Boycott. In the late 70's early 80's this word was sporting marmite: you were either for or against, you loved him or loathed him. Thanks mainly to my father, steeped in Yorkshire cricketing lore, (I would lap up tales of Trueman, Close, Appleyard) I was firmly pro the great man. I think I first saw Boycott bat for Yorkshire at Acklam Park Middlesbrough: late in the day 10 overs against Sussex, Imran Khan in his pomp steaming in from the sight screen. Boycott, no helmet, defending his wicket for his life, getting into line, swaying out of the way of the most hostile bowling I'd seen. This was cricket at its most visceral, I was hooked and I had my sporting hero.
Then that memorable day at Headingley. The fates decreed that Boycott would be on 99 first class hundreds at the time of the Ashes test at his home ground (surely he engineered this). Mum and I were there on the right day of the five (where were Dad and my brother Tom?) and the sporting gods smiled down. Was it a punch through mid on? All humanity seemed to be swarming onto the pitch to engulf him. I knew I had to be there too but mum grabbed my collar and I must have looked like one of those chained up dogs that keeps running to the end of its tether only to be yanked back. But I felt that pure ecstatic moment that sport can provide (I reckon you experience this about twice a year if you follow a few sports. I'm a Boro fan though so this may not be representative...) Anyway I still have the ticket from that day and was lucky enough to get the great man to sign it a couple of years ago at a charity dinner. A satisfying full stop for my memory.
A post script to my Boycott obsession occurred a few years later at the British Open golf. Boycott had been left out of the England team and I spotted Peter May, the then chairman of the selectors, strolling in his blazer behind a grandstand between holes (god I was sad. How many thirteen year olds would have recognised the chairman of selectors - at a golf tournament?) Without hesitation I strode over to May and began to interrogate him about his selection policy and explain to me "why Geoffrey isn't in the team". From what I can remember he was surprisingly patient with me, and we did have enough of a discussion for my indignation to subside. I do remember as I wandered away feeling that my Dad would be really proud of me. He was.
Jim Riordan
Memory added on September 11, 2014
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