Geoff Richards

27 January 2010

It is with much sadness that Surrey County Cricket Club must announce the death of Geoff Richards, a huge servant of Surrey Youth Cricket.

Geoff passed away on the 16th January 2010 after losing his battle with prostate cancer. Geoff had served as a volunteer for Surrey Youth Cricket for over 25 years, most recently having been the Surrey U-11 County Age Group Manager, and his support of the programmes that Surrey Cricket ran for youth cricket was greatly appreciated.

His trusted lieutenant, Mike Barry, who assisted Geoff for many years as loyal scorer for the side has written the poignant testimonial below in memory of Geoff.

GEOFF RICHARDS

It was no surprise that the hundreds attending the farewell to Geoff Richards at the Woking Crematorium on Monday January 25th represented every aspect of Geoff’s 24/7 passion for sport: golf, horse racing, rugby, tennis, football (41 years’ involvement in Woking Schools’ football), baseball (he would pursue the fortunes of his Atlanta Braves on TV well into the early hours), and, of course, cricket. The Address at his funeral touched on all the elements that made Geoff special – his unerring gentlemanly approach, never having an unkind word to say to, or about, anyone, and even more so his belief that all children should be supported and encouraged in their continued development at all sports; he would always expect a struggling 10-year-old, with guidance and help, to reappear a new man at 11 or 12.

His ability to recognise a young child’s sporting potential was legendary: I can hear him often saying “I’m telling you – that boy can bat!” and he would leave no stone unturned to champion the cause of any young sportsman. The only moments of frustration and sadness came in the cricket seasons when a team of 11 had to be selected from a pool of 18 (24 in earlier seasons!): he always felt that this would have been the one match when those left out would suddenly have found their form!

When evening hours prevented daytime sport, Geoff was in his element as an exceptional quizmaster – avoiding the you-know-it-or-you-don’t element, and relishing questions that needed lateral thinking, always with an interesting twist. On the (very rare) moments he would be at home to answer a telephone call, you could always hear a CD in the background, with one of his favourite jazz musicians filling his soul with joy.

The hundreds who said their farewells will be echoed by generations of youngsters (some now Test cricketers) who passed under Geoff’s care and guidance. He will always remain part of us.

The charity close to developing a treatment to prevent the cancer that took Geoff away from us is the AICR (Association for International Cancer Research) Spotlight Appeal (specifically for Prostate Cancer): please support them (www.aicr.org.uk).