Mike Procter Big Screen Tribute
21 June 2024
Most cricket fans will have heard about the sad passing of one of Gloucestershire’s greatest ever players earlier this year - South African, Mike Procter.
During the build-up to the Gloucestershire v Somerset T20 match at Bristol on Friday 21 June, there will be a tribute to Mike and a reminder of some of the many great memories he left for Gloucestershire supporters.
It was 47 years ago, on 22 June 1977, that Proccie as he was affectionately known, famously blew away the Hampshire top order in the semi-final of the B&H Cup with one of his most devastating spells of bowling. He took four wickets in five balls, including a hat-trick, to set up The Shire’s place in the final at Lord’s where they defeated Kent to win the Cup.
Before the T20 match against Somerset next Friday we will be showing a few video clips of Proccie in his prime – a swashbuckling batsman and a ferociously quick fast bowler with an indomitable will to win. He was a warrior on the pitch but a gentleman off it.
Mike’s daughters and two of his grandchildren have flown in to take part in two public tributes to Mike, the second being at Cheltenham on Monday 1 July. Several former Gloucestershire players who played with Proccie will also be present. It will be your opportunity to remember the man and pay your own respects.
Following his playing days, Mike was an international coach, a TV and radio pundit, an ICC match referee and a South Africa national team selector.
Twelve years ago, he set up the Mike Procter Foundation to provide sporting opportunities for underprivileged children in a township in Durban, South Africa. He would often quote his hero, Nelson Mandela who said: “We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in any society, a life free from violence and fear”.
Mike put that into practice through his Foundation.
Mike was a legend at Gloucestershire and is appropriately honoured in the Legend’s Walkway at the Ashley Down Road end of the County Ground. In his heyday, the County was dubbed “Proctershire” by the media, such was his dominance as one of cricket’s greatest players of his era.
Every summer Mike returned to the UK to catch up with the many friends and fans he had made down the years. This year he will be sadly missed.
Thank you Proccie for everything you gave to Gloucestershire, to cricket and to the children in the township in Durban.
View the full video tribute aired during Gloucestershire v Somerset on Friday 21 June below;
