It is with great sadness that I have to report the passing of my dear friend Victor Morrison. A popular figure and founder member of our club, who figures in so many Goresbrook CC memories. Born to Beryl and Tommy Morrison, and sibling to late brother Stephen and sisters Ruth and Susan, Victor attended St. Josephs and then Bishop Ward (now All Saints) Schools. We have been friends since we were teenagers playing Cricket and Football at Goresbrook Park. He really excelled at Rugby gaining School honours. Vic loved a party often’ throwing one’ when Beryl and partner Jan were away at their caravan in Dovercourt – we spent a week there one summer during the school holidays. When we formed the Cricket Club in 1981, Vic along with Dad Tom, Uncle Fred and Cousin Leo were founder members.

As is club tradition all players were given a nickname and Vic was affectionately dubbed ‘Bully’, after the much loved Bully Beef character in the Dandy comic. He made his debut against Cork at Walthamstow on Sunday 16th May, 1982 going on to chalk up 231 appearances for the Club. Even more impressive when considering that Vic was manager of a Corals betting shop working most Saturdays, and limited his weekly outings to a Sunday. One exception to this was the Club Tours and boy did Vic love a Goresy Tour! Invariably involved in pranks, he always figures in so many stories retold to this day. Those present at Brooke CC in Norfolk will never forget Vic being dispatched out of the ground for an almighty six. The ball was apparently lost, only for the driver of the two hourly country bus service, having stopped his vehicle, to suddenly appear and throw the ball back over the boundary hedge. He wore some shocking apparel in the annual loud tour shirt competition.

He was, most importantly, a kind man whose behaviour was always impeccable in the presence of ladies and children.

Having taken 198 wickets at an average of 21.8, Vic played his final game for Goresbrook CC in 1997 before moving to Spain where he met his wife, Sue. He and Sue later moved back to England and were living in Canvey Island when Vic sadly slipped away aged 62.

Sleep well my dear friend.