An interview with Roger Knight

We were delighted to interview Roger Knight OBE; twelfth Headmaster of Worksop College, former Chairman of the MCC and now published author. Roger’s book ‘Boundaries: a memoir’ published in September 2021, tells the story of Roger’s life, looking back on his days as a cricketer/schoolmaster, and his time as Secretary/Chief Executive of the Marylebone Cricket Club.

What inspired you to write this book?

My father, a lifelong schoolmaster, wrote a book about his experiences of teaching at Dulwich College for 36 years. I felt there was much to be said about my time in cricket and schools, an unusual combination and probably almost impossible nowadays, and I wanted to pass on as an historical record how fortunate I felt myself to have been to have enjoyed three careers, two of them simultaneously for fourteen years. The two people who helped me by reading drafted chapters, Des Wilson and Stephen Chalke, persuaded me that I had a different and interesting tale to tell. Do you think anyone could have a go at writing a book?

OWs in the spotlight

I would encourage anyone to write. One of the things which I believe is important is for parents to talk about their own upbringing to their children. Youngsters are reluctant to ask and the older generation is often reticent about opening up, but an interest in the family tree throws up quite a lot of information. I did not write a daily diary, but I never threw away the diaries in which I wrote down my commitments, first in the pocket notebooks and subsequently in the Outlook calendar. They were helpful in researching the background for the book. I also re-read many of the articles that I wrote about cricketing issues and papers I prepared at MCC.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

The first point to consider is for whom are you writing? Is it for self-satisfaction and self-knowledge, is it for close friends, is it for a wider readership, in which case, who are these people? Knowledge of the subject sounds easy when the book is biographical, but it is astonishing how past memories may have changed. Stephen Chalke put me right on several facts about my cricket career and Wisden, the Cricketers’ Almanack, proved him correct in every case. My memories had obviously become distorted after relating stories at dinners and cricket societies and probably embellishing them for greater effect.

Have your days at Worksop College ever inspired your work?

There is a chapter on Worksop College in the book. They were three happy years for me and my wife and I should have loved to have been a Headmaster for longer. However, as I said to David Moody, the Custos, when he asked me whether I wanted the job at Lord’s if offered it, as an HMC Head I was one of over 230 people, but as MCC Secretary I would be one of one. It is a unique role and for twelve and a half years it was a wonderful experience.

Roger holding the first copy of the book with, English cricket author and publisher, Stephen Chalke. Roger’s book can be purchased on Amazon