Old Trafford is set to etch a new chapter in cricket history as former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer will have a stand named after him at the iconic Manchester stadium, a recognition he will share with West Indies legend Sir Clive Lloyd. The tribute, confirmed to take place during the fourth Test between England and India starting July 23, marks a rare and prestigious honour for an Indian cricketer in the UK.
“It is a fitting honour for both legends of the club,” a source told PTI.
Engineer, now 87, will become the first Indian cricketer to have a stand named after him at a stadium in England—an achievement that underscores his deep legacy at Lancashire County Cricket Club, where he played from 1968 to 1976. During his tenure, he scored 5,942 runs, claimed 429 catches, and made 35 stumpings across 175 matches, helping the county win the Gillette Cup four times between 1970 and 1975.
A transformative era at Lancashire
Both Farokh Engineer and Sir Clive Lloyd arrived at Lancashire during a transformative period. When Engineer joined, the club had gone more than 15 years without a major title. His arrival sparked a golden era, while Lloyd—who would go on to become a two-time World Cup-winning captain for the West Indies—was equally pivotal in reshaping Lancashire into a winning force.
Their contributions in the 1970s helped make Old Trafford a hub of cricketing excellence, drawing packed crowds and energizing the county’s fan base.
“They were incredible times and Old Trafford was a marvellous place to be. People would come for miles to see us play,” Engineer said in an interview with the Lancashire website.
“From the Old Trafford dressing room, we could see Warwick Road railway station, and before the game, we would see packed trains emptying their passengers on the platform. We could hear the chanting and the excited chatter and laughter,” he added.
A rare honour on foreign soil
The naming ceremony not only celebrates Engineer’s cricketing achievements but also reflects his longstanding bond with English cricket. While major Indian stadiums like Brabourne—where he played a significant part of his career—have yet to honour him similarly, Lancashire’s gesture speaks volumes about his international impact.
“It’s a huge, huge honour to have a stand after my name at the Old Trafford grounds at this stage of my life. Something like this is yet to happen in my own country,” Engineer told National Herald. “This is one of the most iconic venues of England, where Jim Laker took 10 wickets in an innings, and Manchester United Stadium is less than 100 metres away.”
Fan favourite and trailblazer
Engineer wasn’t just a top performer—he was also a crowd favourite. Often dubbed the Brylcreem man of Indian cricket, his charisma and approachability made him a household name in both India and the UK.
“It was amazing, our lockers would be stuffed full of requests for autographs and invitations to parties. Everyone in England was talking about that great team—names like Clive Lloyd, Harry Pilling, Peter Lever and Ken Shuttleworth,” Engineer recalled.
Even today, he remains a beloved figure in the UK, frequently seen at matches and known for hosting visiting Indian cricketers warmly.
“There is no doubt that I have earned huge respect in this country but at the end of the day, I am a desi at heart. Anyone who badmouths India will get it back from me,” he said.
Engineer also shared his excitement at welcoming Sunil Gavaskar, calling him his “favourite dikra (young lad in Parsee)” and reminiscing about their many innings together.
Legacy beyond accolades
The announcement comes at a time when global recognition of Indian cricket history is gaining momentum. It follows recent controversy around the removal of Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi’s name from the India-England Test series trophy, which was later partially reversed with the introduction of the Pataudi medal.
“It (introducing the Pataudi medal) was obviously an afterthought. They should have announced it at the beginning — that would have had more credibility. But at least they have done something. Common sense has prevailed and I hope the Pataudi name always remains,” said Engineer.
As the Engineer Stand is unveiled at Old Trafford, it stands not just as a tribute to one of India’s most beloved cricketers, but also as a symbol of the game’s rich, interconnected history and its increasingly global stage.
