Comments for Southgate Cricket Club.

Comment on Obituary – Tim Bishop by Mike Smethers

Mike Smethers — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 11:04:29 +0000

Like others I feel that a part of the basic structure of the club has been taken away with Tim – to be replaced by the enduring memory of his enthusiasm, his kindness, his impeccable standards of behaviour and his love of the club.

I must have played some of my first games at the club with Tim in the middle sixties, and he and his band of contemporaries were always marvellously supportive and encouraging to other young players and myself. But I shall remember him most as the most loyal supporter of the 1st XI and of course as a first-rate, totally honest and conscientious umpire. He loved being involved in the game and the club’s success, and he became one of those people, like Jim Conroy and Chris Payne, who in the subconsciousness of those from other clubs always represented and conjured up thoughts of Southgate.

He was so conscientious and honest that one wondered at times whether the club might actually suffer from having him standing in an important game – might he fail to give that marginal but justified decision in our favour for fear of appearing biased? I know he thought closely about such things, and the impressive turnout of fellow umpires at his recent memorial testified to him standing for everything that an umpire should be – not only his incorruptibility and sound judgement, but also, as others have highlighted, his patience and good humour.

So goodbye Tim – you were a genuinely good person, you touched so many people, and were an integral part of a great club. I’m really grateful to have known you, and I am sure your name will repeatedly crop up so long as cricketers of your time get together and chew the fat about the past.

Comment on Obituary – Tim Bishop by John Skuse

John Skuse — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:29:39 +0000

Having tried to pay tribute to Tim and having failed several times I can but hope this attempt succeeds. For well over 50 years we shared our love of cricket, golf, Arsenal and (not a lot of people know this) table tennis. So many memories and always a cheerful welcome. Tony is right that he never seemed to lose his temper but he did come close to it once when I was taking far too long to take a putt on a very cold winters day. After all he was tending the flag and feared getting frostbite!
Tim was a loyal friend and supportive always but particularly during difficult times. One of the very best.

Comment on Obituary – Tim Bishop by Adrian Carr

Adrian Carr — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:20:40 +0000

I first became aware of Tim Bishop when playing for Enfield Grammar School in 1979. At the time I did not know who he was but assumed he must be a professional. He had that air about him. Within a matter of weeks Jim Conroy had “signed me up” for Southgate whereupon Tim was one of the first to welcome this slightly reserved 16 year old to what in then in the late 1970s was just about the top club in north London.

For the following year or two I spent most of my time playing in the 2nd & 3rd XIs often with Tim as Sunday umpire. It was in an oppostion changing room, I think quite possibly Chingford, that I can still remember him saying to me that I could play in the first team. I was somewhat taken aback by this, I certainly didn’t see myself up there with Rowie, Dunny, Hailey, Smethers et al. Well it may have taken several more years but he was eventually proved correct.
A very warm and generous man, we remained good friends from those teenage years through to my middle age. A true club man, he will be missed but never forgotton.

Comment on Obituary – Tim Bishop by Tony Judd

Tony Judd — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:01:23 +0000

Tim’s passing has brought a full stop in my life. I met him first at a club fixture with the British Empire X1 when I asked him for his autograph during the war. After passing through the colts and National Service, I met him again in my second senior game for Southgate in 1955. I played most of my cricket under his captaincy in the seconds before being lucky enough to pass for a short time into the then first 1st.X1.

Tim’s enthusiasm for cricket and indeed for life itself knew no bounds and indeed, he really did appear to be the epitome of ‘Mr. Southgate Cricket Club’, as a captain, then as an umpire as well as an administrator

I played a lot of my golf with him on Sunday mornings during the winter and I remember that he was mustard around the greens. He was an exception among us all in that I never did recall him losing his temper or throwing a club! I taught him to qualify as an umpire and it was eventually the case of the pupil teaching the master.

Farewell old friend; hope you find a club as good as Southgate where you have gone.

Comment on Obituary – Tim Bishop by Nigel Bishop

Nigel Bishop — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:25:50 +0000

My mother and all the family would like to thank everyone for their kind messages of condolence. There will be an informal memorial gathering at the Walker Ground at 11-30 a.m. on Saturday 10th December, 2011. All are very welcome.

Comment on Tim Bishop by John Skuse

John Skuse — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:56:41 +0000

It was not just the many games of cricket, golf and table tennis that I shared with Tim from 1956 until our playing days were at an end that meant so much to me. It was his ever welcoming presence and support when it was most needed. Of course our sharing of Arsenal’s triumphs and disasters (what disasters I hear you cry) also helped our friendship which even survived my being his next door neighbour for a time!
As we eventually lived further apart Tim never lost contact with my family when it would have been so easy to do so. My one regret – I missed his century at Ferme Park. If it had been the other way round I would never have stopped talking about it. Never once do I recall Tim even mentioning it in conversation.
Thanks Tim, you will be much missed.

Comment on Obituary – Tim Bishop by Bob cole

Bob cole — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:18:44 +0000

I played my first game under Tim at the age of 12 at Radlett, he made a big impreesion on me and taught me a lot about how cricket should be played. If only the modern day players had Tims standards today! I was then fortunate enough to play in hundreds of games when he was umpiring, he always had control of the match and was much respected. There were many times on a Sunday when the opposition would turn up without an umpire, i would then phone Tim and his reply was always the same. I will just finish my lunch and i will be straight over, he never failed to help. I will miss his sunday morning phone calls but not his constant blinkered opinion on Arsenal!!!! Thanks for everything Tim, you will be missed but never forgotten.

Comment on Obituary – Tim Bishop by Richard Fone

Richard Fone — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:37:03 +0000

I was fortunate to be able to play cricket with Tim, possibly in his final season 1974 or 1975. With many I remember him as a thoughtful and thoroughly efficient umpire with a deep love of the game and an interest in all who were participating. These were the days when the umpires changed in the same area as the players – his after match comments were always relevant if not always what the players wanted to hear! His comments were not always immediately welcome to youngsters with an inflated sense of their own ability, but on reflection were based on an impartial reading of the game. Although always limited in ability, I’m sure in time I became a better player thanks to constructive criticism. In today’s world which includes league umpires (in my part of the world!) weilding yellow and red cards Tim represents a saner and more pragmatic era where players were not necessrily better behaved (Wilf Puffett!?) but everything was dealt with on a very adult and mature level. No one could argue that the ‘77 side were uncompetitive or lacked aggression – in modern parlance “up for it” – a lot went unsaid but was all the more powerful for it. Captaining youngsters today I try in a small way to encourage thinking cricket, and many suddenly realise that if they keep their mouths shut and the result of their efforts can suddenly improve! Thanks Tim for the help you gave me and all you probably had to put up with from difficult players over the years…….

Comment on Obituary – Tim Bishop by Phil Stevens

Phil Stevens — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:11:51 +0000

So sad to hear the news.
Unfortunately, I only knew Tim during his later years and never knew him as a player.
However, I enjoyed his company enough to have total respect for him as a man.
Polite, courteous, gracious and humorous. In every way, a true gentleman.
I’m sure he will be greatly missed by many.

Comment on Obituary – Tim Bishop by MARTIN FLETCHER

MARTIN FLETCHER — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:53:02 +0000

Tim’s funeral is on Tuesday, 1st November, 2011 at 11.15 a.m. at
Cambridge City Crematorium, West Chapel, Grafton, CB3 0JJ
For those who find it too far to travel it is hoped to have a Memorial
Service for Tim at the Ground later in the year.