Ralph and his wife Dot continued to support the Club after his playing days, regularly attending the Friends of Hightown lunches and were always keen to hear how the cricketers were getting on.
The word legend is often overused these days, but from a Hightown perspective, and wider cricketing circles, Ralph Osborne was one of the greatest and fully deserves such an accolade.
The club sends its deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Dot, Julian, Liz and all the family.
Rest in peace Ralph.
Nick Gordon
And From Sefton Park
Born in Liverpool on April 18, Ralph Osborne was educated at the famous Liverpool Institute for Boys around the same period as both Sir Paul McCartney and George Harrison also attended.
He joined Sefton CC as a schoolboy in 1952 and by 1957 he was representing the 1st XI where he could become a regular until 1973 when he moved to Formby.
Ralph, who was a stockbroker by trade, would go on to hit 8,292 runs at an average of 31. in 283 matches whilst at Sefton with a highest score of 158 at Northern on July 20 1963. In all he hit six centuries and 56 fifties while also taking 116 catches
In 11 consecutive seasons, from 1962-1973, Ralph would finish top of Sefton's batting averages seven times and only once failed to reach 500 runs.
During this time Ralph would play a vital role in both of Sefton's championship winning sides of 1967 and 1972 and was also captain of the club for the 1970-71 season.
Writing on the occasion of Ralph's last game for Sefton , Liverpool Echo cricket correspondent, Harold Wolfe, said: "An important era in Sefton Cricket Club's history ended on Sunday when Ralph Osborne, one of the finest batsmen the Club has ever had and one of the most outstanding cricketers in the Liverpool Competition over the last decade, played his last last game."
Ralph himself, said: "Sefton CC was a great Club to join as a schoolboy and to progress with, especially winning two championships and being captain."
Ralph's teammate and fellow Club legend, Ted Williams, said: "He has been the backbone of the Sefton side for many years. The greatest compliment I can pay him is it is difficult to imagine a Sefton side without him."'
Ossie' was also a great lover of touring and represented MCC (including tours to USA in 1992 and Canada in 1994) and played over 50s cricket for Lancashire between 1991 and 2002.
He also played for the Rabbits CC, a Sunday side in the 1950s and 1960s, comprised mainly of Sefton and Bootle cricketers. Ralph also played rugby union and had a season with Waterloo's 2nd XV.
Ralph would move to Hightown CC where he played from 1974 to 1996 becoming captain, chairman and eventually president.
In total, Ralph scored 18,530 runs in 628 Liverpool Competition league matches at an average of 32.62.
He claimed 128 wickets, 107 of them for Hightown. with a best bowling of 5-37 for Sefton against Hightown on July 2 1966.
Ralph died in early April 2023 just short of his 83rd birthday.
Everyone at Sefton Park CC would like to extend their sincerest condolences to Ralph's wife Dot, children Julian and Liz and their families.