…and unions having to make regular appeals for former players to step into the breach. The NCU has just placed an urgent appeal on their website for next Saturday, and we’ve all followed the problems in the North-West for some time, as their numbers have steadily diminished. It’s a sad situation, especially when umpires have never been better trained, and our best umpires are performing admirably in international cricket.
We’ve all got our opinions on umpires, mostly garnished by personal experience, and in the passage of time we should all have realised by now, that the game is nothing without neutral umpires. Local cricket has to adapt down the leagues with friendly umpires from either the club or the batting team, and we all know the problems that can arise in these circumstances. But senior cricket without official umpires is a serious situation that can only set the game back.
As someone who has never had any inclination to umpire it may seem strange that I have always held these officials with the highest respect. Unashamedly, I don’t have the necessary skills to be a competent umpire, as those skills stretch far beyond a competent knowledge of the Laws. But I’m sure there are plenty of former players or club officials that might be interested, even if the commitment was on a part-time basis. It’s a huge wrench to commit to a long day in the field, especially if you have other commitments, you play golf or bowls, or you simply enjoy watching the game at the level you once played. These are reasonable considerations, especially for players that have served the game well for many years and have since moved on to other things. However, I can’t believe there’s not a little inkling to be back in the middle, as the spirit of the game never really leaves you.
Over the years we’ve been blessed with many wonderful umpires, many of whom were colourful characters, irrespective of their qualifications or level of competence. They loved the game and they added more to it than most players. Above all, they had respect, not only because they wore the white coat, but also because they were doing a job impartially and to the best of their ability. Of course there were times when we thought them the worst in the world, usually when a decision didn’t go in our favour, but when we got one that perhaps we shouldn’t have got, we never complained! The reason is simple; over the passage of time they all evened up.
Lovely people like Dai Jones, Fred McMurray, George Archer, Harry Chamberlain, Sam Montgomery, Ernie McLaughlin, Billy Taylor, Bob Law, Jim Barry, George Orr, and the unforgettable Pete Reith, a huge favourite with many players. There was even a soft spot for the officious Major Gordon Ormsby and Stanley Long, whose barks were much sharper than their bites, and who were fine stalwarts of local cricket in their own right. And who could forget the lovely Trevor Henry, taken in his prime just a few years ago, and Gentleman 'Joe' Vaughan, the father of Irish cricket umpires?
All have gone to a greater calling, but each left a huge impact on the lives of many cricketers who had the privilege of sharing the stage with them, sometimes into the wee hours in the clubhouse! A new generation has replaced them, and they have carried the mantle with similar aplomb, but sadly there has been a significant decline in the respect that was once sacrosanct for umpires. The modern game involves a lot more gamesmanship, more vocals, cheating, and consequently, more pressure on the umpires. Many of the modern officials take it in their stride, but unfortunately, others have taken the easier route and declined to get involved. In some respects, who could blame them?
If anyone should be leading the campaign for more umpires it should be the players, as they have most to lose if the current demise in the number of umpires continues. It should start immediately with zero tolerance for dissent and gamesmanship, and it should always embrace respect.
Thanks to the White Coat Brigade for all you have done and continue to do for cricket.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
