Christian Fuchs: Ex-Leicester City defender hits first six in cricket

He had Fuchs the day before he left for the Derbyshire village. He resigned as the head coach at Newport County.

Fuchs’ first senior management role got off to a winning start in the Cricket Whites, winning just nine of 31 matches in exile.

Bowling first, Fuchs returned figures of 2-20 from 3.2 overs and contributed to the final as Grindleford dismissed Riverside Notts for 150.

“His bowling, he was throwing it but it was OK,” laughed Mahmood.

“It was the first game so that’s it. We gave him the benefit of the doubt and didn’t tell him anything.”

During the run chase, Fuchs hit number 6 and made 12 runs for 18, including a four and a six as Grindleford won by one wicket.

“He used to chat with all of us when he came out. He was a very, very nice person,” added Mahmoud.

“It was amazing to see him there because it’s random. It’s a random game on Sunday and we only see the winner of the Premier League.”

Fuchs is not the only former soccer player who has alternated between the two sports in his later life.

Former England goalkeeper Nigel Martin plays for Cornwall’s over-50s team. Former Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder Dietmar Hamann once represented Cheshire’s Alderley Edge second team while under contract at City.

Current Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff also plays for Tynemouth in the North East Premier League Division 1.

During his football career, Fuchs made over 650 appearances for club and country, which included six seasons at the King Power Stadium.

Fuchs won both the Premier League and the FA Cup and was captain at Euro 2016, winning 78 caps for Austria.