Lifelong Bemerton cricket stalwarts Peter Russell and Brian White have been conferred as South Wilts’ first Honorary Life Members in recognition of their staggering contributions to the Wilton Road club, both on and off the field, stretching back to the 1950s.
The pair have been monumental servants to South Wilts – and Wiltshire – cricket, both starting their long careers as schoolboys to become respected club and later minor counties cricketers.
Once retired, they put back into cricket what they had taken out many times over, both spending hours on ground and pitch preparation at Bemerton.
Russell has been with South Wilts for 65 of his 82 years, opening the batting and scoring over 18,000 runs between 1955 and 1992, taking 150 wickets, mainly in his early days as a left-left slow bowler. He made 19 Minor Counties appearances for Wiltshire.
He was an all round sportsman, playing in a successful Bemerton Athletic football team in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Peter Russell was a great influence off the field and enjoyed an incredible 19 year stint as South Wilts’ secretary between 1990 and 2009. He has also spent many seasons helping on the ground.
Brian White’s first involvement at South Wilts came in 1959 when he helped his late father Harry in the scorebox - the forerunners to a career in banking perhaps ?
A pint-sized left-hand opening batsman, BHW was a genuine all rounder scoring over 27,000 runs at an average of over 40 and taking 980 wickets with his off-spin.
He was South Wilts’ leading batsman for the club for 20 seasons and leading bowler for seven of them. Brian played over 200 times for Wiltshire, scoring almost 10,000 runs and cementing down the opener’s position in the Minor Counties (South) side that used to participate in the Benson & Hedges Cup.
He was equally adept with racket in hand during the winter months, winning the Wiltshire badminton county title 19 times and was at one time was ranked fourth in England. He went on to manage the England national team and in latter years became a very competent golfer.
A tremendous influence at Bemerton, Brian White has given a lifetime of service, fulfilling many roles. He had two spells as first team captain from 1971-1978 and then again in 1992, and also skippered on Sundays before going on to be team and general secretary.
He was Treasurer for an incredible 20 years from 1990-2010 and somehow also managed to find the time to undertake the role of Head Groundsman from 2002-2010.
Peter Russell (right) and Brian White (left) are pictured with South Wilts president Trevor Hayward (centre) with colour paintings of the Bemerton ground which holds so many memories for them both. Andy Cooke picture.
The pair have been monumental servants to South Wilts – and Wiltshire – cricket, both starting their long careers as schoolboys to become respected club and later minor counties cricketers.
Once retired, they put back into cricket what they had taken out many times over, both spending hours on ground and pitch preparation at Bemerton.
Russell has been with South Wilts for 65 of his 82 years, opening the batting and scoring over 18,000 runs between 1955 and 1992, taking 150 wickets, mainly in his early days as a left-left slow bowler. He made 19 Minor Counties appearances for Wiltshire.
He was an all round sportsman, playing in a successful Bemerton Athletic football team in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Peter Russell was a great influence off the field and enjoyed an incredible 19 year stint as South Wilts’ secretary between 1990 and 2009. He has also spent many seasons helping on the ground.
Brian White’s first involvement at South Wilts came in 1959 when he helped his late father Harry in the scorebox - the forerunners to a career in banking perhaps ?
A pint-sized left-hand opening batsman, BHW was a genuine all rounder scoring over 27,000 runs at an average of over 40 and taking 980 wickets with his off-spin.
He was South Wilts’ leading batsman for the club for 20 seasons and leading bowler for seven of them. Brian played over 200 times for Wiltshire, scoring almost 10,000 runs and cementing down the opener’s position in the Minor Counties (South) side that used to participate in the Benson & Hedges Cup.
He was equally adept with racket in hand during the winter months, winning the Wiltshire badminton county title 19 times and was at one time was ranked fourth in England. He went on to manage the England national team and in latter years became a very competent golfer.
A tremendous influence at Bemerton, Brian White has given a lifetime of service, fulfilling many roles. He had two spells as first team captain from 1971-1978 and then again in 1992, and also skippered on Sundays before going on to be team and general secretary.
He was Treasurer for an incredible 20 years from 1990-2010 and somehow also managed to find the time to undertake the role of Head Groundsman from 2002-2010.
Peter Russell (right) and Brian White (left) are pictured with South Wilts president Trevor Hayward (centre) with colour paintings of the Bemerton ground which holds so many memories for them both. Andy Cooke picture.
