From Grace Road to Glory: Ray Julian | The Umpire's Verdict

By Tim Murray

Ray Julian was the umpire years ahead of his time. In an era when it was the fashion to give batsmen the benefit of the doubt, he would send them on their way with a raised right index finger and - always - his trademark smile.

More than 20 years after Julian retired from the first-class panel, the use of the television review system has shown that he was right. It is perfectly acceptable to give batters out lbw even if they are playing well forward. 

Julian enjoyed every moment of his cricketing career -19 years as a wicket-keeper with Leicestershire and 30 more seasons in the white coat. So what is his verdict on Chesterfield? 

"It's one of the best grounds," he said. "There's the lovely market-place close by, the Park itself, the ice-cream van and cafe, it's a nice family ground. I had some good matches there. It was a good wicket, we always got a result and the groundstaff were excellent. 
"The food's great and, for a local cricket club, it's really good. I'd put it among the most impressive. It's a shame there aren't more Derbyshire games there." 

Julian appeared alongside legendary Derbyshire fast bowler Harold Rhodes in his Army days but never experienced the delights of the Park as a player. "We were always at Derby," he said. "We used to get changed in the jockeys' changing room, which wasn't ideal. But it was a good ground and they had a good groundsman in Walter Goodyear." 

However, Julian was given several games in the Park during his stint on the first-class umpires' panel from 1972 to 2001 when he earned the respect and affection of virtually everyone in the game. "Keep the game moving," was one of his favourite sayings and he soon earned the reputation of being one of the umpires more receptive to bowlers' appeals. 

Indeed he recalls some players wanting to bowl at his end for that reason. But it did not bother him in the slightest. "I'm an honest guy and I wasn't afraid to give people out," he said. "Sam Cook was another like me. Now, with television, people say we were right." It did not affect his popularity because the county players voted him umpire of the year three times in a row. 

Julian still takes a keen interest in the game which has been such an integral part of his life. He can often be found at New Road, Worcester, following the action from near the scoreboard on the side of the ground adjoining the River Severn. 

And he has a strong interest in the sport. His wife Megan's two grandsons, Dan and Myles Holland, were in the Dumbleton side that won last season's (2022) Voneus Village Cup Final at Lord's. "They're both good cricketers," said Julian - and who can argue with an umpire who has been proven right so often?