Benefit Year for Alex Gidman

2012 sees the launch of the Benefit Year for Gloucestershire's very own captain Alex Gidman.

Alex Gidman established himself in the Gloucestershire team in 2003 following his debut a year earlier and has since gone on to play a huge part in GCCC's cricket ever since including big game performances in the 2003 C&G Trophy final (2 for 12 in 7 overs) and the Twenty20 Cup Finals Day against Surrey at Trent Bridge. This season he will be using all his experience and skill to lead a young, inexperienced but talented Gloucestershire team into Division One of the County Championship.

For his benefit year the committee have put together an action packed and exciting calendar of events for next season including Golf Days, Summer Balls and Cheltenham Race Days. The year is kicked off in style with two launch events being held in Bristol & London. The  first of these being a Gala Dinner at the Bristol Hotel on Thursday, 23 February which will feature two greats from the world of cricket and rugby. Marcus Trescothick, a 2005 Ashes winner, will be joined by Rugby World Cup winner Phil Vickery for a great evening of sporting entertainment. A welcome drink on arrival and a three-course meal will set the tone for a great night's sporting theatre with two of the biggest names in the west country.

This will be followed by a Gala Dinner in London that combines two great passions - beer and great cricket company. At the Old Brewery, Greenwich on Wednesday, February 29, former England legend Angus Fraser will lead an evening of great cricketing memories and a selection of wonderful beers to taste.

For more information about these two launch events and the plans for the rest of Gidman's benefit year please visit www.alexgidmanbenefit2012.co.uk

From all at the GCB we would like to wish Alex a successful and enjoyable benefit year!