The well-known local cricket administrator and player, Roger Berryman, died on 16 January 2021 aged 80.
Roger became Treasurer of what was then the Oxfordshire County Cricket Club in 1994, taking over from Simon Porter. After the merger with the OCCA in 1996 that formed the OCB, his role increased significantly due to the Board’s additional responsibilities. He managed this transition very effectively and, after a period co-ordinating with other treasurers on sub-committees, he took over the day-to-day management and control of all the OCB’s finances. A further step change occurred in 2010 with the OCB becoming an Incorporated company. Now Finance Director of the new organisation, among other new requirements of the role Roger had to introduce a Payroll system now that the OCB had moved to an operation with paid employees, rather than purely a volunteer workforce. He remained in post until 2014, a stint of 21 years, managing the ever-increasing number of annual transactions systematically and efficiently. During his time in office he saw the annual turnover of the organisation go from around £25k to almost £350k. Roger was also a great supporter of the Oxfordshire Minor County team and would attend most of their matches.
As a player, Roger had a long and distinguished career as a very fine off spin bowler. In the 1970s he was a regular member of the Bourton Vale side and when they joined the Cherwell League in 1982, Roger quickly became known in Oxfordshire circles. An early memory is of him taking 7 – 7 against a strong North Oxford team at St John’s. Roger often represented the Cherwell League representative side and in 1990 he also managed the team to win the Schweppes Club Cricket Conference competition. Leaving Bourton Vale in 1997, Roger went on to join the Oxford Downs where he continued to play in the League until 2009. The Cherwell League records that date from 1994 show that Roger took the grand total of 429 wickets. In the earlier period from his league debut in 1982, he took a further 302 wickets in the league. His best analysis was 9 – 35 for Oxford Downs 2nd XI against Didcot 2nd XI in 2000. Roger played many matches for the South Oxfordshire Amateurs and also represented the Oxfordshire 50+ side for several seasons. After his playing career ended, he took up umpiring.
His contribution to the Oxford Downs, both on and off the field, cannot be underestimated. He has acted as Club Secretary since 2003 and was also their Fixture Secretary. Always willing to take responsibility for matters, he was a most valued member of the club.
Roger will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Chairman of the Board, Chris Clements had the following to say on his passing
“Today’s news about the passing of Roger Berryman has deeply saddened the Oxfordshire Cricket community. Rog made a huge contribution as a player and as an administrator, heavily influencing the shape of cricket in the County that exists today. Our thoughts go out to Judith, Sue, Helen, Gill and his grandchildren. He was truly a top man.”
Steve Wilson, Secretary of the SOA, commented: “Roger loved cricket both as a player and in retirement. He enjoyed a long and successful playing career with Bourton Vale and Oxford Downs, as well as representing SOA, and played well into his late sixties. Roger also represented the county for many years in the Over 50s team and as Honorary Treasurer. Roger and Judith were ever present on our Devon and overseas tours and his death will leave a huge hole in the hearts of everyone who knew him. Our thoughts are of course with Judith and Roger’s family.”
Chairman of Oxford Downs CC, Tom Welch had the following to say on his passing
“Roger’s contribution and commitment to Oxford Downs cannot be underestimated. He stepped in to be secretary on an interim basis in 2003 and remained ever since! He was also fixture secretary for many years and heavily involved in our junior section. 10 of our players that won the Cherwell League 2 years ago had been coached by Roger as youngsters. He loved working with the juniors and they got so much from being coached and mentored by him. Throughout what shines through about Roger was his care for everything about the club and everyone in it. He cared passionately about Oxford Downs and about Oxfordshire cricket in general and we will miss him hugely.”
Former Secretary of the Board, Peter O’Neil had the following to say on his passing
“I first met Roger when he was playing cricket for Bourton Vale and came to know him well over the years as we served on various cricket committees, initially on the Cherwell League and then on Oxfordshire cricket committees before and after Incorporation, firstly in his role as Treasurer and then as Financial Director. He was very knowledgeable about local and Minor County cricket and was a huge and passionate supporter of the Oxfordshire County Side, even acting as 12th man at Shrewsbury against Shropshire due to various on-field injuries. With our wives we spent many happy hours watching Minor County cricket both home and away. Roger had a very good cricketing brain and would often wonder why certain decisions were being made on the field. He had a great sense of humour and on one occasion having been presented with a travel expense claim by a player glanced at the piece of paper and said ‘you must have started your trip in the middle of the Atlantic’. – the claim was quickly amended! Roger enjoy watching the cricket from your grandstand in the sky RIP”