BRIAN LATCHFORD (1933-2024): A Tribute To A Leverstock Green Cricket Club Legend
Please find below a tribute to the late Brian Latchford, written by LGCC President Brian Coulshed...
Brian Latchford passed away peacefully during the early hours of Saturday April 27, 2024.
He was a member of Leverstock Green Cricket Club for almost 70 years, played cricket for LGCC from the 1950s until the 1980s, contributed to its history and development in so many ways and continued the legacy established by his father. After his beloved wife Marian and daughter Nickie, Leverstock Green Cricket Club was his greatest love.
Brian contributed to the health and heart of the club in so many ways: player, captain, umpire, groundsman, supporter, Life Vice-President and President. He was one of the very few people to be awarded the Faulkner Trophy (awarded to the person who has made the greatest contribution to LGCC in the year) on two separate occasions.
He was so very proud of the club and was looking forward to supporting the teams again this summer, as he had done most Saturdays since he stopped playing.
Brian loved everything about the club and was so proud of the recent developments and improvements made to the ground, the clubhouse and, of course, the cricket.
It was around a century ago, during the 1920s, that Brian’s father, Charlie, and his uncle, George, were stalwarts of Leverstock Green Cricket Club. Charlie was Club Captain throughout the 1920s & 30s and was an elegant, top-order batsman. Uncle George was the opening pace bowler who consistently topped the bowling averages. The club played on a field in Pancake Lane before moving to Cherry Tree Lane, a cycle ride away from Leverstock Green. Brian told me that his father often had to ride with a lawnmower on his handlebars so that the wicket could be cut before the match.
Brian was also our unofficial club historian; such was his encyclopaedic knowledge of Leverstock Green Cricket Club. It was he who wrote 'A Short History of Leverstock Green Cricket Club' which appeared annually in the club handbook from the 1980s onwards. Brian and his wife, Marian, together compiled and wrote 'Almost a Century' - a history of the Club from its inception in 1908 until the millennium year of 2000. Subsequently, he collaborated with others in the publishing of the club’s most recent history: '100 NOT OUT - Leverstock Green Cricket Club from 1908 to 2008'.
In September 1939, Leverstock Green was due to play Hemel Hempstead Town CC for the first time but unfortunately the match was cancelled owing to the outbreak of the Second World War. Brian’s abiding ambition was for LGCC to be able to play against the Town team and this at last came about in 1973. Brian captained the 2nd XI that day. Hemel were bowled out cheaply, so much so that The Green were 20 for no wicket at tea-time. The match was duly won by five wickets and Brian, batting, as usual at No. 4, scored an elegant 54 not out. The win was celebrated in style in the Heath Park bar. Brian confided that it was one of his most enjoyable experiences, made even better as we returned to The Green to find that our 1st XI had also won against Hemel...by 112 runs!
I first met Brian Latchford in April,1973, when I joined LGCC. He was the Second Team Vice-Captain but often skippered the team, when the captain, Dick Stedman, was unavailable to play. Brian was an excellent, avuncular captain and teammate. He immersed us all in the traditions and expectations of being a Leverstock Green player. My first match with him was at home against St. Michaels Village (from St. Albans). He told me about their legendary opening batsman, Harry Barrett, who, although he batted way out of his crease, was never stumped nor run out; also, their fast bowler, Dick Muskett, who was even more hostile than Brian had indicated!
Brian had begun playing for the club in the 1950s when it was re-founded on its present, beautiful ground. He recalled erecting and changing in tents on the edge of The Green and retiring to the Village Hall for tea and thence to The Leather Bottle for after-match drinks. His favourite away ground was Waltham Cross Rosedale, not only for its lovely setting and good facilities but also because of the delicious teas that the players enjoyed between innings. This was prime market garden country - aand succulent strawberries, tomatoes and salad produce were there in abundance.
In more modern times, Brian loved our 'Cricket Week'. I never knew him to miss one. Again, he would recall these wonderful occasions, when we had some fine cricket matches and great fun, attended by large numbers of people, some well-known in the cricketing world and others from Australia! He also sometimes told the story about the great day when the Lord’s Taverners played at Leverstock Green. He was so proud of the fact that Test players (John Snow, John Murray, Denis Compton, Bill Edrich) and famous celebrities (Eric Morecambe, Judith Chalmers, Jasper Carrott, Suzanne Danielle) came to his club.
My best personal memory of Brian was when we shared a batting partnership of a century-plus. I achieved my top score for the club and Brian also scored a half-century. Very generously, he often recalled this occasion and told others about how everything unfolded. I was so touched, just a few years ago, when he presented me with the newspaper cutting of the scoresheet and report of that match. As well as his stories and the banter, Brian was a very thoughtful person who genuinely liked and saw the best in other people.
In July,1990 Brian and another experienced LGCC umpire, Alun Roberts, were chosen to be the match officials at the prestigious Gazette Cup Final held at Heath Park, the Town ground (see picture). They looked resplendent in their very smart umpires’ attire. Brian was very proud of the honour bestowed upon him, Alun and LGGC.
Finally, a few words now from Brian himself:
“The village, with its later residents, prospers today. The way of life of its members and the facilities enjoyed by today’s players would be far beyond the conception of those gathered in the village school when the club was founded in 1908. With a thriving playing and social membership as well as excellent facilities, we have come a long way from the early days in Pancake Lane.”
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FUNERAL DETAILS
Brian’s funeral will take place on Wednesday May 22, 2024, 12.30pm at Hemel Hempstead Crematorium, just along Bedmond Road from LGCC - where a wake will be held after the service.