GARON Park’s cricket venue has been renamed the Peter Butler Oval.

Peter - who was a former Essex Cricket Club board member - passed away in November 2021.

And his many years of service to the club and sport in Southend have now been recognised.

Essex County Cricket Club Chief Executive John Stephenson, said: "I’m pleased to hear the news that Garon Park has officially been renamed the Peter Butler Oval.

“Aside from Chelmsford, Garon Park is one of our most used grounds across all of our teams at Essex County Cricket Club.

"We’ve been playing there for almost 20 years and so many Essex heroes have honed their skills at the venue.

“Last year we received the devastating news that Peter had passed away.

“He was an extremely kind and generous man who was not only a lifelong supporter of Essex County Cricket Club, but of cricket and sport in general.

"His passion was evident for everyone to see in his ongoing charity work as Chairman of Essex and Southend Sports Trust, which supported and funded sports initiatives and projects in the region.

“Therefore it seems very fitting that Garon Park should be renamed after somebody who gave an awful lot for both this club and sports within the county.”