Obituaries
Brian Fleming - February 2024
Cricket lover Brian sadly passed away this weekend.
Brian was an extrovert and full of ideas, one of which was a pantomime. This was put on at the Congs Sunday School to acclaim and featured many players in action on the stage or helping with scenery. It also raised funds as we set out to purchase the former Pudsey Britannia cricket field.
His other claim to fame was to persuade enough people to go on a Cricket Tour of Devon, three Summers alltogether, very happy days.
He and wife Doreen spent the last few years as devoted spectators at Headingley supporting Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
Brian’s funeral was held at St Joseph’s Church, Pudsey on Monday 11th March with a service that followed at Rawdon.
Ralph W Middlebrook
President
Pudsey Congs Cricket Club
Keith Dickens - December 2023
Very sad indeed to report the passing of Keith Dickens recently. Keith played his sport in a very competitive way yet with a strong observance to Laws/Rules and especially sportsmanship. Former medium/quick bowler, he had a strong action and never bowled short and tried hard every ball he bowled. In retirement he turned to umpiring for 25 years, he had a top reputation there too.
Recent years have seen him and his wife attend matches home and away and this year he insisted on buying his fellow spectators a drink as if he knew the illness news would not get any better.
When we bought the former Britannia Ground, Keith readily got stuck into the work of making the most of his talents as a plumber and tirelessly helped, with others, on providing facilities that we enjoy today.
He certainly left his mark and our condolences go to his wife Terry and families of Sally and Christopher
The funeral was held on January 3rd, 2024 at Dewsbury Crematorium
Ralph W Middlebrook
President
Pudsey Congs Cricket Club
Winnie Hirst - June 2022
Winnie Hirst, who sadly passed away this week aged 94, will not be known to many but as mother of Michael and twins John and David, she had a great impact on our Cricket Club.
A lady not to be trifled with but with a top sense of humour, she was right behind her boys interest in cricket. I well remember joining them on the School Street playing with bat and ball against chaulked stumps on the Sunday School/Institute gable end. She was rightly proud of her boys as they played a big part in the move from Queens Park to Intake Road undertaking physical and administrative tasks as well as being good cricketers on the pitch. With her husband Fred, she left a rich legacy which has and will continue to serve Pudsey Congs Cricket Club.
Her funeral was held at the United Reformed Church, School Street on Monday 18th July , 2022
Ralph W Middlebrook
President
Pudsey Congs Cricket Club
Barbara Glover - March 2022
Barbara Glover passed away this week in hospital after a fall at home.
With her devoted husband Alan, they were the longest serving members and indeed working members.
Barbara was a regular tea lady at Queens Park and was a lively tourist on our cricketing excursions to Devon, enjoying the company of friends to the full.
Very sad news.
Ralph W Middlebrook
President
Harry Bulmer - February 2022
Sad to report that Harry passed away recently at the grand age of 96. He was one of our longest active members after being introduced by Bob Strangeway
as soon as we opened the ground at Intake Road.
Initially he helped with fitting out the interior and he continued to support our activities, going on tour and maintaining his weekly visit for a drink, most recently with his son-in-law Bob.
Always with a smile his face, he and his wife Grace were popular throughout the years.
His Funeral was held at Christ The Saviour Church, Swinnow Lane on March 9th and afterwards at the Cricket Club
Ralph W Middlebrook
President
Pudsey Congs CC
Margaret Duggan - January 2022
Cricket lover and Congs supporter Margaret Duggan recently passed way aged 92.
Harry Duggan, her late husband, captained our 3rd team in the Queens Park era. A steady and shrewd operator, Harry had good hands which stood him in good stead when he batted and also served him well on the golf course.
Margaret passionately followed the cricketing career of her beloved grandson, Michael, who played for Yorkshire Schools and captained our Second team with success. Cricket and football, Margaret thrived on sport.
Her funeral was held February 22nd at St Joseph’s Catholic Church followed by a gathering at Pudsey Congs Cricket Club.
Ralph W Middlebrook
President
Pudsey Congs Cricket Club
Malcolm Allitt - January 2022
A talented and determined cricketer who was difficult to dismiss, sadly died this week.
Malcolm played for East Bierley, was involved at Drighlington and then turned to umpiring for many years.
Our condolences go to his family especially Lindsey and Warren who shared his love of cricket.
Ralph W Middlebrook
Chairman
Pudsey Congs Cricket Club
Sam Miller - December 2021
I regret having to report that Sam Miller, Life Member and founder of the Monday gang has died aged 100.
He battled on towards his century, only handing in his Cricket Club keys earlier this year and was a fund of reminisces from his military and engineering background.
Sat behind a glass of brandy, he would regale all and sundry with his tales. Reknown for his use of the angle grinder, generous in always offering to help he was a popular figure not just at our Cricket Club but throughout Pudsey Town Centre.
R I P Sam
Ralph W Middlebrook
Chairman
Pudsey Congs Cricket Club
Pat Harsley - July 2021
The funeral for Pat Harsley sadly took place recently.
Pat was a member who also worked in ensuring our Clubhouse was always spic and span. Pat was married to Les who played for Pudsey Britannia and he also ran a junior side for several years. Gary Harsley, their son, played for us till he moved away. They lived in the house situated at deep fine leg (if the batter is right handed and the bowling is directed from Intake Road) and many members still refer to that area as “Harsleys corner”.
Ralph W Middlebrook
Chairman
Pudsey Congs Cricket Club
Ray Illingworth CBE - December 2021
Pudsey and Farsley has lost one of its cricketing superstars with the passing of Raymond Illingworth.
Fiercely loyal to his roots and his principles, he will go down as arguably England shrewdest Captain and an off spin bowler who captured his Test wickets at the miserly cost of 1.9 runs per over! He also had his name on both honours boards at Lords for taking 5 wickets in an innings and also for scoring a century at Headquarters.
A lifelong supporter of the Bradford League and all local cricket he will be sadly missed. Our thoughts and sympathy go to his daughters and extended family.
Ralph W Middlebrook
Chairman
Pudsey Congs Cricket Club
Terry Brook - May 2021
Congs members will be saddened by the news that Terry Brook recently passed away.
His son Gary was a key component of the team that accomplished 5 consecutive Bradford League championships.
Terry was a proud man, keen on sport and a popular Congs supporter in many ways alongside his wife Doreen. His funeral was held at Rawdon Crematorium on Monday 17th May 11:30am and a gathering afterwards was at Horsforth Golf Club.
No family flowers please, donations would be welcomed for Dementia UK.
Ralph W Middlebrook
Chairman
Pudsey Congs Cricket Club
Life Trustee Peter Marsh - February 2021
I am sorry to confirm that Life Trustee Peter Marsh passed away last Friday.
The Cricket Club has sent condolences and flowers to Joan, Andrew and Alison but final arrangements have yet to be finalised. The intention to tour around Pudsey passing the houses and Cricket Club where the family spent many happy years in the locality.
Peter never gave up in anything he undertook and he fought hard through his illnesses.
Joan will be pleased to receive condolences but would prefer them to be either by card or text.
Peter’s cortège passed along Intake Road Thursday 11th March 2021.
Ralph W Middlebrook
Chairman
Pudsey Congs Cricket Club
Dennis Leng - September 2020
Pudsey cricketer Dennis Leng died this week aged 85.
He started his cricketing career in the Pudsey and District Sunday School Cricket League and reached a peak in playing for Ireland against Australia in a first class fixture.
Whilst he had little connection with our Club, he is a distant relative of Alan Glover, a distinguished Pudsey Congs player and official.
Like many other people, Dennis was a part in the world wide reputation of the game of cricket in Pudsey.
We extend sympathy to his family.
Ralph W Middlebrook
Chairman
Pudsey Congs Cricket Club
Roland Parker MBE - September 2020
It is with sadness that we record the death of Roland Parker MBE - a man, a cricketer and a gentleman of the highest standard.
His qualities as a cricketer shone in his batting. Stylish and elegant, he was wonderful to watch in the 1950’s as the ball sped to the cover boundary. He was Pudsey and Pudsey St Lawrence CC through and through and he served the famous club in many ways bringing distinction and quiet leadership at Tofts Road just across the road from his residence.
He was also a good friend to Pudsey Congs CC joining and paying his subscription for over 20 years and visited our ground on many occasions. Roland was kind to me personally as a junior at the Saints taking fielding practice and showing an interest in youngsters development. He once remarked to me that he thought Rana Naved-ul-Hasan was probably the best all round cricketer, batting, bowling and fielding in the history of the Bradford League. I would not argue with his opinion.
Another of his activities was as a dedicated fund raiser for several charities never sparing himself in the fundraising drive. Without doubt he was a great man in Pudsey’s rich cricketing history.
Ralph W Middlebrook
Chairman
Pudsey Congs Cricket Club
Kath Bales - January 2020
Members will be saddened to hear of the death of Kath Bales.
Over many years, Kath supported her husband Cliff in his playing days and later the huge administrative burden that he handled so professionally. A vivacious lady who was a staunch member of Leeds City Council Leisure Services Department and acted as City tour guide in retirement.
Her funeral was held on January 30th, 2020.
Ralph W Middlebrook
Chairman
Pudsey Congs Cricket Club
Ronnie Ambler - January 2020
With the death of Ronnie Ambler we are robbed of a fine gentleman and one of the last links of the old Pudsey Britannia Cricket Club.
Sadly this news has just reached me. In a few conversations with me, he recalled many of his cricketing exploits especially during his military service. Ronnie played in the era of the legendary Herbert Sutcliffe and was a great friend of his son William Herbert Hobbs Sutcliffe (Bill)
There where many invitations for Bill to play cricket around the country and he always insisted that Ronnie was invited also to play, which meant they had a whale of a time.
Ronnie was a fine figure of a man even as he turned 90 years visiting his old ground for a Sunday lunchtime drink and I also understand he was a very fine bowler.
He was certainly part of Pudsey's rich cricketing heritage.
Ralph W Middlebrook
Chairman
Pudsey Congs Cricket Club