PCA PRESS RELEASE
At 6'11" it was never hard to miss the frame of Anthony Allom charging in to bowl, patrolling the boundary or in the Lord’s Long Room.
To see more articles. Click here
Allom sadly passed away on the 26th of September 2017 at the age of 78, and wished that any donations at his funeral go to the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust.
With over 400 people in attendance, and hundreds more unable to make it, over £2,200 was raised for the PCA’s charity.
One his sons, Dominic Allom, expands on his father’s legacy and the donation made.
“Cricket was the love of his life, and beer. It was not hard getting people to donate, as nearly everyone at the funeral he had met through cricket,” said Anthony’s son.
“I do not know if he was ever helped by the PCA, but he wanted to give back to the sport, cricket was his life – as is ours.”
Anthony, known as Ant, Tony and even Jaws, was a popular figure in the cricketing community. Tributes from his funeral reflect on his generosity, kindness and sense of humour.
“Cricket was the love of his life, and beer. It was not hard getting people to donate, as nearly everyone at the funeral he had met through cricket."
DOMINIC ALLOM
A friend to everyone, ‘Ant’ could often be found propping up a bar and offering his views on the cricket.
“The first time I became a member of the MCC, I went to Lord’s and met about 200 people who tried to buy me a drink. He couldn’t walk through there without someone stopping him, he was always the centre of attention at the bar or on a cricket field – he could make friends with an empty room if he wanted.”
Anthony made the one first-class appearance for Surrey against Warwickshire, the team his father Maurice Allom had overseen as president.
He passed the love of the sport down to his sons as Dominic explains.
“There was no other sport we could play, he would always be there watching me and my brothers, he even came on tour with us a few times.
“His last game of cricket was against my brother and he bowled him out first ball. That was the last ball he ever bowled.
“One of his dying wishes was to make it to Lord’s before it was too late. He managed to get a few days in, watching England vs West Indies, sitting in the Warner Stand.”
The PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust is part of the PCA’s commitment to helping current and former players in times of hardship.
The Professional Cricketers’ Trust provides support for players and their dependants who might need medical advice, care and assistance or having difficulty adjusting to life after cricket in their new career.
Everyone at the PCA would like to thank the Allom family and everybody in attendance for their generous donations to the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust.
