The night West Indies superstar swung by to visit

Not many young cricket fans get woken by their parents because one of the world's most famous players has come to visit them.

But that's exactly what happened 52 years ago to Richard Bond from Norwich.

Advertisement

The death last week of West Indies great Sir Garfield Sobers revived memories for Richard of the surprise visit after Sir Garfield had been playing a match at Lakenham in Norfolk in 1974.

"He actually came into the front room of our little terraced house," Richard told BBC Radio Norfolk. "It was extraordinary that it happened."

At the time, 12-year-old Richard was the captain of the Avenue Middle School cricket team in Norwich.

He and his family lived only a short walk from the cricket ground at Lakenham, where Richard and his father would often go to watch matches.

Advertisement

In June 1974, Sir Garfield and his Nottinghamshire team-mates came there to play against a Minor Counties North XI, and Richard and his father were in the crowd.

"My dad was a member of Norfolk Cricket Club, and had access to the clubhouse at Lakenham," Richard said.

"He used to take my cricket bat into the bar, and if any of the better-known cricketers came in he used to get them to sign my bat.

"My dad collared Sobers and he very kindly signed my bat, which I still treasure today."

Advertisement

But the real thrill for Richard came later that evening.

"Sobers asked my dad if he could recommend a pub for him and his team-mates to go to in the evening. So dad recommended the Rose Tavern, which was nearly opposite where we lived.

"Then my dad added that he had a young son and if Sobers wanted to pop into our house, he'd be very welcome."

Later that evening after Richard had gone to bed, his mum came to wake him up.

"She told me to put my dressing gown on because we had visitors downstairs. I went down, and in our tiny little sitting room there were three cricketers – and Garry Sobers was one of them.

Advertisement

"I was absolutely astonished, as you can probably imagine."

Richard, who later became a business reporter for BBC Look East, said he didn't think anything like it could happen now as "there'd probably be a press officer in the way".

Richard remembered asking Sir Garfield about one of his most famous achievements, scoring six sixes in a single over at Glamorgan in 1968.

But he couldn't remember what else he asked him, because "I was so starstruck".

Advertisement

There was no photo taken of Richard and Sir Garfield together as the family didn't have a camera at the time. But Richard does still have the treasured bat, with the cricketer's faded signature.

"The next day I went to school and told all my friends, and I think they were probably a little bit sceptical.

"But it was true, and it is one of my most treasured memories of childhood."

More on this story

Click here to read article