John Burrows | Shenfield CC
Club Logo (cockerel)

Shenfield Cricket Club

Established 1921

Members of the Hamro Foundation Essex League

(The ECB accredited Premier League of Essex)

Affiliated to the Club Cricket Conference

Our President, from 1978 until 2008, John Burrows

John passed away peacefully on 15th June 2008, leaving son, Roger, daughter, Nicola and five grandchildren, two of those being Shenfield players - Phil and James Prior. He will leave a huge gap, not only in their lives, but in the lives of all his cricket and golfing friends, as well as those of a non-sporting persuasion.

He had been plagued with health problems for some years, but was never heard to complain. He just got on with life as best he could and had a smile for everyone.

John was a member of Shenfield Cricket club for more than 50 years. He wasn't just a member - he was totally involved in the club, as was his beloved wife, Greta, who sadly died in 2003.

He was 1st XI Captain from 1967 - 1969, Chairman from 1971 - 1978 and President from 1979 until he died.

John was a true gentleman- always immaculately turned out, unfailingly polite and with a genuine interest in anyone and everyone involved with the club.

A light-hearted paragraph from Tom Gray's review of the 1978 season actually sums up John quite well. Here's what it says:

And so to our leader, Chairman John Burrows, who retains his cool on all occasions, which is surprising when considering all he has to put up with. For whether it is being dragged out on a frozen winter's morning to examine a break in, being pressured by the local constabulary to close the bar on pavilion lettings, to slag off the entire board of Courage Breweries, or to convince Alf that it must be someone else's duty to empty the chemical toilets when he is entertaining the captain of Essex in his city suit, John retains an air of unruffled calm and reflects the pensive character of a Condor smoker. Long may he reign!

1968 Saturday 1st XI - John was Captain
1968 team photo
Back Row: K Robinson A Stewart M Wright P Wright D Anderson R Gowlett G Bruce
Front Row: C Wright J Burrows (Capt) Phil Robins J Senior G Bruce

Farewell match in 1968 for Phil Robins who was emigrating to Adelaide.
John and Phil stayed in close touch during the following 40 years.
1968 team photo
Back Row: A Stewart J Burrows M Jones Peter Robins B Sanders R Greig
Front Row: E Pringle R Ilott Phil Robins R Gowlett J Senior P Burford

1972 One of the many years when the annual Dinner & Dance
was held at the Heybridge
Guests at 1972 dinner dance
Back Row: K Robinson C Wright J Burrows H Beech M Wright R Gowlett G Plumb G Bruce
Front Row: A Robinson S Wright G Burrows E Beech S Wright S Gowlett Mrs Plumb M Bruce

1976 Celebrating winning the Greene King League 2nd XI Champions Cup
Some of 2nd XI with Greene King League Cup
Tom Gray Chris Wright John Burrows Alf West Ray East(Essex) Albert Chapman

1990 John enjoys a sunny afternoon's cricket, with Derek Willmott for company
Derek and John spectating
Derek Willmott John Burrows

1996 Shenfield won the prestigious Bertie Joel Cup
and John was there, as always, to give his support
Bertie Joel Cup winning team
Back Row: J Burrows (President) C Barron P Bird D Wright S Balmford P Jones M Hindley S Moseley (Chairman)
Front Row: A Sattar R Smith P Rider G Fisher M Maynard C Beed

2004 New Year's Day at the club
John Burrows
As always, a ready smile from John

April 2004 Members celebrate John Burrows' 25 years as President
John and his guests
Standing (left to right): D Wright D Geary M Barrett C Wright B Rogers L Jarvis D Robbshaw R Owers B Dobson H Hill
M Keane A West J Wright K Kan R Hindley J Walters J Williams B Vowles P Prior A Hayes M Wright
Seated: J Cleverley R Grief J Burrows M Jarvis R Burrows V Prior

April 2007 A luncheon to honour Alf West's 60 years with the club
as well as his retirement as Pavilion Manager
John standing, making a speech
John, as usual, made an excellent speech

May 2007 The official opening of the new scorebox,
to replace the one destroyed in a storm
John with other club officials, colts and the Deputy Mayor
Standing (left to right): A Salisbury (Facilities Manager) D Geary (Chairman) D Payne (Deputy Mayor)
J Burrows (President) A West (Hall Bookings Manager) N Bush (Jack Petchey Foundation Officer)
R Hindley (Club's Jack Petchey Co-ordinator) M Wright (Ground Manager, League Delegate, Scorer)
Kneeling: Joe Massie Oliver Castell Tom Ballington Tim Cooper Joe Knapp Callum Cooper

September 2007 President's Day
John with a bottle of champagne
John enjoying himself on his special day!

September 2007 John greets former player, Peter Wright, here on a visit from Australia.
John
John Burrows Peter Wright Alf West

John and Greta's son, Roger, and daughter, Nicola, planted a cherry tree
at the edge of the ground, in memory of their parents.
Bill Hindley crafted a beautiful bench to sit alongside the tree.
Memorial tree and bench
Inscription on plaque by tree

Premium sponsor