Cricket in Sevenoaks has lost one of its most dedicated supporters.

John Hughes passed away on Monday, January 3, in the Princess Royal University Hospital near his home in Orpington.

He was 84. He had suffered a fall before Christmas which necessitated a hip replacement operation, which sadly he did not have the strength to recover from.

Although Mr Hughes did not play cricket himself, he was great lover of the game. He had been a Sevenoaks District U19 manager, scorer, supporter and a friend to cricket in the Sevenoaks area for well over four decades.

He was best known for his support to Holmesdale Cricket Club where he produced the most beautiful scorebooks for 15 years and religiously continued to support the club even after his retirement in 2010.

But his cricketing relationship extended to his time at Sennocke Cricket Club where he was part of the committee and a junior manager helping to continue the tradition of cricket around Knole House.

Fellow cricketer and chairman of Holmesdale CC Mark Epps said: "Wherever you had the pleasure to meet John and wherever you had travelled from to take part in cricket, John was always the first person to greet you, to show interest in your background and to make connections that lasted thereafter."

'He was a true gent'

He said: "In the words of so many players he was a ‘true gent’, witty and the most welcoming.

"It was John who time after time made any overseas cricketer feel welcome and at home at Holmesdale and England.

"His kindness extended to obligatory trips to Lord's for visiting players and to the simple enjoyment of a Toby carvery for lunch."

Beyond his love for cricket, Mr Hughes had been an English teacher for many years, adored poetry and continued to craft reviews on opera music into his final few months.

Mr Epps said: "He will be sorely missed."

His funeral will be held at Bluebell Cemetery in Halstead at 1.45pm on Thursday, January 27.

He was unmarried and had no close family.