Gerald...RIP

[Julio]

There's a few old cricketers on this board, and anyone who played in the West Sussex leagues thorugh the 80's & 90's, will undoubtedly have been given out by Shoreham CC's 12th Man - Gerald Clark. In fairness we were often victims of his duff decisions too.

Anyway, after years of erroneously raising his index finger towards batsmen, Gerald has himself now been given out. As well as a dodgy umpire he was also a massive Albion and Sussex CCC fan. He didn't get to the Amex very often, but many will remember him from the North Stand and if you ever travelled on the Supporters' club coaches to away games you will have had the pleasure of his company - as he pretty much went everywhere through the 80's & 90's.

He lived for his sport and despite everything life threw at him he was always there for the Albion, Sussex and the teams he umpired for. He truly was one of a kind. RIP.

 

[Dave the OAP]

I remember Gerald.

As you say, a bit " trigger" but a lovely bloke.

Another great character gone

 

[El Sid]

Gave me out more than once when I played for Portslade.
All is forgiven, but that was never gonna hit the stumps.....
RIP

 

[Moshe Gariani]

Didn't play against Shoreham so never had the pleasure of being given out by him.

Any other lefthanders out there? Sounds like Gerald was the type who merrily gave us out LBW despite the ball pitching a foot outside legstump...!

"Plumb in front I tell you... hitting halfway up middle..."

RIP.

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Didn't play against Shoreham so never had the pleasure of being given out by him.

Any other lefthanders out there? Sounds like Gerald was the type who merrily gave us out LBW despite the ball pitching a foot outside legstump...!

"Plumb in front I tell you... hitting halfway up middle..."

RIP.

If you freaks want to cheat by standing the wrong way round, you deserve all you get.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Again I never played Shoreham but I did go to a lot of away games in the 80s and 90s and remember him from there. As stated, quite a character. RIP.

 

[Julio]

Didn't play against Shoreham so never had the pleasure of being given out by him.

Any other lefthanders out there? Sounds like Gerald was the type who merrily gave us out LBW despite the ball pitching a foot outside legstump...!

"Plumb in front I tell you... hitting halfway up middle..."

RIP.

Left hand, right hand, cack hand; made no odds to Gerald, anyone was fair game.

 

[PHCgull]

This year's xmas day game in Preston Park will be poorer without him. Although the officials may be more intelligible...

 

[Drebin]

As a bowler I benefitted a few times from Gerald's "decisions". He could be merciless.

A character who gave so much of his time to local cricket.


RIP

 

[Common as Mook]

Lovely chap. Very sad news. Lived and breathed Sussex sport.

 

[Julio]

Here he is in full regalia, well his umpire coat. Pic is with Shoreham CC from about 1991.

 

[Cloggie]

He also umpired a lot for Steyning as well in recent times. Bloody awful umpire but always there and happy to do it. Will be a loss to the local cricket scene. RIP.

 

[Dave the OAP]

View attachment 60354

Here he is in full regalia, well his umpire coat. Pic is with Shoreham CC from about 1991.

Couldn't put any names, but recognise a few of those guys. Didn't the young lad with glasses in the front with glasses play for southwick ?

 

[Julio]

Couldn't put any names, but recognise a few of those guys. Didn't the young lad with glasses in the front with glasses play for southwick ?

No, that's John Bareham, you'll know of him. Back row - G Clark, RTune, S Collins, P Shaw, G Cradduck, J Seary, J Simpson, S Bareham. Front row -P Harrocks, J Bareham, D Simpson, N Lee

 

[colonies man]

Grew up in Upper Beeding at the same time as Gerald so sad too hear this news.He umpired a friendly game I attended on one of my trips over from Oz and was in fine form that day.R.I.P

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Used to stand near him in the north stand years ago. When he started a rant not only did become impossible to understand him those in front got a good shower.

RIP old chap.

 

[DurringtonGull]

Grew up in Upper Beeding too, remember Gerald reffing many of my games as a young Beeding Bomber. RIP Gerald.

 

[Varndean VI Form College]

Very sad to hear this: the absolute highlight for me of going to watch Sussex over the last several years was listening to Gerald hurl comedic insults at all and sundry!

RIP sir; may you play much more cricket in the CCC in the sky.

 

[Julio]

Very sad to hear this: the absolute highlight for me of going to watch Sussex over the last several years was listening to Gerald hurl comedic insults at all and sundry!

RIP sir; may you play much more cricket in the CCC in the sky.

His finest moment at Hove was when he strolled out behind Ian Gould who was going for the toss with the oppo captain - the game was live on TV and the watching public were treated to Gerald abusing Gouldy all the way to the middle. The stewards knew better than to try and stop him. As you say, he dished it to many over the years, but 80's seamer Adrian Jones copped the best of Gerald's abuse!