By Matt Somerford
Will Gidman is making no secret of his desperation to win the first major trophy of his career after moving north to join Nottinghamshire.
The 29-year-old all-rounder knows what it is like to see titles won at close quarters; he just has not done it himself during a decade-long career on the county circuit.
“As a kid I grew up supporting and watching Gloucestershire win every trophy under the sun and then in my early days as a professional I was on the subs’ bench at Durham watching them win everything,” he told ecb.co.uk.
“I haven’t really had a taste of it for myself – not directly anyway. I passionately want to win a trophy or two before my time is up.”
After establishing himself as one of the most consistent all-rounders in the country during four summers at Gloucestershire he feels he is ready, and able, to help Nottinghamshire fulfil his wish.
“I don’t want to leave any unknowns in my career and that (winning trophies) is a massive box that moving to a club like Nottinghamshire ticks,” he said.
“That’s it, the opportunity to win big trophies. I’m desperate to win silverware. I’ve made that quite clear.”
Gidman has been one of Notts’ star signings of the winter – with the club suggesting they are also after an overseas bowler – but he does not expect to simply show up and start winning following a tough campaign at the Bristol County Ground.
“Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t moved there because I presume it will happen. I know there is a lot of hard work that goes into it – but the fact that they compete in all three competitions makes it an exciting move for the future,” he said.
“I know that there is a hell of a lot of hard work that needs to go into it by myself and I’m sure, although I haven’t experienced that dressing room yet, that they are a bunch of lads who work extremely hard every year which is why they are where they are.
“Hopefully I can contribute to that because, as I say, I’m desperate for some silverware.”
Gidman is also relishing the prospect of making a return to the top flight.
He hardly got the chance to prove his worth during four years at Durham, failing to force his way into their LV= County Championship-winning teams, but after a prolific return to Gloucestershire few would argue he is not ready for Division One.
Thanks Bristol. pic.twitter.com/9lskUiE7zB
— Will Gidman (@wgiddo) September 12, 2014
He became the first player to take 50 wickets and score 1,000 runs in their debut year at Bristol and last summer he hit 852 runs, including three centuries, and snared 40 scalps in 14 first-class matches.
“The experience that I have had at Gloucestershire has been invaluable really,” he said.
“Obviously I didn’t get a go of it up at Durham so I don’t have a frame of reference in terms of the standard of first division cricket. I’d like to think I’m ready for that challenge now, whereas if I had been thrown in at any point during my time at Durham, whether I would have been ready or not is a big question mark.”
That’s not to say he feels like he has a point to prove – to Durham or anyone else – when the season starts.
“I’m not one of those guys who wants any ‘what ifs’ at the end of my career,” he said.
“This was a challenge that I felt ready for from a cricketing perspective and it feels like it is the right time in my career to take it on.
“I’m quite a proud bloke; I set quite high standards for myself. But there’s no real point to prove apart from to myself really.
“It is a big test to see if I can compete at that level.”
Before he makes the step up Gidman concedes he might first have to fight for a place in a strong Nottinghamshire outfit.
Notts finished fourth in the championship last season and were a win away from NatWest T20 Blast finals day and the Royal London One-Day Cup final.
“I am going to have to work very hard to get in this team,” he said.
“They have a fantastic group of players and even more so when they are all available – let’s not forget that they have two or three guys who are regular England players.
“It’s going to be hard work and I’m going to have to make sure that both suits (batting and bowling) are fully contributing.
“I presume my bowling will be more suited to that group of players in the immediate future but I’d like to think long-term that my batting will become a bigger part as well.”
Gidman’s departure from Gloucestershire came at the same time as his older brother Alex, who has joined newly-promoted Worcestershire.
That has thrown up the possibility of the Gidmans coming up against each other next summer and, while Will admits it will be strange, it will bring back at least one fond memory.
“Alex was actually was my first-ever wicket,” he said.
“Gloucestershire were the first team I played against in my first first-team game for Durham and I got Alex out – it was about four or five years ago now.”
Will is unlikely to let him know about it though, adding: “I’m not a very good sledger at the best of times, let alone against big brother.”
He might, however, expect something back.
“He probably will,” he added.
“It will be strange being on the other side again because we’ve shared some good times together during a wonderful time at Gloucestershire.
“I was fortunate to be under his captaincy for a number of years and that was a great learning curve. Alex has a good cricket brain and I think most players on the circuit would say that.
“I’ve learnt an awful lot from him. We didn’t actually share too many partnerships, which was a shame. That was very weird.
“He doesn’t say too much on the pitch. He generally always thinking about different things – that’s an element of my cricket that I’ll miss being able to go to him during a game and ask for advice.”