Allan Kettleborough & Nick Cowan

The Yorkshire Cricket Southern Premier League has been saddened over the last two days to hear of the passing of two well-known South Yorkshire cricketing stalwarts who were closely connected with our clubs and will be remembered by many across our area. 

 

 

This Wednesday, Allan Kettlebrough, who had not been well for some time, passed away at the age of 86. Allan had a long career as a cricketer, predominantly as a batsman with Sheffield United and Rotherham Town in the Yorkshire League, and Kirk Burton in the Huddersfield League. He was also good enough to play for Yorkshire 2nds in 1955 and 1956. On retiring from playing, Allan developed a formidable reputation as a groundsman, looking after the Rotherham ground at Clifton Lane for many years, and his ability was recognised by being appointed an ECB pitch adviser. He was also the cricket master at Worksop College for several years. In recent times, Allan followed Sheffield Collegiate, where his son Richard started his playing career and still makes occasional appearances between his international umpiring commitments, and Allan was at Treeton to see Collegiate clinch their 2023 YCSPL championship in September. 

 

We offer our most sincere condolences to Richard and the family on their sad loss. 

 

 

Nick Cowan, who passed away on Thursday morning, after suffering much ill health in recent years, was one of the most unforgettable characters in our game. In 2018, Nick was inducted into the then-YSPL Hall of Fame after a playing career as an opening bowler with Doncaster Town, Rotherham Phoenix, Elsecar and Rotherham Town, whom he captained to the Yorkshire League championship in 1992. Returning to Doncaster, he then captained the Town Fields side to Yorkshire League championship success and, in August 1998, he led the side to victory over Bath in the final of the Abbot Ale Cup at Lords – the forerunner of today’s national club knock-out. Nick’s reputation for being a tough competitor on the field of play was matched only by his willingness to share a drink with his opponents after the game. In recent years, despite his illness, Nick remained a staunch supporter of Doncaster Town and was a regular presence on the boundary at their games, both home and away. 

 

We send our sincere condolences to Nick’s family and friends. 

 

Nick's funeral will be at 2.00pm on Friday 12 January at Doncaster Minster, 9, Church St, Doncaster DN1 1RD; followed by cremation at Rose Hill Vrematorium, Cantley Lane, Doncaster; followed by a good send off at Doncaster Town CC, Town Fields.