Death of stalwart Mick a shock (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Death of stalwart Mick a shock

1:16pm Friday 2nd January 2009 in 2012 fixtures By Mike Crowther

JCT 600 Bradford League chairman Graham Reid has paid tribute to league official Mick Illingworth, who has died aged 58 from a heart attack.

Illingworth had been a popular figure in local cricket for many years, first as a player for Windhill, Saltaire and Baildon and latterly as a member of the Bradford League management board.

Reid said: “It is an unexpected and severe loss for his family and friends. He had a forthright, positive attitude to life, exemplified by his ebullient and competitive sporting spirit.

“He was a valued member of the league management board and will be greatly missed, not only by his fellow colleagues but also the committee and members at Baildon Cricket Club. He was a true sporting gentleman.”

Illingworth, who was one of the clubs’ representatives on the board, took over 600 victims behind the stumps as wicketkeeper in first and mainly second-team cricket.

After finishing his playing career with Baildon in the early 1990s, he took an active involvement on the committee and was the Jenny Lane club’s league representative.

The father of four, who enjoyed a successful career in sales, was also a life-long follower of Bradford City.

He would often put pen to paper in various publications connected with the club and wrote the forward to former Telegraph & Argus journalist David Markham’s recent Legends book on the Bantams.

Illingworth played a part in bringing Ces Podd – City’s record appearance holder – to Valley Parade in 1970. He wrote to the club requesting a trial for Podd, who was a fellow Bradford College of Art student at the time.

His funeral takes place on Friday (3.20pm) at Nab Wood Crematorium.