Mike Brearley

Ex-England captain retired player John Michael "Mike" Brearley OBE is one of the most well respected players to grace the England team, now working as a cricket speaker and previous President of British Psychoanalytical Society, Brearley is one of the most sought-after sports speakers of his generation.

Becoming a professional cricketer in the early 1960’s Michael Brearley OBE spent the majority of his career playing for Middlesex County Cricket Club; known as an excellent wicket keeper and for his impressive management abilities Brearley captained his team to four County Championships, in 1976, ’77, ‘80 and ’82 and is known for appearing in Free Foresters' very last first-class fixture, in 1968, keeping wicket and scoring 91. Continuing to affiliate himself with the club Brearley works as a cricket speaker at notable club events and functions.

Brearley also spent a number of years as the captain of the international England cricket team, captaining the side at 31 of the 39 Test matches in which he took part Brearley helped his team win more than half of those they played and losing only four. Brearley appears as a cricket speaker at England international after dinner speaker events both sharing tips and insights into successful captaincy as well as reliving some of the teams’ glory days.

Michael Brearley OBE retired from professional cricket after almost thirty years as a player and, in 2007 became President of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). Since then Michael has pursued a career as a writer, sports speaker and psychoanalyst, drawing on the knowledge gained in his academic studies of Philosophy at Cambridge University. During his time as a player Brearley worked alongside some of the most notable players in British history including Michael Smith, Michael Holding, David Gower, Bob Willis and Ian Botham.

Still remembered for his successful England captaincy Brearley was described by Rodney Hogg as having 'a degree in people', Brearley has always been both physically talented and intellectually astute, and the lateness of his selection into the England team only allowed him to further develop his cricketing skills and academic studies. Brearley’s captaincy abilities remain highly respected and his book, The Art of Captaincy, remains a staple of cricket literature.

Outside his work as a specialist cricket after dinner speaker Michael Brearley OBE works as a sports journalist, regularly contributing to The Times newspaper, he has worked as a lecturer at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne University and as a psychotherapist.