Lunch with the Gods

In sport, and more or less only in sport, we can cast our eyes once again 

over the sepia-tinted heroscape of lost youth. 

It was 50 years ago yesterday on Saturday 7 September 1963 that Sussex beat Worcestershire to win the first ever Gillette cup.

Dad & I were at Lords for the match; but that’s a story for another day.

Today Sussex held a Celebration Lunch at the County Ground for the seven Sussex players from the winning team who are still alive.

It was tremendous to go along with John Squire.

Some famous names and some slightly less well known:

There was time for Q&A with each of the Sussex players and with Norman Gifford who played for Worcestershire in 1963 and who subsequently became a  Sussex player.

And for some well-known stories and for some that certainly I was hearing for the first time.

And after lunch, well it was out with the iPhone to take a few pictures of boyhood heroes.

Of John Snow, who took over 200 wickets for England.

And of his fast bowling colleague the one & only Mr Tony Buss, who didn’t take over 200 wickets for England !

But who was always a favourite of Pete’s & mine. (Think fielding like Monty Panesar !!)

And of Lord Ted holding the Gillette Cup, looking scarcely any different from how he did half a century ago on the field in front of the pavilion at Lords.

(Lady Dexter is in the background)

#JustSuchAGood DayOut 

Lord Ric

PS

Just as you all knew there would be, one more photo.

He was my Favourite Player on that Saturday long, long ago.

And he remains my Favourite Player. Never in doubt!

Young Jim: