Anthony Gibson's Of Didcot and the Demon, published by Stephen Chalke's Fairfield Books, is the winner of The Cricket Society and MCC Book of the Year Award 2010. Receiving his winner's certificate and cheque from Wisden editor Scyld Berry, a surprised and delighted Anthony was fullsome in his gratitude. "What would my father Alan, the old bugger, have made of it he mused? He was not greatly enamoured of the cricketing establishment but secretly would have been pleased and proud. And put it second only to when he won the Wombwell Cricket Society's writer of the year award!"
The winner beat off strong opposition from four other shortlisted books, including award laden biographies of Harold Larwood and Kim Hughes. The Long Room at Lord's was packed with 200 Society and MCC members, shortlisted authors and publishers, and cricket journalists. Scyld Berry and chair of judges Vic Marks surveyed the cricket writing scene and the merits of the books, and Vic revealed something of the judging process. An account of the evening will appear in the next edition of the Society's Bulletin.
As ever, the standard of books nominated was remarkably high and The Cricket Society and MCC would like to congratulate all nominated authors both, for the quality of their work and also, for the enjoyment that they will have given to cricket-lovers.
The winning author, Anthony Gibson (on the left), seen here, having just received the 2010 Cricket Society & MCC Book of the Year Award from the evening's keynote speaker, Scyld Berry, Editor of Wisden Cricket Almanack.
The Award-winning Anthony Gibson (on the left), pictured here, with John Barclay, the host for the evening and the first man to hold simultaneously, the offices of President of MCC and President of The Cricket Society.
Derek Barnard (on the left), Chairman of The Cricket Society, presents Eric Miidwinter with a silver salver to commemorate Eric's long and distinguished service as Chairman of the Judging Panel for the Book of the Year Award.
Against a backdrop of a spring evening at Lord's in the Long Room, the current Chairman of the Panel of Judges, Vic Marks of Somerset and England, is pictured during his witty and acclaimed speech reviewing the books of the past year.This site is hosted by Cricket Archive