Win some, lose some

By JUSTIN HARPER FOR MAILONLINE
Updated:

 

PHIL DeFREITAS has just retired from first-class cricket having played in three World Cups and two World Cup finals.

Phil DeFreitas cricketer

Phil, 40, who this year is marrying for the second time, played for Lancashire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire. Last year he was the only member of the England 1986 Ashes-winning team still to be playing topflight cricket. He talks to Justin Harper about his finances.

HOW MUCH WAS IN YOUR FIRST WAGE PACKET?

WHEN I left school in 1982, I got a job at Middlesex County Cricket Club as a member of the ground staff. I was paid between £30 and £40 a week.

One of the jobs involved keeping scores on the gigantic scoreboard. I sometimes used to share the job with Phil Tufnell. We had a few howlers in our time, especially when Tuffers and I were in the scorebox and he broke it. I was living in Hampstead, North London, with a lot of other cricketers. We were all dossing on the floor.

WHAT WAS YOUR BEST FINANCIAL MOVE?

THIS has got to be buying my first home. I was 20 years old and had just come back from the Ashes. My wages were still pretty low, but was told I should be investing in property. So I bought myself a flat in Leicester where I was playing my county cricket. It cost me £30,000 in 1987 and I sold it for £60,000 a year later. I hate to think what it is worth now. I'm also glad to have signed with Total Sport Promotions and my manager, Rober Barry, who has been hugely helpful after my decision to retire last season.

AND YOUR WORST?

STRANGELY, it was property again. When I was playing for Lancashire, I bought a property in Manchester when I was 23 years old. I really got my fingers burnt with it and have tried to block it out of my memory! I must have lost over £25,000 when I sold it. I have actually downsized now and sold my four-bed house for a three-bed one in Lancashire.

HOW MANY CREDIT CARDS DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR WALLET?

I HAVE two credit cards, both with LloydsTSB who I also bank with. I prefer paying for things with cash though as it's so easy to rack up big debts on a credit card without realising it. I have about £60 on me in cash for all sorts of sundry expenses I might have during the day.

HOW ARE YOU SAVING FOR YOUR RETIREMENT?

I STARTED paying into a personal pension when I was young. I knew the importance of saving for when I could no longer play cricket. Thankfully, I'm still working in the sport now - I'm head bowling coach for Nottinghamshire. I also spend a couple of days with children at Oakham School in Leicestershire.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST INDULGENT PURCHASE?

I THINK it was the Jaguar XJS I bought which cost me more than £20,000. I always wanted a Jag and when I was playing first-class cricket I felt this was a good opportunity to buy one. But after six months of driving it I thought it was nothing special so sold it for a lot less. Everyone these days knows how much a car goes down in value after you buy it brand-new.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST TIP YOU'VE EVER GIVEN TO A WAITER/HAIRDRESSER/DRIVER?

I CONSIDER myself to be a generous person and am happy to tip people who help me out, whether they be a concierge who gives me directions or a waiter who provides good service. I reckon the biggest tip I've given is £20 in a restaurant.

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