Tributes to former chairman and larger than life character
HANDS-ON LEADER INVOLVED HIMSELF IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE LEAGUE
BOB Welton - one of the best-known figures in Lincolnshire cricket – has died aged 72.
He contributed a huge amount to the sport across the north of the county and beyond for decades, and many saw him as Mr Lincolnshire Cricket.
Bob, who also ran a sports shop in Cleethorpes for some years, served as a senior official of the Lincolnshire County Cricket League for some 30 years - initially as vice-chairman but mainly as chairman.
An accurate and wicket-taking bowler of note with many clubs, he was good enough to play league cricket into his 60s.
Many will also remember him as someone who worked tirelessly to ensure that organised cricket was available for people of varying abilities to enjoy across the different divisions.
As league chairman he set himself the testing target of visiting every member club’s ground at least once a season to watch them in action and also to gauge the opinion of players and officials on various topics relating to the league. He organised the annual showpiece dinners - usually booking former Test cricketers as speakers - and made a point of welcoming, in person, those supporting these functions as they arrived at the venue. He also compiled and edited the league’s handbook.
As a very ‘hands-on’ chairman, Bob involved himself in all aspects of running a large league with well over 40 teams. He officiated at knockout cup finals and presented the trophies, dealt with hundreds of player registrations, chaired disciplinary hearings and liaised with the suppliers of match balls bought in bulk by the league on behalf of clubs. He also served on a number of committees and groups involving officials of other leagues and the county cricket board.
Neil Birkitt, general secretary of the Lincolnshire County Cricket League, said: “Bob was a larger than life character, who over the past 30+ years dedicated his life to cricket in Lincolnshire. If there was a game of cricket in the area you could guarantee that he would be there putting the cricket world to rights.
“He will be sorely missed by many. The Lincolnshire County Cricket League will continue to grow and do the utmost to uphold his legacy. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”
Nigel Fisher, from Brigg, a close friend who served alongside Bob for 19 years on the Lincs League’s management committee, said: “He will be remembered for his strong leadership - always sticking to the path he believed was right for the league but often stressing at meetings that the clubs collectively made the rules to be administered by officials serving on the management committee.
“He put in countless hours as an unpaid volunteer to help ensure that hundreds of players could continue to enjoy league cricket, season after season.
“In the eyes of many people living in the northern part of the county he was Mr Lincolnshire Cricket. “Bob was always good company and had a dry sense of humour, although he never shirked from expressing strong opinions when necessary to keep league cricket running smoothly.”
Don Clifton, Cleethorpes CC stalwart said: “I played alongside Bob during the seasons he spent as a player with Cleethorpes CC. He was with the Chichester Road based Club from 1983 until 1994 where he was a valued member of their Ridings League side. During this period he claimed 711 wickets with his spin bowling, his best season being 1992 when he finished with 81 wickets. “Although batting in the lower order he still managed to accumulate 1,832 runs, at an average of just over 16, while holding 109 catches. “Always a pleasure to play with, one of my favourite memories of Bob was when batting with him at York. Our combined age was nearly 95 years but we managed an all-run four. The fielder who followed the ball towards the square leg boundary was even older than us! We both needed oxygen before playing out two maiden overs.
“Another memory was when, on what was the hottest day of a summer, we played at Harrogate who reached over 150 without losing a wicket. A distraught Bob suddenly decided that was enough and informed his skipper he was suffering from heat stroke and left the field. He still managed a pint after the game ended!
“Rest in peace Bob, we had some great times and cricket will be the poorer without you.”
Bob had strong connections with the Scunthorpe area, where he was educated and played his early cricket. His father, also called Bob, had been a successful football manager with various clubs including Barton and Winterton.
Bob leaves a son, Guy, and a daughter, Charlotte. Guy played county cricket for Nottinghamshire as an opening batsman.
Bob was a larger than life character, who over the past 30-plus years dedicated his life to cricket in Lincolnshire... the League will continue to grow and do the utmost to uphold his legacy
Neil Birkitt, league secretary