Born on 1st September, 1973, Paul, was introduced to us by my late brother Ricky, who worked alongside him at Johnson Controls, going on to make his debut against Chadwell Heath I on 5th July, 1997. A week before his first outing for Goresbrook CC, he had turned up to watch us in a fixture at Oldchurch Park. The opposition arrived with ten men so Paul volunteered to make up the eleven and the late Garry Walsh drove him home to collect his whites and equipment. In under an hour he repaid Garry’s kindness by clean bowling him for a duck and the rest is history !

Promptly nicknamed Bev, due to his likeness to Australian Test Star, Michael Bevan, his fiery pace bowling quickly became a familiar feature of ‘Brook’s attack. After a quiet curtain raiser for GCC – in which he claimed 1 for 20 and bagged the first of 43 ducks, Paul went on to make 412 appearances, accumulating 1,861 runs with the willow. He fashioned 206 fours and 15 maximums with a personal best of 40 not out. His real prowess lay with the ball and he amassed 562 wickets from 2,645 overs at a cost of 10,441 runs, averaging 18.58. He also delivered 398 maidens to boot. A sharp fielder with a great arm he pouched 111 catches securing 4 stumpings on several appearances behind the stumps.

Paul reached the pinnacle of his Goresbrook career on 31st August, 2002 when returning the incredible analysis of 9 for 26 against Eastwood at the Annex Ground - a club record for several years until lowered by Israel Ochwo who claimed 9 for 25.

Paul was a very popular and sociable member of our club and in his formative years, formed part of the three amigos with Messrs Peter Ivory and Lee Barwick. Bev also played alongside many of his fellow cricketers for local football club, Morfdown Elect.

He was always keen to be involved in all aspects of the game and whilst not at the crease or in the field, would volunteer to umpire. However, his particular penchant was for scoring – a talent which he passed on to his children who are also members of our Club. Bev loved encouraging young players to develop and flourish as evidenced by his involvement with Colts Cricket.

He was due to skipper our Third Eleven this season and I am sure his team mates will need no encouragement to honour his memory with a fitting campaign.

Paul leaves behind sons Alfie, Freddie, Ben and Teddy and daughter Lily-Mae so his influence at Goresbrook will live on for years to come.

Rest in Peace our dear departed friend.

Dean Barwick