Gone but not forgotten.

Posted by Tony Hutton

The number of famous sportsmen who have died recently, not all due to the virus, is sadly growing.
The two most recent in the Yorkshire area have both been former Leeds United footballers, Norman Hunter the legendary defender and Trevor Cherry, almost a contemporary at Leeds United, who also played for Huddersfield Town and Bradford City.

In the cricketing world one or two have slipped through almost unnoticed. January saw the death, aged 84, of Eddie Legard, who some will remember as a Yorkshire second XI wicket keeper. He played for several years during the 1950s but never had a chance in the first team due to the consistency of Jimmy Binks. He joined Warwickshire in 1960 but again his opportunities of first team cricket were blocked by A.C. Smith, who not only became the regular wicket keeper but also captained the side for a while. Legard stayed at Edgbaston for eight seasons but played in only twenty first class matches. He remained a regular member of the Warwickshire Old Players Association.

Terry Spencer (Leicestershire)

In February Terry Spencer, the former Leicestershire opening bowler and first class umpire, also died, aged 88. A whole hearted long time servant of the club, he took 1320 wickets which was the third highest total in the club's history. He is perhaps best remembered for his part in the famous tied match between Leicester and Yorkshire at Fartown, Huddersfield in 1954. He bowled unchanged throughout the Yorkshire second innings taking 9-63 in 23 overs, the best performance of his career.

Needing 137 to win Leicester were at one stage 29-5, but Spencer was at the crease with the last man and seven more were required from the remaining two balls of the match, to be bowled by Johnny Wardle. Spencer hit the first one for six to tie the scores. After a long mid-wicket conference with last man Brian Boshier, Spencer told him to run whatever happened. Boshier, the non-striker, set off early and could have been 'Mankaded' by the bowler. However Spencer could not get the ball clear of the bowler and was run out by a direct hit only inches out of his ground. Match tied!

Dan Woods (York C.C. and Cheshire)

Early in March we saw probably the most upsetting loss for many years when Dan Woods of York cricket club and Cheshire Minor Counties died of cancer at the early age of 32. Dan was a slow left arm bowler, who I had the pleasure of watching throughout much of his career with Leeds/Bradford University, Cheshire and particularly York cricket club who he captained through such a successful period of their history. He won seven Yorkshire League titles in a period of ten years from 2009.

Woods was remembered, despite the virus restrictions, by countless former cricket colleagues and opponents throughout the north of England and indeed abroad, running 5K in his memory to raise funds for York Hospital's Magnolia Centre.

At the other end of the age spectrum John Manners, once of Hampshire, died at the grand old age of 105, the oldest ever first class cricketer. His cricketing appearances were severely restricted by his career as a Royal Navy officer, including the Second World War. He first played for Hampshire in 1936 but his next game was eleven years later in 1947 when he made a brilliant century against Kent.

Peter Walker (Glamorgan)

Early in April, Peter Walker of Glamorgan, another top cricketer died at the age of 84. Although born in Bristol he was brought up in South Africa and as a young man hitch hiked a lift on a potato boat to Cardiff. Apparently he and another passenger passed the time throwing potatoes to each other and this catching practice helped him to become such an outstanding close fielder. There is no record of how many were lost overboard. He joined Glamorgan in 1955 and became a mainstay of the team as a consistent all rounder and outstanding short leg fielder, helping them win the county Championship in 1969. He made just three appearances for England against South Africa in
1960.

Peter Walker second from left on the front row of the county champions team 1969.

After retirement in 1972 he became a familiar figure on BBC sport, featuring regularly on coverage of the Sunday League competition as well as many other sports programmes on BBC Wales. His broadcasting career lasted for almost twenty years and he then became chief executive of the Cricket Board of Wales and introduced a nationwide coaching plan for the whole of Wales. He was also President of Glamorgan county cricket club in 2009.