Formby Cricket Club
Club News
Mike Leddy
It is with much sadness and regret that the Committee inform you of the death of Mike Leddy.
Mike Leddy passed away in the early hours of Thursday 31 May 2012.
His death comes as a huge shock to everyone involved in Formby Cricket club and who knew him throughout the area. After his health scare last year everyone was delighted to see Mike back umpiring and a regular at the club throughout the week and on a Saturday evening. It is fair to say no one expected this news.
Mike was a fantastic servant to not only the Cricket Section but also to the Hockey Section and the Club as a whole. If you could ever describe anyone as a "club man" Mike would fit the bill perfectly.
Mike was one of the most respected umpires in the league and certainly one of the most reliable. I have also been informed that at the time of his death, he could have been the long serving member of the Competition. Whilst I do not know the exact number of games he has umpired it would certainly be close to, if not over, 1000.
He was the fixture secretary for both Formby CC and the League and the fantastic job he did in both of these roles will be highlighted even further now that he has left them behind.
On a personal level I am eternally grateful for the assistance and advice Mike gave me as a young captain. I also speak for many captains past and present, who I am sure will agree with me, that a lot of the administration and off the pitch jobs which were handled by Mike made the role so much easier.
You were always able to rely on Mike whether it be to ask him to do something or just for advice. His death has shocked everyone I have spoken to this morning and I have received many many messages and phonecalls from people passing on their best wishes.
I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of everyone at Formby CC to thank Mike for everything he did and let him know how much he will be missed.
Our best wishes go out to his family and everyone who was close to him, as Mike hangs up the white jacket and makes his final journey.
Andy Halpin.
His death comes as a huge shock to everyone involved in Formby Cricket club and who knew him throughout the area. After his health scare last year everyone was delighted to see Mike back umpiring and a regular at the club throughout the week and on a Saturday evening. It is fair to say no one expected this news.
Mike was a fantastic servant to not only the Cricket Section but also to the Hockey Section and the Club as a whole. If you could ever describe anyone as a "club man" Mike would fit the bill perfectly.
Mike was one of the most respected umpires in the league and certainly one of the most reliable. I have also been informed that at the time of his death, he could have been the long serving member of the Competition. Whilst I do not know the exact number of games he has umpired it would certainly be close to, if not over, 1000.
He was the fixture secretary for both Formby CC and the League and the fantastic job he did in both of these roles will be highlighted even further now that he has left them behind.
On a personal level I am eternally grateful for the assistance and advice Mike gave me as a young captain. I also speak for many captains past and present, who I am sure will agree with me, that a lot of the administration and off the pitch jobs which were handled by Mike made the role so much easier.
You were always able to rely on Mike whether it be to ask him to do something or just for advice. His death has shocked everyone I have spoken to this morning and I have received many many messages and phonecalls from people passing on their best wishes.
I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of everyone at Formby CC to thank Mike for everything he did and let him know how much he will be missed.
Our best wishes go out to his family and everyone who was close to him, as Mike hangs up the white jacket and makes his final journey.
Andy Halpin.
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A good man, may he rest in peace.
RIP Mike. Legend of the Club. Will be sorely missed.
Very sad to hear the news. Mike was pround this year to have knotched up 100 seasons at Formby, not sure of the split but something like 53 seasons for cricket and 47 for hockey. He played in goal for the hockey section for many years and captained the 4th team for over 20 years before taking up umpiring. The whole Club will very much miss such a character but we will have fond memories of the time we spent with him.
You may be interested to know that Mike Leddy also passed the ACU&S scoring exam in the late 1990s getting a mark of 100% which not many ever did! I do not know whether he actually did an serious scoring but when I spoke to him earlier this year, he intimated that if he was finally unable to umpire any longer then he would take his place in the scorebox.
I had known Mike for many years and he will be a great loss to cricket in SW Lancashire. Always a mild man with very strong opinions on our great game - he will be greatly missed.
John Isterling,
Hon Secretary,
Northop Hall CC
I am very saddened by the news of Mike's death. I have known him for nearly 40 years and he played a very important part in my sporting apprenticeship. He was one of those very rare people who take deep and genuine pleasure in the achievements of others. He was always so encouraging and positive and took the trouble to talk to the young players at Formby as they were trying to make their way in the game. I will not only remember him as an excellent umpire but also as a brilliant captain of 4th team Hockey, a team alternatively known as "Leddy's Men". This was rather misleading as most of us were mere boys. For away matches we used to pile into Mike's decrepit red van and bounce our way to the venue. Mike was the goalkeeper, not that agile to be honest, but very effective. If we were losing at half time his team talk would often be "Dont worry boys, we're shooting towards the bar in the second half."
When I returned to Formby after about 25 years away Mike was still there, and still such a rock of wisdom and good humour. He welcomed me back with genuine warmth and introduced me to lots of people I did not know but who have subsequently become friends.
I could go on for a long time in tribute to this lovely bloke. I will miss him and I will be forever in his debt. RIP Mike Leddy, mentor and friend.
Simon Sutcliffe
I am very sad to hear of Mikes passing. Always said 1946 was a good year. Howard Kendal, George Best Mike Cooper, and the legend always known as Leddy God Bless. Mike Cooper.
Funeral details
The funeral mass will be at St Annes in Timms Lane,Freshfield, on Tuesday 12th, June at 10.00am.
This will be followed by burial in the family grave at Sacred Heart Cemetery,Liverpool Road,Ainsdale, approx 11.00am.
The family have invited everyone to Formby Cricket Club following the burial.
Mike had a brilliant mind, a quick wit, and a kind word for all. He was a club man through and through but also a scrupulously fair adjudicator. For me he is part of Formby folklore, not just the club - but the town itself. RIP Mike - its been a privilege and an education to know you.
Mark (First X1 Scorer and Formby Times Cricket Reporter 1974-1981)
It is of real genuine great sadness that I pen these few words following the news of Mike. I have known him for 42 years and have always found him to be one of the most lovely and sincere blokes that I have ever come across. He just knew everybody. Even after I left Formby in 1988, he was always at the club when I came back to see old friends - and always with that same affectionate welcome.
When we were the young junior section, he found the words to ensure the coaching messages were being appreciated and understood. He always offered sound advice and counselling, even when umpiring... and certainly encouraged us youngsters when we were not getting games in the top sides and always championed our cause.
The Formby U13 side that I was proud to captain, went all the way to Old Trafford for the County Final and was one of many of Mike's great stand out achievements. That side was pretty impressive with several people still playing "ish" now - e.g. Simon Sutcliffe, Tony Rogan, Paul Neely.
He had the correct and appropriate sporting values and was keen to ensure these were passed on. He gave me a job in his cigarette vending machine business placing coins into the packets as change. Great fun. I also fondly remember many a late session at the club, when he led the singing on nights when we had more than a few shandy's.
Every club needs people like Mike. I am sure he will be absolutely irreplaceable at Formby. Fond memories and all advice taken on board. Thank you and signing off now Mike.
Ian Mills
Dear All,
You can view a large number of tributes to Mike on the Hockey Club website at:-
http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/formbyhockeyclub/
Refer to News Article on Mike and the posted comments.
Regards
Alan Dalley
So sad to hear of Mike's passing.....I was a cricket and hockey playing member more years ago than I care to remember....the era of Phil Robinson, Martin Boulton et al
Many a happy hour singing , playing, drinking and carousing around the town....not to mention those Isle of Man trips....must be 20 years since we last met.....RIP big man from your friend now living the dream in Thailand
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