Ricky Ellcock wasn't just another boy with a dream. He was a force of nature, a beacon of resilience. From playing cricket under the Caribbean sun to navigating the vast skies, his journey is a testament to the power of ambition and determination. "Balls To Fly" chronicles Ricky's life from his humble beginnings in Barbados to becoming Virgin Atlantic's first black Captain. Experience the highs of his cricketing days, the challenges of injuries, and the thrill of taking to the skies.

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Balls To Fly - You Can Expect...

Exclusive Insights:

Dealing with the Scourge of biases, prejudice and racism, a legacy of slavery but continuing through boarding school, cricket, flying and now his son

Motivational Boost:

In Balls To Fly, we follow an extraordinary story of determination, endeavour and resilience.

For Cricket Lovers:

Relive the golden days of cricket and get an insider's view of the sport's challenges and triumphs.

Balls To Fly

An Unbelievable Journey

“I feel extremely fortunate to have had two incredible careers. If you ask most little boys what they want to do when they are older, I suspect the vast majority of them would say they either want to be a professional sportsman or a pilot. I have managed to do both, and for that, I feel eternally privileged, grateful and blessed.”

Ricky Ellcock - Author of Balls To Fly

Order Your Copy of Balls To Fly Today!

Inspiring story of top cricketer turned Virgin Atlantic pilot Ricky Ellcock, overcoming adversity in more ways than one:

#VirginFamily

Sir. Richard Branson

British Business Magnate / Founder of Virgin Atlantic

"Ricky Ellcock is undeniably one of those exceptional souls. I have had the privilege of standing alongside Ricky on the hallowed grounds of both Lord's and countless other cricketing arenas, representing England and Middlesex County Cricket Club. Our journeys as teammates were marked by camaraderie, fierce competition, and countless shared moments of triumph and defeat. These experiences have shaped my perspective on cricket, but none more so than the indomitable spirit of Ricky Ellcock."

Roland Butcher

First Black Cricketer To Represent England

“black people don’t fly airplanes”

Everson Ellcock

Dad

“Enjoy Command. Just remember when you look in the mirror, you will see a reflection of yourself. That is because from now on the buck will only ever stop with you.”

Capt. John Alexander

Check-ride Commander

Fast Bowler. Captain. Dad.

Are you a cricket enthusiast from India, Australia, England, or the West Indies? Ever wondered about the journey of a cricketer beyond the pitch? Dive into Ricky's story, from playing county cricket in England to facing the fast-paced challenges of aviation. A must read for every cricket lover!

Relive The Journey

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Outlook

Barbados-born Ricky Ellcock had twin ambitions as a boy – to become a cricketer and fly airplanes. His father was, like Ricky, cricket-mad – but on the question of him becoming a pilot his answer was emphatic: black people don’t fly planes.

Ricky’s talents as a fast bowler won him many plaudits and a scholarship to come to England. Before long he was playing at the top of the sport, but the stresses on his body meant he kept breaking down. When those injuries threatened to end his career completely, Ricky looked to disprove his dad and make history in the skies.

Ricky's autobiography is called Balls to Fly.

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Test Match Special

Simon Mann sits down with former England bowler Ricky Ellcock to take a look back at his extraordinary life.

Ricky discusses the FOUR life-saving brain surgeries he went through, having to prematurely retire from cricket because of SIX stress fractures in his back, and switching is focus to aviation and becoming the first black captain of Virgin Atlantic.

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The Cricket Badger Meets Ricky Ellcock


Ricky Ellcock will be my guest on the Cricket Badger Podcast on Tuesday.

He was recommended last year by previous interviewee Roland Butcher. Chris Broad says he was the fastest bowler he ever faced.

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Boyhood Dreams & Adult Disasters

"Fast bowler Ricky Ellcock was a teenage sensation, playing professional cricket at 17 and later getting an England call-up. A succession of back injuries cruelly finished his career at 25 but he then retrained as a pilot to become Virgin Atlantic's first-ever black captain. He had achieved not one but two boyhood ambitions. Then a freak accident resulted in a brain hemorrhage requiring four major operations. He talks to Simon Hughes about Balls to Fly - the book he has written about his extraordinary life - and what the next chapter might be.

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My personal journey.

"If you ask most little boys, what they would want to do in life they would probably say I'd like to be a professional sportsman. Well, I've done that. The next thing they might say is I'd like to be a pilot. Well, I've done that too. I've done two of the things that probably 80% of little boys would want to do. I'm very very lucky.”

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One Very Determined Man.

"Former fast bowler turned Virgin Atlantic pilot Ricky Ellcock has defied a series of life threatening conditions. His autobiography is a truly uplifting tale of overcoming adversity"

By Simon Hughes

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Ready to be Inspired?

Order "Balls To Fly" now and embark on an unforgettable journey with Ricky Ellcock.

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© All Rights Reserved 2023. Made By Sachin Ellcock

Book Launch

Balls To Fly: Ricky Ellcock - An Autobiography