Superstars Cricket Club

Barry Gigg is Mr Superstars. We can show that statistically of course but cricket, like life, is more than numbers, trophies and statistical greatness (apparently), it's about the friends you meet along the way. When Superstars past and present heard the news Barry was to retire they, of course, were quick to pay tribute in various ways. Some chose to contribute to this page.




			Superstars former player, introduced Barry to the club

			Hi Baz, as you know I introduced you to this lot, beyond that I take no further resopsibilly! I still think you were a fine player and an even better friend., despite what the others may say! Kindest Regards.




			Superstars 1988 - current, former Chairman

			Barry, no one has epitomised the ethos of Superstars Cricket Club more than yourself. You have been an absolute stalwart and helped keep this club going since you first joined, so many, many, many years ago. I’m so proud that you have always been generously giving so much to the club in your various roles and to the many players, making them all feel welcomed and involved. You have also taught countless players the importance of concise calling and the refusal of quick runs. Many new players would often lose their wicket, but you showed a patience that would put any saint to shame, repeating the lessons until they were finally learned. Seriously though I have so many great memories of our times together and so sad you have to end your playing days. You will always be known as Superstars’ finest ambassador, our Captain fantastic and my friend.




			Superstars 1986 - 1993, First CLub Captain

			Barry - Mr Cricket. I don’t think I’m speaking out of turn when I say that without your hard work and enthusiasm Superstars CC would not be where it is today. When you made your debut on 5 June 1990 at Greenwich I bet you didn’t think you’d be finally hanging up your boots 33 years later! Very best wishes for the future to you and Mary.




			Dodgers

			I am really sorry to hear injury is causing Barry to give up cricket. Despite advancing years I thought he would go on for ever. Even in recent times Barry has remained a fine player and a thoroughly decent team man. But I was lucky (or unluckily enough from a Dodgers perspective) to see him bat in his pomp during the 1990s - he was a quite brilliant batsman and in my view easily the best around on the 'Chiswick' circuit at that time. His running between the wickets was equally legendary and I remember many a time when he would punch the ball out towards me in the covers and immediately call 2 when there was barely a single to be had - he would invariably make his ground with ease - and often his partner would too. I also had the pleasure of working with Barry for a number of years during our TRANSEC days and he was an excellent colleague who was liked and respected by everyone. The term legend is often overused - but Barry (and the much missed Ken Block) are true Superstars legends.




			Superstars 1994 - current, Former Secretary

			Barry, when you agreed to take over as captain from Ken I remember you saying it would only be temporary. Well we've had to endure the longest temporary captaincy in cricket history (see Wisden page 666, 2023). But your bowling choices and batting line ups have been second to none over those long long years, and it has been a pleasure to play this great game with you.




			Superstars 1987-current

			I have had the pleasure of knowing Barry since he joined the club many years ago. A true gent and great colleague, my one regret is that batting so far down the order I never had the honour of being run out by him. Happy retirement dude.




			Superstars 1987-2009, former Chairman

			I remember opening with Barry in the 80's [think he's put a few years on you there Barry], always a pleasure kept me on my toes...I think our opening partnership was not too bad. It would be nice to have a meet up with you and others.




			Superstars former player

			My best wishes to el Capitano.




			Superstars 2005 - current

			“O Captain! my Captain!” But not only captain – also treasurer, batsman, organiser, wicket-keeper, heart and soul of Superstars – thank you so much. How will we cope without you?




			Superstars 2014 - current

			From my first game with the club you were nothing but welcoming, inclusive and encouraging, the embodiment of a brilliant friendly cricket captain, always prizing everyone's involvement over the result and the social side over the actual cricket. You've also shown remarkable patience with latecomers, no-shows, innumerable collapses and some indescribably bad bowling; a sensible ability to ignore all advice from your teammates; and an incredible knowledge of the best local pubs to go to and how many beers we can comfortably get in there before the train times home. It will all be badly missed but leaves us with a perfect blueprint for how it should be done. I won't make all the obvious jokes about losing tosses, failing to execute stumpings and running us all out, there just isn't enough space. But I will say that it's not enough to say that the club wouldn't and won't be the same without you, it's more that the club simply wouldn't exist. So it's up to all of us to continue that legacy of playing cricket for the right reasons and in the right way, and it will take so many of us collectively to contribute what you have put in alone. All the best for your sporting retirement. There's a pint of Pride waiting for you whenever you want to check that you've made the right decision and come and watch us play again.




			Superstars 2012 - current

			I didn’t even for a minute – in the last 12 years think that you would ever retire, but as all good things must come to an end, I will take this with a pinch of salt (and maybe a slice of lemon and tequila probably). Thanks for giving me a chance to play for you all these years and thanks for inspiring me to continue playing cricket further. For me you were the best and will ever remain so. May the next innings of your life be as thrilling and inspiring as your cricketing journey.




			Superstars 2015-current

			I am very sorry to hear the news that you are thinking of calling it a day. Retirement (if that is not too grand a word), comes to us all however, not many will have had such a long and successful time in the game. I was lucky enough to have both played against and with you and on a few occasions captained the other side. You have always played the game in the right sprit and sought to give a every player a chance to get involved in the game (even if they didn’t always want to be). This may of sometimes been to the detriment of winning the game, however you were more interested in giving everyone a go. I am sure that most of us would agree with that. I do not remember ever been able to dismiss when I bowled against you and I am very happy to say I never had to face your leg spin! You have been such a vital part of the Superstars for some 30 odd years and things will not be the same. Your achievement of making over 10,000 runs for the club will take some beating! I hope that you will be seen at Superstars games in the future and maybe make the odd game or two as well. Hopefully without any run outs. I wish you well Barry.




			Superstars 1998 - current, Secretary

			Thank you for always being there to get everyone involved in the game. Your determination to ensure everyone either batted or bowled made everyone feel welcome and part of the club. When I joined the club, I was still a serious runner, yet I was amazed when you outran me going for a quick single. You made playing fun for everyone. Your bat seemed to always have a good middle and lasted for about a thousand games thanks to the copious amounts of tape you applied to it. I watched it slowly falling apart one season as chunks of wood fell off in innings after innings. Eventually you retired the bat. And now after years of taping yourself together you are retiring. To me you will always be the bat with the good middle. Keep that good middle, we will miss you.




			Superstars 2015 - current

			Barry, thank you for being a shining example of the fabled ‘spirit of cricket’ and for your many years of commitment to the Superstars. You always do your best to make sure everybody participates and has a chance to make a meaningful contribution, and that is ultimately what friendly cricket should be about. Despite all of the jokes about you running others out, I quite enjoyed batting together and fondly remember being part of a match-winning stand together a few times. This includes a last-wicket win in your 10,000 run game, and running a very chaotic 2 to win off the final ball on the final game of my first tour. All the very best to you in your retirement, and also to Mary for being and ever-present by your side.




			Superstars 2014 - current

			Thank you so much for all you have done on and off the pitch, Barry. You've always been an incredibly reliable player with bat and gloves and you even turn up on time which is a rare talent at Superstars. Thanks for being so welcoming when I first joined (even after you saw me bat and bowl). I really appreciate all you do to keep the club going, this was particularly apparent last season when you would travel in from deepest, darkest Kent even when you were injured to make sure the game was being officiated properly, getting 2 runs for a wide was probably our best chance of winning so this was essential. And thank you for all the stumpings for the stumping!




			Superstars 2016 - current

			It's such a shame that your playing career with Superstars is drawing to a close. It's hard to know what we'll miss more: losing the toss, the running between the wickets, refusal to accept subs online, hatred of bowling overs from one end or setting the standard 5-4 field. (More) seriously, you've been a mainstay of the club for as long as I've played and your endless enthusiasm and positivity is unbelievable. We will definitely miss your runs, keeping and fielding, and maybe even those loopy leg spinners. You have done so much for the club year after year, from organising pre-season nets all the way through to running the awards night and the AGM. I really hope you're still able to attend matches and stay part of the club as we'd love for you to continue to be involved. My favourite Gigg moment? Having not being around for the all-run 4 for a tie in 2012 or the 39ao against Bricklayers (see comment above re: overs from one end) it has to be the Gigg/Bishop birthday match in Shoreham - it was a fantastic day and everything that is right about social cricket. Thank you for all of the time you've dedicated to Superstars!




			Superstars 2013-current

			Skip, thank you for all your hard work and effort for the club. Since I joined you have always been Mr Superstar, a fantastic skipper and an even better friend. Hope that we see you at future games and tour. I am sure we are all thinking the same thing... "Who is going to run me out now"




			Superstars former player

			I had the pleasure of playing with Barry for a few years - i say pleasure but not when i was batting with him and he had run 3 before i had done 1 !! A brilliant player and an even better person. Happy retirement mate and thanks for all the great memories.




			Superstars 2017 - current

			Barry, you are the true spirt of Cricket. Since I joining the club I have had the deepest respect for you and your captaincy, not only for organising the games and leading the team but in the manner you did it. You always ensured everyone has fair opportunity to play and get their opportunity to shine (or otherwise). The aim of the game is not to be super competitive but but to maximise quality time with super friends. As a result, I love playing for Superstars because of the culture you have created. If this is the end of a best ever Superstars career the scoresheet will sorely miss you, but the the club has not seen the last of Barry Gigg.




			Superstars 2017-current

			Thank you so much Barry for everything you have done to lead the club - we will definitely miss your organisational skill and effort, and your efforts on the pitch too. Others will comment on the run-outs, the tosses and (more positively!) your captaincy and keeping. But what will really stand out for me was the tenacity in your batting, which I personally continue to take inspiration from. A game was never lost while you were still at the crease, and your innumerable glances, tucks, glides and scampered twos got us over the line in many a run chase. I hope we'll continue to see you at a few matches.




			Superstars 1998 - current

			Barry has been integral to the club for as long as anyone can remember. Looking back it is hard to picture a match, net session or meeting without him being involved. On match days I only picture him actively doing something for the team. Sorting out the equipment and meeting the opposition on arrival. Keeping, batting, scoring and umpiring during the game. And after collecting match fees in the bar and advising on train times so all get safely home. But most of all he has been a friend to all, whether a newbie, a guest, a regular, or an old timer trotting out for one last hurrah. I'm consider him the glue that has kept the club together and successful, and the major reason so many of us have stayed connected to the club for so long. Cheers Skipper!




			Superstars 2004-current

			Since I started playing for Superstars you've been the lynchpin for the whole club, from finances, to putting out flags and even some cricket occasionally your dedication to the club has been fautless. Your selfnessless is something we can all learn from and be inspired by. I'm very keen that the ethos you instilled in the club, to give everyone a game, is continued. I'd also like to wish Mary well and I hope to see you both at a Superstars game soon. I could say more but I think the space in this box has run out.