St George’s Cricket Club is mourning the loss of Eugene “Calabash” Foggo, a former Cup Match great.

Foggo, a left-arm spinner and early-order bat, died on 25 February at the age of 63 and St George’s president Neil Paynter led the tributes, recalling how Foggo was dedicated to the club’s cause.

“It’s a hard loss anytime you lose someone so dedicated to representing and putting St George’s Cricket Club on the playing field,” Paynter said.

“As a member of the community, it’s a hard loss to take. ‘Calabash’ was known for his left-arm orthodox spin, but he could also hold the bat. There would be times we needed him to either open the innings or stabilise the innings and he would do whatever was required.

“He was a little older than me, but within the community he was a very quiet person who went about his business. He wasn’t one to initiate a conversation, but once you got to talk to him he could open up and you could have a long conversation.”

Foggo burst onto the Cup Match scene in 1988 when he took six wickets for 82 runs as a colt.

He played his last Cup Match in 2004. As a bowler, he took 17 wickets and conceded 573 runs over 18 innings. As a batter, he scored 175 runs with a high score of 33 over 14 innings.

Kim Swan, the St George’s West MP, remembered how the late Foggo dedicated his time to assist the up-and-coming cricketers.

“It’s very sad and a big loss to the community,” Swan said.

“Calabash’s cricket career was a very good one for St George’s, in both league and Cup Match. He was a very reliable bowler and a dependable batsman. Not flashy, but steady, a quiet guy who went about his business without fanfare.

“I remember him and Chick [David Adams] bowling in tandem, tying down batsmen from both ends and frustrating them. They had consistency and accuracy and were brilliant to watch.

“There was a time when Ricky [Squiggy] Hodsoll was the vice-captain of St George’s, and back then every club had a second team.

“So Squiggy, as the first team vice-captain, captained the second team, which is where he and the coaches and evaluators would watch and appraise many of the young players and fringe players.

“I had the opportunity of playing with Clay [Smith] and watching Clay and other younger players come through. There were a lot of top-class players participating, because a lot of times those guys would play with the second team just to get their eye in.

“Calabash was one of those players who would mix in with the group and lend his talent and experience. Without a doubt, he will be sadly missed.”

Former St George’s Cup Match captain Herbie Bascome described Foggo as someone dedicated to the betterment of cricket in St George’s.

“I was deeply saddened to receive the news of the passing of cricket legend Eugene Foggo,” Bascome said.

“My heartfelt condolences go to the respected family. Calabash was a well-known cricketer but was sadly restricted from achieving his rightful place on the national team.

“He lived a humble life as a dedicated player and I remember him as a loyal member of St George’s and he would sacrifice to play cricket.

“He was a pleasure to play with and one of the best left-arm spinners on the island. He would spend an inordinate amount of time motivating talented cricketers in the team and helping them with their game.

“His words of wisdom were constantly reaffirmed through the many players that he would encounter.

“A cricket giant of our community has fallen. I can say I had the great pleasure of being his captain in league and Cup Match and he made it so easy when given the ball or asked to bat.

“I can truly say I was a witness to the fact that he remained humble and true to advancing the development of cricket in St George’s. While we mourn the passing of our beloved friend and cricketer, I take pleasure in saying that he was a quality cricketer that played to the fullest and an excellent example of how a cricketer should address the game.

“I want to thank his family for gracefully sharing him with our community. He was a brilliant cricketer that was loved by many.”

Another former St George’s team leader, Gregory Foggo, spoke of his shock at his cousin’s passing.

“I was shocked as he was much younger than me,” the 77-year-old said.

“I played with him when he was much younger. He was a steady left-arm spinner and he got six wickets in his first Cup Match.

“When we needed an opening batter in league cricket, he wasn’t a regular opener but he used to open depending on how the game was going.”

Cleon Scotland, who made his first Cup Match appearance in 2000 with Foggo in the team, also paid tribute.

“Calabash was generally a quiet guy, but if you initiated a conversation, usually about cricket, he would engage you,” Scotland said.

“As a bowler, he wasn’t a big spinner of the ball, but bowled a very consistent line and length. He specialised in keeping one end quiet while David “Chick” Adams, his fellow spinner, did the wicket-taking damage from the other end.

“He was also a reliable batsman. At my club, Western Stars, we called him “Kerplunk” behind his back because he would just block, but that was vital in the days of open cricket, especially if St George’s were in trouble

“He was a winner and was Blue and Blue all the way, a “St George’s Boy For Ever”, as their song goes. He was a really nice guy and my sympathies are with his loved ones and St George’s Cricket Club, who have lost someone who played a significant part in their many trophy wins in the 1990s.”