Worcestershire CCC legend Tim Curtis says it is a “great honour” to be nominated to become an Honorary Vice-President after sterling service to the County spanning more than 40 years.
Opening batsman Tim scored more than 30,000 runs in all formats as part of the successful Worcestershire side of the 1980s and early 1990s.
The Worcester Royal Grammar School pupil won five England caps and had a three-year spell as Worcestershire captain, during which he led them to NatWest Trophy glory at Lord’s in 1994.
Tim was Professional Cricketers Association chairman for eight years and, after hanging up his spikes in 1997, maintained his close links with Worcestershire as a Board member for nine years, serving a term as Vice-Chair and leading the Cricket Steering Group.
He has previously been made an Honorary Life Member. His election as an Honorary Vice-President is subject to members’ approval at the Worcestershire CCC 2021 Virtual Special General Meeting on Wednesday, 24 March [Click for details].
Tim said: “There are lots of honours that can be bestowed and, having been made an Honorary Life Member was very special.
“It was lovely to be involved at Board level and be a Vice-Chair. As a player, I used to look up at the Vice-Presidents in the old committee box, and I never imagined that I’d be sitting there as one of those.
“It is a great honour to be recognised as part of that long tradition of people who have been involved with the County Cricket Club, which I have loved for so long.
“I never imagined when I made my debut in 1979 that I would have such a long association in different roles at the club. I don’t think young people ever tend to think that far ahead in their lives.
“I wasn’t looking any further than the next game, but it is nice when you can maintain an association, and you build up a great affection for it.”
Tim was part of the side which won many honours, including two County Championships and two John Player League titles, under captain Phil Neale.
He said: “It was a progression. It usually is with sides where you get to a point after some learning processes where you are then good enough to win things.
“I always felt very grateful that I was able to play my cricket in a team that was challenging for things and winning things.”
Phil Neale paid tribute to the contributions made by Tim on and off the field for Worcestershire.
He said: “Tim has a long involvement with the club starting at that time when we were successful.
“He so often laid solid foundations for the batsmen who came in behind him but, in his own right was, a formidable player.
“Tim had the ability, and did most of the time, to go on and get substantial scores which culminated in him being selected for England.
“We used to joke about him liking it in the fast lane. The quicker they would bowl at him, the more he seemed to lap it up.
“He was an outstanding player and a vital part of the very successful side in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
“We had about 15 players that coped across all formats, and Tim was a key component of all them and went onto take over as captain after me.
“He has given great service to the club in several capacities, and being made a Vice-President is a nice recognition of that.”
