DAIRY farmer Brian Foxwell, who died in November at the age of 89, was a life long supporter of Somerset CCC and thanks to a trust fund he set up in memory of his late wife Julie, future generations of aspiring young cricketers who attend state schools will be given additional coaching to enable them to develop their game.

Just a few weeks before his sad passing Brian explained the reasons behind his generous legacy.

“I have been a supporter of Somerset all my life, right from the time I went to see the Australians playing in 1948 and I can remember most of the Australian players - Lindsay Hassett was captain, and Neil Harvey made a century; he was only 19,” said Brian.

“I played for Creech St Michael and the ones that were older, they bowled and batted and didn’t give us guys a chance - which I suppose helped me to make my mind up about setting up this Trust Fund.

“I wasn’t the star but I longed to be, I really did. There were two players at Creech who Harry Parks, the Somerset coach, invited to go along and get extra coaching - but not me.

“I went to the village school where there was no sport, but I did get invited to play for Taunton Schoolboys. I think if I had gone to a private school I would have got more of an opportunity to develop my cricket.”

Although Brian had ambitions to play cricket at a higher level, in the end it wasn’t to be and instead he became a very successful farmer with a herd of 240 Fresian milking cows.

However, his passion for the c lub never dwindled - “I’ve had a life long love of Somerset cricket -I was born here.”

Brian was a long time member of the Quantock Box, hospitality suite at the Cooper Associates County Ground, which is now situated at the top of the Lord Botham Stand.

“For many years my wife Julie came to the cricket with me. She loved being part of the Quantock Box; we had so many good times there and made so many friends.”

Brian, who lived in the farmhouse where his successful dairy herd was based until his sad passing. said: “I have done all I wanted to do in my life, in the cricket world and for Somerset, and I have been very lucky.

“Now I want to do something to give these young cricketers a chance to be spotted. I want it go to help young state school players across the county. It’s for youngsters who haven’t had the opportunities that those attending independent schools have and I want to do this for my late wife Julie.”

In 2025 he donated £100k to Somerset CCC to set up the Brian and Julie Foxwell Trust to fund cricket coaching and team development for State School pupils.

Jamie Cox, the Somerset CEO, said: "Somerset is the wonderful club that it is due to the quality of its people.

"Brian and Julie's generosity and foresight in developing this initiative is truly wonderful and will ensure that so many more young players get to experience cricket.”

In addition to the Trust Fund, over the years Brian has been a generous benefactor to other local sporting organisations including Bridgwater and Albion Rugby Club and North Petherton Bowls Club