Local sport has paid its lasting respects to former Southampton Touring Club cricketer Colin Wilson, an outstanding and dominant ball player who excelled at virtually every sport he played in the city and beyond for over three decades.
Colin, who lived in Telegraph Hill in West End and spent his entire working life at the Southampton car auctions, died recently, aged 83.
His brave fight against cancer typified his competitive nature in sport.
A powerful, hard hitting top order batsman and accomplished wicketkeeper, he stood up to every bowler, however fast, and such was his reputation behind the stumps he was selected (alongside Bernie Thomason) for the Club Cricket Conference tour to Australia in 1975/76.
It was rare indeed in those days for any cricketer outside London to be picked for such a prestigious tour.
Colin’s role at the car auctions prevented him playing any competitive Saturday cricket, but alongside the Touring Club he plied his hard hitting trade for Road Sea in the then powerful Southampton midweek evening league.
He previously spent a season on the Hampshire ground staff and, while studying at Taunton's Grammar School, trialed with Saints at The Dell.
Taunton's, in those days, produced a plethora of top sportsmen and Colin Wilson was amongst them, excelling at basketball and soccer, going on to be a quality wing-half with Dryads in the City of Southampton Sunday League.
Equally good on a squash court, Colin turned his ball skills to golf and soon became a leading member at Stoneham, where he played in numerous pro-ams and where his competitive nature once again came to the fore. He played latterly at East Horton, where friends, teammates and rivals galore congregated for the farewell to Colin Wilson, a truly outstanding local sportsman.
Colin, who lived in Telegraph Hill in West End and spent his entire working life at the Southampton car auctions, died recently, aged 83.
His brave fight against cancer typified his competitive nature in sport.
A powerful, hard hitting top order batsman and accomplished wicketkeeper, he stood up to every bowler, however fast, and such was his reputation behind the stumps he was selected (alongside Bernie Thomason) for the Club Cricket Conference tour to Australia in 1975/76.
It was rare indeed in those days for any cricketer outside London to be picked for such a prestigious tour.
Colin’s role at the car auctions prevented him playing any competitive Saturday cricket, but alongside the Touring Club he plied his hard hitting trade for Road Sea in the then powerful Southampton midweek evening league.
He previously spent a season on the Hampshire ground staff and, while studying at Taunton's Grammar School, trialed with Saints at The Dell.
Taunton's, in those days, produced a plethora of top sportsmen and Colin Wilson was amongst them, excelling at basketball and soccer, going on to be a quality wing-half with Dryads in the City of Southampton Sunday League.
Equally good on a squash court, Colin turned his ball skills to golf and soon became a leading member at Stoneham, where he played in numerous pro-ams and where his competitive nature once again came to the fore. He played latterly at East Horton, where friends, teammates and rivals galore congregated for the farewell to Colin Wilson, a truly outstanding local sportsman.
