England club's oldest former player and supporter passed away

Aged 104, Clifford Oldroyd – Scholes Cricket Club’s oldest former player, and supporter passed away. Oldroyd lived all his life in the Holme Valley town – and at the same house in Paris (a territory close to Chapelgate and the cricket field) for as far back as 92 years. Living just next to the cricket ground, Cliff eventually developed interest towards the sport.

At a time when the club didn’t have any junior level teams, Clifford Oldroyd started off playing cricket. He spent most of his summers watching and playing the sport, whenever he could. Cliff’s love towards the sport and his club went on increasing.

Friends with many famous cricketers

Clifford also featured for the same club in his teens, he carried out various groundsmen duties. He was born in Scholes on 4th of May 1913. Clifford held various positions at the ground, he also worked alongside Gordon Ellis, a keen sportsperson, and cricketer. Not only did he work as a groundsman, but Clifford featured in various matches for the Scholes Cricket Club. He even bowled a spell with Stanley Mellor, a very famous county cricketer.

Being a familiar face at the Scholes Cricket Club, and also playing whenever possible, Clifford became friends with many cricketers over the generations, including many overseas cricketers as well. His contribution towards the club was massive. At the age of 16, he walked door to door along with his friend asking for donations to help the club survive.

A left-handed batsman

He was a left-handed batsman and used to contribute quite well whenever he could. Even after finishing his playing years, Clifford didn’t stop contributing. He turned into a keen supporter who never missed out a game. He always helped youngsters with their game, every evening while he came out for a walk around the ground.

For all his contributions over decades, Clifford was honoured by making him the club’s first ever life Vice President. Earlier in the 1920’s and 1930’s, the wicket was cut with the assistance of Dobbin, a horse of the Ellis family. Four leather shoes were always kept at the club to cover the Dobbin’s hooves so negligible harm was done while mowing and rolling of the square.