Some things never change at Headingley: Boycott saga revisited

Mr Wood points out it was written in the local paper in Rotherham, where he then lived, and appeared in September, 1983 at a time when there were arguments raging across the county over whether Boycott should be allowed to continue playing.

“It seems we have been arguing over Geoffrey for an awful long time. I kept this rather tongue-in-cheek article by Les Payne because it rather made me laugh and, it looked ahead some 20 years, to 2001.

“Here we are, over 30 years on from the article and 15 years on from the “future” date of 2001 in which it is set, and we’re still arguing over him.”

So, here is the 1983 article under the headline: ‘Will the Sir Geoffrey saga ever end? Maybe not’

The year? 2001. The scene. The committee room at Headingley.

Under discussion . A new contract for Sir Geoffrey, now nearly 61. Sid, a long-time Sir Geoffrey supporter speaks.

“I propose a new, four-year contract for Geoff. What loyalty he has shown this county.”

Brian, anti-Geoff Boycott, replies: “But Sid, Geoff only scored 400 runs last season.”

Sid: “Yes, but he was only out once and he topped the national averages. So, how can you leave out the best batsman in the country?

“The opposition couldn’t get him out and he kept batting right through the innings.”

Brian: “But we had the slowest run rate of all the counties. And what about the unrest caused to other players by constantly having to score quick runs to compensate?”

Sid: “Unrest, that’s all we seem to hear. Anyway, those players have all asked to leave. Where’s the loyalty? Look at all the players who have left in the last ten years”

Brian: “Have you ever thought why?”

Sid: “Rubbish. This just seems another bid to get rid of this county’s greatest-ever batsman. We all remember back in 1983/84 don’t we?” (Nodding heads all round)

Brian: “But what will we do for players?”

Sid: “It’s time to give the youngsters a chance.”

Brian: “But we suggested that in 1983.”

Sid: “Yes, but without Geoff. This time, they’ll have his vast experience to help them”.

At this point the Yorkshire chairman intervenes.

“Gentlemen, gentlemen, I think that’s enough.

“I don’t really think we need to vote over this new contract do we?” (Heads are shaken all round)

“I thought not,” says the chairman. “And I thank you for your confidence in me once again and I will continue to do my best for Yorkshire cricket.

“Right, now then, with that little lot over, who’s going to push my bathchair out to the nets so I can have some batting practice? Got to keep the old eye in at my age y’know”.

There are no shortage of volunteers.

NB: Of course, all characters portrayed are fictional and any likeness to any living person is purely coincidental.