My first memory of watching Gloucestershire was in May 1963 or 4 when they played Somerset at Bath. With a friend, Merfyn Lickfold I travelled up from Weston-Super-Mare by train and we found our way to the Recreation Ground. I have no scorecard and I cannot remember many of the details. I think Mortimer and Brown played for Gloucestershire. In those days I was a Somerset supporter, nurtured from an early age (perhaps 3 or 4 years old - 1955) in Clarence Park, Weston.
I became a Gloucestershire supporter from expediency as my work brought me to Bristol in 1985.
Somerset retreated from their out grounds and Taunton became just too far away for more than the occasional trip. It was in June 1987 that I first visited the County Ground, Bristol. I still have the scorecard. It was a three day Britannic Assurance match against Lancashire on 3rd, 4th & 5th June.
Gloucestershire's team was Stovold, Wright, Alleyne, Bainbridge, Romaines, Curran, Lloyds, Russell, Graveny, Walsh and Lawrence.
Lancashire were Mendis, Fowler, Varey, Chadwick, Watkinson, Hughes, Simmons, Folley, Allott, Stanworth and Patterson.
Lancashire had batted first, getting 126 and I must have watched day 2 which Glos started on about 15 having lost the wicket of Stovold. It was a dank and cloudy day and the atmosphere at Nevil Road was subdued although Glos did all right getting 211 with Tony Wright top scoring with 67. At the end of the day Lancs were in trouble with their fourth wicket going down for 76 when they were still nine runs behind.
I remember fantasising about being retired, living in Taunton and watching most days. Now I am - and watch Glos. regularly as I am still in Bristol. My son rather irritatingly insists on supporting Somerset and jeered when they beat us in the T20 match a week ago!
Mark Temple
Memory added on May 23, 2014
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