Is Boycott on a sticky wicket over his gong?
THeRe has been criticism of Theresa May’s decision to give Geoffrey Boycott a knighthood in her resignation honours list. I can only speak as a Lancashire lad and long-time fan. I can remember a time when a person was not crucified for having an opinion and we were proud of people who were steadfast. I can also admit that a Yorkshireman can be as blunt as he is honest. Geoffrey Boycott is a Marmite person — people love him or hate him. I served in the Falklands after the war and wrote to Geoffrey, a hero of mine, who was at that time being pilloried by elements at Yorkshire cricket club and the media. I enclosed a photo of a supportive comment about him written on the Berlin Wall. He printed it in a book with a dedication expressing thanks to a loyal fan. During my time in the Falklands, I received several letters from Geoffrey, each one wishing me happiness. Back in Britain, I saw he was doing a book signing in a store in chelmsford. I joined the back of a queue of at least 100 people with books for the great man to sign. When I got to the front and introduced myself, in a loud voice he said: ‘everyone, this is a very good friend of mine, one of our brave soldiers. Bring him a cup of tea.’ I sat down next to him and for the next two hours we talked. There have been lurid headlines about an assault on a girlfriend in France in the nineties, and even though I believe the wrong verdict was given, there is no way of changing it. I for one will never lose faith in a man who has stood for all that is good about our country and served it with pride.
BRUCE WILSON, Preston, Lancs. ARISe, Sir Geoff Boycott, and if ever there was proof that the honours list means nothing it’s the insult to all abused woman that a convicted woman beater will kneel before the Queen and be bestowed a knighthood. But does it surprise you when the worthiness of a knighthood long ago lost its lustre, with bought peerages and rewards to flunkies? It’s time this archaic fiasco was scrapped.
S. T. VAUGHAN, Birmingham. WHAT a brilliant decision to award Geoffrey Boycott a knighthood. It’s about the only thing Theresa May got right.
GRAHAM CARR, Harrogate, N. Yorks. SHOULD we boycott Boycott?
R. J. DOE, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. FORGeT all the controversy about Geoffrey Boycott’s knighthood and get him a cap, box, some pads and a stick of rhubarb so he can open the batting for england.
ALAN HARVEY, Yarm, N. Yorks.