FRANK Gwatkin is a wanted man. After being team manager of Dorset’s triumphant Atherley Trophy and under-25 double rink sides he has been approached to fill a similar position for the Johns Trophy squad.

The Dorchester stalwart has also been asked to be an aide to the revamped Middleton Cup set-up of new manager Mike Stapleton this summer – and to complete the clean sweep he accepted an invitation from player-manager Steve Gait to attend the team talk before the Liberty Trophy final.

Though flattered to be asked by the county ladies about the Johns Trophy post Gwatkin has declined though he will take charge of their Walker Cup (double rink) team.

Gwatkin said: “I felt the Johns was one bridge too far and turned it down as I would like a quiet summer.

“But having been pressed by the county secretary Margaret Clapp to keep an eye on the double rink side I was happy to accept if the arrangement suited the ladies. If Dorset gain some benefit then that will be fine.”

He has accepted the offer to be one of Stapleton’s assistants and will attend next month’s county trials in the build-up to the Middleton Cup season which opens with a trip to Warwickshire on May 30.

Atherley Trophy bowler Clapp, who has taken over the outdoor secretary’s post from Nancy Bennett this year, said: “Everyone who played in the Atherley said Frank was the driving force we needed. He made sure everyone knew what they were doing and what was happening during a match – he certainly made a difference.

“We would have loved him to have been team manager for both the Johns Trophy and the Walker Cup – perhaps if I had given him two kisses after the Atherley final he would have done.”

The priority, however, for Gwatkin is the winter game where besides his managerial roles he is a regular player and umpire.

Dorset play Wiltshire at Atherley, Southampton, in the first round of the Walker Cup on Thursday, May 21, and meet the winners of the preliminary-round tie between Somerset and Wiltshire in the Johns Trophy on June 9 at a neutral venue.