Jim was in every way a gentle giant with a jovial outgoing personality that endeared him to both friend and foe alike. He was a true sportsman and no mean batsman as his long career in the Instonians 1st XI confirmed. He was a member of the great Instonians teams of the early Sixties that won the Senior League title in 1962 and the Senior Cup in 1964 under the inspirational leadership of Dixon Rose. The Old Boys team included some of the best players to grace this famous club and Jim was never out of place in their company as he was a major contributor to the club's success over many years. In later years he loved nothing better than reflecting on these achievements with his former teammates at Instonians functions, as the bond amongst them was very special.
Jim Crothers was born into cricket as the son of a famous father-the legendary George Crothers of Lisburn and Ireland fame. George is widely acknowledged as one of the best wicketkeepers in the history of Irish cricket and Jim could not have had a better grounding from a man whose huge contribution to Lisburn Cricket Club is acknowledged in club annals. One of Jim's proud possessions was his father's scrapbook, a treasure of cricket memorabilia and cricket memories.
Jim was never lost to the game and after his playing days he took great delight in watching the cricket exploits of his sons and later Instonians teams.
The Instonians Club and the local cricket community will be all the poorer for the passing of this much loved Gentle Giant and we offer our sincere condolences to his wife Rosemary, sons Steven, Gareth and Andrew and the wider family circle and friends.
JCH
