The Day Victor Trumper Changed his Name
Gordon District Cricket Club | September 15, 2025
One afternoon in early September 1960, I was changing before net practice at Chatswood Oval. A rather tall, strong-looking fellow was doing the same. I hadn’t seen him before, so I introduced myself; he said his name was Vic Turner, and we started chatting pleasantly for a few minutes. He then said his name was actually Vic Trumper but, because of expectations people might have and to save embarrassment, he preferred to be called Vic Turner.
I agreed to his request, and we talked for a few more minutes before walking out to the nets. I remember him bowling medium pace with an easy approach and a strong action. We saw each other quite often at practice and he seemed a little reserved but always friendly.
Vic played seven seasons with Gordon between 1960-67 most of those with the City & Suburban team. His role was mainly as a batsman, he usually appeared in the first six in the averages and contributed as a change bowler. His statistics were:
Comments appeared in the Gordon DCC Annual Reports from his captain, the redoubtable wicketkeeper Clyde Coltman, longtime member, such as “batted consistently, played some glorious innings and good all-rounder, good team man and good close in and slips fielder”. In his last season the captain reported Vic had started to think about his game and only needed to improve his footwork to prove his undoubted ability.
In the 1968-69 season Victor Trumper the third moved to Dubbo in the central west of New South Wales. There he played in the Dawson Cup Competition for South Dubbo. He said that “Dubbo cricket was a lot faster than the grade cricket he had played in Sydney”. The journalist from the Daily Liberal wrote: “He is constantly reminded of the first Victor Trumper and bears a strong resemblance to his grandfather.”
JAMES CATTLIN
© The Cricket Press Pty Ltd and James Cattlin
PHOTO: J Trumper
Image © RL Cardwell
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