Hampshire cricket mourns former club chairman

One of Hampshire cricket's greatest-ever servants, Charles Knott, has died in his home town of Southampton at the age of 88.

Charles Knott was chairman of Hampshire's cricket committee for 21 years until 1988. During that period he was behind the signings of numerous overseas players who enriched the club with their talent and achievements.

They included West Indies stars Gordon Greenidge, Andy Roberts and Malcolm Marshall, as well as Barry Richards of South Africa and the Smith brothers, Chris and Robin.

During Knott's chairmanship Hampshire won the county championship in 1973, the Benson & Hedges Cup in 1988 and the John Player League three times in 1975, 1978 and 1986.

He played cricket from 1938 to 1954, taking 676 wickets in his career, including 122 in the 1946 season. He was always an amateur, combining cricket with business. He also ran Poole Pirates Speedway, and was involved with ice hockey and greyhound racing.

Charles Knott is survived by his wife, Iris, and two daughters, Gaye and Dawn.