Burridge stalwart Gerry Candy with his ECB OSCA NatWest Lifetime Achiever Award.
A prestigious NatWest OSCA Lifetime Achiever Award was a perfect and timely way for octogenarian groundsman Gerry Candy to celebrate his 80th birthday and for Burridge to round off their 50th anniversary celebrations.
A founder figure and past captain of the club, Gerry has played a significant role in Burridge’s rise from the regional division basement of the Hampshire League to become a force in ECB Southern Premier League cricket, as underlined by two runner-up finishes in the past three seasons.
Mr Candy played locally for Deanery before joining Burridge, whose immediate future did not look terribly rosy as they languished [in the 1970s] in the HCL regional division basement, struggling to turn out sides each week.
He recalled a merger with Warsash and the influx of some talented youngsters (particularly his sons) triggering a gradual climb through the regional divisions, from playing on the Botley Road recreation ground and into new facilities, and eventually entry into the Southern Premier League.
Thirty-five years ago Gerry was a prime mover behind Burridge’s purchase of farmland and the establishment of their home on the eastern banks of the River Hamble.
Since then, he has managed the grounds that have allowed the club to develop and flourish. It has been his tireless effort and commitment that has taken BCC from a village team to the pinnacle of cricket in the county.
Gerry Candy is the heartbeat of Burridge, there seven days a week and on occasions 16 hours a day. From dawn to dusk throughout the summer months, he is preparing strips, mowing, moving boundary ropes, sight screens and covers and then locking up at the end of the day.
All too frequently in mid-February the Burridge ground has been waterlogged, but Gerry has taken full advantage of the recent Spring (almost summer-like) weather to get square and outfield preparation significantly ahead of schedule for the 2019 season.
Gerry Candy is almost irreplaceable and a worthy recipient of a prestigious NatWest OSCA Lifetime Achiever Award.
A founder figure and past captain of the club, Gerry has played a significant role in Burridge’s rise from the regional division basement of the Hampshire League to become a force in ECB Southern Premier League cricket, as underlined by two runner-up finishes in the past three seasons.
Mr Candy played locally for Deanery before joining Burridge, whose immediate future did not look terribly rosy as they languished [in the 1970s] in the HCL regional division basement, struggling to turn out sides each week.
He recalled a merger with Warsash and the influx of some talented youngsters (particularly his sons) triggering a gradual climb through the regional divisions, from playing on the Botley Road recreation ground and into new facilities, and eventually entry into the Southern Premier League.
Thirty-five years ago Gerry was a prime mover behind Burridge’s purchase of farmland and the establishment of their home on the eastern banks of the River Hamble.
Since then, he has managed the grounds that have allowed the club to develop and flourish. It has been his tireless effort and commitment that has taken BCC from a village team to the pinnacle of cricket in the county.
Gerry Candy is the heartbeat of Burridge, there seven days a week and on occasions 16 hours a day. From dawn to dusk throughout the summer months, he is preparing strips, mowing, moving boundary ropes, sight screens and covers and then locking up at the end of the day.
All too frequently in mid-February the Burridge ground has been waterlogged, but Gerry has taken full advantage of the recent Spring (almost summer-like) weather to get square and outfield preparation significantly ahead of schedule for the 2019 season.
Gerry Candy is almost irreplaceable and a worthy recipient of a prestigious NatWest OSCA Lifetime Achiever Award.
Gerry Candy's domain - the Burridge cricket ground.
