Recreational cricket across the region has been saddened by the death of former ECB Southern Premier League chairman and vice president Paul Thompson, aged 69.
In his playing days, he was an opening batsman for South Hants Touring Club seconds and latterly Portsmouth and, after hanging up his bat, became heavily involved in cricket management and administration.
He simply loved cricket and, from the Premier League chair, was particularly anxious to uphold the traditions and values of the game.
Mr Thompson served as Vice-Chairman and Treasurer of the old Southern League in the 1990s and took up similar roles when the new Premier League was formed in 2000.
He was chairman for four years until 2013, after which he led the Hampshire Cricket Board’s Grounds & Facilities Committee.
In a tribute Premier League President Alan Bundy said: “Paul was always ready to volunteer his time. He never shirked a responsibility and gave an immense amount of energy to SPL cricket in particular and cricket as a whole.
“He was meticulous in everything he did, was a stickler to the rules and regulations and gave countless hours of his time to helping clubs in every way.
“Every weekend during the summer months, he and his wife Maria would be at cricket, watching the game and chatting to players and officials, always willing to pass on helpful advice.
“His excellent leadership ensured the competition went from strength to strength.
“He was a prominent player in securing the past sponsorship agreement with Southern Electric, strengthened our ties with the ECB and HCB, and ensured the Southern Premier League remained one of the most respected and forward thinking recreational competitions in the country,” reflected SPL President Alan Bundy.
Mr Thompson’s massive contribution to cricket was acknowledged in October 2014 when he became the first recipient of the Premier League Lifetime Achievement Award.
He is pictured receiving the Award from Alan Bundy.
John Pickup and Jim Wood, ECB Board Directors, are among those who have sent their condolences to Paul’s family.
They said: "Our joint reflections are that Paul was a highly respected, conciliatory Chairman whose views were highly regarded when he attended meetings at Lord’s.
"Paul was most generous with his time and continually offered the appropriate balance between support and challenge. The ECB regarded him as a friend much more than simply a business associate, his encouragement to the ECB and other Leagues was most helpful in changing the face of Saturday cricket. We are better for knowing Paul."
Away from cricket Mr Thompson, who lived in Havant and spent a large chunk of his working life with IBM, was a magistrate for almost 30 years.
He was South East Bench Chairman from 2002 to 2005 and was a current Deputy Chairman.
Paul's funeral service is at the Portchester Crematorium (PO16 8NE) on Thursday 17 October at 3 o'clock and afterwards in the Mary Rose Suite, Marriott Hotel, Southampton Road, North Harbour, PO6 4SH.
Mike Vimpany
In his playing days, he was an opening batsman for South Hants Touring Club seconds and latterly Portsmouth and, after hanging up his bat, became heavily involved in cricket management and administration.
He simply loved cricket and, from the Premier League chair, was particularly anxious to uphold the traditions and values of the game.
Mr Thompson served as Vice-Chairman and Treasurer of the old Southern League in the 1990s and took up similar roles when the new Premier League was formed in 2000.
He was chairman for four years until 2013, after which he led the Hampshire Cricket Board’s Grounds & Facilities Committee.
In a tribute Premier League President Alan Bundy said: “Paul was always ready to volunteer his time. He never shirked a responsibility and gave an immense amount of energy to SPL cricket in particular and cricket as a whole.
“He was meticulous in everything he did, was a stickler to the rules and regulations and gave countless hours of his time to helping clubs in every way.
“Every weekend during the summer months, he and his wife Maria would be at cricket, watching the game and chatting to players and officials, always willing to pass on helpful advice.
“His excellent leadership ensured the competition went from strength to strength.
“He was a prominent player in securing the past sponsorship agreement with Southern Electric, strengthened our ties with the ECB and HCB, and ensured the Southern Premier League remained one of the most respected and forward thinking recreational competitions in the country,” reflected SPL President Alan Bundy.
Mr Thompson’s massive contribution to cricket was acknowledged in October 2014 when he became the first recipient of the Premier League Lifetime Achievement Award.
He is pictured receiving the Award from Alan Bundy.
John Pickup and Jim Wood, ECB Board Directors, are among those who have sent their condolences to Paul’s family.
They said: "Our joint reflections are that Paul was a highly respected, conciliatory Chairman whose views were highly regarded when he attended meetings at Lord’s.
"Paul was most generous with his time and continually offered the appropriate balance between support and challenge. The ECB regarded him as a friend much more than simply a business associate, his encouragement to the ECB and other Leagues was most helpful in changing the face of Saturday cricket. We are better for knowing Paul."
Away from cricket Mr Thompson, who lived in Havant and spent a large chunk of his working life with IBM, was a magistrate for almost 30 years.
He was South East Bench Chairman from 2002 to 2005 and was a current Deputy Chairman.
Paul's funeral service is at the Portchester Crematorium (PO16 8NE) on Thursday 17 October at 3 o'clock and afterwards in the Mary Rose Suite, Marriott Hotel, Southampton Road, North Harbour, PO6 4SH.
Mike Vimpany
