I think that I took more balls keeping to Roy's bowling for around 25 years than off any other bowler in the club with the possible exception of Don Stevens.

Roy was a character and a more than useful cricketer. No greater tribute can be paid to him than by reference to contributions made by two other ACC legends Chris Whitehouse and Peter Williams, who wrote the acclaimed and fascinating history of the Club.

I will first quote from Peter Williams:

" 1966 saw the coming of the irrepressible Roy Sattar,who,when introduced to his new skipper before his first game in the 2nd X1,announced," well man , I open de batting, open de bowling, and if you want I'll keep wicket"

"No mean batsman in his early years with the Club, Roy is best remembered for his extraordinary bowling action, virtually impossible to describe adequately - gentle medium pace, impeccable length, bowled off the wrong foot as if in the middle of the run up, the arm coming over almost as an afterthought -that will suffice. The startled look on the face of a new and unaquainted batsman as he receives his first ball from Roy is to be treasured" (I can vouch for that - not only the look but also the expression of incredulity!)

In the mid 60's a special edition of the 'Hectic' included pen pictures of the playing members of that era composed by Chris Whitehouse. I quote the reference to Roy:

"Ebullient all rounder whose chief claim to fame was his K.O. of Mike Burrows (then a top Surrey Championship cricketer) in the single wicket competition. The cycling king of Addiscombe (he rode for Barbados in the 1948 Olympics) and elected 'Mr Joviality' by the passengers on the 130 route (where he worked as a 'cliippie'). Rebel with a cause." (not sure why he should have been a rebel but there you are)

I have many memories of Roy and I clearly recall a miserable afternoon at the end of September 1971 when the Sunday 2nd X1 played its last and worst fixture of the season on Sanderstead recreation ground. Roy started the game with 98 wickets and finished with the same number. I recall that three easy catches were put down in the slips none of them difficult. A great achievement but he was not destined to get the 100 it seems.

One of our team at that time, not renowned for giving praise said of Roy's bowling, that " you won't see anyone take him apart." Absolutely true. He was a great example of 'line and length'. By contrast his batting was to say the least mercurial! He called for a run for every shot whether it went 2 yards or 100 yards. His run out record did not endear him to his many victims around that time!

Despite the rhetoric Roy was in fact modest about his achievements in life. It is a mark of the man that he continued to work right up to the end. Ian Harris tells me that he saw him in Sainsbury's,where he worked as a storeman, about a week before he died. No long suffering for Roy and a very good way to end a long innings. No less than he deserved.

I am sure that all our wishes are with Doreen, Colin and his brothers at this sad time for them all.

Brian Carter

Very sad news. I played with Roy on many occasions and having kept wicket can assure you that his unique bowling action caught batsman and me on the hop on many occasions. Roy often came on to bowl with a game to be won and players thought what on earth is that and before long he had turned the game and had 4 or more wickets. His most famous field setting was to have a fly slip and it was amazing how many wickets he picked up there. Roy was also someone who could get you a few runs with a variety of shots. Although you always had to be on your toes with his optimistic judgement of a run. My last memory of Roy was him arriving at the Old Whit's cricket week on a bike 2 years ago chatting to every one and really enjoying himself.

Ian 'Wildy' Turner

Just to add another story to the career of Roy, playing at Chertsey on a Sunday.
Roy opened the bowling and bowled the opening bat first ball who was also the opposition captain.
This so surprised the captain that he strode of the ground saying Roy threw the ball. On returning to the field as umpire, a couple of overs later at Roy's end,
he then proceeded to ''no - ball'' Roy for throwing.
I had a word in the Captain/Umpires ear and said how can you ''no-ball'' Roy from your end for throwing, should it not be the square leg umpire?
He then proceeded to switch with the square leg umpire and called Roy for throwing.
Roy came up to me during the over and said don't worry man I will bowl spin.
Shock horrah! Roy then bowled off spin off of the correct foot and I believe took 6 wickets.
Their umpire had no answer.
A great character and all round cricketer.

Derek Stevens