Gooch reflects on PCA Outstanding Contribution Award

Former England and Essex captain Graham Gooch received a standing ovation from hundreds of current and former players at Exhibition White City as he won the 2025 PCA Outstanding Contribution Award.

Gooch has continued to support the game he loves well after the completion of his successful playing career. For the Cricketers’ Trust, the 72-year-old has participated in numerous fundraising events, including his Coast to Coast Walk and two Three Peaks Challenges in 2018 and 2019.

In 2024, the legendary England player pledged £90,000 to the Cricketers’ Trust over a-three-year period whilst also supporting the PCA’s annual Rookie Camp through his Graham Gooch Scholarship programme.

Also starting in 2024, Gooch partnered with the Cricketers’ Trust in organising the inaugural Golf Invitational in Portugal. A three-day event in the Algarve, it raised £45,000 through raffles and golf challenges. The Invitational Golf event is set to return this month starting October 14.

Alongside being a generous supporter of the Trust, the former England player and coach has worked closely with the Association in delivering multiple educational programmes, such as Alcohol Awareness sessions to domestic teams as part of the PCA’s Personal Development and Welfare Programme (PDWP).

The former England batter, who previously served as PCA President from 2018 to 2021, has impressed audiences around the country as a guest speaker at PCA England Legends games. The charismatic captain connected with local clubs at grassroots level to help grow the community.

A legend on and off the pitch, Gooch went on to represent England in more than 240 matches across formats, scoring 13,190 runs. Amassing an incredible 28 centuries along the way, the right-handed batter will always be remembered for his magnificent 333 against India as captain in front of the adoring Lord’s crowd.

The PCA Outstanding Contribution Award is awarded to past or present PCA members who have made a significant contribution towards the game and have uplifted the cricketing world and society with their impact.

The PCA Awards in partnership with Toyota provided the platform to celebrate Gooch’s achievements, accepting the award created by the PCA’s Official Trophy Partner Mappin & Webb. PCA President and former England captain Eoin Morgan presented the bespoke trophy as the guests in attendance rose to their feet.

This followed a video reveal which was prepared without Gooch’s knowledge, which you can watch below.

Gooch becomes only the fourth recipient of this prestigious accolade at the annual PCA Awards. The previous winners include Matthew Maynard (2024), Tom Smith (2023) and Andy Brassington (2022).

After winning the PCA Outstanding Contribution Award, Graham Gooch said, “Receiving the PCA Outstanding Contribution Award was an unexpected honour. As a player, I did not set out to help other people for awards, but I am grateful to receive this.

“A lot of people helped me during my career, and I have just tried to help a few others along the way with good advice and setting up things for them. It is a pleasure to help people who are making their way in their careers. It’s a great honour to do so.

“Playing sport for a living is not a job, it is a dream. We are very privileged and honoured to be able to go out there and do what we love doing but also earn a living from it and represent your country. You just want to try and put something back into the game. Many of us have had a lot of help from others so I think it is always nice to give something back.

“The Cricketers’ Trust supports past and present players with their needs and also helps players who have served the game but have fallen on hard times. All of them need support.

“As former players, me and others who support the PCA and the Trust, they are always there for members in their hour of need.”

PCA Managing Director, Ian Thomas said: “The generosity that Graham has shown is immense. It is giving back to the game that he loves so much, not just Essex but the wider game as a whole.

“The PCA should always recognise people who care for our players and the Outstanding Contributions Award has always been about those who want to do good things for the game and the players and over the past many years we have had some really strong recipients and Graham is another well-deserving winner.

“Thank you for your care, support and interest. It is motivating and inspiring and congratulations on the award.”

Former England captain and Essex batter, Sir Alastair Cook, said: “It is just a phenomenal thing. The amount of time he has given to the game and how he is still prepared to do it now.

“The word is overused, but legendary. Gooch is a legend of England and at Essex as well. He thoroughly deserves all the accolades he is getting and will get a few more in the coming future.

“It is about time that he received the PCA Outstanding Contribution Award. He thoroughly deserves this award for the hours he has spent towards the PCA and the Cricketers’ Trust. I hope he can appreciate how much he has given to a lot of people.”

Former England and Middlesex bowler, John Embuery said: “Graham is absolutely brilliant in everything he does, and I just admire the way he goes about his business and everything he has achieved in the game and after his playing days has been tremendous.

“I don’t think I have met a more passionate person involved in the game who has given so much as a player and even more when his career was finished. He continues to give and will continue to do so as long as he lives.”