23rd November 2007

Tragic death of Ross Wood

Ross died in hospital late on Monday night November 19th. He died from injuries he sustained when he was assaulted in Mirfield Town centre on Friday night.

Ross was just 22 and has captained Mirfield Town FC during its short 5 year history. He led the team to a Cup semi final, 4 promotions and a Division 2 title. He led them to where they are now in the Premier Division and he led the team and scored a goal in their well earned draw at Centenary Square this season and other cracking games with Battyeford, Littletown & Birkenshaw.

The Mirfield side has several members that have known and played with Ross since they were around 7 years old. Most played with Battyeford Juniors & many with Ross as junior cricketer here at Mirfield CC. Ross excelled at Football, Cricket & Rugby & probably would have done so in any sport that you could think of, had he taken it up. His loss as a player is immense his loss as a wonderful person is even greater. Everyone liked him, perhaps a few opposing midfielders have a scratch or two to remember him by! A few refs liked him so much they asked for his name during matches!

A sad loss for the Club, his family, friends and the whole Town of Mirfield.

There are several links to the sites where people are talking about Ross on our Club forum http://mirfieldcc.co.uk/phpBB2.

3rd June 2007

Sport Billy

A lone, slightly pensive looking Andy Kaye was seen wandering the car park at Willow Valley Golf Club at the very early hour of 6.45am awaiting his fellow competitors for the first of the events in this Sports Billy Challenge. Was it pensiveness, the result of the previous two nights excesses, had he seen something or was it simply pure relief that after five months of planning and organisation Sport Billy Day was finally underway.

The concept of Sport Billy Day, hatched by Andy at the outset of 2007, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the untimely death of Jonny Hodge from Leukaemia would be a gruelling test of endurance with participants competing in Andy's three sporting loves - Golf, Football and Cricket - in one day!

As 7am approached, so did the first group of competitors - 22 bleary eyed golfers who were organised into teams to play The Pine Valley course.

Whilst this AM-AM format event was being played, a hive of activity was taking place at the Memorial Ground in Mirfield, the venue of the remaining two events. Barbecue equipment arrived with suitable sustenance to feed not only the Sports Billy Challenge participants but also the anticipated crowd that would support this unique day; gazebo's were erected that would hold a number of attractions to entertain visitors and surely the St. John's Ambulance tent would be vital as the day progressed.

As the golfers left Willow Valley to the more familiar surroundings of the Memorial Ground, where additional enthusiasts joined them to play the scheduled 11.30am start 6-a-side Football Tournament, the sun had ironically started to shine - the only weather condition not to be forecast.

It could have been the Heavy Woollen Cup Final at the Mirfield arena, but no, it was Sport Billy Day proving to be a real success as people from miles around had chosen to support the cause. Making good use of all the facilities available to them, particularly the bar, a real carnival atmosphere was beginning to develop.

Dirtily clothed and red-faced footballers, as a result of the arduous tournament, now trudged to the changing rooms in preparation for the final event of the day - a 12-a-side (junior rules) cricket match.

The players, now in their third outfit of the day and showing visual signs of fatigue, entertained the swelling crowd to a fun 24-overs match with each player having to display their skills, or lack of them, in each of the batting and bowling disciplines.

By the end of the game, the sun had decided it was time to hide itself behind the gathering clouds and darkness veiled the area as both players and supporters proceeded to the clubhouse for the richly deserved après Sport Billy.

The day ended with an evening of prize presentations, raffles, and fine Indian cuisine along with congratulatory and thank you messages to the many that had been involved in making this special day.

The heavens did finally open, but the downpour could not dampen the spirit, achievement and pleasure of being part of Sport Billy Day.

Further Information:

The proceeds from Sport Billy Day are being donated to Leukaemia Research - you can still donate to this cause by visiting www.justgiving.co.uk/SportBilly

22nd April 2007

Della Lee

Mirfield CC are mourning Della Lee who has recently passed away. Wife of Dave and mother of Ian and Joanne, Della has made a considerable contribution to the club and will be sadly missed by all family and members.

Della's funeral takes place on Monday, 23rd April 2007 at Dewsbury Crematorium 1.30pm. Please note: Della's family have requested no flowers but donations to Kirkwood Hospice, who cared for Della, would be gratefully received.

5th March 2007

HCCL - Presentation Evening

Pat Neal has been awarded the HCCL Heritage award for 2006.

Pat's contribution to historical research of Mirfield Cricket Club, his book about George Herbert Hirst along with charity work and the leading role he played in the restoration of Andrew Greenwood's grave makes this a rich deserved award.

The award was presented by Dr. Peter Davies, Project Leader of the Cricket Heritage Project.

A contingent of 10 Mirfield CC members attended the evening and some of them returned worse for wear!

25th January 2007

Mirfield CC - Annual General Meeting
by James Norbury

Mirfield CC announced their plans for the future at the AGM on the 25 January.

One of the main developments to come out of the meeting was for there to be the creation of a social membership at the club.

The new membership will cost an annual fee of £6 and will be for those without a player membership but who wish to use the clubhouse on the Memorial Ground.

Also, it was resolved that all current club officials would remain in their positions, while Kevin Bell was welcomed in as cricket chairman for the coming season.

Time was taken to remember club legend Hurst Barber and tea lady Mavis Birch who both passed away recently.

During the meeting Clive Brook spoke of the need for the club to continue its drive forward, and urged Harry Lime to build upon its reprieve from relegation last season.

He also took the time to praise the football team for a fantastic season as well as the people who have been working behind the scenes, such as the caterers, committee and sub-committees.  

Speaking about the recent acts of vandalism that have occurred at the clubhouse over the past year, Clive stated: “We must show more resolve than them. We must win or the town will lose an important facility.” 

The AGM was held at the Memorial Ground and was chaired by President Clive Brook, while Pat Neal recapped the details of last year’s AGM and treasurer Steve Kirkby went through the club’s finances for the past 12 months.

25th October 2006

Mirfield CC Presenation Evening
by James Norbury

This year’s prestigious Mirfield Cricket Club annual awards ceremony took place on the 21st of October. The ceremony celebrated a long yet successful season for Mirfield, which saw them finish fourth in their first season in Section A of the Huddersfield Central Cricket League, following their impressive promotion from Section B last season.

The night itself was a great success, and proved to be an extremely triumphant one for club secretary and first team batsman Pat Neal. Pat scooped up four awards during the course of the evening, capping off not just a wonderful season for the team, but for him personally.

He received awards for best batting and for the most man of the match awards over the whole season. He was also nominated players’ player of the year, receiving the Johnny Hodge Memorial Trophy. To cap off a great evening Pat also received a Century bat for being the only club centurion during the summer.

It also proved to be a memorable evening for club bowler Nas Saudager. Nas came away from the ceremony with the best bowler award and another medal for bowling. He was also presented with the Wilf Needler Trophy for the best individual performance of the season.

Many of the club’s other players picked up awards during the course of the night. David Bolt picked up the trophy for best fielding and Ben Allen received the captain’s trophy.

There were also honours handed out to Mirfield’s second eleven. Tim Dixon received the award for best batsman while Brian Martin was handed the best bowler trophy. Kenny Spencer was rewarded for being the team’s top scorer and Richard Denton received a trophy for best fielding.

Graham Whitworth was honoured for winning most man of the match awards in the second team and the captain’s trophy went to Mathew Haigh.

As well as Nas Saudger, bowling medals were also handed out to Andy Kaye and Mark Eastwood. Meanwhile, Ajmal Zarif was named Young Member of the Year.

In two separate awards, Kevin Bell was voted Clubman of the Year, while the Cock-up of the Year trophy was scooped by Aussie batsman Paul Newton.

The event took place at the Auctioneer in Brighouse. The awards and prizes were handed out by Dr Peter Davies of the University of Huddersfield, leader of the ongoing £50,000 Calderdale and Kirklees Cricket Heritage Project.

The evening was enjoyed by all those who attended.

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16th October 2006

Club Indoor Winter Nets

The club indoor winter nets are now arranged at Westborough High School, Dewsbury on Wednesday evenings 7pm-9pm commencing 24th January until 4th April 2007. (Excludes 28th March)

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27th September 2006

Mirfield CC Mourns Death of a Club Legend

Mirfield Cricket Club this week is mourning the death of a club legend Hurst Barber who passed away on Sunday.

Hurst was the last surviving member of the team that played Mirfield’s first game in 1952, the year the club was reformed. Indeed in that game played on Saturday 26th April 1952 against Gomersal at the Memorial Ground, Hurst scored 79 and became the first Mirfield player to score a half century for the new club.

Hurst's greatest achievement was when he captained the first eleven to the Central Yorkshire Championship in three successive seasons (1958-60) the first time a club had achieved this feat in the CYL.

After he finished playing career he served the club as junior coach, committee man and was club President between 1975 and 1982.

Always a great character he will be sadly missed by all at the club.

Hurst Barber's funeral will take place at Norristhorpe United Reform Church at 1:45pm on Monday 2nd October followed by committal at Dewsbury Crematorium.

Donations in lieu of flowers are to be shared by Norristhorpe United Reform Church and Mirfield Cricket Club.

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