Former Sidmouth Herald editor John Goodwin has been nominated for one of the top awards in club cricket, writes Conrad Sutcliffe.

Goodwin, who now runs a taxi business in Sidmouth, has been nominated for an ECB/NatWest Oscas

Goodwin has been put forward in the Cricketforce section of the awards, which recognise the work done by volunteers to keep their clubs spic-n-span.

Cricketforce is an annual initiative sponsored by NatWest that supports maintenance and improvement work at clubs.

Goodwin joined Sidmouth in 1981 when his work as a journalist brought him to Devon from Nottinghamshire. He moved away again from 1989-92, but the lure of the Fortfield proved too strong and he returned for good in 1993.

Past roles for the 64 year old have included club secretary (1994-1999) and vice-chairman (2001-2002 and then chairman of the Devon League (2003-04).

Goodwin is now house and ground chairman having done numerous care and maintenance jobs over the past 15 years.

“NatWest Cricketforce, since inception, has always been John’s ‘baby’ to coordinate and get his teeth stuck into,” said nominator and clubmate Matt Cooke.

“John isn’t just an organiser – he is a doer. After coordinating the troops, he is first to be seen up the stepladder painting the sightscreen and getting his hands dirty.

“John is always on top of all the maintenance jobs at the club and it is a credit to him that the club looks as nice at it does.”

Coleman and Goodwin are among seven nominees put forward by Devon for awards.

The others are Mick Rusling of Totnes (Heartbeat of the Club), Plymouth’s Dennis White (leagues), the late David Gidney of Chulmleigh (Get the Game On) county youth scorer Elizabeth Webb (officiating). Exeter’s Bruce Coleman (lifetime achiever) and Tom Field, who commutes from London to Devon to coach county district age-group sides.

The national winners will be announced during a gala dinner a Lord’s next Monday (October 9), to which all county nominees have been invited.

Devon has had a number of successes at the Oscas over the years. Previous winners have included county coach Jon Mears (2005), umpire David Moseby and Axminster official Phil Spong (both 2007), Exmouth chairman Richard Butler (2009) and Thorverton’s Jock Spry (2015).