All involved with Old Glossop Cricket Club, and in fact the entire community, have been left devastated by the loss of Andy King at the age of 52.
Andy joined the club as a player in 1990, having not played junior cricket, and quickly became a 2nd team regular. It was soon clear that he was a natural cricketer, excelling with bat and ball. In 1993, he played a key role in the 2nd team’s Hawk Cup Final success.
He rapidly progressed into the 1st team, and earned the respect of teammates and opponents alike for his all-round skills, leadership ability and hard-edged approach to the game.
He led the club with distinction as 1st team captain for many years, his most recent stint being from 2019 to 2020.
Highlights of his time as skipper included promotion to the 1st division and the Bissenden Cup Final in 2007 (unfortunately lost to a strong Birch Vale side).
Andy took immense pride in captaining his local club, and was always delighted to see local lads develop into strong senior players.
He played hard and always gave 110%, which resulted in him sustaining various injuries over the years. At the same time, he demanded the same level of commitment from his players.
He is surely the only club cricketer to have played in the afternoon having survived a major terrorist attack in the morning (the bomb in Manchester in 1996, which hit the RSA Insurance office where Andy was working overtime).
As time moved on, and as as a proud father to Holly, George and Daisy, Andy found new ways to contribute to the success of the club.
In recent years he combined his playing duties with the role of Groundsman, taking the reigns when his father, David, decided that it was time to take a well earned break. He devoted enormous energy to his new role, spending countless hours learning and then fine-tuning the art of preparing a wicket.
Andy was a force of nature, both on and off the field of play, and his presence at the club will be sorely missed.
Indeed, it is a cliche, but Old Glossop Cricket Club will not be the same without him.
Farewell old friend, gone before your time and certainly not forgotten…
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