TRIBUTES have been paid to a true sporting legend in Harlow, Martin Gladwin, who has passed away after a short illness.

A tribute has been written by the Executive Head of Passmores Academy and member of Harlow Town Cricket Club, Vic Goddard on behalf of the club.

Mr Goddard said: “It was great sadness that everyone associated with Harlow Town Cricket Club (previously Stort CC) and the wider cricket family across Essex heard of the sudden passing of our Club President Martin Gladwin on Sunday 8th of September following a very short illness. Martin was a Harlow man through and through having been born in Old Harlow and staying local throughout his life. Always a keen sportsman playing for Harlow Town FC, Harlow Town and Harlow Cricket Clubs and latterly he enjoyed playing bowls at Tye Green Bowls Club.

It is very easy to just talk about Martin’s involvement with playing and coaching cricket. However, we feel it is important to start with the fact that Martin was first and foremost a good, family man and we all send our deepest respect and condolences to Martin’s wife, Christine, and his sons, Jason and Neil.

If you think of cricket in Harlow it is impossible to not think of Martin. He represented the club, as a player, with great pride and skill winning numerous awards; most notably for his outstanding wicketkeeping – taking over 800 catches and 250 stumpings throughout his long playing career.

Once he finished playing that was far from the end of Martin’s involvement with the cricket club and many members owe him a huge debt of gratitude for his coaching and encouragement over decades. It would be hard to find any young player at the club that has not benefited from Martin’s brand of quiet, thoughtful advice. If there was a game of junior cricket involving Harlow Town you could be certain that you would see Martin walking slowly around the boundary encouraging any young person in earshot.

Martin became Club President in 2001, a position he proudly and actively held until his passing. For some being Club President is purely ceremonial with little to do; well not for Martin. He ensured that every player knew of the important traditions of our club and that we all wore our club badge with the pride he did.

Martin’s funeral is on Friday 20th September at Harlow Crematorium at 3.15 and then, fittingly, to the cricket club.

“We will truly miss Martin as a player, coach, role model and man. Rest in peace Martin, our friend.”

Vic Goddard

Written on behalf of Harlow Town CC members and families