Club sorry to hear of the passing of club stalwart Brian Hall

Brian Hall, erstwhile umpire, scorer, huge character and supporter of Petersfield Cricket Club for well over 30 years passed away last week.  He lived alone and was found on New Year’s Day.   

 

Brian umpired the 1^st XI from the late 1960s to the 90s until the advent of neutral umpires when he became the 2^nd XIs’ regular official.  He barely missed a game, Saturday, Sunday and mid-week, home or away.  He also served as Club Treasurer and was ruthless in extracting match fees and debts from frugal players.  Although, far from being a wealthy man, he made anonymous donations to the Club; a fact that was inadvertently disclosed at a Committee meeting.

 

He was a very fair and generally strict umpire, so no great friend of toiling bowlers.  However, he was very well known across cricketing circles throughout the south because of his singing prowess and entertainment value in the bar.  He needed little encouragement and on numerous occasions at visiting clubs, the ubiquitous karaoke meant few of us returned before midnight.  Innumerable tales could be told, but one lasting legacy is that his singing resulted in the whole of Petersfield Cricket Club being banned from The Harrow after the Steep game in the early 1980s; a ban which apparently has still not been lifted.

 

Funeral and donation arrangements service details on the 24th, 2 P.M. at St Peter’s Church and afterwards at Petersfield Football Club, Love Lane .  And for those who wish to, donations can also be made to our Petersfield club account online (referenced “Brian Hall”) before CoP Thursday, a cheque donating all money will then be made to those making the arrangements for the funeral and service…