The evening was a Who’s Who of local cricket personalities with an impressive list of special guests headed by SKY Television celebrity David ‘Bumble” Lloyd, his Right Worship the Mayor Councillor Brian Heading, the lovely Dame Mary Peters, and President of Cricket Ireland Richard Johnson.
But it was Lisburn’s night and several generations of their members made the packed 300 plus party a night to remember. Stars of the Golden Years of the Fifties mixed freely with the current generation of Lisburn members and they showed why this club has a special status within Ulster and Irish cricket. They included double rugby and cricket International Raymond Hunter, his brother Lawrence, and Neil Doak, both of whom came very close to joining this unique ‘club’. Club Patron and former Ireland Opener Tom McCloy was there and so was Olympic hockey gold medallist Jimmy Kirkwood, who was double cricket and hockey Ireland International. Club bard, the inimitable Don Savage, made it despite failing health, and he wrote a special poem for the occasion. There were many visitors from other clubs headed by Warwickshire and Ireland opening bowler Boyd Rankin, Downpatrick’s Alfie Linehan and Cricket Ireland’s ebullient Team Manager Roy Torrens.
Sponsors were well represented with particular praise for local realtor Fred Dalzell, one of Lisburn’s staunchest supporters.
It was special night for Cecil Walker, who has been the driving force of the club over the past 60 years and who has donned a wide variety of roles with distinction. Indeed, the busy Lloyd fulfilled the Guest Speaker duties as a personal favour to Lisburn’s acknowledged Guru at no cost, a wonderful gesture in the materialistic world of modern sport.
Club President Gary Blair and Chairman Ian Ross headed a dedicated team of organizers for the biggest night in the club’s history and the entertainment package took the evening long past midnight. In addition to Lloyd’s witty speech, comedian William ‘our Jimmy’ Caulfield and Fiddler Adam were superb, while Auctioneer Colin Barkley and Peter Wood combined to raise much-needed club funds from the sale of framed sporting memorabilia. MC was the inimitable Robin Wash, who carried out his duties with predictable aplomb.
Lisburn is the oldest Ulster cricket club still in existence and they have won the NCU Challenge Cup 11 times and the Senior League title 13 times. The club has a rich history and the 2011 committee did the club proud with a series of events during the season culminating in their Gala Dinner. And they introduced a new word into the vocabulary of 300 plus people-Demisemiseptcentennial.
It has also foxed my dictionary!
Clarence Hiles
Editor
