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Thank Yous

It is both a very humbling and daunting thought to put into words messages of thanks to all those that have helped me in the course of my career leading up to, and including, this special year. So many have helped shape and develop my career and personality and given time and effort to my cause.

Firstly, to the Hampshire members committee, members and supporters, thank you so much for granting me this benefit year and for all your unwavering support, through good times and bad, over my time here.

To the Old Trafford staff, members and supporters for all your help and consideration in the past and more so now- the ovation I receive there even now is heart-warming.

To my Chairman, Nick Pike, it was a great privilege to work under your guidance for those years in the sales department – your support and help was truly appreciated. And now, for all your help with this year – the planning, cajoling and shepherding- everything, in fact, I’m just not sure that Jenny will be quite so appreciative by the end of the year – but thanks a million!

To Nigel Butler and Clare Britten – Treasurer and PA for the year- I don’t know where Hampshire beneficiaries would be without you two. You are the heart and soul of the year and absolutely indispensable and irreplaceable!

To all my hard-working committee – thank you for all your help in putting a very entertaining series of events together and for all your help with getting tables, teams for event days and sponsors together and for all your input into the brochure. Special thanks go to those members of the committee who have voluntarily taken single-handed ownership of some events. I salute you all for giving your time and effort so willingly and do hope you all know what you may have let yourselves in for!

To my President – Rory Bremner- and Patrons – Mike Atherton, David Gower, Shane Warne and Paul Beck – thanks so much for lending your names and experience to the year – it really means a huge amount to me.

To Ben Crozier of Borcombe Printers for so kindly printing the brochure and to Kirsty Scott of Karoo Design for all the design work and the unenviable task of putting together such a well-stocked publication in such a short period of time. Also to Tony Britten for introducing Hampshire beneficiaries to such a generous bloke as Ben in the first place.

To Chrissy Pierce for all her dedicated hard work in putting together the yearbook and for all her artwork for the year ahead – Chrissy, you’re a star and without you and Nick we would never have seen such a fantastic collectable as the yearbook. Also to Mick Hodson for all his work in putting it together.

To Paul Roades of Pixelscene for all his dedicated hard work on the fantastic website and to Giddy Wells for all his photographic skills on the montage sections of the brochure, the yearbook and website- thanks a million guys!

To all the contributors in the brochure – your articles are funny, zany and hugely entertaining and add a lot of fun to all those who read them. To all those who have taken the time to advertise in this brochure – thank you very much and let’s work together to generate some extra business from these! And also to all the photographers (Graham Morris and Chris Bishop in particular) who have provided and sanctioned the use of their images in the various publications.

To Mark Harvey and Paul King at Sky for their work on the highlights packages and to Mike Andrews of Lite Relief for his help in putting together some fun games at some of the events.

To Paul Terry, Giles White and Tony Middleton – thanks guys for all your help on the cricketing front over the years from myself and all the guys on the playing staff and to Tim Tremlett for getting things put in place year by year so the players don’t have to worry!

To Paul Hendy for all your help and support on the motoring (and committee!) side over the last few years and to Tony and Martin Axford of Axfords For Timber in Bolton- thank you both for all your support in those 12 years at Lancashire – couldn’t have done it without you.

To all the players at Hampshire, Lancashire and England –not just for your friendship, camaraderie and fun but also your time given up over the years for the beneficiary – your support is vital to their enjoyment and success. Special mention for three truly outstanding and loyal people who have made my life as a player at Hants such a pleasure – Judgie thank you – good luck in Oz and look forward to your visits next year, Shaggy – you are a great mate of mine and a great support to all beneficiaries – good luck in your new career at Middlesex and thanks for all you’ve done and Warnie – a man more loyal to his mates does not exist and no-one can underestimate what you have done for this club!

To Rod Bransgrove – I hinted in my foreword about your tremendous support throughout one of the most difficult periods of my life and beyond and that is doubled here. This club would not exist without you and, on behalf of all the people involved thank you and long may your support continue.

To my father, Frank, late mother Jean and brothers, Mark and Pete – thank you all for your support throughout my life so far and endless help and tutelage. Especially to my parents for all their tremendous hard work in difficult circumstances in bringing up three fine boys and helping with the grandchildren. Also to Kate’s parents, Colin and Rosemary, for your help with the kids and your example set to them as model grandparents.

Finally, and most important of all to my wife, Kate. You have been a tower of strength through all the trials and tribulations of a sporting career. For your patience in the bad times and shared elation in the good, I couldn’t be where I am now without your help, love and support. The fact that you have virtually single-handedly brought up two fine children is enough testament on its own and for all of this – I salute you!

It is an impossible task to thank everybody here – I will get round to thanking you all personally through the year – hosts, sponsors and advertisers. I hope you can make some of the wide range of events we have planned and very much look forward to your support.