November Obituaries

Reg Simpson: Former England opener dies, aged 93

Former England opening batsman Reg Simpson has died at the age of 93.

He led England to their first post-War victory in Australia with an unbeaten 156 in the fifth Ashes Test in 1951.

It was the finest knock of the Nottinghamshire-born cricketer's 27-Test career.

Simpson, who played 495 first-class matches for Nottinghamshire and scored 30,546 runs, including 64 centuries, between 1940 and 1960, was the oldest surviving England Test player.

The right-handed batsman also served as a Royal Air Force pilot in the Second World War.

England and Wales Cricket Board Chief Executive David Collier paid tribute to the "fearless" Simpson.

"Reg Simpson was an elegant opening batsman who served his country with distinction both as a pilot in the Second World War and as a fearless player of fast bowling," Collier said.

"He held a deep passion for the game and for his beloved Trent Bridge. On behalf of everyone at ECB we extend our deepest sympathy to Reg's family."

After retiring as a player Simpson joined Nottinghamshire's committee in 1961, staying there for 37 years.

The funeral of Reg Simpson, the former Nottinghamshire Captain who died last week at the age of 93, will take place on Thursday.

The service will commence at 11.15am at Seven Hills Crematorium in Ipswich (IP10 0SG).

Floral tributes can be sent to Rodwells Funeral Directors, 7 St Andrews Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 7BW.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/25126186

Tributes paid to BBC cricket commentator

 John Shaw

Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Tributes-paid-BBC-Radio-Leicester-cricket/story-20223077-detail/story.html#ixzz2m1Fr6HJU

Tributes have been paid to a sports broadcaster who has died after a short illness.

John Shaw, 56, of Wymeswold, spent the summer providing ball-by-ball commentary on almost all of Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s matches for BBC Sport Online and doing on-air reports and interviews for BBC Radio Leicester.

BBC Radio Leicester editor Jane Hill said: “John had worked in radio across the East Midlands in a huge variety of roles.

“Most recently he was the voice of our cricket reports. He was a wonderful broadcaster with a passion for cricket, for radio, for music and for the English language.

“But much more than that, he was a much-loved colleague. He was a great teacher who was very generous with his time, and did a lot to encourage and train younger broadcasters.

“He was a very kind man, always ready to chat – and always ready to share his experience of radio.

“We had hoped he’d be able to join us next summer as our cricket reporter, and he will be very much missed.”

MIke Siddall, chief executive at Leicestershire County Cricket Club, said: “John was a lovely bloke, a true gentleman who was highly regarded by everyone here at Grace Road.

“He was well liked by the players and the coaching staff who admired his knowledge of cricket and his professionalism.”

From Australia BBC Test Match Special producer Adam Mountford tweeted: “On behalf of all at Test Match Special can we send our condolences to the family and friends of BBC Leicester cricket commentator John Shaw.”

Veteran sports journalist Neville Foulger said: “He was a lovely chap, he loved his cricket, loved his music and he was very knowledgeable about both.

“He was great company and a superb broadcaster. He will be sadly missed.”

BBC sports broadcasting colleague Charles Dagnall tweeted:”It is with great sadness that I have to report the passing of BBC Leicester cricket commentator John Shaw.”

John was born and spent his early years in Lincoln before the family moved to Wymeswold.

After going to Loughborough Grammar School he studied history at Oxford University’s Keble College.

He began his broadcasting career at BBC Radio Nottingham on arts, culture and music before moving to Radio Trent in Nottingham and helped establish Leicester Sound in 1984.

Returning to the BBC in the early 1990s he worked for Radio Nottingham and Radio Leicester going out in the radio car interviewing people and doing features and doing sports shifts.

His brother Nick said: “He took over this season broadcasting Leicestershire’s matches home and away, something he enjoyed very much

”We are proud of everything he achieved in his broadcasting career.

“He worked to very high standards and regularly used to train newcomers to broadcasting and was delighted when people he had trained went on to the highest level within the industry.”

Mr Shaw leaves two brothers Nick and Pete and three nephews, - John Thompson