40th anniversary of B+H triumph

Date: Tuesday 17 January 2012

Leicestershire CCC is having a series of special events to mark the 40th anniversary of the Club’s 1972 Benson and Hedges Cup triumph.

With no player benefit for 2012, the Club has decided to do a number of activities to raise funds for the Club and charities.

These include a special dinner at Leicester Tigers on Thursday April 12, a sponsored parachute jump and t20 game against Foxes of the recent past.

The dinner will be staged in association with the Lord’s Taverners and already six members of the 1972 winning side have confirmed their attendance.

Those players are Ray Illingworth, who captained the side, current Club Chairman Paul Haywood, Roger Tolchard, Barry Dudleston, John Steele and Terry Spencer.

England national selector Geoff Miller will be the guest speaker while Illingworth, double Championship-winning captain James Whitaker and current Club captain Matthew Hoggard will conduct a Q and A session. Charles Dagnall will be Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

Leicestershire legends Jack Birkenshaw, Dickie Bird, Jonathan Agnew and Paul Nixon will also be in attendance, along with former Leicestershire player David Constant, who was one of the umpires at Lord’s.

​Haywood said that the Benson and Hedges Cup will be on display and is excited about the dinner. He said: "It will be brilliant to get everybody together. It could prove quite a special dinner with the people who are coming.

"We are looking to raise lots of money for the Club and good causes. We want to take the Club out around the county and get the whole community involved.

"We will be working with different local charities for different events and hope to raise lots of money for all concerned.”

County’s chairman Haywood will then be involved in the parachute jump at Langar on Monday, April 16.

Haywood completed his first parachute jump 30 years ago and has opened the sponsored event to any Foxes’ members. Everybody will complete the parachute jump with a qualified instructor,

There will also be the aforementioned t20 match between current and former LCCC players, a Promises auction as well as a fashion show and golf day.

Chief Executive Mike Siddall said the Club are looking to raise £40,000-£50,000 in what is sure to be a difficult financial year, so please get involved in what is sure to be an exciting 2012.

* Paul Haywood is trying to find footage of the 1972 final and if any members or supporters have any, they are urged to contact the club on 0871 282 1879 or email enquiries@leicestershireccc.co.uk

* If you would like to be involved in the parachute jump, please use the same contact details to get in touch with the Club.

For a flyer of the event - please download the link below:

Launch dinner (1.16 MB)