The Twelfth Man 2013

15 company back then. A strong supporter of all WCLS’s activities, Harold had reached the grand age of 93 at the time of his death in May 2012. Mick Pope Eric Burgin – 16 November 2012, aged 88 Sheffield-born Eric was amongst a group of bowlers that shared the new ball with Fred Trueman during the 1950s (31 wickets for York- shire at 25.64 runs apiece). An all-round sports- man, Eric was a fine centre-half and for a time captain of York City AFC. His connections and service with Shef-field United CC extended well over 60 years: from his first net at Bramall Lane in 1938 to roles as secretary, vice-chairman and President of the club in later years. Eric visited WCLS only once – in 1980. Following an enjoyable chat with him in January 2005 (see the two-page feature on him “My Sporting Life” in the 2005 Twelfth Man ) at the indoor centre on Bawtry Road we talked about a possible return to the Wombwell stage. Sadly that second visit never took place. Proud to have represented Yorkshire CCC, Eric struck me as a gentle man and a dedicated servant to the summer game he cherished. Mick Pope Keith Michael Round Keith Michael Round, who died aged 78, was the Chairman of this Society for 25 years of its 61-year history. I was introduced to this Society at the beginning of the 1970s by Peter Snape and Tony Woodhouse, and I quickly saw Keith as the Freddy Grisewood of the cricket societies. Those of you of a certain age who were brought up on steam radio will know what I mean – the Chairman who had read up his subject before every meeting, who was always spot-on with his introductions, and who always had the apt question to throw in himself if the members faltered. Keith had the trained solicitor’s knack of making it all look so natural, yet you could see the adrenalin flowing. You could see it because, as Keith gave an introduction, he would move his beer glass around on the table, a series of straight lines that would have completed a square by the time he sat down to hand over. Keith “spelled” himself as Chairman when he was invited to take a turn as President of Sheffield Law Society. Declining health later limited his attendances for some years, but it was perhaps fitting that the last time I saw Keith and Sheila together at the Wombwell was for the Diamond Anniversary Christmas Sunday Lunch with Sir Michael Parkinson. He was no mean follower of Yorkshire cricket, and his knowledge of the game and its history meant that when he and Peter Rothwell found a third solicitor to join them as the Legal Eagles they were always front-runners in the Wombwell Quiz Trios of the 1970s. Peter Snape, Roger Turner and I – with Alf Coulson as reserve – constituted ourselves as the Leeds Odd Bods, and with Jack Sokell in the chair and Tony as questionmaster we won a clutch of titles in the 1970s. The Legal Eagles were always the side to beat, although Stuart Eric Burgin – pictured during his playing days (photo: Mick Pope collection)