Founder and President of Matchroom Sport and cricket fanatic Barry Hearn OBE has been awarded an Honorary Life Membership with Essex County Cricket Club.

The Dagenham-born sports promotion figure was presented with his Life Membership and a replica of the Club’s 150th Anniversary County Championship shirt by Essex Cricket President John Lever MBE.

On receiving his Life Membership, Barry Hearn said: “As a lifetime supporter and player of the great game of cricket, I am delighted to be awarded Honorary Life Membership with Essex County Cricket Club.

“From playing for the Essex Young Cavaliers and various local clubs throughout my childhood and into my adulthood, cricket has been a major part of my sporting activities and remains a sport I am determined to play during the rest of my lifetime on this earth.

“Playing for South Loughton Cricket Club to the Essex Over 70s has been nothing but an enjoyable journey and hopefully there are many more seasons to enjoy.”

Growing up in the heart of East London, Hearn watched Essex play at the iconic Leyton Cricket Ground while supporting the neighbouring football club Leyton Orient F.C, which he later purchased for £5 in 1995.

The 77-year-old built a sports promotion empire across Essex and East London, from running the Romford Snooker Centre to building Matchroom Sport at Mascalls, before selling Leyton Orient in 2014 after almost 20 years of ownership.

Hearn has also spent many hours representing Essex senior sides, including the Essex Over-70s, beginning as a revered aggressive fast bowler before transitioning into a top-order batter, which he still enjoys to this day.

Barry’s links with grassroots cricket also extend to Buckhurst Hill Cricket Club, which he joined as a 12-year-old, as well as South Loughton Cricket Club, Essex Amateurs, Essex Seniors, and East Hanningfield & Great Burstead Cricket Club, where he served as President and remains a current player. He has also supported cricket charities including Lord's Taverners and the Bob Willis Fund.

Club President John Lever MBE added: "My various contacts with Barry had made me very aware of his passionate support for Essex County Cricket Club. His love for the game shone through when he described to me his thrill on scoring his first hundred at the young age of 65.

"But the man is more than a one sport fan, his efforts with 'The Orient' (Leyton Orient Football Club), Snooker, and Darts have put him high on our champions of sport benefactors. So, I was more than happy to be asked to present 'Bazza' on behalf of Essex Cricket with an Honorary Life Membership to the Club.

"Thanks Barry and keep playing."

Barry Hearn OBE Awarded Honorary Life Membership with Essex Cricket