Funeral held for well-known amateur cricketer Colin Madden, 79 (From Craven Herald)

Funeral held for well-known amateur cricketer Colin Madden, 79

8:00am Friday 1st March 2013 in News

The funeral took place last week of Colin Madden, one of the area’s best known amateur cricketers – who played against some of the world’s best.

Colin, 79, died suddenly in Airedale Hospital, after a short illness and lived much of his adult life in Earby.

He was born in Nelson in 1933 and it was there that he developed his love of cricket, at a time when many of the best known names in the game played in the Lancashire League. He made his first team debut at Nelson's Seedhill ground when he was 16 years of age, and took four wickets in his first match against Rishton, giving warning of an incredible career to come.

He was also a member of the teams of 1951 and 1952 which finished runners-up in the league in consecutive seasons, but never picked up a winner’s medal.

Colin continued playing with Nelson for 13 years, until he was approached to be professional with Earby in the Ribblesdale League.

He served as professional for three seasons, but it was just the start of more than 20 years as a player with the club.

During those years they won the league and cup double in 1967 and 1969 and after years of service with the 1st XI he went on to captain the 2nd XI and acted as coach to a new generation of young players.

He was also groundsman at the club for a number of years and in 1987 a benefit match was held in his honour with the teams including Australian Steve Waugh and West Indian Tyrone Greenidge.

His best bowling performance for the club came when he took seven wickets for six runs against Read in 1960.

During his working life he was employed by several local companies, including Donaghadee Carpets in Nelson and Armoride, now Wardle Storeys, in Earby. He also had his own sports outfitters shop in Colne for some time.

He leaves four children, David, Beverley, Richard and Rachel and a brother, David.