The Twelfth Man 2013

2 and indeed have already pledged to give £20,000 from the sale of my latest book, 80 Not Out , to the Charity. I am determined to put back into the game as much as is humanly possible, regularly attending our County games and I absolutely love to walk around the grounds, speaking to as many people as I can. Finally may I express my sincere gratitude to The Wombwell Cricket Lovers’ Society, who have elected me President for so long. I always feel I am among friends and as members will know, I am always happy to sit in the hall so any members can ‘button hole’ me. My memories of ‘The Wombwell’ go back many years and I will always remember dear Jack Sokell, who dedicated so much time to ensuring it became in my opinion, the leading cricket Society in the country. A Message From The President As I look back over my life in cricket and reflect on the many happy times I have had, I must admit my only regret was leaving Yorkshire: County of my birth. I never wanted to leave, but I wanted to play first team cricket and had a good offer from other counties. Five times I asked to be released and I have to say Herbert Sutcliffe (a Committee man) did all he could to persuade me to stay, but I just had to go. I loved the game too much to be content with the in-and-out situation at Headingley, but it was with a heavy heart that I packed my bag for a final time. While on the subject perhaps I might be allowed to clear up an error recorded in a book written by a well-known author. It was when Yorkshire were playing Glamorgan at Park Avenue on 25 May 1959 and it was one of those days when everything went my way. I had opened with Bryan Stott and really settled to play what was the innings of my life, wickets kept falling until Don Wilson joined me in a ninth-wicket partnership, which took us to a comfortable lead. I have to confess, that at the back of my mind, I had a vision of turning my maiden century into a ‘double’: the dream faded, alas, when we declared. In the event Glamorgan failed again and the match was over before the lunch break on the last day. Then, of course, to compound my disappointment after the match was over I was told I had been dropped for the next match. Later that year, I was recalled for another match I will never forget. At Bristol, playing against Gloucestershire, Yorkshire amazingly were all out for 35 in 22 overs. Not a happy memory. I had five decent seasons at Leicestershire, but as everyone knows, my real delight in the game came in 1970 when I became a first-class umpire. That aspect of the game (not relished by many) really brought me an enormous amount of pleasure. I travelled, not just in this country, but also worldwide and made an amazing amount of friends. I know people joked about the emotion I showed, particularly when I had to retire, but those tears I shed were indeed, heartfelt. It is now more than 20 years since I retired and in these years I have thrown myself into making a difference. In establishing ‘The Dickie Bird Foundation’ I have been able to provide financial help for many young boys and girls WCLS President, Dickie Bird OBE, cuts the cake to celebrate his 80th Birthday in April. (Photo: The University of Huddersfield)