Local cricket will be saying its sad farewells on Monday September 4 (1pm) to lifelong Hampshire enthusiast and supporter and Saints season ticket holder Bobby Elliott, who died recently, aged 73. His funeral is at the Wessex Vale Crematorium, West End.
Bobby played cricket for Southampton Touring Club and more recently IBM Hursley, where he worked as a draughtsman for many years.
He recently produced two superb books on Hampshire cricket grounds - Changing Rooms 1 illustrating all the grounds on which the county teams had played - and earlier this year a Big Brother: Changing Rooms 2, a definitive guide and social history of every single club pavilion in Hampshire - over 350 of them, all of which he visited with his camera over the 12-year period he spent producing such a splendid publication !
So what stimulated him to produce the high quality 376-page book ? Bobby recalled: “Back in 1998 I decided to take a photograph of the pavilion at each of the grounds I visited. Initially, I started photographing Hampshire League grounds that I had played at, and it grew from there.
“In 2006 I made a big effort, but still had loads to do. I then thought it would be unique to photograph every club ground.
“I lost count of the number of miles I drove to collate the book, but it runs into many thousands – talk about a labour of love !”
Hampshire Cricket has provided the following tribute: “Bobby was a wonderful character who had a rare passion for first class and recreational cricket in equal measure.
“The publication of his recent book was an incredible accomplishment and has really caught the imagination of those who have read it.
“Bob was one of a handful of Hampshire Cricket’s Millennium Members, an ever present supporter his knowledge and enthusiasm for the game will be missed by all at the Ageas Bowl.”
Bobby seldom missed any match at the Ageas Bowl, whether it be first or second eleven, or a youth game. He was a keen autograph hunter and known to all the players and numerous fellow supporters. His yellow BMW was a familiar sight parked alongside the ground.
Originally from Bitterne Park, Bobby saw his first Hampshire match in 1951 and had been a member since 1961.
The youngest of three brothers, Bobby became a draughtsman at the Hampshire Aeroplane Club after leaving Richard Taunton’s. He went on to work for IMBM Hursley, including a role as an illustrator in the publications department. Another of his passions was flying and he gained a Private Pilot’s Licence in 1992.
Family flowers only has been requested, but donations, if so desired, can be made to The Primary Club c/o Jonathan Terry Independent Funeral Directors 101 Peartree Avenue, Bitterne, Southampton, SO19 7JJ : 023 8043 4444 or via www.jonathanterry co.uk
Bobby played cricket for Southampton Touring Club and more recently IBM Hursley, where he worked as a draughtsman for many years.
He recently produced two superb books on Hampshire cricket grounds - Changing Rooms 1 illustrating all the grounds on which the county teams had played - and earlier this year a Big Brother: Changing Rooms 2, a definitive guide and social history of every single club pavilion in Hampshire - over 350 of them, all of which he visited with his camera over the 12-year period he spent producing such a splendid publication !
So what stimulated him to produce the high quality 376-page book ? Bobby recalled: “Back in 1998 I decided to take a photograph of the pavilion at each of the grounds I visited. Initially, I started photographing Hampshire League grounds that I had played at, and it grew from there.
“In 2006 I made a big effort, but still had loads to do. I then thought it would be unique to photograph every club ground.
“I lost count of the number of miles I drove to collate the book, but it runs into many thousands – talk about a labour of love !”
Hampshire Cricket has provided the following tribute: “Bobby was a wonderful character who had a rare passion for first class and recreational cricket in equal measure.
“The publication of his recent book was an incredible accomplishment and has really caught the imagination of those who have read it.
“Bob was one of a handful of Hampshire Cricket’s Millennium Members, an ever present supporter his knowledge and enthusiasm for the game will be missed by all at the Ageas Bowl.”
Bobby seldom missed any match at the Ageas Bowl, whether it be first or second eleven, or a youth game. He was a keen autograph hunter and known to all the players and numerous fellow supporters. His yellow BMW was a familiar sight parked alongside the ground.
Originally from Bitterne Park, Bobby saw his first Hampshire match in 1951 and had been a member since 1961.
The youngest of three brothers, Bobby became a draughtsman at the Hampshire Aeroplane Club after leaving Richard Taunton’s. He went on to work for IMBM Hursley, including a role as an illustrator in the publications department. Another of his passions was flying and he gained a Private Pilot’s Licence in 1992.
Family flowers only has been requested, but donations, if so desired, can be made to The Primary Club c/o Jonathan Terry Independent Funeral Directors 101 Peartree Avenue, Bitterne, Southampton, SO19 7JJ : 023 8043 4444 or via www.jonathanterry co.uk
