but that only lasts a few days. It helps if you keep your face (and stubble) moisturised,  after that it’s a breeze.

You sported some fine facial hair during the 80s – do you think it’s more significant now you’re a little older? Is it a project for you?

I don’t know about being more significant, well not to me, other people seem to be more concerned about it than I am. It is natural for a man to have a beard, but society always treats beards as a fashion. I’m often told that it doesn’t suit me, yet I would never dream of saying to them, “Your hair looks awful”. Beards generate opinion.

Tell us about your grooming routine and maintenance. As a tester for Beardrevered, what’s your product of preference?

For Father’s day one of my daughters bought me some beard shampoo, so I use that occasionally. Usually it just gets a thorough rinsing in the shower. Then I apply a balm or oil depending on my mood. If I’m outside in the sun all day I’ll use an oil. If not, a balm. Brighton Beard Company and Varsity Beard make excellent balms. All the balms I have tried have been good. Moustache wax however is a different thing.

I’ve used all sorts of products from hair glue, hair wax and several proper moustache waxes. My favourite is The Brighton Beard Company Moustache and Beard Wax.

What do you think about the facial hair in cricket today compared to the 80s – did you have a favourite during your time?

During the 80’s there was a lot of stubble around on the County Cricket circuit. This was frowned upon by County Committees. I was told to get my hair cut and have a shave by the Manager at the time because he was getting complaints about my appearance from the Committee. I was an England player at the time. Imagine that now!

What was your proudest moment during your cricket career?

I have two which I cannot separate. Scoring a hundred against the West Indies at Lord’s in 1984, and being the first Englishman to score a double century in a test match in India .That was 1985.

Do you get as much satisfaction from coaching as you did from playing?

They are two different types of satisfaction. When you score runs or take a catch etc, it is all you. You did it, you take the credit or criticism – it is completely self. Coaching is all about them and as a coach you are an influence, but they actually do it. I can say the same thing to two players, one takes it on board, the other doesn’t. The one who ignores it may start thinking for himself and improve anyway. The one who listens may or may not improve. I believe true coaching is getting them to coach themselves, I just help.

How much has cricket changed since you played? Would you rather be playing in the noughties?

There are a lot more formats of the game now, each with its own set of skills. T20 being an example. Bigger, better bats and smaller boundaries due to health and safety, means more sixes. It is exciting and has changed how the game is played. In test cricket, the purest form of the game, not a massive amount has changed. The skills are the same, the game is the same, tactics are not much different. The 1980’s West Indies team, if they were playing now, would still be the best team in the world. The one major difference are the appalling over rates these days.

You talk frankly about your battles with clinical depression or MH as you refer to it. Do you think the attitude or the support system has changed?

I only developed clinical depression after I retired from cricket. As a player I did not know of anyone with mh issues. People kept quiet and suffered in silence. The attitude has changed massively. Marcus Trescothick speaking out about his battles was a pivotal point. The Professional Cricketers Association works tirelessly to educate and help people understand and deal with mh issues. If you want to hear me talk about my issues go to the PCA website and look for Health matters, then Mind matters.

Now as a highly respected coach, do you still work seasonally? What do you like to do in your time off?

Ha ha. I work full academic year at Durham University. Most of my work is done inside during the cold dark winter. During the summer term it is revision, exams, practice and fixtures. At the end of June they go back home or to County teams.

Are you still in touch with your old team mates? How do they feel about your status as a Beard Icon?!

I’m not really in touch with too many old colleagues, Andy Fothergill, formerly Durham CCC and Sir Ian Botham are the two I see most of.

Who is YOUR bearded hero and why?

Don’t really have one. A beard is a beard!

Follow Graeme Fowler on Twitter @GFoxyFowler  and click here to read his product reviews for Beardrevered.

Images by Mark Stoker