Alan Burridge
Alan James Burridge (born 8 October 1936, Sunderland, County Durham) is a retired English sportsman and sports administrator.
Cricket Career
Alan Burridge was a fine all-round Sportsman. He was a hard-hitting left handed batsman who played for Wearmouth CC, Horden CC as Professional, Enfield CC, Penrith CC as Professional, Sunderland CC, Lincoln CC and Watford Town CC, with great success. Ref 1.100 Years of Durham County Cricket Club. Brian Hunt. 1983.
'Budgie' played for the formidable Durham CCC team from 1965-71 in 95 matches scoring 3,745 runs, including 3 centuries and 22 fifties with a highest score of 125* against Lancs.2s.He represented Lincolnshire CCC. 1972-74 and Hertfordshire CCC 1974-79.
He was awarded the Gillette Cup, Man of the Match Medal, in 1972 for his 94 v Oxfordshire CCC, 'The victory of which arguably did more for the County's coffers than any in Durham history'. Ref. Durham CCC. Past, Present and Future-Jack Bannister 1993.
He played one First-class match for The Minor Counties XI against the West Indies Touring Team in 1973 and many domestic One-Day Cricket games for the Minor Counties Cricket XI against the First Class Counties in the Benson and Hedges Cup Competition,[1] during which time in 1972, he was awarded the Man of the Match Gold Award v Derbyshire for his powerful 76 runs in a closely fought game.
He represented Hertfordshire Over 50s Cricket XI between 1988-1997 and his powerful batting in 45 innings resulted in an aggregate of 1975 runs including 10 fifties and 5 centuries at an average of 48.17. Ref. Herts. CCA 50+ Career Averages.
Football career
In his 'younger days' he was a prolific goal scoring Centre Forward for Bishop Auckland, Consett FC and Gateshead AFC (under the stewardship of Jack Fairbrother-ex Newcastle United and Lawrie McMenemy, the former Southampton Manager) and represented Durham County at Soccer from 1959–63, also the FA Amateur XI on a number of occasions.
On retiring from Soccer he took up Rugby and played Fullback and on the Wing for Sunderland RFC, Newark RFC and Watford RFC.
Business career
After some years as a Teacher of Physical Education, then as a Lecturer, at the now Sunderland University, he changed direction to a Career in Recreation Management, Managing Sports Centres in Newark and Lincoln from 1970–74,
In 1974 he was appointed Head of Amenities and Recreation by Watford Borough Council and was responsible for the successful Management and Development of one of the 'early' Multi Disciplined Leisure Departments.
After two years as Secretary of Middlesex County Cricket Club 1980-81, he was appointed Regional Officer for Sport England (London and South East Region) advising Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Authorities and Sports Clubs on the Development and Funding of Sports Projects.
In 1985 he returned to his Career in Recreation Management when he was appointed Head of a newly formed Leisure Services Department by the London Borough of Barnet and was instrumental in developing new Sports Facilities and significantly improving sporting opportunities for Residents in the Borough.
In 1995 he took Early Retirement from Local Government and formed 'Springwood Leisure', a small but dynamic Leisure Consultancy which continues to provide a 'bespoke and high class service' to Schools, Local Authorities and Sports Clubs on the Design,Development,Funding and Management of new and improved Sports Facilities.