LYTHAM CRICKET CLUB TO CELEBRATE LIFE OF LEN HACKETT

Date: 12th February 2020

Tribute and Arrangements

A highly respected and longstanding member of Lytham Cricket and Sports Club has died at the age of 79.

Len Hackett, chairman, umpire, scorer and lifetime member died on Friday 31st January 2020 after a brief illness.The former Bolton School pupil lived on the Fylde coast for more than 45 years and was widely known and respected in cricketing circles across the North West.

Len was born in Edgeworth, Bolton, during the Second World War and was ‘cricket mad’ from a young age. His mother made teas at Edgeworth Cricket Club and his uncles were umpires and a groundsman. As a pupil, he was coached by two Lancashire stalwarts, Wilf Place and Jack Ikin.

Len moved to the Fylde coast after his parents retired to Blackpool. He audited the accounts of businesses owned by the founders of South Shore Cricket Club, Alderman AE Stuart and Bernard Hope, and went on to bowl off-spin for the club in the Palace Shield Cricket Competition for 20 years until retiring to become an umpire. Len moved to Lytham CC in 2001 and was still umpiring junior matches until 2017.

Over the years, he umpired hundreds of games in the Liverpool and District Competition and the Palace Shield.

Almost a permanent fixture at the Church Road club throughout the cricket season, he was also a dedicated supporter, travelling far and wide across the North West watching and guiding generations of young players. In 2008, he wrote an article in the club year book and described how he especially enjoyed umpiring the junior matches - ‘junior players were such a constant delight to umpire in their many matches’.

Off the field, Len also played a vital role in the day-to-day running of the cricket section and represented Lytham CC at district and league level.

He was chairman of the cricket section and as a member of the executive committee, he performed many roles and duties including treasurer, senior selection as well as sharing his vast experience and knowledge with club coaches.

Len was also a familiar face at all the club’s social gatherings including the fundraising balls, New Year celebrations, T20 events and presentation evenings

Susan Chiekrie, Secretary of Lytham Cricket Club, said: “Len was a huge part of Lytham Cricket Club and has been a big influence over the years to so many young cricketers growing up. “With his tireless dedication, it was not unusual for Len to umpire up to five senior and junior matches a week and even as he eased off, he turned out regularly to score for the majority of the second and third team matches. “His enduring service to our club was recognised in 2018 when he was honoured with a lifetime membership.

“Len will be sadly missed by all of his cricketing family at Lytham CC.”

Outside of cricket Len rode a motorbike until his early 40s and loved mountaineering and rock climbing. He never learnt to drive as he said the tram and bus service from his home in Bispham to the Church Road club was so good.

Len Hackett’s funeral will be held at the Lytham Crematorium on Friday February 21st at 1.30pm followed by drinks and refreshments at Lytham Cricket Club.