The Vicar of Bury was speaking at a cricket dinner in the Abbeydale Sports Club, home of Collegiate Cricket Club, in the early 1980’s. A renowned after dinner speaker and cricket enthusiast, he gave accommodation to overseas players when they joined Lancashire league teams…amongst them was Farokh Engineer the Indian wicketkeeper, batsman and eventually captain. It was Farokh’s 88th birthday on February 25th and it reminded me of this story told by the Vicar of Bury
Farokh had signed for Lancashire County in 1968 and was their highest ever player investment, and much valued for his contribution.
The Lancashire committee had taken on-board the 1971 news of a war involving India and Pakistan.
They held a meeting and felt that they should find out how involved Farokh might become in this war. He was asked to attend a committee meeting held at Old Trafford. Farokh sat in front of the committee and was asked that due to the current India, Pakistan war how this would affect his need to become involved in fighting for his country…
… he replied in serious tones “Well gentlemen, if the fighting is getting close to my village, I will have to go and join the conflict”
The chairmen then asked Farokh where that was, he replied “Rochdale, Sir”
… apparently a true story!
… an unsubstantiated recollection was that this event was organised by… yes, you’ve guessed it David Drabble!
The image of Farokh is from a society dinner at Baldwin’s Omega when he was guest speaker
Jeremy Biggin
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