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Mickey Thornhill 1931 – 2018

Mickey Thornhill 1931 – 2018

Chris Evans29 Jul 2018 - 11:22
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Mickey Thornhill 1931 – 2018

It is with great sadness that Ashford Cricket Club announces the passing of Mickey Thornhill aged 87 who died very peacefully on July 28th after a long battle with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. He had been a member of Ashford CC for more than 60 years.

Mickey was a husband, father and grandfather and a life member of Ashford Cricket Club. He followed in his father "Twink's" footsteps when he joined Ashford and in his time at Ashford he was a Committee member for over 20 consecutive years and Chairman of the Ground Sub-Committee for a number of years during which time he did a great deal of the work himself, both on the wicket and the surrounds.

He was a regular 1st XI player in the late 1950s, 1960s and 1970s and he captained the 1st XI from 1961 – 1966 and again in 1971 and 1973; he was well renowned for his great powers of concentration as an opening batsman. He once scored a 50 in each of six consecutive 2nd XI matches, Saturday and Sunday over three weekends.

He was Fixture Secretary in 1960 and 1961 and served at the ACC representative on the ASC Board from 1967 – 1971 and as ACC Chairman in 1982. After a long playing career in the 1st XI he stepped down and captained the 2nd XI for three seasons from 1977 to 1979.

He was awarded the Hall Memorial Cup in 1957, 1964 and 1966; in his prime he played on both Saturdays and Sundays.

Mickey was also an International Table Tennis player representing his country in the mid-1950s. Although he had not been around Ashford in recent years since his move to Yorkshire in the 1980s, he has been back for occasional visits and President's Days etc.

When the Club celebrated its 150th Anniversary in 2005, Mickey and family bought the Anniversary Flag which now proudly hangs in the function room at the Clubhouse.

He will be much missed and our deepest sympathies go to his wife Sue and to Simon and Andrew and all the grandchildren.

Mickey's funeral and the celebration of his life will take place on Tuesday the 21st of August at Wakefield crematorium, Stanbridge Lane, Kettlethorpe, Crigglestone, Wakefield WF4 3JA at 2-20pm (strictly no black ties please); Mickey would have wanted a "club tie". The wake / party will take place after the service at Clayton West Cricket Club, Back Lane, Clayton West, Huddersfield HD8 9PP. The family all hope lots of you will be able to join them to celebrate his life. If anyone has any questions about local accommodation, directions etc please get in touch with Simon Thornhill and he will help with any questions you may have.

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