Whilst the sad passing of Derek Underwood is almost certainly a higher profile cricketer to die this week it would be remiss if Reigate Priory did not mourn the death, two days ago, of Raman Subba Row.

Raman was the driving force behind the creation of the Surrey Championship in 1968. This occurred at a time when, unbelievably as it may seem today, competitive league cricket for amateur clubs was considered as almost a crime in the South of England and in many other parts of the UK. Clubs and officers involved in such ventures were literally "black-balled" by governing bodies like the Club Cricket Conference.

Raman, an Old Whitgiftian and Cambridge University and England cricketer, was a visionary man who not only set in motion the creation of the Test and County Cricket Board (now the ECB) to replace a private members club (MCC) in running English cricket but also felt more competitive club cricket, in structured leagues, was the future for the club game.

He started this process in Surrey in 1966 and was Chairman of the Surrey Championship in its formative year of 1968, before becoming its first President. At this time Reigate Priory, together with clubs like Wimbledon, were also opposed to the principle of competitive league cricket and felt it was a threat to traditional fixtures.

No doubt members will read more detailed obituaries to Raman elsewhere but it is only appropriate that Reigate Priory recognise the enormous contribution he made to cricket and Surrey cricket in particular and how much fun and pleasure his vision has given so many of us. Raman thank you and R.I.P.