The celebrations for the centenary of Poulton Cricket Club did not hide the sadness at the premature death in 1990 of one of its greatest servants.

Gordon Paine was a fine man, the kind of man who makes cricket the game where friendship and fellowship are more important than a result.

He came to Poulton from Cirencester in 1955 with his friend Alan Ayers to make up the numbers and became a regular the following season.  And although Gordon continued to live in Cirencester, he became part of Poulton, with cricket in the summer, football in the winter and a myriad of unglamorous but essential tasks connected with the two games all the year round.  A friend said affectionately: "He became a Poultonian without trying".

Gordon's first office with the club was Treasurer.  Afterwards he became Captain and, later, Chairman.  It was he, because of his work with what is now British Telecom, who organised the aquisition and removal of the building which was a telephone exchange at the end of one week and the pavilion at Englands the following Monday.

On summer evenings he would organise and coach the youth teams with a dedication which will always be remembered, and which takes tangible form in the trophy bearing his name presented for the first time in 1990 to the club's best young player.

His left arm spin was delivered with an easy, classical action.  His batting style was cultured and elegant.  And he was a gentleman, with a dry sense of humour which enriched the enjoyment of those who fielded with him.

Poulton misses him.

Back to Home

Copyright 2010 Poulton Cricket Club.  Registered charity number 1102682.
For problems or questions regarding this web e-mail to:   steve@poultoncc.ciren.net  or  poultoncc@hotmail.com
Last updated: July 12, 2010.
Website hosted by CIREN.NET