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80 not out - lifelong fan Eric recognised for 8 decades at the Cheltenham Festival

31 July 2014

Gloucestershire Cricket has paid tribute to lifelong supporter Eric Gordon who celebrated the 80th anniversary of his first Cheltenham Cricket Festival visit at this year's event.

During that time the 92-year-old has only missed one year - 1946 when he was posted overseas with the army.

Eric - who used to work as a clerk at the County Court - was given an inscribed piece of Bristol blue glass by Glos skipper Michael Klinger to mark his incredible dedication.

Chief executive Will Brown said: "It is wonderful to be able to say thank you to Eric on behalf of the club for all his years of support.

"His dedication to the Cheltenham Festival shows the affection people have for it and underline why it is such a special event.

"It is great to see him enjoying it as much as ever and it was great to be able to recognise Eric's achievement in reaching this milestone."

Click on the player below to hear Eric reminisce about his memories of the festival and on his attempts to get the great Wally Hammond to sign his autograph.

Eric attends the Cheltenham Festival with his son John - who has been to 55 festivals in a row  - and grandson David  (see pic of family above) who was bringing up his 20th visit to the historic event.

In the interview below John also recalls his favourite festival memories from the past half century including a Mike Proctor hat-trick of LBWs v Yorkshire and a quick-fire century from Ray White made in near darkness v Notts.

To listen to three generations of the Gordon family click below.

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