posted by John Winn
Regular readers will know that the blog has not been in operation for the last three months. The main reason for this is that both Tony Hutton and I have had serious illnesses and it is with great sadness that I must let you know that Tony died in hospital in Leeds just a few days ago. Tributes to him have appeared on social media but given that he was one of the founders of the blog in 2010 it would be very remiss of me not to pay my respects through this medium.
I first met Tony about twelve years ago on a train journey back from The Riverside at Chester le Street, needless to say after a day at the cricket. We did not get off to a good start, he thought I was an umpire from Lancashire, not guilty on both counts, and shortly afterwards when I became a contributor to the blog, in a posting headed 'A case of mistaken identity' Tony apologised for this mistake (published 11/04/2011). We have remained firm friends ever since. I last saw him at The Riverside in September when Durham played Sussex. Strangely neither of us reported on Durham's overwhelming victory.
Tony's last posting on Cricket from The North appeared the day before the Sussex match and appropriately featured a match from Headingley: not, however, a championship match but the final of the Yorkshire Premier Cup between Woodlands and Appleby Frodingham. Tony took the opportunity to mention a couple of his gripes about the modern game, especially at first class level in that on that September Saturday there was free parking, no bag searches and free admission, all plus points but on the downside 'spectators, .....were corralled into the area inside or in front of the Long Room, with no access to the more attractive viewpoints'. Worst of all for such a meticulous record keeper, there were no score cards.
To find Tony's first posting we need to scroll back to Monday April 12th 2010 and enjoy 'A day in the Lancashire sun', a report on a two day friendly at Old Trafford between Lancashire and Durham, an example of cricket's hidden agenda that Tony was so adept at finding. Playing for Durham was 'newcomer Ben Stokes' (who) 'looks a considerable asset to the Durham squad.' Wow.
I took this photo at Weetwood, a ground close to Tony's home, in 2015. I love it because it shows him with Jennifer and a few other 'professional cricket watchers'. Characteristically Tony (in the white cap) has his clipboard to hand on which no doubt were recorded the two teams probably gleaned from the scorers. Weetwood is not one of my favourite grounds but so often I have made the 45 minute journey from home pretty sure in the knowledge that Tony would be there able to fill me in the names of the players. Without him grounds like Weetwood and Arthington will never be the same.
Tony's funeral is at Lawnswood Cemetery, Leeds on Wednesday January 18th at 9:15.
3 comments:
Sad indeed. I'd usually meet Tony at Weetwood, Arthington or a cup final. We would swap stories of quirky grounds, a little like club cricket top trumps. Bill Marshall has written a tribute to Tony for Cricket Yorkshire this week - hope it's ok to use this picture of him. Keep up the excellent work on this blog. Best wishes, John.
Just a follow-up to share the link for the Cricket Yorkshire article that Bill has written.
I am very sorry indeed to learn of this having only just put down my newly-acquired copy of Off the Beaten Track, a heroic and exhaustive feat of cricket watching which will never be surpassed, and whose value as a historic and social record will grow year by year. I found your blog entirely by chance. My condolences to you. Tony was a cricket man through and through.
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