Colin describes himself as a ‘BBC’, a British Born Caribbean, and his family are from Guyana, Guadeloupe and Barbados. He fulfilled a life-long interest in West Indian cricket and the Caribbean diaspora by focussing his MA thesis on the impact of West Indian cricket on those of Caribbean birth and descent in Britain. An extended and revised version of 'They Gave the Crowd Plenty Fun: West Indian Cricket and its Relationship with the British-resident Caribbean Diaspora' has been published by Hansib publications, with a foreword written by Lord Bill Morris of Handsworth OJ.

The book traces the history of the relationship between West Indian cricket and the Caribbean diaspora from the beginning of mass immigration to Britain in the 1950s. It reflects on how West Indies cricket evolved into providing a common focus for those from different Caribbean countries, social backgrounds and experiences.

Colin has previously written about West Indian cricket for IC3: The Penguin Book of New Black Writing in Britain (2000) and The Bowling was Superfine: West Indian Writing and West Indian Cricket (2012).

Colin described his time as a graduate student at Warwick as an ‘invigorating and rewarding experience’ and was keen to thank Professor Trevor Burnard and Professor David Dabydeen for their ‘inspiration, support and guidance.’

On Tuesday 4th December at 5.15pm, Room S0.10 Colin will speak about his book, 'They Gave The Crowd Plenty Fun: West Indian Cricket and its Relationship with the British-Resident Caribbean Diaspora' ( £8.99. ISBN: 978-1-906190-55-2) Published by Hansib Publications.

“A thoughtful and timely piece of work which should make a major contribution to the continuing debate about the impact of West Indian cricket, and appeal to cricket fans and non-cricket aficionados alike.”
Lord Bill Morris of Handsworth OJ

“Colin Babb has brought warmth, understanding and insight to this deftly observed account of West Indian cricket in England. He is a first-hand witness of part of a unique cricket journey and They Gave the Crowd Plenty Fun is a tasty broth of cricket history, anecdote and personal reflection. It deserves to be savoured.” Simon Lister, author of Supercat: The authorised biography of Clive Lloyd

“Colin has brought out, with tremendous power and depth, how important the achievements of West Indian cricket were to the self-respect and sense of identity of West Indian people in Britain.”
Clem Seecharan, Emeritus Professor of Caribbean History, London Metropolitan University

They Gave The Crowd Plenty Fun is a lucid and comprehensive study of the impact of West Indian cricket on those of Caribbean birth and descent in Britain. It traces the history of the relationship between cricket and the Caribbean diaspora from the start of mass immigration to Britain from the Caribbean in the 1950s. Colin Babb explores the links between Caribbean cricket, migration, identity and presence, and the challenges cricket faces in Britain as a source of pride for the Caribbean diaspora.

More about the author:

Colin has worked as a radio and online producer and journalist for the BBC. In 2012, he received an MA from the Yesu Persaud Centre for Caribbean Studies at the University of Warwick.

For all media enquiries and further information contact: Colin Babb.

Email: theygavethecrowd@hotmail.com Twitter: @gavethecrowd

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gavethecrowd/