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TRIBUTE TO STEWART ROBERTSON

The Second XI team game against Tewkesbury on Saturday unfortunately ended in tragic circumstances when Stewart Robertson, who has been a member of the Club since the mid-90s, collapsed whilst batting. A number of trained first-aid and medical staff assisted Stewart prior to the arrival of the air ambulance and emergency services but sadly he died on the way to hospital.

Stewart was one of the most lovable, affable and amiable guys you could ever wish to meet, and whilst he had more than his own share of personal health problems, these never lowered his morale and he was an inspiration both on and off the field. Stewart would never turn down the opportunity to play for the club, and would travel the length and breadth of this county, and the next, to pull on the Redmarley shirt. Even if it meant leaving several hours before anyone else to give his beloved Morris Minor 1000 time to get there! He and wife Mary were regular members of Redmarley cricket tours and were inducted as 'tour virgins' on the Isle of Wight tour in 1996. Rarely has there been so much laughter on tour.

Whilst Stewart will be remembered as a hard hitting batsman and gentle off-spinner (in his first season with the club he came third in the batting averages with a top score of 102 against Cotswold and second in the bowling averages with 5-20 against Witcombe) he will be remembered primarily for his tireless work behind the scenes in making the cricket club what it is today. Nothing was too much trouble, and if the Club (or any of it's members) ever had a problem with any of its grass cutting equipment, Stewart was the man that we would turn to. Without exception he never let us down.

Winner of the Clubman of the Year in 2000, the mere mention of Stewart’s name brings thoughts of kindness, honesty and generosity – not only to the more senior players in the Club, but also the younger players who had the honour and privilege to play with him, of which there were five under 17yr olds in the side on Saturday.

Players and friends like Stewart do not come along very often, but when they do you just hope you have the privilege to meet them. It was one of the best days in the Club's history when Stewart first rattled across the cattle grid in his old car, and it was one of the saddest days when he left us on Saturday - albeit in style, in a helicopter and not out! If there is any comfort to be had from this tragic loss, he died playing the game he loved, and he could not have had a closer circle of friends around him to say goodbye.

A huge thank you goes to all the players in Tewkesbury Cricket Club and friends in the Club who were a tremendous help to us on the day, but our thoughts at this very sad time are very much with Mary, James, Edward and family.

Bill Lawrence

(Chairman)