Brian Carter was an iconic figure at Addiscombe for five decades from his early days as a wicket-keeper in the legendary days of Sunday 2nd XI cricket, aka Sunday Strollers, through a myriad of roles to be a Vice President and Trustee of Addiscombe CC.

He had a herculean spell as Hon. Treasurer of 30 years, when his presentation of the accounts at the AGM was spell binding, in as much as they were immaculate and with countless details that enabled the layman to grasp the nettle in a nano second!

Brian joined Addiscombe in the early 1960’s and was a fixture on Sundays. Regularly keeping wicket and as befits cricketers of his generation a livewire in the bar afterwards. Did he bat?, well yes in the Jack Leach mode rather than a budding Ben Stokes!

Brian was not “just” a cricketer at Sandilands and his entrepreneurial skills came to the fore in the 70’s when he masterminded an Addiscombe tour to Somerset along with his great friend John Saxby. Reviving a trait of earlier years the support was first class, from 1st Xi through to the Extra 2nds! – a name given to the Saturday 3rd XI - and its riotous success prompted encores for a few more years.

And there’s more! Addsparkle was another example of his innovative thinking when a combination of the club’s cricketers and Shirley Park tennis players turned their erstwhile talents to producing and appearing in a Music Hall. Brian was very much to the fore in its success.

The Music Halls enjoyed a spectacular thirteen year run and toured the local sports clubs in the winter months with this variety act raising money for charity. The esprit de corps generated is still talked about today in affectionate terms.

His influence at management committee meetings was immense as his well thought through ideas were always welcomed. With the grounds fallow from October till late April Brian hatched the idea of a Hockey Club utilizing the outfield with our Founder, “Uncle” Joe Pierce. Support was immediately forthcoming and the Addiscombe Hockey club was formed, grew sensationally and to this day excels.

Brian’s presence at the bar with a “what will you have?” was indicative of the geniality of the man and that one liner went hand in hand with a smile and a warm handshake. Conversations always centered on the positives as he was a glass half full man a trait that was much admired by all at Addiscombe CC. His enthusiastic presence “this” side of the boundary rope continued unabated even during his illness as he was once again choosing to accentuate inspired performances even in a losing cause.

Brian’s sporting life embraced many sports and he will be remembered at West Wickham FC where Peter Stanley Williams influenced his move to Addiscombe Cricket Club, then there was the aforementioned Hockey Club where he was President for two decades, the Paralytics CC and of course Croham Hurst Golf Club.

Addiscombe Cricket Club has lost in Brian an incredibly well-respected Vice President, a character and a motivational presence that will be a challenge to replace.

Paul Hooper and Chris Whitehouse