| It is sad to think that I have
only seen Alan a few times over the last 25 years, but I remember a
kind, generous, gentle man with the heart of a lion, who was one of
the Forefathers of the Bradninch Cricket Club we know today. A
uniquely talented cricketer, who could hit the ball further than
most while batting and be equally entertaining in the field, as when
dropping the occasional catch, he would volley the ball before it
hit the ground and create a flurry of activity on the opposite side
of the pitch. How many batsmen have been caught in the covers after
pulling the ball to square leg?
Moving away from cricket for a moment, I was also fortunate to
play darts with Alan, or should I say, watch Alan play. He was one
of the most gifted local players and finishing on �bull� was the
norm, rather than an unexpected delight for lesser mortals like
myself.
He would not mind me mentioning that his exceptional ability led
to pronounced frustration, if while striving for his usual
perfection things did not quite go to plan, and like the cricket
ball being dispatched to cover, the second and third dart would
often swiftly follow in to the �25�, if his first one narrowly
missed the �bull�.
Arriving in Bradninch in 1949, Alan was a keen sportsman playing
in the local football and cricket teams, and for more than three
decades his involvement with Bradninch sport extended well beyond
the playing side. He was instrumental in setting up and running
bingo and other fundraisers, and became a Town Councillor to help
focus on the need for greater awareness and funding for local sport.
Such support and dedication is rare and we were fortunate to have
his wife Elsie equally dedicated in helping to provide the most
wonderful cricket teas.
As young players in the late 1960s, we all benefited from his
thoughtful, encouraging words and as fledgling groundsmen throughout
the 1970s, we were very reliant on Alan�s engineering expertise to
keep the aging machinery going.
The long serving and much envied roller, affectionately known as
�Puffing Billy� in those days, is a credit to Alan�s ingenuity and
timeless efforts, with a dumper truck engine and a combine harvester
gearbox replacing the original chain and cogs, during the mid-70s.
On the one or two occasions he visited the ground over the last
few years, I was privileged to share his memories and love for
Bradninch cricket. Despite his debilitating illness he was
determined to watch some cricket this summer and but for the
inclement weather, he would have made it to the first league game in
May.
We will remember Alan for far more than that special talent of
combining his cricket and football skills when redirecting a catch;
for me he was someone special to call on at a time when his warmth
and wealth of life skills were most needed.
Derrick Foan |
