‘Stan’s main goal was to leave the club in a better position than when he inherited it. He certainly achieved that...’
THE local cricket and football communities have paid tribute to Stan Trafford, who has passed away at the age of 74.
Leek born and bred, he had a five-year spell playing for Port Vale, but he will be most fondly remembered for his dedication to local cricket.
Trafford had an association with Leek Cricket Club spanning more than 60 years and as a player he also represented Staffordshire in minor county matches and in the Gillette Cup.
He later served on the county committee as the Staffordshire Cup representative before stepping down when the competition came to an end.
Trafford also helped a host of players move on to the first-class and international scene in his time as Staffordshire Under-19 coach alongside Jess Hall.
Leek Cricket Club chairman Brian Mellor says they have lost an irreplaceable character.
“The word ‘stalwart’ comes to mind when you think of Stan,” said Mellor. “He played junior cricket for the club and moved his way through, serving on the committee, being the secretary, and in later years still watching games home and away.
“He also had his Staffordshire and league roles and there were not many hats he didn’t wear in local cricket.
“As a player he was a dogged, determined opening batsman and formed a great partnership with Derek Farmer.
“He was a man with a piercing voice and you could always hear his views. He never held back. People like Stan are not made anymore - those who serve one club throughout their life. We have lost someone who you can’t replace.
“Stan’s goal was always to leave the cricket club in a better position than when he inherited it. That was his mission statement and he certainly achieved that.”
Trafford, who was also a well-respected umpire in his career, started his long association with Leek in the late 1950s.
As a 13-year-old he made 70 on his secondteam bow - and the following season was promoted to the firsts where he became a permanent fixture. He rubbed shoulders with the great international players in the league in the 1960s and cited a half-century scored against Gary Sobers and his Norton side as the pinnacle of his playing career.
Trafford made 51 out of Leek’s 103 as they defeated their rivals.
One of his proudest Leek moments, though, came when he was club secretary in 2001.
Leek won the NSSCL Premier Division, Talbot Cup and Staffordshire Cup that
summer - a feat which remains unique in local cricket circles.
Ever since, Trafford would regularly be seen wearing his Leek ‘treble winners’ blazer to commemorate the achievement.
He also enjoyed a professional football career with Port Vale.
Trafford graduated through the Port Vale youth team and turned pro under manager Freddie Steele in October 1964.
A first-team debut arrived that month in a 2-2 draw with Peterborough - the first of 12 appearances he made for the Valiants. He scored one goal for the Vale, which was the winner in a 2-1 victory over Oldham Athletic.
However, Vale changed managers during the season and Trafford was released by new boss Jackie Mudie in May 1965.
Trafford went on to play for Macclesfield Town, Eastwood Hanley and Leek Town.
In a 2008 Sentinel interview to mark 50 years with Leek, Trafford recalled his time as a professional footballer.
“I loved it,” he said. “They were the best days of my life. “If I was in the first team, I got £20 a week, which in comparison to guys working in an office or factory, was good money. “There was £4 win bonus and £2 for a draw. “I couldn’t believe I was getting paid for something I enjoyed doing so much. My biggest attribute was I was quick. I’d probably have been all right now because that’s what they seem to go for.”
One of his clearest memories was playing in the FA Youth Cup at Villa Park against a Joe Mercer team branded ‘Mercer’s Minnows’.
“There were five youth internationals in their team,” he recalled, “and all us lot were local lads from the Vale. We scored first... and we ended up losing 12-1!”
Port Vale paid tribute to Trafford in a statement.
It read: “Port Vale Football Club would like to express their condolences at the sad loss of former winger Stan Trafford.
“He was a member of our squad for the 1964/65 season and remained a part of the ex-players’ association and was last at Vale Park for a game last season.
“Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.”
Trafford, father to Stephen and Fiona and grandad to Luke, Theo, Zara and Esme, continued to make an impression on the local cricket scene, both as a player and administrator.
He played four minor counties matches for Staffordshire and was part of the side which lost to Essex at Stone in the Gillette Cup in 1976.
He brought an end to his playing days in 1984 having been appointed Leek secretary four years’ earlier. His experience was also a valuable commodity in county cricket circles with a 25-year coaching role with Staffordshire Under-19s.
During his time, the likes of Alan Richardson, Jeremy Snape, Dominic Cork and Vikram Solanki were all guided by Trafford and Hall on their path to professional careers.
Richardson, now Worcestershire’s assistant coach, said: “It is really sad news. Stan was a big, imposing bloke, but he was unbelievably supportive and passionate about local cricket.
“I have great memories of going to the Oxford Festival with Stan and Jess, who were a great double act.
“Stan gave you a grounding as you moved from youth to senior cricket and you only have to look at some of the names he helped to produce.
“Several players have gone on to play firstclass or even international cricket and Stan would have been extremely proud of that fact.”
Trafford also dedicated his time to local league cricket.
The North Staffs and South Cheshire League expressed their condolences.
A statement read: “Stan was one of the league’s life vice-presidents, having served and supported the league brilliantly well for many years.
“Stan was a long-standing member of Leek Cricket Club and a fine player in his time. He will be deeply missed around our cricket grounds and our love and thoughts are with his family and friends at Leek.”