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PCA saddened by passing of one of its Founding Fathers.
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The PCA is saddened by the passing of Harold Goldblatt who played a pivotal role in establishing and developing the Association in its early years.
Needing expert accountancy advice and a treasurer for the Association, which was created in 1967, PCA founder Fred Rumsey went on the search to see who might be available.
The former Somerset and England bowler was barely half way through his pitch on the phone to the first person on his list when Goldblatt accepted the offer.
Goldblatt proceeded to have an extremely influential impact on the early days of the PCA.
He drew up the paper for the first minimum wage discussions securing £4,000-a-year contracts for the players, wrote the first pension scheme, the first standardised contracts, as well as offering his services as treasurer free of charge for three years.
Indeed, Goldblatt drew up the original under-22 contracts, an early pre-curser to the current rookie contracts now offered to players under the age of 23, highlighting his pioneering philosophies.
A successful chartered accountant and businessperson, he was a co-founder of Goldblatt’s Accountants & Registered Auditors, retiring in 1998 although he subsequently remained actively involved in the firm, which has four offices, as a consultant.
The PCA would like to extend its condolences to the family and friends of Goldblatt, who sadly passed away at the weekend, aged 92.
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PCA Founding Fathers
Hear about Harold Goldblatt's influence during the early days of the PCA as part of the nine chapter series on the history of the Association.
Founder of the PCA, Fred Rumsey, said: “He really threw himself into the challenge of getting the organisation set up properly, he was one of the very major and important members of the early association. He was so enthusiastic and a very likeable character, he was made for the job.
“Today, the players are benefitting totally from that early work that was done by myself, Harold and others.
“It wasn’t just in finance that he assisted the organisation, it was wonderful to find someone like him because we benefitted enormously from Harold’s contribution.
“He was a man of some verbal strength. It was because of his advice that a great number of those early decisions were made, he was very influential in providing the path that the PCA would take, not just in the early period but in the first 10 years.
“I’d like to pass on my condolences to his family at this difficult time.”
PCA Chair James Harris said: “The passing of Harold Goldblatt is a sad day for the PCA and all of its members.
“The work of Harold was a driving force behind the development of the Association in its early years following its establishment in 1967.
“Creating a guaranteed minimum wage was a huge moment for professional cricketers and that was due to Harold’s expertise. Many of his beliefs and successes have been developed over the years and remain a bedrock of what the PCA stands for today.
“Every past, present and future professional cricketer should be very thankful for Harold’s involvement in the game.
“I send my thoughts to Harold’s family and friends at this sad time.”
