Jonathan-Agnew-with-Ashley-Giles
Jonathan Agnew, myself and Ashley Giles

01 August 2019
Dear Pat
Just wanted to say thank you so much for coming to our Eve of Test Match Dinner last night – you were wonderful and it was a great evening with some lovely feedback from the guests.Thanks once again and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Mike

Mike Hammond
Charity Chief Executive, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity, Heartlands Hospital Charity, Good Hope Hospital Charity and Solihull Hospital Charity

East Riding Cricket Society
Pat Murphy TY
“Thanks again for a memorable evening at the King Billy, Cottingham. A fund of tales from fifty years of sports reporting, a huge cast of characters, deep knowledge of the game – all conveyed with panache, affection and enviable comic timing. A packed house of members and friends enjoyed every moment. A return visit would be welcome any time!”

Maggie Sumner, East Riding Cricket Society, 13 February 2019

 

“Pat was fantastic in delivering our recent event in Birmingham. With such an important topic of Mental Health in the Workplace he made the time to do his research as well as familiarise himself with the panel members involved. He led a thoughtful discussion on the topic, included the audience and covered everything we asked for – all within the timeframe we gave him!
Thanks!”

Jennifer Thorn, Events Executive, Robert Walters

 

“Pat is a great all-rounder who knows how to tailor his contribution to the relevant audience. He does his homework thoroughly so he’s always on top of his brief and his massive experience in live broadcasting means he’s never fazed by the occasion. Pat will always find the right, sensitive words. In short, he gets it!”

 

Paul Faulkner, Chief Executive Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

 

“From all the team at Ronald McDonald House Birmingham, we would like to say a huge thank you for your support at our Annual Gala Dinner. Your support is very much appreciated by all the families and the team.
Many thanks again,”

 

Ronald McDonald House Birmingham

 

Murphy’s book is unique: the daisy chain of 25 profiles covers the game’s history, beginning with Dr Grace, the Great Victorian, who invented cricket as we know it, and bringing us bang up to date with Ramprakash, who remains active in his 40th year. Perhaps the ECB should distribute copies to the young men who represent England, some of whom are unfamiliar with players of the previous generation, never mind the golden period entre deux guerres.

Of those 25, who would you most like to have seen? John Woodcock, who could well be the most knowledgeable writer on any sport there has ever been, reckons the pair he would love to bring back, for two blessed hours, to be “Denis” and Richards. I’ll take Compton, who, after the second world war, did as much as anybody to restore a nation’s spirits. If that’s not greatness, what is?

 

MICHAEL HENDERSON, Book Review, The Guardian.

 

“I just want to express my sincere thanks for all your help, guidance and support at our event on Friday night. From a mere cop’s point of view, you nailed it! From feedback I already had, everyone had a great night all brought together with your very expert and professional ‘compering’. You are also the font of all knowledge sports wise.”  – Tom Cuddeford; Deputy Chair, West Midlands Police Federation.

 

“On behalf of the former players, many thanks for your truly excellent speech. It is always interesting to be taken ‘behind the scenes’ in the sporting world and be titillated by little tales that never reach the media and you managed that quite brilliantly.” – Nigel Cleevely; Derby County Former Players Annual Dinner.

 

“From the comments, I received after the event I know that I speak for everyone in saying that you struck the perfect balance with your relaxed style and witty banter at the WOCCA Annual Dinner. It was also a pleasure to see the way in which you worked so well with Johnny Dennis and helped to deliver a genuinely warm and enjoyable atmosphere for all of us in the room.”  – Neal Abberley; Chairman, Warwickshire Old County Cricketers Association.

 

“I wanted to send you a brief note to thank you personally for your contribution on Friday at the awards. I certainly had an extremely enjoyable evening that was enhanced considerably by the entertainment that was provided by yourself.

I hope you enjoyed the evening as much as I did, and your attendance at a future event would be warmly welcomed.” – Gareth Cann; Assistant Chief Constable, West Midlands Police.

 

“Thank you very much for your splendid speech on Friday, before an appreciative audience of players, past players, members and guests.

It was fascinating to hear of your coverage of Test Matches and your exciting journeys abroad, and most interesting to discover your ‘best ever’ World XI of recent years.”  – Alan Wild, Harborne Cricket Club, Birmingham.

 

 “In the circumstances, thank you seems somewhat inadequate. We had an absolutely splendid evening yesterday and greatly appreciated your willingness to travel. It was worth the wait, as I said!

The feedback we had both at the interval and at the end was very favourable indeed. Everybody seemed to go home in a contented sort of way with the feeling that they had had a really good evening and many said it was the best meeting we have ever had. Reminiscences of the sort you gave us always appeal to our group, and, I guess, most cricket societies across the country.

It was a real pleasure and a privilege to have you with us.” – David Marshall; Chesterfield Cricket Hovers Society.

 

“A brief note to thank you and congratulate you for your excellent contribution to what was a very successful ECB ACO National Conference.

The Board of ECB ACO joins me in this note of thanks and in the hope that we will stay in touch and perhaps see you again at one of our National or Regional Conferences in the future.” – Nick Cousins; Senior Executive Officer, England and Wales Cricket Board Association of Cricket Officials.

 

“Just a brief note to thank you for your efforts last Friday. I was not in the slightest surprised to see that many of the audience wanted to speak to you and thank you for sharing your sporting experiences with them. Your enthusiasm and ability to convey experiences to your audience is a rare gift. Many of our members have commented that they thoroughly enjoyed listening to you speak and were interested in your insights into your fond memories of many of their sporting hero’s – Brian Clough in particular.

Thank you once again from all at the club and I truly hope we meet again and can assure you will be very welcome at our club whenever you visit.” – Ken Crane; Dudley Kingswinford RFC.

 

 

“It has been a long time since I went to a dinner when there was such a buzz in the room. For or against, your speech had everybody talking – one of our smokers said it was the sole topic of conversation outside the main entrance! Well done and thank you for an enjoyable evening. – David Thomas, Worcestershire Cricket Association.

 

Michael Henderson – The Cricketer Magazine
Michael Henderson – The Cricketer Magazine

one-to-one advice
A nice thank you note referring to some tuition for a sixth-form student.
Book review by Simon Redfern published in The Independent 2009
Book review by Simon Redfern published in The Independent 2009
Book review published in Sunday Independent 2009
Book review published in Sunday Independent 2009
Book review published in Sunday Independent 2009
John Inverdale – Daily Telegraph
John Inverdale – Daily Telegraph
Matthew Norman column - Daily Telegraph
Matthew Norman column – Daily Telegraph
Gillian Reynolds - Daily Telegraph 2010
Gillian Reynolds – Daily Telegraph 2010
Gillian Reynolds
Gillian Reynolds – Daily Telegraph 1994
Review by Gillian Reynolds
Review by Gillian Reynolds – Daily Telegraph 1996