‘Footie’ was such a talented journalist - and delightful company

MANY supporters of Somerset and Gloucestershire will share the sense of loss over the death of my good friend and much-admired colleague David Foot at the age of 92.

Author of more than 20 books, the majority on cricket, including biographies of Harold Gimblett, Wally Hammond and Sir Vivian Richards, David, pictured, will always rank as the most talented all-round sports journalist I ever worked alongside. The Gimblett book alone, my personal favourite, entitles him to be regarded among sports writers of the highest quality.

Add the countless match reports on Somerset and Gloucestershire, invariably stamped with the deep love and knowledge he felt for county cricket, and the depth of David’s contribution to the game becomes apparent.

I particularly treasure a copy of his own autobiography ‘Country Reporter,’ inscribed: ‘To Richard. Another ‘country reporter’ – but a better one! Good to share a press box with you.’

In fact, I couldn’t lace David’s boots as a writer, journalist or broadcaster. The inscription was typical self-effacement from a man of great warmth, immense charm, a roguish grin and no little schoolboy humour.

I still have the first cheque he posted to me for doing some work on his behalf as a very young and inexperienced reporter. It was for £5 and came with a note saying: “Not quite the level of payment that would impress John Paul Getty. But surprising what you can do with a fiver – one or two new golf balls, or perhaps 15 condoms (given up buying them so don’t know the current market value).”

That, as I came to learn during countless hours in his delightful company, was pure ‘Footie.’