The former England opener spoke ahead of his appearance at the Roker Hotel in Sunderland for An Evening with Sir Geoffrey Boycott, reflecting on the individuals instrumental in the club’s rise in 1992.
Sir Geoffrey said: “I have loved my visits to the North East through the years.
“It has been so good to return to Durham in recent times and catch up with lots of old friends in and around the area.”
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Matty Roseberry (Image: Supplied)
He praised Durham’s home ground, The Riverside, calling it a “fantastic focal point for the area” with a “fantastic reputation for staging major international matches”.
Among those he remembered was Matty Roseberry of Sunderland, who played a key role in supporting the club’s development.
Sir Geoffrey said: “Matty organised many fundraisers for Durham.
“I built up a great friendship with him, his wife Jean, and their lovely family – and whenever I was in the area, I would often stay with them.”
Mr Roseberry, who had interests in a number of hotels and pubs — most notably the Rainton Arena — was renowned for his connections and his ability to bring people together for the benefit of the game.
Sir Geoffrey said: “Matty was incredibly well connected.”
He recalled a fundraising event organised by Mr Roseberry that brought together Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Charlton, and Sir Booby Robson in support of the Bobby Robson Foundation.
The event remains a cherished memory for those who attended.
Sir Geoffrey said Mr Roseberry’s motivation to help elevate cricket in the region was partly inspired by his son Michael.
He said: “Matty’s place in Sunderland’s heritage will live on.”
He also paid tribute to former Durham chairman Don Robson, who led the campaign to secure first-class status for the club.
Sir Geoffrey said: “He’s someone I built up a great friendship with.
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Don Robson (Image: Supplied)
“He and his team worked tirelessly to get first-class status for Durham over the line.
“They were so lucky to have Don on board because he simply never gave up.
“He was always on the phone, pushing for his dream and wanting it to happen.
“His lovely wife Jenny was a real driving force in it all too.”
Both Don and Jenny Robson have since passed away, but Sir Geoffrey stressed their enduring legacy at the club.
He said: “Without their drive, persistence of these very special people, Durham would likely not be the force it is today.
“No matter what obstacles they faced, they simply found a way around them and pushed on.”
Sir Geoffrey Boycott will share these memories, along with his views on the current state of English cricket and the England and Wales Cricket Board, at his event in Sunderland on Friday, April 24.
He will also appear at The Hub, Teesside University on Friday, June 19.
Tickets for An Evening with Sir Geoffrey Boycott are available from ticketsource or by calling Goffy Media on 07990 588 424.
Sir Geoffrey said: “We will have plenty to talk about and so many English cricket fans are still in shock following the Ashes disaster in Australia and I feel sure that will feature at some point.”
The evening promises a blend of stories, insights, and strong opinions from one of cricket’s most respected and outspoken voices.
It is a rare chance to hear directly from a figure who has helped shape the game on and off the pitch, while also acknowledging those who made lasting contributions to the sport in the North East.
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