Sheffield Cricket Lovers' Society Year Book 2023

8 In every sport, in every land across the globe, fans will reserve their most vicious bile for the officials. Those responsible for regulating play are the ultimate arbiters of the game. They are never loved, grudgingly respected and occasionally despised. However, cricket is different as umpires maintain an air of gentility and the concealed respect of players and fans. Back in the day, they always wore ties and a white overcoat. A white hat, black trousers and white shoes completed the outfit. They looked more like high street butchers than match officials. Their pockets would be overflowing with caps and hats; temporary guardians of kit not in use when a player bowled. Sweaters would be hastily tied around their waists, and always carefully handed back lest their charges catch cold. Gradually, their attire assumed a previously unknown vibrancy. Sponsorship and TV money gave them an extended wardrobe for one day matches. The overcoat became a jacket of many colours and the Butlins redcoat look suddenly became de rigueur. They might also wear blue, black or a rather fetching shade of powder grey. The overcoat might be discarded but traditional uniform is otherwise preserved for Test matches. The men in White BRIAN PENN, writing for the cricket blog The Full Toss earlier this year, turned the spotlight on those who are ‘on duty’ for every ball of every match - whatever they are wearing….