We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former player, Martin Vernon.
The thoughts and prayers of all at Middlesex Cricket are with Martin's family and friends at this extremely sad time.
Our thanks to both Angus Fraser and Tim Lamb for these two touching tributes to our former player.
Martin Vernon Eulogy – Angus Fraser
Middlesex Cricket is saddened to learn of the passing of Martin Vernon, a former player of the club. The former fast bowler passed away peacefully last week, at the age of 73.
Vernon was born in Marylebone and played regularly for Middlesex 2nd XI from 1970 before making his 1st Class debut against Warwickshire at Edgbaston in 1974. His first wicket was the great Dennis Amiss. In the same season he made his List A debut in a John Player League match at Headingley, where he took 3-13 in 8 overs. In total Martin played 31 1st XI games for Middlesex and took 40 wickets.
Vernon’s finest performance for Middlesex came against Somerset in his 3rd County Championship match for the club. In the game at Taunton he took a six and a five wicket haul, and finished with match figures of 11-112. In the game he dismissed Viv Richards twice and Ian Botham once.
When not playing for Middlesex Vernon played club cricket for Finchley Cricket Club, who were the dominant side in the Middlesex County Cricket League during the seventies.
Vernon left Middlesex to play for Gloucestershire in 1977. A knee injury cut short his career in Bristol but in his only season with the club he made an important contribution to Gloucestershire defeating Kent to win the 1977 Benson and Hedges Cup Final at Lord’s. In the Final he dismissed Asif Iqbal and Alan Ealham.
At the Middlesex Players Day at Lord’s in May this year Vernon was presented with his Middlesex Ceremonial Cap by Mike Gatting. The cap celebrates the fact Martin was the 565th player to play 1st Class cricket for Middlesex and the 40th to play List A cricket for the club.
At this sad time the thoughts and love of everyone at Middlesex goes out to Martin’s family and friends.
Martin Vernon Eulogy – Tim Lamb
The Club is sad to announce the passing of Martin Vernon, who was a member of the Middlesex playing staff for five seasons from 1972 to 1976.
Martin joined Middlesex from the MCC Young Cricketers, where he had played alongside Ian Botham and our own Roland Butcher, among others who also went on to make their name in the game.
A genuinely sharp bowler on his day, Martin made his first team debut for Middlesex in 1974 in a John Player League match against Yorkshire, in which he took three for 13. In the same year, in a County Championship match against Somerset, he took 11 wickets in total - six in the first innings and five in the second. During the second innings, he took four wickets in seven balls. He also got the great Viv Richards out twice and dismissed Brian Close for a pair - the first in Close’s career! He also claimed the wicket of his erstwhile teammate Ian Botham in the second innings.
During his time on the Middlesex staff, Martin was also a very regular member of the highly successful Finchley CC side, who were arguably the leading team in the Middlesex League at the time.
In 1977 Martin signed a three-year contract with Gloucestershire, and in that same year he played an important part in the County’s victory in the Benson & Hedges Cup Final at Lord’s, taking two wickets against Kent. Gloucestershire also finished second in the County Championship that year. However, a serious ankle injury forced him to retire from professional cricket at the end of the season.
Martin went on to pursue a successful career in newspaper and magazine advertising, which included appointments to two different Managing Director positions within the industry. He also worked briefly at London Weekend Television.
Very sadly, he was diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer a few months ago. He managed to get to Lord’s back in April, accompanied by his younger son Guy, to attend the Middlesex former players’ day, at which he was presented, along with others (including some of his contemporaries), with his ceremonial club cap by Mike Gatting - an accolade which he and his family greatly appreciated.
Martin was always regarded as a highly popular and likeable character during his time with Middlesex, Finchley CC and Gloucestershire, and will be greatly missed by his former friends and colleagues. He is survived by his three children - Philip, Charlotte and Guy.”
