Following the well-attended funeral of club legend Greg Tompkins, we would like to share the following words with our members, supporters and friends of Greg’s. They were kindly written by Steve Davis, an Honorary Life Member and former Secretary of Swindon CC.

“I have been asked to say a few words on behalf of Swindon Cricket Club as a testimony and in tribute to Greg who was a member of the Club for almost 60 years. His sudden, unexpected and untimely death a few weeks ago deeply shocked and saddened those who had known him and played cricket with him during those years.

It is somewhat difficult to attempt to record and to adequately put into words just how much Greg contributed to the Club in so many ways throughout the period when he was a member; there is no doubt in my mind that we will never know just how much he did on behalf of the Club.

Greg played cricket for the Army in Kenya and for Northampton British Rail before reluctantly agreeing to follow his family’s move to Swindon; he eventually joined Swindon CC from Moredon Royal Oak as a stylish right-hand batsman and occasional bowler. He played for the First XI from 1969 to 1981 and was appointed captain or vice-captain in four of those years. He was a very correct player who was affectionately referred to as “The Elegant GT” instantly recognisable by the colourful cap he wore when playing. He scored over 5,000 runs, including eight centuries, and took over 100 wickets, his last playing appearance was probably when he responded to a late request to help the Second XI fulfil its final match of the season at Weston-Super-Mare in 1987.

Shortly after joining the Club, he was elected to the General Committee where he remained until 1977 when he expressed the wish to come off the Standing Committee “to devote time to the Ground.” In the meantime, he served as Secretary of the Club from 1971 until 1974.

At various times during the years in which he was a member of the Club, he was involved with social events and cricket tours, helped with the development of the Youth Coaching Section formed in 1970. took on the role of Membership Secretary from 1985 to 1988 and acted as a Trustee of the Club. He was one of the ten members who each made loans to the Club to ease the financial position of the Club when major changes were made to reconstruct the bar and lounge in 1982.

Above all, Greg will surely be remembered most, with the Club’s deep gratitude, thanks and appreciation, for the many hours spent improving the playing area at the Ground.
The Club is arguably the best cricket ground in the County but this was not always so; early in 1973 Greg expressed concern about the condition of the square imposed by the Minor Counties Cricket Association preventing the use of the Ground for first class matches. Greg’s concern was confirmed later in that year when an official Pitch Inspector stated that he had seen many better playing areas on village green fields.

Following further inspections and reports by experts requested by Greg and as a result of the considerable number of hours spent over the next few years to bring the square and outfield up to the required standard, it was reinstated following an inspection by the Test and County Cricket Board’s Pitch Inspector in 1983. Much of the credit for this was attributable to the work that Greg had carried out.

As a result, the Club proceeded to stage prestigious first class matches for Wiltshire County Cricket Club in the NatWest Cup in 1983 and 1985 and for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in the John Player and Refuge Assurance Sunday Leagues on five occasions between 1985 and 1991.

The accolades received from third parties recognised the work undertaken in preparing for each one of these matches. By way of example, The Times newspaper reported that the pitch for the NatWest match in 1984 “looked perfectly good and played accordingly” and the pitch for the Refuge Assurance match in 1991 was marked good by umpire David Constant who was renowned by County Groundsmen as being a very harsh marker. These, together with other complimentary comments made after other matches must have made Greg justifiably proud of what had been achieved and also given him a great confidence boost.

The celebrations at the conclusion of a very successful day when staging the first NatWest match in 1981 revealed Greg’s appreciation of Danish blue cheese and red wine which somehow never reached the sponsor’s marquee. He also showed a liking for chicken legs served at the reception in the Long Room at Lords following the Club’s first appearance in the finals of the NCA Indoor Cricket Competition - the legs which disappeared from the platters as quickly as they were served.

Greg was presented with the Brewer Trophy in 1992 in recognition of his outstanding service and contribution to the Club and was made an Honorary Life Member in 1994.
Throughout the period from 1978, when he was appointed Joint Ground Manager, until 2016 when he relinquished the post of Groundsman, Greg worked continuously to improve the Ground and to maintain it to a high standard. It did not stop there for he remained involved and helped on the Ground until as recently as last year.

This invaluable and exceptional service to the Club was based on the principle of putting in more than you take out. His was a major contribution to the Club in so many ways during the long period in which he was a member.

Greg was a perfectionist by nature and jealously guarded the quality of the wickets he prepared and maintained. He was a man of character who was not afraid to voice his opinion but was always ready to help and support you whenever necessary.

He was known to us as a person of the highest integrity. He loved and enjoyed his cricket and was a good asset to the game. He was a good man to have by your side and in your team.

On behalf of the Club, I extend our kindest thoughts and sincere deepest sympathy to his family at this sad time.

Swindon Cricket Club has lost a true Legend who will be very sadly missed.

RIP Greg.