Simpson supporting the Tavs in benefit year
A special year lies in wait for Middlesex and England’s John Simpson as he celebrates a testimonial year – with the long-term Lord’s Taverners ambassador naming the charity as one of the beneficiaries of his events in 2023.
Simpson joined Middlesex in 2008 and has made more than 400 appearances for the county, scoring over 12,000 runs including 10 centuries and taking more than 700 dismissals behind the stumps. And it’s because of that outstanding record over 15 years that Middlesex granted him a testimonial.
“I’m really proud to be awarded a testimonial by Middlesex and it’s incredible to think I’ve been at the county for 15 years,” explained Simpson. “When you first start, you just want to progress from the second team so to get a testimonial really is the icing on the cake. I’m incredibly humbled and proud to have spent 15 years with Middlesex and hopefully I’ve still got a few more left in me.”
With a golf day and gala dinner planned for June, an Ashes dinner in July and a special event in the Long Room in November, there’s some great events to look forward to as part of the year of celebrations.
“I’m really looking forward to all the events and hoping to raise as much money as I can for the Taverners,” he explained. “Cricket has given me a lot of opportunities and life and that’s what the Taverners does so it’s a charity that is very close to my heart and I’ve supported for many years. I’ll also be supporting Children with Cancer – so two great charities that really need support.”
The keeper has specifically identified Super 1s as a Taverners programme he would like to support over the year having been at its launch in 2018.
“I’m very proud to have been at the launch of Super 1s and it’s amazing to think that it will be active in every county in England, Wales and Scotland by the end of the year. As with all the Taverners programmes, it makes cricket accessible for those who’ve not had the opportunities to play as I did when growing up.
“It’s an inspiring programme that’s so much more than just about playing cricket. It’s about making friends, playing as part of a team, gaining confidence and learning new skills – it really is life-changing just like the other Taverners programmes and I’ve been fortunate enough to also see the difference that Table Cricket and Wicketz makes daily in communities across the country.”
The testimonial year is another high in the fantastic career that he’s enjoyed, with highlights including a County Championship win with Middlesex and a long-overdue England call-up in 2021.
“Making my international debut has been a real pinnacle of my playing career and winning the championship in 2016 at Lord’s… you can’t get much better than that. But it would be great to challenge for that title again, after getting back in Division One this year with Middlesex.
“I’ve got an exciting season ahead both on and off the field and it’s thanks to some fantastic people on my committee that I have some great events to look forward to. There’s going to be a huge amount of thank you’s to make, but I’ve already been incredibly humbled by all the support I’ve had and I look forward to seeing you all at my events and enjoying a great time.”
Simmo 2023 Testimonial Events
Tuesday 13 June 2023
Golf Day and Gala Dinner at The Richmond Golf Club
Thursday 20 July 2023
The Rosewood Hotel, London
Wednesday 15 November 2023
Testimonial Dinner in The Long Room, Lord’s
For more information about these events or to book your place, please visit https://simmo2023.co.uk/
Simpson supporting the Tavs in benefit year
