The legend of a sports club is created by the people who represent, support and follow it, and during the course of its history thousands of people have served Middlesex County Cricket Club in many differing ways.
Most are recognised for their performances on the field, some for their work as a coach and others for their service as administrators. Middlesex CCC said goodbye to one of its finest administrators last week when Mike Murray passed away at the age of 93. Murray played a handful of 1st-Class matches for Middlesex as a batsman in 1952 and 1953 before moving into the world of banking, where he had a very successful career with Lloyds.
He did not stay away from Lord’s for long, returning in 1958 to sit on the committee. It was the start of a period of outstanding service that lasted more than 40 years. During these years, the most successful in Middlesex’s history, Murray served the club as Treasurer (1975-1984), Chairman (1984-1993) and as President in 1997-1998. He also chaired the Test and County Cricket Boards Finance Committee and published ‘The Murray Report’ in 1992, which recommended the introduction of four-day cricket.
In the conversations, emails, texts and WhatsApp’s that have been circulated since his passing the overwhelming feeling is of a lovely, generous and thoughtful man. Mike was not someone who sought the limelight or praise; he was happy to sit in the background quietly and efficiently going about his work. Mike Murray is one of the reasons why Middlesex County Cricket Club is the club it is, and we thank him and his family for their service and support.
