The Burridge ground - Gerry Candy's pride and joy. Burridge cricket is preparing to say its farewells to its former captain and award winning groundsman Gerry Candy, one of local cricket's most respected curators, who has died aged 87 years.
Gerry, whose funeral is at the Wessex Vale crematorium on Tuesday April 14 at 4.30pm, was a founding figure and past captain of Burridge, having played a significant role in the club’s rise from the regional division basement of the Hampshire League to become an ECB Southern Premier League cricket side.
An opening batsman and outstanding slip fielder (who subsequently moved to behind the stumps), Gerry joined Burridge from Deanery in the early 70s.
He played alongside his eldest sons, opening batsman Michael and seam bowler Graham, with Paul and grandson Will continuing the long standing family roots in the club.
Some 45 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 taking over the groundman's reins from late George Winkles, Gerry 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," praised chairman Clive Slaughter.
"Gerry Candy was 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 was preparing strips, mowing, moving boundary ropes, sight screens and covers and then locking up at the end of the day."
In 2022, he became the inaugural recipient of Southern Premier League's Tony Baker Unsung Hero award, which sat nicely alongside the prestigious NatWest OSCA Lifetime Achiever Award he collected from the England & Wales Cricket Board in February 2019.
* Gerry Candy's cricketing life will be celebrated at Burridge CC next Tuesday at 5.30pm.
Gerry, whose funeral is at the Wessex Vale crematorium on Tuesday April 14 at 4.30pm, was a founding figure and past captain of Burridge, having played a significant role in the club’s rise from the regional division basement of the Hampshire League to become an ECB Southern Premier League cricket side.
An opening batsman and outstanding slip fielder (who subsequently moved to behind the stumps), Gerry joined Burridge from Deanery in the early 70s.
He played alongside his eldest sons, opening batsman Michael and seam bowler Graham, with Paul and grandson Will continuing the long standing family roots in the club.
Some 45 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 taking over the groundman's reins from late George Winkles, Gerry 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," praised chairman Clive Slaughter.
"Gerry Candy was 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 was preparing strips, mowing, moving boundary ropes, sight screens and covers and then locking up at the end of the day."
In 2022, he became the inaugural recipient of Southern Premier League's Tony Baker Unsung Hero award, which sat nicely alongside the prestigious NatWest OSCA Lifetime Achiever Award he collected from the England & Wales Cricket Board in February 2019.
* Gerry Candy's cricketing life will be celebrated at Burridge CC next Tuesday at 5.30pm.
