MEMBERS of Canterbury Cricket Club are mourning one of their foremost servants, Pat Shirley, who has died at the age of 65.

Mr Shirley served Beverley and latterly Canterbury Cricket Clubs as a player and administrator for more than 40 years.

An unorthodox, left-handed batsman, he first played for Beverley Cricket Club as a teenager in the 1950s and enjoyed a distinguished playing career. He scored his first century for the club in 1958, and went on to captain both Beverley and Canterbury Pilgrims in the 1960s.

He was among the players who founded the Canterbury Evening League, and entered his own team, Canterbury Methodist, who used the King’s School ground. A serious car accident curtailed his playing career, after which he umpired for the club for more than 20 years.

As an administrator he was both a resourceful team manager and fixture secretary. He established the colts section at Beverley Cricket Club in 1976, with many youngsters going on to play representative and county cricket.

The fruits of his labour have paid dividends with the recent resurgence of Canterbury Cricket Club. The club’s acting chairman, Grahame Bennett, said: “Pat was a rock of the club for many years. He will always be remembered for his tireless work for the development of junior cricket