THE funeral of Alan Albury, one of Kent's keenest cricket administrators who has died at the age of 71, will be held on Wednesday (June 26) at Charing Crematorium near Ashford.

Mr Albury, a non-player, was well-known for his sheer love and enthusiasm of the game which saw him rise to the posts of chairman of the Association of Kent Cricket Clubs and chairman of Kent Cricket Board, a role he was forced to hand over in March due to ill health.

Paying tribute to Mr Albury, a co-opted member of Kent County Cricket Club’s general committee since 1994, club chairman Carl Openshaw said club cricket had lost one of its biggest supporters.

"Club cricket is where Alan did his great work as he made an immense contribution to the recreational game in this county over the years," said Mr Openshaw. "I very much appreciated the support and advice he gave during his years on the county’s general committee.

"He and his wife Eileen loved Kent cricket and both travelled to watch the club all over the country despite Alan’s illness."

The funeral service will begin at 2pm. Family flowers only but donations if desired to Kent Association for the Blind, c/o J Perigoe & Son, Bank Street, Cranbrook, Kent, TN17 3EF.