Graham Prodger (Prodg)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Graham Prodger, who died early this morning at the age of 88 after a brief illness.

Graham was a true one-off, a force of nature, who threw himself into everything that he did. Arriving in Inverclyde in 1968, he announced himself to Greenock supporters with a swash-buckling and match-winning century in his first game for the 2nd XI. A left-handed bat, he took the attack to the opposition bowling at every opportunity, trying to hit the first ball he faced for a boundary. He wasn't always successful but refused to change his tactics. He could be the most exhilarating batsman to watch. He was also an outstanding fielder, one game at Hamilton Crescent fielding at leg slip lives long in the memory.

Graham became President of the Club in 1987-88 and worked tirelessly to improve the fortunes of the Club in these two years. On retiring from his employers, Shell, he and his family moved down to Cornwall, firstly to Mousehole and latterly to Penzance, but he kept a keen eye on all things to do with Glenpark, returning occasionally just to make sure nobody forgot him. As if they would! Our sincere and deep condolences go to his widow, Gill and sons, Martin and Stewart and all his friends. He will be such a sad loss and will never be forgotten by all who met him.

We will remember Graham with great affection and are glad that we were able to recognise the scale of the contribution that he made to the Club by appointing him to the position of Honorary Vice-President at the AGM last December.