| Re: Legendary cricket umpire Harold 'Dickie' Bird dies aged 92 Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:39, 19th October 2025 |     |
From the BBC:
World of cricket's farewell to umpire Dickie Bird
Cricketing stars from Yorkshire and beyond were among the mourners who gathered to say farewell to legendary umpire Dickie Bird at his funeral earlier.
The Barnsley-born son of a miner was 92 when he died "peacefully at home" on 22 September, according to Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
The service at St Mary's Church in Barnsley was attended by former England cricketers Sir Geoffrey Boycott and Michael Vaughan and was followed by a private family-only cremation and a wake at the town hall. Well-wishers gathered at the statue of Bird on Church Lane where the funeral procession paused for a moment of reflection.
The invited guests also included Yorkshire chair Colin Graves and former director of cricket Martyn Moxon, the sports commentator John Helm and the ex-sports minister Richard Caborn. Sir Geoffrey and Graves both gave eulogies and a poem by local poet Ian McMillan was read out.
Sir Geoffrey made sure the colourful character of his friend of almost 70 years shined through. "I first met Dickie Bird when I was 15, at the time I was playing cricket for Hemsworth Grammar School," Sir Geoffrey said to a packed church. "He called me Gerald for years."
He added: "Surprisingly with all the nerves he had as a batsman, he became a great umpire because he could channel all that nervous energy into good decisions. Dickie was refreshingly different. Eccentric but fair. It would be hard to find anyone who didn't like him."
Bird officiated in 66 Tests and 76 one-day internationals, including three World Cup finals, between 1973 and 1996.
He began as a player, batting for Yorkshire and Leicestershire before an injury cut short his career in 1964.
Bird was awarded an MBE in 1986, an OBE in 2012 and the Freedom of Barnsley in 2000.
In 2009 he was immortalised by a statue in Barnsley that depicted him raising his index finger to indicate a batsman was out.
At Yorkshire's home ground, Headingley, he paid for a balcony outside the dressing room for the players to sit and watch the game. Both the balcony and a clock at the ground bear his name.
Former England and Yorkshire cricketer Ryan Sidebottom said Bird was so committed to Yorkshire cricket that he would be on the pitch even for county matches he wasn't umpiring. He said: "He'd be out looking at the wicket and wandering around. But it looked like he'd just come in from a night out, like an 1980s John Travolta, because he had the full suit on with a large collar and tie and really fancy suits and flared trousers. We used to see him regularly with different suits, some naughty suits, some proper naughty suits."
Bowler Sidebottom retired in 2017, after taking more than 1,000 career wickets, and he said Bird "absolutely loved" the sport. "Great bloke and a lovely man who would do anything for Yorkshire cricket. He just loved Yorkshire, he was so passionate about the game and Yorkshire in general," he said.
And it was love for Yorkshire, and its people, that chair of Yorkshire County Cricket Club Colin Graves remembered at his funeral. "He had a reputation for not being the first at the bar, but he was a very generous man indeed," he said, adding that almost 1,000 children had been recipients of grants from him.
Among the junior cricketers to have received financial awards from Dickie was Harry Brook - now an England international.
Speaking to the BBC when he turned 90 two years ago, Bird said his secret to a long life had been his love of sport and exercise. "I run, I go out down to the local football ground here in the local park and I lap around the ground. I feel that's done me good. I'd like people, elderly people, if they could to just try and do a few exercises, move your arms, run on the spot, it occupies the brain. I'll keep my exercises up as long as I can."
As a young man, he played for Barnsley Cricket Club alongside Boycott and the journalist and broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson.
Cricketing stars from Yorkshire and beyond were among the mourners who gathered to say farewell to legendary umpire Dickie Bird at his funeral earlier.
The Barnsley-born son of a miner was 92 when he died "peacefully at home" on 22 September, according to Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
The service at St Mary's Church in Barnsley was attended by former England cricketers Sir Geoffrey Boycott and Michael Vaughan and was followed by a private family-only cremation and a wake at the town hall. Well-wishers gathered at the statue of Bird on Church Lane where the funeral procession paused for a moment of reflection.
The invited guests also included Yorkshire chair Colin Graves and former director of cricket Martyn Moxon, the sports commentator John Helm and the ex-sports minister Richard Caborn. Sir Geoffrey and Graves both gave eulogies and a poem by local poet Ian McMillan was read out.
Sir Geoffrey made sure the colourful character of his friend of almost 70 years shined through. "I first met Dickie Bird when I was 15, at the time I was playing cricket for Hemsworth Grammar School," Sir Geoffrey said to a packed church. "He called me Gerald for years."
He added: "Surprisingly with all the nerves he had as a batsman, he became a great umpire because he could channel all that nervous energy into good decisions. Dickie was refreshingly different. Eccentric but fair. It would be hard to find anyone who didn't like him."
Bird officiated in 66 Tests and 76 one-day internationals, including three World Cup finals, between 1973 and 1996.
He began as a player, batting for Yorkshire and Leicestershire before an injury cut short his career in 1964.
Bird was awarded an MBE in 1986, an OBE in 2012 and the Freedom of Barnsley in 2000.
In 2009 he was immortalised by a statue in Barnsley that depicted him raising his index finger to indicate a batsman was out.
At Yorkshire's home ground, Headingley, he paid for a balcony outside the dressing room for the players to sit and watch the game. Both the balcony and a clock at the ground bear his name.
Former England and Yorkshire cricketer Ryan Sidebottom said Bird was so committed to Yorkshire cricket that he would be on the pitch even for county matches he wasn't umpiring. He said: "He'd be out looking at the wicket and wandering around. But it looked like he'd just come in from a night out, like an 1980s John Travolta, because he had the full suit on with a large collar and tie and really fancy suits and flared trousers. We used to see him regularly with different suits, some naughty suits, some proper naughty suits."
Bowler Sidebottom retired in 2017, after taking more than 1,000 career wickets, and he said Bird "absolutely loved" the sport. "Great bloke and a lovely man who would do anything for Yorkshire cricket. He just loved Yorkshire, he was so passionate about the game and Yorkshire in general," he said.
And it was love for Yorkshire, and its people, that chair of Yorkshire County Cricket Club Colin Graves remembered at his funeral. "He had a reputation for not being the first at the bar, but he was a very generous man indeed," he said, adding that almost 1,000 children had been recipients of grants from him.
Among the junior cricketers to have received financial awards from Dickie was Harry Brook - now an England international.
Speaking to the BBC when he turned 90 two years ago, Bird said his secret to a long life had been his love of sport and exercise. "I run, I go out down to the local football ground here in the local park and I lap around the ground. I feel that's done me good. I'd like people, elderly people, if they could to just try and do a few exercises, move your arms, run on the spot, it occupies the brain. I'll keep my exercises up as long as I can."
As a young man, he played for Barnsley Cricket Club alongside Boycott and the journalist and broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson.
| Legendary cricket umpire Harold 'Dickie' Bird dies aged 92 Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 15:49, 23rd September 2025 | |
From the BBC:
Iconic former cricket umpire Dickie Bird has died at the age of 92.
Bird, whose first-class playing career was cut short by injury, became one of the most famous umpires in the game. He officiated in 66 Tests and 76 one-day internationals, including three World Cup finals, between 1973 and 1996.
Bird's home county Yorkshire, whom he played for and served as president, described him as a "national treasure, known not only for his umpiring excellence but also for his eccentricities and warmth".
"He leaves behind a legacy of sportsmanship, humility and joy - and a legion of admirers across generations," Yorkshire said.
The England and Wales Cricket Board said: "Everyone at the ECB is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dickie Bird. A proud Yorkshireman and a much-loved umpire, he will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, Dickie."
Bird was born in Barnsley and played club cricket with legendary England batter Sir Geoffrey Boycott and journalist and TV host Sir Michael Parkinson, with whom he remained close friends.
Boycott said Bird was "loved by so many and became a legend".
Bird, whose real name was Harold, began his playing career at Yorkshire before moving to Leicestershire.
A right-handed batter, he scored two centuries and averaged 20.71 in 93 first-class matches. But he will be remembered for his career as an umpire, and at one stage his 66 Tests were a record.
He oversaw a number of unusual moments too - a bomb scare at Lord's when he sat on the covers, a burst water pipe at Headingley, and taking the players from the field because the sun was reflecting off a window into the eyes of the batter.
Before his final Test in 1996 Bird was given a guard of honour on the outfield at Lord's by the England and India players.
He also umpired charity matches for Queen Elizabeth II, whom he said he met 29 times, and was awarded the Freedom of Barnsley in 2000.
There is a life-size statue of Bird in Barnsley town centre.
He stood in his last official match in 1998 - a game between Yorkshire and Warwickshire at Headingley, where he remained a regular visitor.
"The thoughts of everyone at the Yorkshire County Cricket Club are with Dickie's family and friends during this time," Yorkshire said. "He will be truly missed by all at the club, having spent an incredible amount of time in support of everyone here, and will be remembered as one the greatest characters in Yorkshire's history."
Yorkshire said Bird died "peacefully at home".
(BBC article continues)
