WARM tributes were paid to Worcestershire CCC’s record run-scorer and former captain Don Kenyon at the unveiling of a suite in his honour.
Club president Norman Gifford and chairman Stephen Taylor led the tributes as level two of The View at New Road was renamed after Kenyon.
Dozens of members and supporters witnessed the ceremony during the tea interval on day two of last week’s Specsavers County Championship match with Sussex at New Road.
Don’s widow Jean, who celebrated her 90th birthday this year, and daughters Sue Jackson and Lesley Kenyon were guests of honour while Don’s great grandchild, Freddie Kenyon Jackson, looked on.
Gifford, who collected 2,068 first class wickets in his career, said: “There are three people in this room who played in the same Worcestershire side as Don in Duncan Fearnley and myself and against him in Jim Parks of Sussex.
“When I first joined Worcestershire, Don was my captain and he is one of the best captains this club has produced.
“He was a fine player. He was a magnificent player. He was one of those players who loved taking on quick bowling.
“Don was special and if he had played for a Middlesex or a Surrey he would have played a lot more than eight Tests. He was a very fine cricketer.”
Don remains the County’s record run-scorer in first class cricket with 37,002 runs and skippered them to their first two County Championship title triumphs in 1964 and 1965.
His achievements had previously been recognised via the Kenyon Room which is now housing the popular Foley’s coffee house and eatery.
Former GB hockey international Taylor said: “His record for Worcestershire is tremendous and he clearly was Worcestershire’s most successful batsman with 37,002 first class runs and the stats show how good a player he was.
“He also went on to be a Test selector. I’m really proud we now have a suite bearing his name.”
