George Strachan
Text by George Bannerman
West Lothian County Cricket Association (Linlithgow Cricket Club) is mourning the passing of one of its finest servants George R. Strachan who died on Monday 9th of March.
George joined West Lothian from the Atlas Club in Armadale towards the end of the 1954 cricket season turning out for the club against Fauldhouse Victoria and taking five wickets for eleven on his debut.
For over twenty five years George was an ever present in the first eleven taking almost 1,000 wickets and scoring over 6,000 runs. He took four wickets in four balls in a friendly match against Ayr in 1957 and recorded a hat-trick against Trinity Academicals in 1959. He also featured in high scoring partnerships notably 148 for the first wicket against Leith Franklin in 1961.
He was a key player in 1965, the year West Lothian first won the Counties Championship and his efforts were rewarded with caps for Scotland against Ireland and M.C.C.
He captained the first eleven from 1974 to 1977.
When his playing career was over he turned his attention to the ground and over the years transformed the square into one of the best in Scotland.
I was fortunate in that I played with George for many years and few players earned greater respect.
Update: 16th March 2020
A celebration of George’s life will take place at a later date, TBC. George’s family would like to record their appreciation for all the loving messages that they have received in the last few days.