Headingley's decorous heritage

The Western Terrace at Headingley was far from the Viking-helmeted, gorilla-suited, false-breasted transvestite Bacchanal it is today, writes Harry Pearson in the Guardian.

Mr Griffiths was Leeds' Yabba. Only he didn't hurl insults, he shouted tactical advice and always in the most polite terms. "Captain, it is time to bring Mr Underwood on," he would call in his deep and sonorous Caribbean voice. "An extra slip fielder might be in order when Mr Old is bowling, Mr Greig." Soon Mr Griffiths was so well known that it was hardly a surprise when one morning during the 1975 Ashes Test he walked out into the middle before start of play to inspect the wicket with the Australian captain Ian Chappell.

Mr Griffiths' great idol was Geoff Boycott. He was the first person I ever heard call the Yorkshire opener "Sir Geoffrey". Boycott is still with us – indeed, I am listening to him now – but his biggest fan fell silent some while ago. I am not sure what became of him. I would dearly love to hear his voice again, though – even if it meant attending a Test match in February.