…was being elected an Honorary Life Member of the Northern Cricket Union when I moved my domicile to Barbados in 1996. Even thirteen years later, I’m still humbled by the honour of being associated with some remarkable cricket personalities down the years that have been honoured in a similar fashion, all with lofty credentials much more worthy than myself. Down the years their names have appeared and sadly then disappeared, from the annual NCU Fixture book, as time took its toll and they passed from our midst.
The late great Joe Vaughan, genial George Orr, bustling Jim Barry and big Jim McMorran come immediately to mind. They were institutions within the union, and over many years we all have many happy memories of being in their company or on the wrong end of a rap if we stepped out of line. All four mellowed in later life!
The current incumbents total ten in number and I’m sure they share a similar pride in their honour, so I’m delighted that the NCU hierarchy is going to formally recognise them with a presentation ceremony in March.
The Honorary Life Members have collectively a formidable pedigree of service in every aspect of the game, and include within their list of achievements five chairmanships of the NCU, five NCU presidencies, two ICU presidencies, three former Ireland internationals, two former Ireland captains, a former international umpire, two former members of the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, and a former president of the Irish Football Association in Jimmy Boyce. Jointly they must have attended thousands of NCU and ICU committee meetings, but perhaps what makes them so special is that not only did they serve the unions with distinction, but also to a man every one has given sterling service to their club at the same time.
The NCU has been generous in recognizing service within the union and over the years there has been fine examples of cricketers who have played the game long after their playing days ceased. Fortunately the union has plenty of them still within its ranks, and although they take their fair share of stick in the current competitive world we live in, they still bounce back with great service. It’s all part of the legacy that one generation leaves to another, and looking at the list of current Honorary Life Members what a fine example they set.
Alfie Linehan, Tom McCloy and Ivan Anderson were the most distinguished players, and perhaps the best known on the field of play, but their exploits as administrators were just as noteworthy as chairmen and presidents of both clubs and unions. Cecil Walker and Jimmy Boyce chaired the union through some challenging years in the 80s when we celebrated our centenary, but they also took dominant roles in the Irish Cricket Union and brought thousands of pounds in sponsorships through their extensive network of business contacts. Cecil was the drive and enthusiastic general in our centenary celebration year of 1986, while Jimmy amazingly found time to follow a similar passion within the IFA. But then Jimmy was, and remains, an amazing character with boundless energy, vision and enterprise. Football’s gain has been cricket’s loss in the last decade.
Harold McCrory, Hubert Cranston and John Law never sought the limelight, but their contribution to the various committees within the union has been huge. They didn’t suffer fools, but they had that wonderful gift of being able to reason a good argument through wise counsel and common sense. Despite their quiet profiles they were doyens within the NCU for decades. The same could be said for umpires stalwart Peter Lunney, who carried out one of the less glamorous but essential duties of Umpires secretary for many years and still found enough time to umpire and to reach the highest level in our sport. Peter’s passion as an autograph collector and Kent County Cricket supporter just added more spice to one of Ulster cricket’s great characters.
Ivan Anderson was the last person to be elected as an honorary member at the 2008 AGM and there can be no more worthy recipient of this accolade, given his magnificent club and union administrative service, on top of his outstanding achievements as one of Irish cricket’s all time greats.
It makes yours truly very humble to be associated with such a formidable set of exceptional cricket people. Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend the ceremony in March, but I sincerely thank the NCU members once again for their recognition.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
