Tribute to the Sadly Departed Terry Abbott

I am saddened to report the passing away of one of Middlesex loyalist fans and thoroughly good bloke Terry Abbott. With a tear in my eye here is a tribute to the great man.

When I first met Terry he was fondly known as Turkey Terry. He was one of the founder members of the “Turkeys” the name then given to loyal Middlesex fans during our 1990’s decline for the few fans who made three successive 40 over away trips, all defeats, the final one at Durham. 

 My first encounter with Terry was 10 ½ years ago when I just discovered MTWD and rediscovered following Middlesex home and away. I was on a trip for 4-day match at Northampton. There was a delay with my train and I was running late. At Northampton Station I saw someone who looked like a cricket fan in front of long queue for taxi. I pushed in asking if he was going to game. Terry obviously was and much to annoyance of other people we shared a taxi to the ground. We had a full day together with other “Turkeys”. He introduced me to many Middlesex followers, which was greatly appreciated at this stage I was Kevy no mates at matches. He was happy to talk to opposing fans and struck a good rapport with all around him. What was evident he was a magnet for good knowledge of cricket and knew the game inside out.

 Over a period of time, I would sit amongst Terry in “Turkey Corner” and would often try to pose obscure trivia questions, through my research from books and internet feeds. This would keep discussions going during dull moments on long days at cricket. Terry without the same benefits I had would quickly come up with correct answers or at least intelligent guesses.   I recall sharing a train back with Terry going back again from Northampton and I had 1976 Playfair annual on me. I went through all 17 counties and asked a random question based on information from there.   He managed a 100% correct answer rate. He even remembered more or less Jim Foat’s batting average from this season.

 There was more to Terry than his cricket knowledge.  He had great humour.  When weather was agreeable he would be first in crowd to be topless. Once on a very cold day there was glimmer of sunshine and asked if he was going to take his top off. His reply was “there is day light” and promptly was topless.

 Terry was not a great fan of Internet and did not contribute to MTWD apart from one occasion. He heard we were short of a reporter from Hove. He dictated a match report for Seaxe Man to pass on for us.  That was the kind of guy he was.

Terry would tactically plan holidays around cricket fixtures. His wife Val enjoyed these occasions and would compromise the fun of cricket with tourist attractions to keep the better half happy. 

A while back, Terry was affectionately known as Big Tel due to his size. Three years ago he mentioned at close of season due to gout the doctors advised him he needed to lose a lot of weight. There were a number of people who doubted how he would manage this. He was seen the next season sitting amongst us having lost 4 stone. He was contentedly eating salad and drinking water and earned a new nickname of Kate Moss, which he liked.

Terry was from the old school. He loved classy performers. JT Murray was a player he mentioned often in this category and appreciated loyalty, quality and determination.  He disliked egotists and ungainly performers. He often despaired at innovation of 20/20 and money grabbing sportsman.

A day in the sun watching quality cricket was his ideal day out.  Terry was happy to go to Oval or even Worcester without watching Middlesex, if this was going to happen. The final day of this season he was watching Yorkshire get promoted at Essex and according to Posh Margaret was on good form.

The last time I saw Terry was last September by chance with Olivia. We were at Warwick Avenue Station heading for the End of Season Players Awards party.   Terry was returning home from Lords having watched the annual Cross Arrows game.  We joked about us being top and tails and Terry being in tracksuit whether he wanted to join us. He looked well and said he had a great day. My last words to him were “ winter well”. It is hard to believe his sudden decline in health and he is now no longer with us.

 Terry lived to 67 and was a MCCC member for 50 years. The Upper Compton/ Edrich next season will now be a much shallower place and will never be the same again during Middlesex matches. There will be a massive void and for a number of his closer friends the next season will especially be a difficult one.  

More importantly he will be greatly missed by wife Val, children and grand children.   I wish you all great strength at this difficult time.

Terry Abbott you are a legend. RIP my friend.