Bearders made scoring an art form
| 10:55 UK time, Saturday, 31 January 2009
The vast number of tributes which have flooded into the BBC following the sad news of Bill's death is testament to the relationship he fostered with the listeners of Test Match Special.
There are in-depth tributes written elsewhere on this site, so I will keep this brief and say rest in peace Bill. You made scoring an art form, and will be remembered as a legend.
As the youngest member of the BBC cricket team, I listened to Bill on the radio for many more years than I worked with him, but I feel lucky to have overlapped at least a few years with the Bearded Wonder.
The most recent photograph I have of Bill is from the tour of India back in December.
During the second Test in Mohali, the start of play was delayed nearly every morning because of a wintery fog which clung to the ground like thick soup.
We could see nothing out of the commentary box window except a dense white blanket, and Bill delighted in picking up his binoculars and posing for me, staring out into the void. It was typical of his humour, and he will be greatly missed.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~03~RS~)
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To some, a voice behind the score
Providing facts and figures to explore
A law for all that hear, but do not see
A mind of knowledge, deep and fond of tea
We'll miss the interjections, his humour and his wit
His passion for the Cricket game, recording every hit
To some, a voice behind the score
To those who listened so much, so much more.
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The magical thing about TMS is how it unites millions of people all over world due to their simple love of the game of cricket.
Many of us have spend countless hours listening over the years (or even decades), and as such the contributors to the programme become part of our extended family. They're our friends, on the radio. And their loss is felt as keenly. TMS is a rare and precious thing. Long may it continue.
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Thanks Bill for forty-odd years of enjoyment,knowledge and above all,sheer love of cricket. We have grown up together from young men to nearly young men. A great shock and a great sadness. There will be a huge gap in TMS but a larger one for his family and friends.
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I suppose I can claim a sort of moral victory over Bill.
I emailed TMS during the Eng v Sri Lanka series in 2002 and asked him who scored the millionth run in tests and who was it for and thus against.
Bill, on air, grumbled and said it was a ridiculous question and wouldn't answer it.
Aggers, wouldn't have that and coaxed and cajoled him into answering it.
Off Bill went all in a huff.
BUT as you would expect less than 30 minutes he had the answer!
The millionth run in tests was scored by either Allan Border or Dean Jones during the Australia/Pakistan test in Lahore in 1986.
To find that within 30 minutes typified the man.
A statistical GENIUS.
I, we, all LOVED him.
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I still can't believe that Bill has died. It very sad he will be missed so much by every listener, fan and presenter on TMS.
We did all love Bill.
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Rest In Peace Bill Dunno How The TMS Team Are Gonna Cope With Out Ya! You'll Be Sadly Missed. I Know You'll Be Looking Down On Them In That Commentary Box In The Sky WIth Johnners
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I met Bill in the bar of the Chola Sheraton in Chennai before Christmas. A charming man who took the time to talk to everyone and who is remembered by the bar staff out here.
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I met him at Uni when he came to give a talk to the Cricket Society. A very nice man with a keen sense of humour who was obviously in love with the game. Another of the great amateurs gone from the sport alongside Johnners and Arlott. With the honourable exception of Richie Benaud, the so-called professionals we have now never seem to transmit the same empathy and enthusiasm.
I, for one, will miss him very much.
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Every time one of the TMS team dies, it is sad and I think the team will never be the same again. I thought this when Johnners and John Arlott went, but the team bounced back, as I'm sure they will from the loss of Bearders, but what will never be replaced is his obsessive interest in totally obscure (But fascinating) cricket trivia and his encyclopaedice knowledge. I hope his laptop is passed on to someone in the team who will make good use of it We'll miss you, bearders.
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Alison, a great tribute to a great guy, Thanks.
I will miss him deeply. His stats and humour will live for ever. :-(
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