In memory of Southgate CC stalwart Geoff Slipper who died on 22 July.
In memory of Southgate CC stalwart Geoff Slipper who died on 22 July.
Thanks to all those who have contributed.
To those who haven’t, you can still leave your comments in the space provided – just scroll down to the bottom of this section.
Many thanks.
The Tributes
Dyann and Steve Rowe So sorry to hear of Geoff’s passing. Sorry, too, that we will be on holiday during the funeral, otherwise Dyann and I would definitely have been there.
Geoff was the welcoming and laidback face of Southgate when I joined in 1975. There were still a few (metaphorical) retired colonels from Tunbridge Wells around the club at that time, but Geoff was most definitely not one of them! Always immaculately-attired, always relaxed, always smiling. The Extra Firsts were a pleasure to play with and Geoff was a stalwart and Pat a virtual ever-present. Good company and good cricket was the order of the day. Take away the cups and the trophies and those were the times I remember with most fondness. Please send our condolences to Pat and the rest of the family. Our thoughts will be with them on August 5th.
.
Geoff Slipper – The Cricketer, by Geoff Burton Geoff joined Southgate CC in 1970 on the same day as our current President, Peter Chadwick. Geoff had previously played for Old Stationers CC but moved in order to play on a proper cricket pitch rather than a playing field.
Geoff quickly established himself in the old Extra 1st X1 (who played exclusively in friendlies and cup matches and continued so to do even when the leagues were well established). His ability to bowl straight, and even more importantly to bowl to the field set for him, made him a great asset and was much appreciated by his captain (invariably Bob Cole). Geoff was a safe catcher either close to the wicket or out in the sticks; his batting, which in his youth had been his mainstay, was in later years generally rather belligerent – he certainly favoured the midwicket area. His other trick was the ability to shut up shop if it was necessary to play for a draw.
1983 saw a change in both Geoff’s and Southgate’s cricket: the Saturday Extra 1st were abolished and a new team, Southgate A X1, were created. The A team aimed to play village-style cricket mainly in Hertfordshire, and the bulk of the players chosen were approaching middle-age who had perhaps left their very best cricket behind them. Peter Chadwick captained this team for its entire life (just under 20 years, by which time the Hertfordshire villages were going into leagues) and Peter, like Bob, used Geoff as his dependable bowler.
Geoff’s bowling changed very little throughout his long career. He had two stock balls: an inswinger that he started on off stump and virtually forced the batsman to play to leg; and the other, which probably got him more wickets, was a leg cutter that started on middle and off, and in the right conditions moved sharply towards the slips. His pace was really slow medium, but there were subtle changes of pace and the ability to bowl a 23 yarder. After 1983 Geoff played in any of the Sunday teams (we put out four Sunday sides up to 1990) and he would regularly take 70 or 80 wickets each season.
Geoff played some cricket for other clubs: he always played in the Old Stationers Presidents X1 at Botany Bay and he usually went with the OS on their day match at Hambledon. He played for the midweek Malcontents and occasionally the Dales. He toured Devon several times with Southgate Compton and took a hat trick at Seaton. In recent years Geoff match managed and usually played in the Veterans game at Southgate Compton, which has been a fixture for many years now.
Geoff’s passing will leave a big gap at Southgate. He was a real cricketer and a gentleman. RIP.
.
From Ricky Gunn Southgate Cricket Club is deeply saddened to learn that Geoff Slipper died on 22 July following a courageous fight against prostate cancer. Geoff joined the club in 1969 having previously played cricket and football for Old Stationers. A medium-pace bowler who could move it in the air and get deviation off the pitch, he was difficult to score runs off. In addition he was capable of entertaining “cameo” innings lower down the order. He was a regular in the Extra 1st XI throughout the 1970s and achieved his best return of 7-17 in a National Knock-Out match against Hurlingham Oddfellows in 1977, a year in which he took 76 wickets.
Amongst numerous 50s, his best were 79 against Aspenden in 1987 and 72 out of a seventh wicket stand of 109 against Kings Langley in 1980. Although he played for the 3rd XI league side in the 1990s he was not a fan of league cricket, preferring the camaraderie of the club’s Saturday “A” XI where he was equally popular amongst the oppositions. More recently he organised the annual Veterans XI match against Southgate Compton in which he played his final game in 2008.
Southgate Cricket Club has lost a very dear friend and keen supporter and he will be much missed. Our sincere condolences go to his wife Pat and the family.
.
From Chris Sexton Very sad to hear to hear this news. To me Geoff was the epitome of an English gentleman and will be greatly missed. As well as his playing career at Southgate, so well described by Geoff Burton, he made an important contribution to the Colts section, coaching and driving kids to matches. I also had the pleasure of going to White Hart Lane with him occasionally when his great sense of humour and realism brightened the mood, whatever the result.
.
From Southgate CC President Peter Chadwick I was introduced to Geoff by Jim Stokes, another sadly departed Southgate stalwart, at the Adelaide in April 1970. This was the first game either Geoff or I played for Southgate. It certainly was not the last as Geoff and I formed a bowling partnership that lasted going on for 20 years. Together we were the backbone of the Extra First bowling attack, although “attack” is a bit of a misnomer as persistent “strangling” was our method, relying on batsmen’s patience to run out before ours. Geoff did this with immense grace and courtesy to opposition and umpire, smiling equally at success and setbacks. I never saw him show any anger or heard him raise his voice on or off the field.
Later, Geoff and I were stalwarts of the A XI, the roving team of ageing and coming-of-age Southgate CC ambassadors to the Hertfordshire villages. As an example to the youngsters in our side, Geoff was a model of how to be a gentleman when playing and winning at cricket. Our arch rivals were Hertingfordbury, with multiple matches each season. Geoff was so well liked and respected by the Hertingfordbury club that he was elected a Vice President and turned out regularly for them in their cricket week.
We will all miss Geoff, one of the nicest and most modest persons I have been lucky enough to know as a friend on and off the cricket field.
.
From Alan Jenner Geoff and I joined Southgate at more or less the same time, but our paths rarely crossed in those early days. For me it was about learning the game within the culture of competitive league and cup cricket, while Geoff much preferred the more traditional customs of friendly, but still competitive, Extra 1st fixtures. But as the 1970s ended so I found myself playing on Sundays for Bob Cole and there my connection, friendship and affection for Geoff began.
He was a permanent fixture in the Extra 1st X1, always to be relied upon to bowl as many – or as few – overs as was wanted; always relied upon to bat at whatever number the captain decided and also to bat in a way whatever the captain required of him. Others have talked about his batting prowess, but I can only remember Geoff having a penchant for clouting it in the direction of the church – and not on the ground either! I remember him most for his bowling, seemingly innocuous from the ringside but there was much more to it when out in the middle. During the late 1970s and early 1980s we played a lot of cricket together, particularly enjoying the cut and thrust of the Bertie Joel Cup where we enjoyed three or four great cup runs and even winning it in 1982. Geoff could always be relied upon to bowl his nine overs quickly and economically, often finishing his spell before the ‘oppo’ had worked out what to do about him.
We also had the shared pleasure of working for Peter Jouning and Adam Removals – indeed, Geoff jacked in his previous career (whatever that was?) to become some sort of partner. Lumping heavy furniture around North London would not immediately be thought of as a job that Geoff with his immaculately coiffured hair would have easily turned to. But Geoff was perfect in the role, paying great attention to detail and smoothing over any potential tensions with the customers. He was never afraid, either, of getting his hands dirty when he had to.
When I returned to the club in the early 1990s I took on the role of Colts’ Chair and will be forever indebted to Geoff’s support and his sterling work with the Colts for so many years. He became my right-hand man, never comfortable in taking the lead but very happy to stay in the background and do whatever was needed. By then Geoff had joined the police as a civilian and as we both used to be in the office before 7:00am. I often used to phone him and discuss the various colts and the matches. Although he was not blessed with children who had his love for cricket and football he got a real pleasure from running colts’ teams and had a particular love of one Under 13 X1 that included the likes of Jamie Thorpe and Matthew Feeney. Both have gone on to become excellent club cricketers and Geoff would have been quietly very proud of their achievements. Geoff had always promoted the idea of a Colts’ Dinner and with a little persuasion he organised the very first one with his usual quiet attention to detail. It was a roaring success and I am pleased to note that it still continues to this day.
In later years I have seen less of him but we have kept in touch through email and the occasional sighting at the Walker Ground. He was able to talk about many subjects, but he was also a great listener – not something that can be attributed to many sportsmen! He was particularly passionate about football and cricket and was very comfortable standing with a crowd of blokes reminiscing about the Spurs Double side or cricket matches he had played in or grounds he had played at or watched from. Geoff was always so good with people and he enjoyed, respected and appreciated the company of the ladies. He was always guaranteed to speak to Sally whenever the situation arose and was always prepared to listen to William!
Following a thoroughly dreadful experience with cider in the 6th Form I was never convinced by Geoff of its merits, but he was always the first to offer to buy me a beer, talk about cricket and have a laugh. I am so glad that I knew him. He was an absolute decent fellow and will be sorely missed by his family and friends.
From Geoff’s daughter, Helen Mum has asked me to forward some photos to go on the tribute website which give a sense of how “Dabs” enjoyed life and his cricket. We thank everyone for the tributes that have been put up.
I’m sorry to hear of Geoff’s untimely death at such a young age.
I knew Geoff from my time before I joined Southgate CC, as we played together at the Old Stationers Football Club in the late sixties / early seventies – Geoff was even a gentleman on the football pitch!! I followed Geoff’s ‘path’ from the (now defunct) Old Stationers CC to Southgate CC in 1979 and Geoff was the welcoming, friendly, smiling face of Bob Cole’s Extra First XI that we both played for on Saturdays and Sundays in the 1980’s.
Angie and I will be at Garston next week to pay our last respects – and I’m certain that the place will be ‘packed to the rafters’ – given the esteem in which Geoff was held in both Old Stationers and Southgate CC circles.
Geoff was my first ever cricket coach when i joined Southgate as a 9 year old, and every training session and game was enjoyable with him in charge, which every game of cricket should be. He had a great sense of humour and always had a smile on his face. I will miss not having him around. RIP G.Slipper .
I was still playing at Southgate in the time of Steve Rowe’s retired colonels when Geoff arrived – neat and sleek. His bowling was always tight but I never realised quite how tight until the London XI tried to hasten a declaration in the vets match to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the club. With Geoff bowling downhill, there was nothing to cut and less to drive: it was a nudge and nurdle instead. Mum and Dad (B and Norman) always enjoyed Geoff’s company over many, many years at matches, in the bar and on tour. He’ll be missed.
Shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Geoff slipper. A true gentleman with a wonderful sense of humour that made playing cricket with him an absolute pleasure.
Deeply saddened to read the news. Whilst I haven’t been down to the club for a few years, one thing for certain was that Geoff would always welcome you in and always had time for a chat. I too had the pleasure of playing with Geoff and whilst I can’t remember the bowling I do remember the safe pair of hands in the field. It’s a tribute to Geoff’s popularity at Southgate that so many memories are being written.
I would like you all to know that Geoff’s excellent fielding skills are thanks in no small part to the hours and hours he and I put in practising with the ball in the garden, and in the winter with an orange, indoors. I was quite small when this began and was tasked to throw ever more difficult balls so Geoff could dive in dramatic style to catch them. On one occasion he dived with great gusto and squashed said orange on the carpet…. those of you who remember our Father will understand we were in deep…..!!!
Indoor ball skills sessions then ceased. The fun, however went on and on.
It is lovely to read all the tributes to the man I am proud to say was my very special brother.
We will all miss him but have been blessed to have had him in our lives.
I share all the sadness and happy memories of Geoff evoked in the tributes already posted. He was one of those people who made you feel better just seeing him standing in the bar, or approach round the boundary edge – and even if we hadn’t met for some time conversation would pick up as if we had seen each other only yesterday. He had a great feel for the humour in everyday life, and an infectious way of communicating and sharing it. He was a very astute judge of people and of cricket, who would always see the positive side and never stoop to ungracious criticism or unkindness. Mary Ann has always spoken of Geoff with great warmth as one of those people who went out of their way to make others feel at ease.
Geoff was genuinely pleased when others were successful, and genuinely modest (over-modest by far) about his own abilities. He was a very good all-round cricketer, the original “bits and pieces” player, dependably capable of performing well at higher levels than that at which he usually played. In the late 1970s when we had such a fine record in the National Cup Geoff several times filled the gap when one of the regular team couldn’t play – because we knew he was a first rate fielder by any standards (far better than many of the regular team); could be relied upon if needed to bowl up to the required eight overs without getting collared; and could bat effectively according to the circumstances. Keeping wicket gave me the benefit of seeing his bowling at close quarters, full of delicate variation with movement in the air and off the ground. His slow medium pace meant the batsman had to make all the running and very few players managed to get after him. Ricky Gunn has mentioned his remarkable 7-17 in one game, and I well recall some of his marvellous fielding in the covers.
Having taught at Stataioners’ Company’s School for many years my life crossed with Geoff’s in more than one way, and there will be many people there on Thursday who are truly thankful and proud to have known him. It will be dreadfully sad, but the memories will all be happy ones.
With all my sympathies to Pat and their family, rest in peace Geoff.
A very sad time, but very uplifting reading all the words above. Writing this on the first Monday in August reminds me of the many times that the Southgate ‘touring party’ set off for Hampshire in the late 70’s and early 80’s – I was lucky enough to share those times with so many memorable characters and excellent cricketers. Geoff was always there and those week’s enabled his sense of fun and enjoyment of life blossom to the full. Those weeks were always an escape from the routine and pressures of life as our varied group moved across Hampshire and then into Dorset.
Geoff always told the story of how he stopped off at Hambledon on his journey down on a perfect summers morning and arrived at the front door of the famous Bat and Ball Inn at precisely 11.29am (one minute before opening time!) His sense of timing was always impeccable!
This Thursday would have been the day for our annual game on tour at Chichester Priory Park and I know Geoff loved the tradition and sense of occasion of that fixture.
Great times, and thank you Geoff for being part of those wonderful memories.
Phyllis remembers with fondness the support Geoff gave when she took over running the colts. She particularly recalls attending the chaos of colts fixture meetings when she panicked and he remained calm in the mayhem.
Derek will never forget Geoff’s selection policy for the Under-11’s once they were registered. Any with whites played as did any who knew which end of the bat to hold, but if all else failed he chose the boys with the best looking mothers! Also, as an umpire for many “A” XI matches I regularly checked his thumb nail before he bowled & picked the seam!
We regret that we are unable to join everyone on Thursday, but our thoughts will be with Pat and the family.
What a dreadful shock.Although I rarely come up to the club now, I knew that if Geoff was there I always had someone interesting to talk to.
Much has been told about Geoff’s cricket career so no point going over that. But he was also a member of the squash club for many years. He was always 4-5 leagues above me but on those rare occasions when I had clawed my way up or Geoff had been injured we did find ourselves in the same league. As always the match was very friendly, lets given and accepted, no barging or unfair drop shots. Invariably the match ended just before the 45mins were up with Geoff winning 3-2. However, I always came off court believing I had been lucky to win 2 games and wondering why he hadn’t beaten me 3-0. As ever with Geoff, enjoyment was the main goal.
One particular event will show Geoff’s attention to detail. In the late 70’s I held a fancy dress party at my flat in Friern Barnet. Geoff and Pat attended as school girl and boy. Clearly, my eyes and all the other males were focused squarely on Pat in her St Trinians outfit complete with stockings and suspenders. No doubt all the girls were ogling Geoff in his little grey shorts. But this outfit hadn’t been quickly thrown together. Along with his grey knee socks and vintage sandles he also had a leather satchel. Inside the satchel were a wooden swivel pencil box complete with protractor, compass and rubber, an Ian Allen ” I spy book” and a train spotters reference book. Only Geoff would go to such effort.
Work and distance preclude me from attending on Thursday, but clearly my thoughts will be with Pat, Helen and family.
Geoff Slipper was one of life’s good guys. Decent, kind, perennially cheerful and one of the funniest men you are ever likley to meet. I had the privilege of knowing him from birth – mine that it is – thanks to his enduring friendship with my father and our shared passion for Southgate Cricket Club. I grew up on the boundary watching Geoff bowl his intelligent medium pace for the Extra 1st XI. My Father enjoyed keeping wicket to him enormously – as I did in time – not least because you were never required to take anything down the legside, such was Geoff’s metronomic accuracy outside the off stump. His batting was simple but effective and a six that he smote over long on towards the Church remains one of the biggests that I have ever seen at the Walker Ground. Always immaculately attired and permanently suntanned, Geoff’s cricket whites will surely go down as the cleanest ever to grace the cricketing arena. He came very close to dirtying them in the final game that we played together – a friendly fixture against Milton Abbey School in Dorset – when aged 51 he dived full length at 1st slip off the penultimate ball of the game to take a brilliant one-handed match winning catch. As he rose gracefully from the turf I looked down expecting to see at least a trace of green on one of those immaculate knees but I was to be disappointed – they were as white as always. I can’t quite recall what Geoff said when I challenged him on the dual nature of this most remarkable of achievements, but his response, as so often the case, was tear inducingly funny! A great man – he will be sorely missed by us all. Our thoughts and condolences are with Pat and her family at this most difficult of times.
Geoff always played and lived with a smile on his face. He was a very modest man, kept confidences and spoke a lot of sense. I’m told that he also made a great Santa Claus as well! He wasn’t at all keen on league cricket but regularly helped us out for the good of the club, keeping that smile even through some of the most dire games. Always immaculately turned out- even his socks were usually ironed to perfection! In the good old days we all used to play twice a weekend and Sunday cricket always meant two Southgate first elevens. Geoff was a stalwart of these teams and more than held his own. Just thinking of Geoff brings to mind “Sunny relaxing Sundays”. In the long winters in the 80’s many of us used to meet for Sunday beers when we would sort the world out. Geoff had a very good attendance record! Going back to Foney’s mention of the Hampshire tours (I refer to 1979 when we stayed at the most awful B&B in Lyndhurst) there really was only one true “Big Man” and that was Geoff.
Both Clare and I send our deepest sympathies to Pat and the family. A tragic loss.
Like everyone else, Valda and I were terribly sad to hear of Geoff’s passing. From when I joined SCC in 1977, I immediately took to Geoff – his wit, friendship and cricketing prowess made every game an immensely enjoyable experience, helped not least by the camaraderie of such people as Bob Cole, Cliff Waller and Richards Leigh and Fone and many others too numerous to mention who graced the Extra 1st at the time!
We will always remember him with great fondness.
Our thoughts are with Pat and the family.
The day has at last arrived that we have been dreading. When Pat and Geoff last visited us in Spain they bought a lovely Mimosa tree for us. At 1 p.m today, our time, we will open a very special bottle of 1978 Rioja and sit by the tree to celebrate the life of our dear, dear friend Geoff.
When I talk about him I cry, when I think about him I smile.
He was our ‘best man’ and THE best man.
Goodbye Geoff, from Chris and Linda Payne
As a member of Cockfosters CC please allow me to pass my condolences to Geoff and his family and all at Southgate CC at this time. In my experience having known Geoff through cricket for 15 odd years he was never anything other than utterly charming and he graced Cockfosters many time, but also played for and organised many matches with the Malcontents for a long time.
His nickname to us was ‘Slipper of the yard’ and people like Geoff are very rare indeed, he will be very sorely missed… cricket was indeed the winner here.
We have just returned from holiday, and I was so sad to have missed Geoff’s funeral. His going is so hard to take for everyone who ever came into contact with him. It is easy to see how highly regarded Geoff was at Southgate CC by all the many wonderful tributes so many people have sent in.
I was Geoff’s captain when he played his first game in april 1970 (along with Peter Chadwick) He was over modest then, as ever, telling me he batted middle order and bowled a little!! It turned out he was at the time a middle order ba , but he was one of best slow medium bowlers I ever had the pleasure to play with. He did so much off the pitch and in the air (far more than Geoff Burton said!) and when the track was wet, at times was almost unplayable. With Peter Jouning keeping wicket he was one of the best bowlers around in the 70s and mid 80s.
Geoff was a captain’s dream, you could ask him to bowl 20 overs or not even put him on, he was just the same with a smile on his face and never complained. The only time I ever saw him disappointed was when he missed the Bertie Joel (a very big competion in those days) Cup final in 1982 after falling off a lorry and badly hurting his hand at work, he had played in every round( 6 or 7) upto the final and the previous year played in every game when we lost in the final. Needless to say when we won the cup in1982 Geoff was one of the people with the biggest smile – he was there all day never missing a ball bowled, he did however get one of those horrible Bertie Joel ties!
I never heard Geoff say a bad word about anyone, he was the nicest man you could ever meet and I consider myself privileged and lucky to have played cricket with him for so many years. We had great times off the field spending many hours at the bar! It was only a couple of years ago that we spent a happy few hours together at a Middlesex county game at the Walker Ground. I, like many, will miss you Geoff, thanks for all the good times.
It’s with great sadness having just logged onto the Club’s site that I have learned of Geoff’s passing. Geoff and Pat were some of the first people I met at the Club when I joined in the early 80’s and they were always fun, loving and kind. I think I must have played my first game with Geoff on the back pitch. Geoff was indeed a true gentlemen of the game and played always with a smile. I thankfully didn’t have to face his bowling too much as I would have more than likely been another victim to his constant good line and length. Geoff always had time to sit and chat but I respected his reserved nature as well. He will always be one of my favourite cricketing friends.
Geoff was such a good friend and I was honoured when Pat asked me to speak at the gathering at Botany Bay C.C. after his funeral. It was a longish speech as I had so many good things to say about him.
I finished with a short poem which aptly sums up a special person.
Geoffrey Edward Slipper,we’re here to commemorate
The sad passing but the happy life of a very special mate.
For nearly 40 years I knew the Silver Fox.
He had his share of happiness, he had his share of knocks.
He sailed through life with casual air,totally laid back,
He kept the lowest profile but had the happy knack
Of making friends where’re he went while drinking pints of cider,
And extending his friendship circle wider, ever wider.
His modesty was legend,his image so low key,
He had high moral standards and a real sense of decency.
There cannot be a dissenting voice amongst this assembled throng
When I state quite categorically and state it loud and strong
In token of immoderate joy I metaphorically doff my cap
To Geoffrey Edward Slipper……… A thoroughly decent chap.
May I on Geoff’s behalf thank all of you wonderful people for your heartfelt tributes, cards, letters and kind thoughts on Geoff’s passing.
It has been such a comfort to me and our families throughout this awful time to know that everyone who was touched by Geoff in their lives felt the joy and dignity of the man.
I have been truly blessed to share my life with such a wonderful man. Everyone who came in contact with Geoff loved and admired him.
The sentiments expressed of his modesty, great humour, gentlemanly conduct and wonderful smile are a testament to him.
The joy, the laughter, his great sportsmanship and love for friends and family will live on in all our hearts forever.
Thank you allo so much.