New life off the pitch for former cricket player

Having left Leeds to follow his childhood dream to play cricket professionally, Tim Linley has now returned to his home city to embark on achieving another – owning a coffee shop.

His cricket career spanned ten years, with the highlight coming in 2011 when his 73 wickets led Surrey County Cricket Club to promotion and earned him the county’s player-of-the-year award.

It was after signing his first contract with Surrey, aged 24, that Tim’s passion for coffee first developed.

He said: “For the first time in my life I had some disposable income. I would sit in coffee shops reading my books and I felt like a king.”

His interest developed further during off-seasons playing club cricket for Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School Cricket Club in Melbourne, Australia.

He said: “The Melbourne coffee scene was incredible. It was literally impossible to get a bad coffee anywhere. I was in heaven.

“When I wasn’t playing cricket it was a safe bet I was hunting out the best coffee shops in whatever city I found myself playing in.”

Tim is now opening a coffee shop of his own in Hyde Park, Headingley.

“He said: “I want to share my passion for perfectly crafted coffee.

“At the same time, I want to create a meeting place for local people to feel inspired and uplifted.”

The Crescent Coffee House will provide a platform for local suppliers, emerging artists, and musicians to showcase their talents.

Tim said: “My former career gave me so much enjoyment. I now feel a strong obligation to encourage and support others who are pursuing their own dreams.”