"A gap hard to fill ... .", "a difficult act to follow ...." are frequently used phrases, perhaps too frequently, when someone stands down from office. Although he might respond with the equally hackneyed "no one is irreplaceable", the void created by Colin's standing down as Chairman of the Hampshire Cricket League is unquestionable.
Colin was a member of the steering committee that in 1973 established the League and was immediately elected to the Management Committee. On the resignation of Len Long he became Secretary and subsequently, after another brief spell on the back benches, he succeeded the late Stan Foster as Chairman. Of all the decisions ever made by the Management Committee the one to nominate him for the post must surely rank as the wisest one of all.
It is quite impossible to record all the changes that have taken place in the Hampshire League in a period of over twenty-five years. However, from the time that many teams across the county turned from the Saturday friendly through to the first season of Premiership cricket Colin has been both a guiding and influencing light. His wisdom, fairness and love of the game contributed much to the extensive discussions that gave birth to the Hampshire Cricket pyramid qualities no doubt recognized in his appointment as Administrator to the Hampshire Cricket Board.
The Board's gain is the League's loss (another hackneyed phrase but nonetheless true!) for in him we had an exceptional Chairman. Colin's expertise will still be available to us in his new capacity and we wish him well although the paths may diverge a little the friendships will always remain.
Thanks Colin.