Brother L Turns 90: Lloyd Wilson's Gordon Legacy
Gordon District Cricket Club | February 12, 2026
When Gery Elkan penned the Gordon song in the late 1960s, he immortalized four players in verse: "Roley" (Dick Guy), "Hedley" (Brian Taber), "Brother L" (Lloyd Wilson), and "PJ" (Peter Johnson). On March 1, 2026, the last line of that famous chorus rings especially true as Lloyd Wilson—now affectionately known as "Brolly"—celebrates his 90th birthday, with his Gordon mates already raising a glass to friendship and the good old times.
"We'll take on the Districts Waitara away, Then off to Merewether at the finish of play, There's Roley and Hedley, Brother L and PJ, It's great to be Gordon down old Chatswood way."
Lloyd made quite an entrance to Gordon in 1967-68. The experienced left-hand opener, who'd already worn the colours of Randwick and Glebe, was 31 when he joined the Club—supposedly past his prime. His response? A century (111) in his first innings. So much for being over the hill.
Over the next two seasons, Lloyd's bat spoke volumes: 567 runs at 28.35 in his debut year, then an even more impressive 693 at 27.72. He was exactly the kind of polished opening batsman Gordon needed, particularly in the inaugural Rothmans Cup—Sydney grade cricket's first one-day competition. Lloyd thrived in the new format, guiding Gordon through three knockout victories to reach the final. Though they fell short, his 77 in a modest total of 130 showcased his class under pressure. Across seven innings in the competition's first two years, he posted four half-centuries and averaged over 50.
When Lloyd announced his retirement after three seasons, Dick Guy captured the Club's sentiment perfectly: "It was very sad to hear of Lloyd's pending retirement. He is a great Club man and one of the best attacking opening batsmen in First Grade cricket."
But retirement didn't suit Lloyd. Three years later, in 1973-74, he returned to captain Third Grade, steering them to a near-miss top-four finish. His final tally with Gordon told the story of a player who delivered: 1,715 First Grade runs at 27.22 (including one century and 11 fifties), and 2,109 runs overall across all grades at 26.36.
Lloyd's contribution extended far beyond the crease. He served as Honorary Treasurer for two years (1968-70) and Honorary Secretary (1976-77)—joining an exclusive trio with Syd Smith and Geoff Hickman as the only members to hold both positions. And when Gordon faced near-relegation in 2000-01, Lloyd answered the call once more, helping manage Second Grade alongside his old mate Tony Wilson.
As "Brother L" reaches 90, his legacy remains woven into Gordon's fabric: the quality opener who delivered when it mattered, the administrator who served the Club off the field, and the friend who kept coming back whenever Gordon needed him.
