Cricket writers celebrate 'Gibbo's' six years' service

MARK BALDWIN, the new chairman of the Cricket Writers’ Club, pays tribute to his predecessor

Cricket Writers' ex-chairman Pat Gibson: speechless — Cricket Writers’ ex-chairman Pat Gibson: speechless

Pat Gibson was clearly lost for words at the club’s annual meeting at Lord’s last week when he received a package of presents from members in recognition of his outstanding six-year service as chairman.

No one in the club’s history had previously served as chairman for more than three years. “Gibbo”, the former cricket correspondent of the Daily Express and Sunday Express, and still a regular contributor on cricket to The Times, took over the CWC chairmanship from Graham Morris in 2008 and – like his immediate predecessor – led the club with great dedication and attention to detail.

In modern times the club has increasingly taken an active role in areas such as county facilities, accreditation, working with ECB and MCC on a number of cricket issues, England liaison, as well as continually trying to improve the annual lunch, which in 2013 saw a big turnout of members at the Plaisterers’ Hall.

Most recently, as his long chairmanship stint came to an end, he had been fully involved in ongoing discussions with the ECB over the decision by the Press Association to dispense with “eye-witness” reports from regionally based freelances on the vast majority of county matches.

Apart from a whole raft of thank you gifts – which included a picture of North Marine Road in Scarborough, his favourite ground – Gibbo was elected as a life member in recognition of his service to the club, as was David Foot, the veteran Guardian sports writer, who was celebrating his 85th birthday on the day of the AGM.