A LONG-serving member of Radcliffe Cricket Club has died suddenly at the age of 79.

Mr John Schofield’s association with the club began as a boy when he turned out for the second team in 1941.

He went on to captain Radcliffe for a number of years, including the time when Sir Gary Sobers played for the club between 1958 and 1962.

Mr Schofield, who was also heavily involved with the Radcliffe Masonic Lodge for many years, died earlier this month at his home in Doncaster Close, Little Lever. He leaves a wife, Edith, a daughter, Joanna, and a son, Laurence, together with four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He was born in Radcliffe and attended Bury Grammar School.

He served with the Grenadier Guards during his national service and in 1952 he was selected as a pallbearer to carry King George VI’s coffin at Windsor Castle.

He later attended a number of garden parties at Buckingham Palace.

He moved to Little Lever more than 35 years ago. For a time, he worked for the family’s plumbing business in Radcliffe but much of his career was spent as a technical representative for a steel panels firm. After he finished playing cricket, Mr Schofield served on the committee and was a past president, chairman and secretary.

He was also the Central Lancashire League’s chairman and president. Both the league and the Radcliffe club awarded him honorary life membership.

This week, his friends at Radcliffe Cricket Club were mourning his death.

President of Radcliffe Cricket Club, Mr Harry Wolstenholme, paid tribute to Mr Schofield. He said: “He was a great servant to the club over many years.

“He would come to all our matches and functions and was a great supporter. He will really be missed. ”

Mr Schofield’s funeral will be held at 12.30pm on Monday at St Thomas and St John’s Church, Radcliffe, followed by cremation at the East lancashire Crematorium in Radcliffe.