Cowdrey family nominates Professional Cricketers’ Trust for donations in memory of Graham Cowdrey
Tuesday 24th November 2020
The funeral of much-loved former Kent batsman and ECB Match Referee Graham Cowdrey will be taking place this Friday, in a private family service and in-line with current Government guidelines.
In lieu of flowers for the service, the Cowdrey family have nominated the Professional Cricketers’ Trust for donations in memory of Graham, who passed away in November at the age of just 56.
Cowdrey spent his entire 14-year playing career at Kent, appearing 450 times and scoring exactly 14,000 runs for the county across first-class and List A cricket. He was awarded his county cap in Canterbury during the summer of 1988, after establishing himself in Kent’s middle order, and was a part of the Sunday League-winning side of 1995.
Retiring in 1998 following his Benefit Year, Cowdrey continued to work within the sport, most recently as a Cricket Liaison Officer with the ECB.
Family members Chris Cowdrey, Jeremy Cowdrey and Carolyn Keith have released the following statement in the wake of Graham’s passing:
“Our whole family is devastated to have lost Graham so young. Our lives will be poorer without him and his special brand of humour. Graham loved the PCA and all they did for him.
“He wouldn’t have wanted flowers but would have wished for donations to the Professional Cricketers’ Trust to provide further support for the wellbeing of cricketers in need and their immediate families. It is an incredible charity.
“Thank you in advance for any contributions you can make in honour of Graham.”
Kent Cricket’s Chairman, Simon Philip, added: “We have been overwhelmed by the tributes paid to Graham since we learned of his untimely passing. It has been touching to read that Graham positively impacted so many people’s lives.
Kent’s Director of Cricket, Paul Downton, said: “Graham was a truly loved member of the Kent cricketing family: as an avid supporter in his youth, as a player and then as an ECB representative after his playing career ended.
“His knowledge of the game and his willingness to ‘talk cricket’ with anyone was a testament to his warmth and stature.
“We know that the Professional Cricketers’ Trust is a charity that was close to Graham’s heart after a lifetime in cricket, and we thank in advance any donations made in his name.”