Talented sportsman Gordon is mourned
In his younger years Gordon was a well-respected sportsman, and excelled at cricket and soccer.
Gordon Middlewick sadly died on July 19 at the age of 88, a few weeks away from his 89th birthday.
Gordon was well known and respected in the area.
He was active in the business community and was a devout Christian, enjoying the fellowship of the Margate Baptist church.
In his later years, he was an avid armchair cricket and soccer supporter.
In his younger years Gordon was a well-respected sportsman, and excelled at cricket and soccer.
Gordon travelled to England in 1951 to try out for Manchester City Football Club.
Unfortunately he failed the medical, and came back to South Africa and focused on his cricket career.
The highlights of his cricket career include while playing for North Eastern Transvaal, a 10 wicket haul against New Zealand in the 1953/4 tour.
His first class bowling stats are impressive with 21 matches, 67 wickets, an economy rate of 2.43 and include both five 4-wicket and three 5-wicket hauls.
Gordon maintained his love for soccer by becoming a referee and linesman.
In the late 1960s Gordon decided to take it a bit easier and took up lawn bowls.
He played out of Springwood Bowling Club.
His bowls record is as impressive including partnering with Doug Watson (World Champion 1976) and Springbok Graham Jones at provincial level while living in Gauteng.
Gordon and his wife Monica, moved from Gauteng to the lower South Coast in 1988.
Together they ran a few businesses including Cardies and then a coffee shop in Shelly Centre.
Gordon also worked at Kingfisher Motors for a number of years.
Gordon was a very outgoing person and at Driftsands Sea View Flats, the last place he worked at, he enjoyed greeting and meeting ‘his’ guests.
During this time he made many friends from all over South Africa.
Sadly, his health deteriorated and over the last couple of years, he was in continual pain.
He had a great innings and will be missed.
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