Hampshire Cricket Pays Tribute To Long-Serving Journalist Pat Symes

Words by Alex Crook

Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove is among those who have paid tribute to journalist Pat Symes, who sadly died last week aged 71 following a brave battle with illness.

Pat covered Hampshire’s fortunes for national media for more than four decades and was the county’s correspondent for the acclaimed Wisden Almanack, a role he carried out with extreme pride.

Bransgrove said: “Pat Symes was one of the most respected sports writers on the south coast. He regularly summarised Hampshire Cricket’s season in the annual Wisden Almanack and penned many articles about the county in countless publications, including the prestigious Cricketer magazine.

“I got to know him well after he had been diagnosed with cancer and we remained in regular contact throughout his battle.

“Just three weeks ago he told me how much he was missing Hampshire Cricket and added ‘I have to survive to make sure our beloved Hants get covered’.

“It is so sad that this wish remained unfulfilled and that he also missed the club’s finest moment last Saturday at Edgbaston.

“I am sure all Hampshire supporters, cricket lovers and football fans alike will miss Pat’s astute writing and those, like myself, who were lucky enough to know him, will feel as deep sense of personal loss at this very sad time.”

Pat’s strong affiliation with firstly Northlands Road and then The Ageas Bowl saw club greats Malcolm Marshall and Shaun Udal entrust him with ghost-writing their autobiographies.

Former Hampshire player, and now Cricket Operations Manager, Tim Tremlett said: “I am extremely sorry to learn that Pat has passed away.

“Hampshire CCC played County Cricket for over 100 years at the United Services Ground, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth and it was in the Officers Club at the Railway End back in the late 1970’s that I fondly remember meeting Pat for the first time.

“All of the written media were housed on the first floor alongside the Club’s office staff and it was the best place to watch the cricket from.

“Mike Neasom, of the Portsmouth Evening News, was the popular and leading local sports reporter at the time and Pat worked for the M & Y News Agency.

“Whenever you walked through the room there appeared to be plenty of laughter and Pat had a permanent smile on his face laughing at the sharp and often barbed exchanges.

“I believe Pat learnt a lot off Mike. Mike was recognised as being a fair journalist but never fudged away from criticism when deserved and necessary. Pat learnt well.

“The players trusted him because he was genuine and was genuinely interested in the person rather than just the story.

“As a result, the brilliant West Indian cricketer, Malcolm Marshall, had no hesitation in asking Pat to write his biography.

“Over the years it became evident that Pat was now the mentor to aspiring young journalists who were more than willing to learn from his wealth of experience.

“Pat will be sadly missed but his beaming smile will never fade.”

Pat’s press room colleague Ivo Tennant, a writer for the Times, said: “Pat got on well with everybody.

“In all the years I covered cricket with him, I cannot recall him ever being cross or remotely flustered.

“One of his numerous attributes was that he never seemed to miss how a wicket fell. His eyesight and concentration appeared faultless.

“He had a nice sense of humour. I came to know him well enough to socialise with him. He was at ease with all types of individuals.

“There was no such thing as an unenjoyable day at Northlands Road or The Ageas Bowl in Pat's company.”

Pat is survived by wife Linda, daughter Aimee, sons Paul and John and eight grandchildren.

Everyone at Hampshire Cricket and The Ageas Bowl offer their sympathies and condolences to Pat’s family and friends.