Roger’s bowled over by honour (From Echo)

Roger’s bowled over by honour

8:00am Friday 27th February 2009

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GREAT Wakering Rovers’ secretary Roger Sampson admitted that he was already dreaming of his trip of a lifetime to the Caribbean.

The Ryman One North side stalwart, who has spent 51 years as a player and administrator at the Burroughs Park club, is off in a few weeks with wife Christine and friends to watch two England v West Indies One-Day internationals.

With his passion for cricket he was delighted to receive the Echo’s lifetime achievement award from one of Essex County Cricket Club’s most exciting bowling talents, David Masters.

A resume of Sampson’s service to Wakering and non-league soccer in general was given by Echo deputy sports editor and non-league correspondent Dick Marshall.

An overwhelmed Sampson said: “I’m delighted to receive this award and it’s a complete surprise to me.

“I was lucky enough to have a special surprise dinner organised by the club last year to mark my half-century of service to Wakering when I received a Football Association long-service medal.

“Now this as well has made me very proud. I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time at Wakering, both as a player and administrator.

“I’ve made so many friends there over the years. It’s great that we’ve built a reputation as a friendly club, one that other teams — often from a higher level — love to visit.

“But there are many other people at Wakering who have worked just as hard to earn us that reputation.”

Masters admitted to being bowled over at being involved on the awards night and said: “Roger certainly sounded a worthy recipient of his award.

“Fifty-years plus service to one club is an amazing record and I hope he enjoys his break in the West Indies and sees some good cricket.”

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